explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

113: Riemann-Zeta

2012-09-07T02:52:55Z

Quasar: /* Explanation */

{{ComicHeader|113|June 9, 2006}}

[[File:riemann-zeta.jpg]]

== Image Text ==
The graph is of the magnitude of the function with the real value between 0 and 2 and the imaginary between about 35 and 40. I've misplaced the exact parameters I used.
==Explanation==
A prime number is any positive whole number greater than 1 that is only divisible by itself and 1. There is an infinite number of prime numbers, but they are somewhat elusive since there is no known function that yields all prime numbers and only prime numbers. The Riemann-Zeta function is an infinite series of 1/n^s where s is a complex number (i.e. s = x + i where x is real and i is imaginary) and is summed from n=1 to infinity. See [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riemann_zeta_function]. As the image text indicates, the graph in the picture is of the Riemann-Zeta function in the complex plane. Leonhard Euler proved that there is a relationship between the Riemann-Zeta function and prime numbers, which explains Randall's statement of the deep ties between the two.

Here [[Randall]] appears to be talking to his significant other, comparing her to prime numbers and himself to the Riemann-Zeta function. It is mathematically correct and quite poetic, until he mentions that his relationship differs from the comparison because "The Riemann-Zeta function couldn't have given you herpes." Which is quintessentially Randall.

{{Comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics|0113]]

113: Riemann-Zeta

2012-09-07T02:52:18Z

Quasar: /* Explanation */

{{ComicHeader|113|June 9, 2006}}

[[File:riemann-zeta.jpg]]

== Image Text ==
The graph is of the magnitude of the function with the real value between 0 and 2 and the imaginary between about 35 and 40. I've misplaced the exact parameters I used.
==Explanation==
A prime number is any positive whole number greater than 1 that is only divisible by itself and 1. There is an infinite number of prime numbers, but they are somewhat elusive since there is no known function that yields all prime numbers and only prime numbers. The Riemann-Zeta function is an infinite series of 1/n^s where s is a complex number (i.e. s = x + i where x is real and i is imaginary) and is summed from n=1 to infinity. See [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riemann_zeta_function]. As the image text indicates, the graph in the picture is of the Riemann-Zeta function in the complex plane. Leonhard Euler proved that there is a relationship between the Riemann-Zeta function and prime numbers, which explains Randall's statement of the deep ties between the two.

Here [[Randall appears]] to be talking to his significant other, comparing her to prime numbers and himself to the Riemann-Zeta function. It is mathematically correct and quite poetic, until he mentions that his relationship differs from the comparison because "The Riemann-Zeta function couldn't have given you herpes." Which is quintessentially Randall.

{{Comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics|0113]]

113: Riemann-Zeta

2012-09-07T02:51:20Z

Quasar: /* Explanation */

{{ComicHeader|113|June 9, 2006}}

[[File:riemann-zeta.jpg]]

== Image Text ==
The graph is of the magnitude of the function with the real value between 0 and 2 and the imaginary between about 35 and 40. I've misplaced the exact parameters I used.
==Explanation==
A prime number is any positive whole number greater than 1 that is only divisible by itself and 1. There is an infinite number of prime numbers, but they are somewhat elusive since there is no known function that yields all prime numbers and only prime numbers. The Riemann-Zeta function is an infinite series of 1/n^s where s is a complex number (i.e. s = x + i where x is real and i is imaginary) and is summed from n=1 to infinity. See [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riemann_zeta_function]. As the image text undicates, the graph in the picture is of the Riemann-Zeta function in the complex plane. Leonhard Euler proved that there is a relationship between the Riemann-Zeta function and prime numbers, which explains Randall's statement of the deep ties between the two.

Here [[Randall appears]] to be talking to his significant other, comparing her to prime numbers and himself to the Riemann-Zeta function. It is mathematically correct and quite poetic, until he mentions that his relationship differs from the comparison because "The Riemann-Zeta function couldn't have given you herpes." Which is quintessentially Randall.

{{Comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics|0113]]

113: Riemann-Zeta

2012-09-07T02:48:57Z

Quasar: /* Explanation */

{{ComicHeader|113|June 9, 2006}}

[[File:riemann-zeta.jpg]]

== Image Text ==
The graph is of the magnitude of the function with the real value between 0 and 2 and the imaginary between about 35 and 40. I've misplaced the exact parameters I used.
==Explanation==
A prime number is any positive whole number greater than 1 that is only divisible by itself and 1. There is an infinite number of prime numbers, but they are somewhat elusive since there is no known function that yields all prime numbers and only prime numbers. The Riemann-Zeta function is an infinite series of 1/n^s where s is a complex number (i.e. x + i) and is summed from n=1 to infinity. See [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riemann_zeta_function]. As the image text undicates, the graph in the picture is of the Riemann-Zeta function in the complex plane. Leonhard Euler proved that there is a relationship between the Riemann-Zeta function and prime numbers, which explains Randall's statement of the deep ties between the two.

Here [[Randall appears]] to be talking to his significant other, comparing her to prime numbers and himself to the Riemann-Zeta function. It is mathematically correct and quite poetic, until he mentions that his relationship differs from the comparison because "The Riemann-Zeta function couldn't have given you herpes." Which is quintessentially Randall.

{{Comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics|0113]]

113: Riemann-Zeta

2012-09-07T02:45:07Z

Quasar: /* Explanation */

{{ComicHeader|113|June 9, 2006}}

[[File:riemann-zeta.jpg]]

== Image Text ==
The graph is of the magnitude of the function with the real value between 0 and 2 and the imaginary between about 35 and 40. I've misplaced the exact parameters I used.
==Explanation==
A prime number is any positive whole number greater than 1 that is only divisible by itself and 1. There is an infinite number of prime numbers, but they are somewhat elusive since there is no known function that yields all prime numbers and only prime numbers. The Riemann-Zeta function is an infinite series of 1/n^s where s is a complex number (i.e. x + i) and is summed from n=1 to infinity. See [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riemann_zeta_function]. As the image text undicates, the graph in the picture is of the Riemann-Zeta function and is as [[Randall]] describes. Leonhard Euler proved that there is a relationship between the Riemann-Zeta function and prime numbers, which explains Randall's statement of the deep ties between the two.

Here Randall appears to be talking to his significant other, comparing her to prime numbers and himself to the Riemann-Zeta function. It is mathematically correct and quite poetic, until he mentions that his relationship differs from the comparison because "The Riemann-Zeta function couldn't have given you herpes." Which is quintessentially Randall.

{{Comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics|0113]]

105: Parallel Universe

2012-09-06T21:37:42Z

Quasar: /* Explanation */

{{ComicHeader|105|May 22, 2006}}

[[File:parallel_universe.jpg]]

== Image Text ==
It's possible. Better to be on the safe side.

== Explanation ==
[[Cueball]] is (by some ritual, judging by the pentagram) summoning himself from a parallel universe. At first, [[Megan]] suggests that he should make out with himself “while the time lasts.” But then she uses the same reasoning to suggest he should make out with her.

The image text is a reflection of this thought--you never know when someone might disappear and you lose the opportunity to make out with them.
{{Comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics|0105]]

103: Moral Relativity

2012-09-06T21:27:35Z

Quasar: /* Explanation */

{{ComicHeader|103|May 17, 2006}}

[[File:moral relativity.jpg]]

== Image Text ==
It's science!

== Explanation ==
Simple explanation: It's easier to commit a crime when you can get away with it.

Scientific explanation: The chance of someone catching you while doing something illegal is equal to the time it takes to do that and put you in a position to deny doing that. Deduction: while it makes moral sense to not steal an expensive watch from a jeweller, chances are you are likely less prohibited when that stealing takes only 0,001 second, rendering you invisible from security cameras and the jeweller itself. Therefore, any crime that reaches an execution time equal to C (which is light speed, or zero execution time) is likely to put your moral compass at risk.

Alternate explanation: the main joke in this comic is its interpretation of moral relativity along the same lines as the Theory of Relativity. In the field of Ethics moral relativity holds that moral judgements are not absolute, but rather relative to the group of people involved. The Theory of Relativity predicts (among other things) that physical properties of an object change the closer to the speed of light it travels--length contracts, observed time slows down etc. Thus its humorous that the ethics of a situation would be relative the same way physical properties change as the speed of light is approached.
{{Comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics|0103]]

103: Moral Relativity

2012-09-06T21:26:29Z

Quasar: /* Explanation */

{{ComicHeader|103|May 17, 2006}}

[[File:moral relativity.jpg]]

== Image Text ==
It's science!

== Explanation ==
Simple explanation: It's easier to commit a crime when you can get away with it.

Scientific explanation: The chance of someone catching you while doing something illegal is equal to the time it takes to do that and put you in a position to deny doing that. Deduction: while it makes moral sense to not steal an expensive watch from a jeweller, chances are you are likely less prohibited when that stealing takes only 0,001 second, rendering you invisible from security cameras and the jeweller itself. Therefore, any crime that reaches an execution time equal to C (which is light speed, or zero execution time) is likely to put your moral compass at risk.

Alternate explanation: the main joke in this comic is its interpretation of moral relativity along the same lines as the Theory of Relativity. In the field of Ethics moral relativity holds that moral judgements are not absolute, but rather relative to group of people involved. The Theory of Relativity predicts (among other things) that physical properties of an object change the closer to the speed of light it travels--length contracts, observed time slows down etc. Thus its humorous that the ethics of a situation would be relative the same way physical properties change as the speed of light is approached.
{{Comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics|0103]]