Tutoring math, ideas are always important. The tutor mentions Fermat’s Last Theorem. A Pythagorean triple is a set of three integers that satisfy a2+b2=c2 There are infinite Pythagorean triples. However, there are no corresponding sets of integers for higher n: …
Math: Pythagorean triples and Fermat’s Last Theorem Read more »
Self-tutoring about computer science: the tutor mentions the term arity. arity: the number of inputs a function needs when called. Source: definitions.net
Self-tutoring about astronomy: the tutor mentions an interesting fact about the Southern Cross. Apparently, from inside the tropics of the northern hemisphere, the Southern Cross can be seen, low in the sky, during winter and spring. Source: www.constellation-guide.com
Self-tutoring about computer science: the tutor mentions the concept of serialization. Serialization means producing a string of characters (or perhaps just 0s and 1s) that can be written to a file, so preserved against power loss. That string of characters …
Self-tutoring about drug consumption: the tutor mentions anabolic steroids. I overheard that someone was “addicted to steroids.” “But can that be?” I wondered to myself. “I’ve never heard that steroids are physically addictive.” I decided to look further. My reading …
Self-tutoring about astronomy: the tutor brings up the famous Southern Cross. I’ve been hearing about the Southern Cross for decades. I decided to look it up. Important with the Southern Cross are two other stars, the Pointers, which are brighter …
Self-tutoring about appliances: the tutor checks out the idea of a grease trap. I recall decades ago talking to a restaurant owner who was sizing up a new project. He mentioned it needed a grease trap. Ever since then I’ve …
Tutoring math, ideas can always be revisited. The tutor mentions set subtraction. Set subtraction is different from arithmetic subtraction. If A and B are sets, the operation A-B ignores what’s in B only; it just gives back what’s present in …
Self-tutoring about life these days: the tutor mentions a day trip to Nanaimo. Since March I’ve seldom left the house except for the running field a block away. The reclusive lifestyle comes naturally to me. On Saturday we went to …
Self-tutoring about modes of outerwear: the tutor mentions why wearing a baseball cap backwards might make sense. The other day, on my way out for a run, I felt like wearing a baseball cap. I seldom wear one except for …