How is your relationship with Mathematics? [I'd Rather Get To Know You Than Small Talk]

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helenS · 36-40, F

Please find [b]two numbers[/b], the [b]sum[/b] of which is [b]ten[/b], and the [b]product[/b] of which is [b]40[/b].

The problem was solved, in [b]1545[/b], by G. [b]Cardano[/b], in chapter XXXVII of his book "[b]Ars Magna[/b]".

Riemann · 31-35, M

@helenS
40/x = (10-x)
40/y = (10-y)
?

helenS · 36-40, F

@Riemann
Find two numbers... (let's call them x and y)
... the sum of which is ten:
(a) x + y = 10
... and the product of which is 40:
(b) x * y = 40

(a) gives: y = 10 – x
(a) in (b) gives
x * (10 – x) = 40.

Expansion leads to:
–x^2 + 10 * x – 40 = 0

Solving the quadratic equation using standard methods gives:
x = 5 – sqrt(–15)
y = 5 + sqrt(–15)

Cardano, of course, said that sqrt(–15) doesn't make any sense, but the product of (5 + sqrt(–15)) and (5 - sqrt(–15)) is , indeed, 40 (please check!)
He had no idea about complex numbers, of course.

🌷

SledgeHammer · 46-50, M

@helenS hey professor... it's a 3 day weekend and you giving out Homework?

🙆‍♂️

helenS · 36-40, F

@SledgeHammer After a glass of Martini too much, silly ideas tend to come up 🤭

SledgeHammer · 46-50, M

@helenS you're obsessed with Martin aren't you?
You cant sleep until you say his name 3x .... you hear his name everywhere you go!

I even bet you doodled his name all over your walls.

Tsk Tsk Tsk
🙆‍♂️

helenS · 36-40, F

@SledgeHammer [b]Martini[/b] not Martin 🤨

SledgeHammer · 46-50, M

@helenS yea that's what I meant...

Are you an alcoholic?

Take care of that liver
🙆‍♂️

helenS · 36-40, F

@SledgeHammer I'm not an alcoholic; and I'm more obsessed with [i]Amarone della Valpolicella[/i] than with Martini.
I enjoyed two Martinis because it's a beautiful day, with the birds singing, and the blossoms are beautiful. 🦋