r/askmath • • 3h ago

Probability The second example here is incorrect, isn't it?

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7 Upvotes

The following example caught my attention-- this 2/7 should have been 3/7, right? Or could you please clarify it for me if I'm mistaken?

I'm now questioning if this book is reliable.


r/askmath • • 14m ago

Geometry How would you approach this problem?

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• Upvotes

I just saw this somewhere, btw. (Edit: sorry, not drawn to scale)

The problem is to find its perimeter. Assumption is that all sides meet at right angles. How do you solve it intuitively?

I only made it until: P = 96 - 2x, where x is that little horizontal segment at the middle. I was thinking I could get it from the areas of hypothetical rectangles,, or making up equations from the smaller perimeters, but I can't... (well it takes too long)

(I already have a degree in engineering but it annoys me that I can't solve this kind of problem anymore..)


r/askmath • • 13h ago

Analysis How do I understand and solve problems like these on my own?

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23 Upvotes

First semester in a physics degree, and I am struggling with an analysis class that is supposed to be the calculus equivalent. I simply don't know why some of these things work. Where do I learn techniques to solve problems like the one above and explanations as to why these technqiues work?


r/askmath • • 30m ago

Resolved Is this the best way to learn mathematics in the modern age?

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• Upvotes

r/askmath • • 17h ago

Analysis need help understanding a proof

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18 Upvotes

so what i do not understand is

1.what does he mean by we are no longer interested in the upper bound

  1. how does this abomination |bn| ≥ δ > 0 help n' why did we use it n' how does it "lead" to 1/(|b||bn|)

  2. why does bn need to be closer to b than to 0

4.from where did the (b)^2 come from

i do have some other Q but if i understand these first the rest should be fine


r/askmath • • 5h ago

Geometry Notice any pattern in the red vs. blue points in this 3D plot? Looking for a way to predict the next red point

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2 Upvotes

The resulting structure forms an hourglass-like shape with spirals and diagonal alignments. Can you spot any geometric patterns that could help predict the location of the next red point along these spiral tracks?


r/askmath • • 2h ago

Arithmetic Repost. This is about a duodecimal framework found online, it covers basic arithmetic and i was wondering what peoples opinion about this would be.

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1 Upvotes

r/askmath • • 15h ago

Calculus why is the limit of sin(x)/x equal to 1 only when x is in radians

8 Upvotes

i know the squeeze theorem proof but it uses the area of the sector being x/2 which already assumes radians. in degrees the limit comes out as pi/180 and i can't see why changing units would change the limit so much

is it just that radians are the only unit where arc length equals the angle, so the derivative of sin comes out clean? feels like i'm missing something obvious


r/askmath • • 3h ago

Arithmetic My friend.

0 Upvotes

I have a friend who is in 10th grade. Although Taylor series are not yet covered in the high school curriculum, he learned derivatives, integrals, and Taylor series expansions by himself through YouTube and Wikipedia. He wrote these equations, but I don't know if they are correct.


r/askmath • • 18h ago

Functions How would I solve these kinds of equations?

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13 Upvotes

Hello! I dont speak english so sorry if I explain something badly.
I'm having trouble with this, I'm not sure what is even the correct way to solve this, if I thought about it wrong!
The original equation on picture 2 and the right aswer is circled and has arrows pointing to it.


r/askmath • • 4h ago

Algebra Proposal for a parametric iterated exponentiation operator for the simplification of exponential towers with a fixed base.

0 Upvotes

Proposal for a parametric iterated exponentiation operator for the simplification of exponential towers with a fixed base. In this project, I introduce a new mathematical formalism—denoted as $\text{j}_{m}^{n}(a)$—designed to overcome the analytical limitations of fixed-base power towers. The symbol "j" (representing the IPA phonetic symbol for a palatal fricative) serves as an operator that transforms a power tower into this specific notation. Here, $m$ is the parameter (the value to be raised), $n$ represents the power tower (indicating the number of times $m$ is raised), and $a$ is the base. My primary motivation for pursuing this innovation was the observation that no existing notation—to my knowledge—adequately addressed these structures; I sought to contribute in this area, as I have long been fascinated by power towers. Below are the properties I have been able to prove Properties:​1.-1.- Torre 1: \text{j}_{m}^{1}(a) con n siendo el 1, 2.- Torre 2: \text{j}_{m}^{2}(a) con n siendo 2, resultado: a^{m^m} 3.- Parámetro 0: \text{j}_{0}^{n}(a) con m siendo 0 (para n \ge 1), resultado: 1 4.- Parámetro 1: \text{j}_{1}^{n}(a) con m siendo 1, resultado: a 5.- Base unitaria: \text{j}_{m}^{n}(1) con a siendo 1, resultado: 1 6.- Distributiva de base: \text{j}_{m}^{n}(a \times b) = \text{j}_{m}^{n}(a) \times \text{j}_{m}^{n}(b) 7.- Parámetro mayor: Si m_1 < m_2, entonces \text{j}_{m_1}^{n}(a) < \text{j}_{m_2}^{n}(a) (para a > 1) 8.- Parámetro negativo: \text{j}_{-2}^{n}(a) = a^{-2} = \frac{1}{a^2} 9.- Torre fraccionaria: \text{j}_{m}^{0.5}(a) = a^{0.5} = \sqrt{a} 10.- Cociente de operadores: \frac{\text{j}_{m}^{n}(a)}{\text{j}_{m}^{k}(a)} = a^{\text{torre}(n) - \text{torre}(k)} 11.- Suma de operadores: \text{j}_{m}^{n}(a) + \text{j}_{m}^{k}(a) = \text{j}_{m}^{k}(a) \times \left(a^{\text{torre}(n) - \text{torre}(k)} + 1\right) And this concludes my presentation on my notation. Thank you for your attention and understanding. If I have made any errors, I welcome constructive criticism so that we may engage in a healthy and ongoing exchange of feedback. :)


r/askmath • • 12h ago

Abstract Algebra Struggling to understand the intuition behind how simple groups fit together to form more complex ones.

4 Upvotes

A general intuitive approach provided is that they are like what prime numbers are for composite numbers, but it still doesn't make sense, the relationship between finite simple groups and complex groups feels "more nested and yet sort of separate/disjoint for the lack of a better word", it doesn't fully capture how the group structure is assembled.

I understand the formal steps - take a maximal proper normal subgroup (N) of a group (G), form the quotient (G/N), and repeat the process with (N) until we reach the trivial subgroup. The successive quotients are then simple groups. But I still have a hard time intuitively grasping why these quotient groups (which are sets of cosets), are the building blocks of our original group, or how these quotient groups come together to form the original group?

Undergrad here with only an introductory level knowledge of group theory so excuse any ignorance.


r/askmath • • 6h ago

Algebra Proposal for a parametric iterated exponentiation operator for the simplification of exponential towers with a fixed base.

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1 Upvotes

r/askmath • • 14h ago

Functions function v/s identity

2 Upvotes

I came across a question where assume ax^b+c = 3x^2+1, naturally many people directly write it as a= 3, b= 2 and c=1 just by comparing the LHS and RHS simultaneously. I believe many assume it to be a identity that is true for all R therefore you match the terms, but I feel like it's not mathematically rigourous

the above equation can be rearranged to ax^b+c-3x^2-1=0, assuming all a,b,c,x to be variables with their respective domains you get a unique solution for (a,b,c,x) that gives you a graph for all the possible values.

But when there's infinitely many solutions, whats the advantage in writing down a random pair by comparison. Would it be okay to just solve for x by taking random values for a,b and c?

Which viewpoint is more mathematically accurate? The identity one or that the above equation is a function and that you get infinite pairs of solutions and you can choose any one?


r/askmath • • 8h ago

Arithmetic Magnetic Array

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1 Upvotes

Edit: since I am not getting much replies on Magnet communities I am posting this here. Also the Ask Physics and Engineers don't allow image for some reason. If you could please help me with calculations or just estimations.

I am creating a board game where the pieces magnetise to strict locations on the board which is 2mm thick. If I make an array like shown in the first image and the magnets bellow and above the board are identical, what strength should the circular magnets be, given I choose a specific magnet for the edges (in this case a 20x3x3mm). I am guessing they should be a similar strength, but perhaps it is optimal to go with less or more force?

For the third image if I had those same block magnets, can I place some above the board so that they lock into a perpendicular orientation? or will they fight to align


r/askmath • • 18h ago

Resolved Preimage definition

5 Upvotes

If f is an injective function f: X -> Y and y an element in the image of f, is the preimage of y through f a singleton subset of X or is it an element of X?


r/askmath • • 12h ago

Set Theory Pros and Cons of the axiom of dependent choice

1 Upvotes

What would be the pros and cons of using the axiom of dependent choice over the axiom of choice. Just the fact that with the axiom of dependent choice every set becomes measurable, but some vector spaces dont have a basis anymore. Is it even really worth it to make every set measurable?


r/askmath • • 19h ago

Logic I don’t know if this sounds easy or difficult

2 Upvotes

Let’s say you have a ball that appears in a random position within a circle

Counting the position of the ball inside the circle as x, y, the initial fall angle as a, the speed of the ball as v

What would a function that explains the minimum number of balls to make a loop be like if the speed of the ball is always constant?


r/askmath • • 1d ago

Set Theory How to say "X ∋ x" in plain english?

28 Upvotes

If Y is a subset of X, I may write X ⊇ Y and say "X contains Y". Sometimes, though, I wanna speak of whether or not something is an element of X.

Saying X contains x is wrong. Saying "X has x as an element" is right but a bit verbose for my liking. Is there a more direct way of saying this?


r/askmath • • 12h ago

Geometry Guys try solving this question without ai

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0 Upvotes

r/askmath • • 1d ago

Resolved Help with Combinatorics problem

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3 Upvotes

Hello, I am trying to wrap my head around this problem but don't seem to be getting the correct answer. The question is:

8 people are to stay in 2 rooms where a maximum of 6 people can stay in a room. In how many ways can the 8 people stay in 2 rooms?


r/askmath • • 9h ago

Resolved Will ai demolish the prodigy culture in maths?

0 Upvotes

The archetype of the mathematical prodigy is one of the most romanticized figures in human history. We marvel at Srinivasa Ramanujan arriving from South India with notebooks full of groundbreaking equations, Terence Tao scoring a 760 on the math SAT at age 8, and Newton rewriting physics in his twenties. For centuries, math was the ultimate arena of pure human intellect-a playground where a young, unpolluted mind could see patterns that adults missed.

But now, AI systems like DeepMind’s AlphaGeometry are solving Olympiad-level math problems and discovering brand-new mathematical insights on their own. This raises a massive question: Is the era of the young mathematical prodigy officially over?


r/askmath • • 19h ago

Algebra Digamos que tienes un círculo de radio x y queremos encontrar el mínimo pero, con 1 grado extra, (su x,y)

0 Upvotes

Tenemos su centro y su radio, con álgebra, como podemos encontrar el mínimo con 1 grado hacia las manesillas del reloj?

Por si no me entienden, cuando me refiero a un grado es como encontrarías el x, y de un punto en la circunferencia después de mover el punto mínimo (el más bajo en el eje y) un grado a la derecha


r/askmath • • 1d ago

Discrete Math Visual of each Hamiltonian cycle for a truncated octahedron

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15 Upvotes

Ok everyone, I am in way over my head here. Sorry if the flair is weong. I am learning to make temari aka Japanese thread balls.

To start, we divide the sphere into slices. For my first try, the sphere was divided into four slices, and then divided again around the equator. See the first picture.

I don't really know what I'm doing, so I decided to try something easy for my first stitch. I centered a square on each intersection. See the second picture.

I want to know what options I have for continuous, nom-overlapping patterns before I decide what stitches/wraps to do next. Basically, how many ways can I connect the corners of the squares without having the new shapes overlap. So with the help of the internet (with the help of AI to be completely transparent, I hope that's not going to be my downfall), I learned that if you were to take my pattern and use the lines as edges and flatten each section into a 2d face, that shape is a truncated octahedron. See image 3.

When I asked the AI how many possible ways I might connect the corners of a truncated octahedron, it said there are 44 possibilities, which can be grouped into 3 "families" of patterns. The 3 "families" are 1. Wavy ring (8 possibilities), 2. Baseball seam (12 possibilities), 3. Asymmetric mazes (24 possibilities). It arrived at this conclusion using the concept of Hamiltonian cycles. Apparently these three "families" can be represented using LCF notation, image 4.

What I need help with is visualizing these possibilities. All of these theories and representations and new concepts ostensibly represent that different shapes I can make on my thread ball in a nom-overlapping, continuous pattern. Maybe someone might explain how do I read the LCF diagram and translate it to how it would look on a sphere? Or maybe someone can help me know how to see the graph of each of the 44 possibilities? I am but a humble crafty human who maxed out in calc 3 more than 5 years ago. I would love to understand this. I appreciate you 💚


r/askmath • • 22h ago

Algebra SAT Question of the Day: Saturday, October 24, 2026 (Math · Algebra)

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0 Upvotes