Prelude to Computer Science - 3: Essential Math, Exponents

[BurmeseSamosa]

TheFallibleFiend, I like the way you lecture but do you also lecture Math? If so what do I have to do to see your lecture? Thinks man, I'll continue to watch this computer vids.

[TheFallibleFiend]

@BurmeseSamosa I started a math series, but have been too busy with work and other things to continue. Also, I need a better way to produce videos. Anyway, sorry I can't be of more help. There are other, better, options though. You might look up the Khan Academy. His vids are very good. MIT has excellent college level lectures. Also the MathTV channel is great. Good luck.

[fc007]

0^0=1? really

[TheFallibleFiend]

Startling, I agree. Check out mathworld (dot) com.

[notToast]

uhm... yes? 0^0 isn't 0 multiplied by 0 you know ... Any real number to the power of 0 is equal to 0

btw this video is terrible. "there is nothing to understand, just memorize the definition" - that is the reason why in the 21st century no one at school seems to understand anything in math.

understanding should always be top priority, and then there's the definitions just to help a bit to organize and structure your thinking.

[TheFallibleFiend]

No. Any real number to the power of zero is one, not zero. Yes, understanding should always be top priority, but sometimes you have to memorize.

[notToast]

typo

[fc007]

"uhm... yes? 0^0 isn't 0 multiplied by 0 you know ... Any real number to the power of 0 is equal to 0"

I know that 0^0 is not equal to 0 multiplied by 0. I was thaught that 0^0 is undefined; (a not= 0) --> (a^0 =1)

[TheFallibleFiend]

fc007,

Same thing I was taught. But what we're taught is not always correct. Sometimes it's just wrong and other times what we're taught is dated.

[fc007]

"But what we're taught is not always correct. Sometimes it's just wrong and other times what we're taught is dated. "

Is there a mathematical proof that 0^0=1 is right?

If the professors say one thing and you another then what would be the base to judge that they are wrong and you are right?

[TheFallibleFiend]

I'm not asking you to trust me. From the web page I cite:

"The definition 0^0=1 is sometimes used to simplify formulas, but it should be kept in mind that this equality is a definition and not a fundamental mathematical truth (Knuth 1992; Knuth 1997, p. 56). "

It' s not a matter of understanding ... all you can do is memorize 0^0=1. For general case of X^0, I can give an intuitive argument, but not for x=0.

[Boinkmakr]

Will it make a a 1337 haxor and couse me to take down ED?

[benza435]

my brain is melting

i wish i had paid attention in school now :(

[carlossabates]

Thanks for the vid I wanted to remember this and you explained so easy !!!Great!!!

[forthecause]

Thanks for the vid