A logs puzzle
Via @markritchings, an excellent logs problem: If $a = \log_{14}(7)$ and $b = \log_{14}(5)$, find $\log_{35}(28)$ in terms of $a$ and $b$. One of the reasons I like this puzzle is that I did it a...
View ArticleThe Mathematical Ninja and the Unknown Powers
The Mathematical Ninja peered at the problem sheet: Given that $(1+ax)^n = 1 - 12x + 63x^2 + \dots$, find the values of a and n Barked: “$n=-8$ and $a=\frac{3}{2}$.” The student sighed. “I get no...
View ArticleCalculating $e^e$ and $e^{-\frac{1}{e}}$
"The Mathematical Ninja is currently on sabbatical. Leave a message after the tone... or else!" Oh dear! How are we going to figure out $e^e$ now? Let alone $e^{-\frac{1}{e}}$? We'll just have to roll...
View ArticleThe Mathematical Ninja and the *Other* Pole
“Sensei, why have you covered the entire Earth in an area-preserving wrap?” “It’s all @colinthemathmo's doing.” “I’m surprised you’re doing it in hardware rather than working it out in your head.” “Oh,...
View ArticleThe Mathematical Ninja and the Cube Root of 13
A physicist. A calculator. The Mathematical Ninja’s face - what could be seen of it - was more snarl than feature. It’s quite tricky to hiss something that doesn’t have any sibilant consonants, but...
View Article“How many days old are you?”
“How old are you?” asked young Fred. (This is not, technically, an ‘Ask Uncle Colin’. It’s an ‘Ask Daddy’.) “I’m 42, buddy.” “42 days?” “No, 42 years!” “Oh. But how many days is that?” It is not quite...
View ArticleThe Mathematical Ninja and an Irrational Power
“The square root of two… I don’t even know how to say this. The square root of two to the square root of threeth power?” “$\sqrt{2}^{\sqrt{3}}$?” said the Mathematical Ninja. “I wouldn’t bother saying...
View ArticleThe Mathematical Ninja and Logs Base 2
The student’s shoulder twitched slightly as he said “So I need to work out $\log_2(10)$…” and the crash of the cane against the table reminded him that the calculator was off-limits. “I think you can...
View ArticleThe Mathematical Ninja and the Power of Ten
“We’ve been through this a hundred times, sensei. I say something like ‘$10^{1.35}$. Hm, let me get my calculator’ and you torture me in some unspeakable way an blurt out the answer…” “22.4” “… thank...
View ArticleThe Mathematical Ninja and the Cube Root of 81
“I would have to assume the teacher means $\sqrt[4]{81}$ instead.” “That’s as may be. But $4\ln(3)$ is 4.4 (less one part in 800). A third of that is $1.4\dot 6$, less one part in 800, call it 1.465.”...
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