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1500 questions
112
votes
1 answer

Generalization of Liouville's theorem

As proposed in this answer, I wonder if the answer to following question is known. Let $E = E_0$ be the set of elementary functions. For each $i > 0$, inductively define $E_i$ to be the closure of the set of functions whose derivative lies in…
RghtHndSd
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112
votes
5 answers

What is the difference between a Hamel basis and a Schauder basis?

Let $V$ be a vector space with infinite dimensions. A Hamel basis for $V$ is an ordered set of linearly independent vectors $\{ v_i \ | \ i \in I\}$ such that any $v \in V$ can be expressed as a finite linear combination of the $v_i$'s; so $\{ v_i \…
Lor
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112
votes
7 answers

Geometric interpretation of $\det(A^T) = \det(A)$

$$\det(A^T) = \det(A)$$ Using the geometric definition of the determinant as the area spanned by the columns, could someone give a geometric interpretation of the property?
dfg
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112
votes
4 answers

Least prime of the form $38^n+31$

I search the least n such that $$38^n+31$$ is prime. I checked the $n$ upto $3000$ and found none, so the least prime of that form must have more than $4000$ digits. I am content with a probable prime, it need not be a proven prime.
Peter
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112
votes
22 answers

Why is there no "remainder" in multiplication

With division, you can have a remainder (such as $5/2=2$ remainder $1$). Now my six year old son has asked me "Why is there no remainder with multiplication"? The obvious answer is "because it wouldn't make sense" or just "because". Somewhat I have…
topskip
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112
votes
6 answers

How do you go about learning mathematics?

I really like mathematics, but I am not good at learning it. I find it takes me a long time to absorb new material by reading on my own and I haven't found a formula that works for me. I am hoping a few people out there will tell me how they go…
Henry B.
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112
votes
3 answers

$\int_{-\infty}^{+\infty} e^{-x^2} dx$ with complex analysis

Inspired by this recently closed question, I'm curious whether there's a way to do the Gaussian integral using techniques in complex analysis such as contour integrals. I am aware of the calculation using polar coordinates and have seen other…
JasonMond
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112
votes
7 answers

Implies ($\Rightarrow$) vs. Entails ($\models$) vs. Provable ($\vdash$)

Consider A $\Rightarrow$ B, A $\models$ B, and A $\vdash$ B. What are some examples contrasting their proper use? For example, give A and B such that A $\models$ B is true but A $\Rightarrow$ B is false. I'd appreciate pointers to any tutorial-level…
user287424
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112
votes
11 answers

Finding the limit of $\frac {n}{\sqrt[n]{n!}}$

I'm trying to find $$\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{n}{\sqrt[n]{n!}} .$$ I tried couple of methods: Stolz, Squeeze, D'Alambert Thanks! Edit: I can't use Stirling.
user6163
112
votes
10 answers

Good 1st PDE book for self study

What is a good PDE book suitable for self study? I'm looking for a book that doesn't require much prerequisite knowledge beyond undergraduate-level analysis. My goal is to understand basic solutions techniques as well as some basic theory.
Mykie
  • 7,037
112
votes
3 answers

Topology: The Board Game

Edit: I've drawn up some different rules, a map and some cards for playing an actual version of the game. They're available at my personal website with a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. This is a math education question that I've been…
Brian Rushton
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112
votes
3 answers

What are the differences between class, set, family, and collection?

In school, I have always seen sets. I was watching a video the other day about functors, and they started talking about a set being a collection, but not vice-versa. I also heard people talking about classes. What is their relation? Some background…
Asinomás
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112
votes
13 answers

Does commutativity imply Associativity?

Does commutativity imply associativity? I'm asking this because I was trying to think of structures that are commutative but non-associative but couldn't come up with any. Are there any such examples? NOTE: I wasn't sure how to tag this so feel free…
Eugene
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112
votes
6 answers

Why is the area under a curve the integral?

I understand how derivatives work based on the definition, and the fact that my professor explained it step by step until the point where I can derive it myself. However when it comes to the area under a curve for some reason when you break it up…
qwertymk
  • 1,387
112
votes
8 answers

What made you choose your research field?

I was wondering how come modern mathematicians do not seem to discover as many theorems as the older mathematicians seem to have done. Have we reached some kind of saturation limit where all commonly needed mathematics has already been discovered or…
Comic Book Guy
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