613: Threesome

Explain xkcd: It's 'cause you're dumb.
Revision as of 22:14, 17 July 2014 by Codefreak5 (talk | contribs) (Explanation)
Jump to: navigation, search
Threesome
I wanted us to try finding an approximate numeric solution, but noooo.
Title text: I wanted us to try finding an approximate numeric solution, but noooo.

Explanation

The N-Body Problem in physics refers to our inability to analytically solve sets of differential equations modelling gravitational attraction between more than two bodies. In the comic, they describe a physicist's difficulty having a threesome due to his inability to find a closed-form solution. The title text suggests they should settle for a numerical solution since a closed form solution is unavailable; however, the physicist apparently refused to do so during the previous night when Megan suggested him to.

Transcript

Megan: We had a threesome last night.
Cueball: How was it?
Megan: Awkward - it was with a physicist.
Cueball: Why's that awkward?
Megan: They can't solve the three-body problem.
Cueball: Ah, yes.


comment.png add a comment! ⋅ comment.png add a topic (use sparingly)! ⋅ Icons-mini-action refresh blue.gif refresh comments!

Discussion

Any specific solution to Megan, the phycisist, and the lucky third,s problem would result in chaotic motion and no apearent repetitions. Which sounds like fun, i don,t see what Megan,s problem was. 173.245.56.191 16:05, 29 August 2014 (UTC)

I don't think this really explains the comic. The three body problem wasn't explained anywhere near enough. Leafy Greens (talk) 17:21, 16 November 2014 (UTC)

Added some more explanations and interpretations.--162.158.150.140 22:47, 18 February 2016 (UTC)