Editing 2205: Types of Approximation
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
+ | {{incomplete|Created by an APPROXIMATOR. Please mention here why this explanation isn't complete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}} | ||
+ | In physics and engineering, problem solving typically requires {{w|approximation}}s, as physical properties of the universe can be difficult to model. For example, in introductory physics classes, theories are introduced in frictionless environments. | ||
− | In | + | In the comic, [[Cueball]], the physicist, generally dealing with straight math, is introducing a problem with the assumption that the particular curve is a (perfectly) circular arc with a radius represented by R. [[Megan]], the engineer, also assumes that the curve is similar to a circle, with a deviation factor of 1/1000. |
− | + | The joke arises when [[Ponytail]], the cosmologist, uses the ridiculous approximation of {{w|pi}} (π) equal to 1. In actuality, pi is an irrational number, usually truncated to 3.14. Choosing the value of pi as 1, or 10, as later suggested, completely defeats the purpose of pi for describing a circle. This is a parody of the tendency of {{w|cosmology}} to use much rougher approximations in their work. In general, astronomers deal with masses and distances that are so vast that approximations that would be ridiculous elsewhere still yield reasonable answers in astronomy. The approximation of pi to 1 is an exaggeration of this tendency, compounded by the later approximation of both pi and 1 to 10. It may also refer to the habit astronomers have of changing the units of measure such that important constants (such as the speed of light or the gravitational constant) are equal to 1, which highly simplifies the formulas without compromising the math. In this case, the number pi is a dimensionless factor, not a directly measured quantity, which means the math will not work. | |
− | + | Pi is defined as the ratio of the circumference of a circle divided by its diameter. This number is an irrational starting with 3.14 when the geometry is flat. But in curved spaces, the ratios are different. Almost every number can be pi depending on the curvature of the place the circle is residing. The cosmologist doesn't know the curvature of the universe, and so is approximating what pi is. | |
− | Ponytail offering to use 10 instead of 1 alludes to | + | Ponytail offering to use 10 instead of 1 alludes to Randall's preferred style of solving [//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fermi_problem Fermi problems], as shown in [https://what-if.xkcd.com/84/ Paint the Earth]. He rounds numbers to the nearest order of magnitude (1, 10, 100, etc.) using a base 10 logarithmic scale. On this scale, "halfway" between 1 and 10 would be √<span style="text-decoration:overline;">10</span> ≈ 3.16. Thus, numbers between about 0.316 and 3.16 are rounded to 1, between 3.16 and 31.6 are rounded to 10, and so on. At about 3.14, pi falls close to this cutoff point, and so by using this form of estimation it doesn't really matter to Ponytail whether pi is approximated to 1 or 10. |
− | + | ==Transcript== | |
+ | {{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}} | ||
− | + | :[Three nearly identical panels showing the lower-left portion of a wheel and hub diagram with symbols and an equation, each with a different character holding a pointer up to the diagram and a label above the panel with the character's profession:] | |
− | + | :[Physicist Approximations] | |
− | + | :Cueball: We'll assume the curve of this rail is a circular arc with radius ''R''. | |
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− | :[ | + | :[Engineer Approximations] |
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:Megan: Let's assume this curve deviates from a circle by no more than 1 part in 1,000. | :Megan: Let's assume this curve deviates from a circle by no more than 1 part in 1,000. | ||
− | :[ | + | :[Cosmologist Approximations] |
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:Ponytail: Assume pi is one. | :Ponytail: Assume pi is one. | ||
:Off-panel voice: Pretty sure it's bigger than that. | :Off-panel voice: Pretty sure it's bigger than that. | ||
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{{comic discussion}} | {{comic discussion}} | ||
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[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]] | ||
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Megan]] | ||
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]] | ||
[[Category:Physics]] | [[Category:Physics]] | ||
− | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Astronomy]] |
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