Mathematics is considered a powerful science but it can take up the form of art quite well too. I saw a few videos on Mashable which had me in fits (ecstatic fits I must say). Having come face to face with so many powerful elements of mathematics, the only way I can react is by sharing the video link with you all.
There are 8 videos altogether. They talk about the concept of infinity, logarithms, Japanese multiplication, and so much more. Let us take up the videos one by one:
1. Minute physics
Nobody will be willing to put a bet that -1 can be the result of the Divergent Series 1+2+4+8+16…..and yet it is proven so by Minute Physics. The video explains how certain problems cannot be easily solved on the whole but by taking its many simplified parts one by one and then adding them, we can solve the complex puzzle relatively easily. Minute Physics has been able to prove the movement of electrons in a quantum field and also been able to detect the exact value of strength of electromagnetic force. This value has been found to be 7.29735256982.10-3. Well Kudos! What else.
2. Doodling in Math class
This video says how we start doodling when Math classes become boring. However, each time we scribble a star on a sheet, we can take out some time to read the pattern. Doodling while factoring reveals how 5 point stars are the easiest to make. How 2 triangles can make up a 6 pointed star and 2 squares can make an 8 pointed star (2 pentagons a 10 pointed star and so on). In fact, any star with number of points divisible by 2 can be represented effectively by an asterix. And we thought doodling was all about creating useless objects while our mind was pre-engaged elsewhere?
3. How does math guide our ship?
The video talks about how even an imperceptible movement of half a degree could set sailors on a wrong track 5 centuries ago. With the arrival of clocks and sextants, things became easy but the inaccuracies were fully tackled only when John Napier came up with logarithms. His logarithm which used log (1) ≠ 0 was amended by Briggs who suggested about using base 10. Today logarithm uses log10 (1) =0.
4. Math is Awesome and Infinity is bigger than you think
A Mathematics professor from Cambridge teaches in this educative video something that we need to know about listable infinity and real infinity. He starts by saying that infinity is not a number but a concept and it can acquire proportions according to your imagination. Infinity can be represented as integers, whole numbers, fractions, 10th order decimal points and so much more.
5. Valentine’s Day for math’s nerds
This is a funny video which actually shows through graphs how we close in on bankruptcy as Valentine’s Day keeps closing on us.
6. Japanese multiplication
For many years, this has been the powerful tool used to multiply, divide, add or subtract very big figures. Would you not feel out of your wits if you had been given the task of multiplying 4251 with 567? The video shows how Japanese multiplication can solve the puzzle easily through a few intersecting lines placed vertically and horizontally.
7. Quick Math tricks for filmmakers
This one discusses F shots, Shutter Speed, 180 degree rule and Histograms. Math makes it easier for filmmakers to understand how much light can fit through a lens. It teaches how we can increase light 4 times just by doubling the diameter of the aperture. The Rule of Third is a great example for filmmakers who want to learn where to place an object. By using three vertical and three horizontal lines (intersecting each other), 9 boxes can be attained. An object should ideally be placed in one of the side boxes to get adequate leg and head room. At no rate, should you place the object in the middle box.
The 180 degree rule explains how you should always keep all your cameras on one side of the 180 degree axis (of your set). The video cites the example of a film where this was not followed and thus the two central characters involved in a dialogue gave the impression of looking in the same direction (and not at each other).
8. The utilities problem
Back to the same Cambridge professor and we get a practical explanation of the theory F+V-E=2 where F=faces, V=vertices or corners and E=edges of a three dimensional solid.
Well! As I said in the beginning, Math is awesome – it is hard to debate the sheer brilliance of such videos. If we place our trust in them, they can help us look at the fun side of mathematics.
Which video appealed to you most among them?
