Thanks for the blog link. This guy is a little off the deep end but he has some interesting theories. Back to the math: the trick is only a setup to allow an interesting discussion of math, on how to calculate a cube root only knowing that it is a cube. The trick really does some cool stuff with modulo arithmetic, and talks about the limitations of some bases (like the non-cyclic nature of Z/ for instance when calculating the middle digit). Those of y'all who are knocking its setup are missing the cool math behind it. Of course you wouldn't do this at a party, but the math is still interesting in its own right.
Try <a class="user" href="http://www.math-magic.com/">http://www.math-magic.com/</a>The site has tricks used on middle and high school TMSCA (an association of statewide math competitions in Texas) and UIL Number Sense tests, which are mental math tests. The tests have 80 problems for which the contestant is given 10 minutes to complete. All math must be done mentally, and there can be no marks on the paper except for the answer. Man...this brings back memories...
ultranurdOct 16, 2006
@twinklyJesusYou could always try reciting lines from Hamlet - in the original tlhingan Hol.
leadhyenaOct 16, 2006
Thanks for the blog link. This guy is a little off the deep end but he has some interesting theories. Back to the math: the trick is only a setup to allow an interesting discussion of math, on how to calculate a cube root only knowing that it is a cube. The trick really does some cool stuff with modulo arithmetic, and talks about the limitations of some bases (like the non-cyclic nature of Z/ for instance when calculating the middle digit). Those of y'all who are knocking its setup are missing the cool math behind it. Of course you wouldn't do this at a party, but the math is still interesting in its own right.
splntrcelspdrmnOct 16, 2006
hey underthelinux, 3th is not an abbrev. 3rd IS
qasabahOct 16, 2006
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qasabahOct 16, 2006
I suspect that 95% of diggers didn't get the full meaning on that one. I personally got a good chuckle from the Canadian olympic apparel proudly emblazoned with the words "Roots".<a class="user" href="http://www.darwinsmoustache.com">http://www.darwinsmoustache.com</a>
cammyboyOct 17, 2006
This is a duplicate: <a class="user" href="http://www.digg.com/general_sciences/How_to_Do_Cube_Roots_of_9_Digit_Numbers_in_Your_Head">http://www.digg.com/general_sciences/How_to_Do_Cube_Roots_of_9_Digit_Numbers_in_Your_Head</a> but that was a year ago. Thanks for reminding me about this!
rmacnguyenOct 17, 2006
Try <a class="user" href="http://www.math-magic.com/">http://www.math-magic.com/</a>The site has tricks used on middle and high school TMSCA (an association of statewide math competitions in Texas) and UIL Number Sense tests, which are mental math tests. The tests have 80 problems for which the contestant is given 10 minutes to complete. All math must be done mentally, and there can be no marks on the paper except for the answer. Man...this brings back memories...
fun4stuffOct 18, 2006
it took me about 10 mins to learn this and i am down to 10 seconds to calculate 2 digit cube roots and about 30 seconds for 3 digit cube roots