Mathematical constant (nonfiction): Difference between revisions

From Gnomon Chronicles
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Created page with "A '''mathematical constant''' is a special number (nonfiction), usually a real number (nonfiction), that is "significantly interesting in some way". == Description ==...")
 
No edit summary
 
(8 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
A '''mathematical constant''' is a special [[number (nonfiction)]], usually a [[real number (nonfiction)]], that is "significantly interesting in some way".
A '''mathematical constant''' is a special number, usually a real number, that is "significantly interesting in some way".


== Description ==
Constants arise in many areas of [[mathematics (nonfiction)|mathematics]], with constants such as e and π occurring in such diverse contexts as geometry, number theory, and calculus.
 
Constants arise in many areas of [[mathematics (nonfiction)]], with constants such as e and π occurring in such diverse contexts as geometry, number theory, and calculus.


What it means for a constant to arise "naturally", and what makes a constant "interesting", is ultimately a matter of taste, and some mathematical constants are notable more for historical reasons than for their intrinsic mathematical interest.
What it means for a constant to arise "naturally", and what makes a constant "interesting", is ultimately a matter of taste, and some mathematical constants are notable more for historical reasons than for their intrinsic mathematical interest.
Line 9: Line 7:
The more popular constants have been studied throughout the ages and computed to many decimal places.
The more popular constants have been studied throughout the ages and computed to many decimal places.


All mathematical constants are definable numbers and usually are also computable numbers (Chaitin's constant being a significant exception).
[[File:Pi-unrolled-720.gif|The circumference of a circle with diameter 1 is π.]]
 
== In the News ==
 
<gallery mode="traditional">
</gallery>


== Fiction cross-reference ==
== Fiction cross-reference ==
Line 15: Line 18:
* [[Crimes against mathematical constants]]
* [[Crimes against mathematical constants]]
* [[Mathematics]]
* [[Mathematics]]
* [[Number]]
* [[Postminimalist detective]]
* [[Postminimalist detective]]
* [[The Taking of Pelham 3.1415]]


== Nonfiction cross-reference ==
== Nonfiction cross-reference ==


* [[Aesthetics (nonfiction)]]
* [[Constant (mathematics) (nonfiction)]]
* [[Mathematical expression (nonfiction)]]
* [[Mathematical notation (nonfiction)]]
* [[Mathematics (nonfiction)]]
* [[Mathematics (nonfiction)]]
* [[Number (nonfiction)]]
* [[Real number (nonfiction)]]


==  External links ==
External links:


* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathematical_constant Mathematical constant] @ Wikipedia
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathematical_constant Mathematical constant] @ Wikipedia
[[Category:Nonfiction (nonfiction)]]
[[Category:Mathematics (nonfiction)]]

Latest revision as of 10:10, 22 June 2016

A mathematical constant is a special number, usually a real number, that is "significantly interesting in some way".

Constants arise in many areas of mathematics, with constants such as e and π occurring in such diverse contexts as geometry, number theory, and calculus.

What it means for a constant to arise "naturally", and what makes a constant "interesting", is ultimately a matter of taste, and some mathematical constants are notable more for historical reasons than for their intrinsic mathematical interest.

The more popular constants have been studied throughout the ages and computed to many decimal places.

The circumference of a circle with diameter 1 is π.

In the News

Fiction cross-reference

Nonfiction cross-reference

External links: