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I sigh every time someone tries to explain a complex concept using a formula in that manner. In the name of efficiency it is kind of being exclusionary, which

by bluetwo 10y ago

I sigh every time someone tries to explain a complex concept using a formula in that manner. In the name of efficiency it is kind of being exclusionary, which I kind of resent. I love math but it is not the only way to express complex concepts. I depend more of the concepts from statistics than higher level mathematics courses. Is this data nominal, ordinal, interval or ratio? OK, let's work with that.

gmfawcett 10y ago
How would you use statistics to express the set of permutations on a set of integers? Not saying it isn't possible, I'm just asking how you would approach that.
- AstralStorm 10y ago
  You would describe a Poisson process... define a permutation that the set of them approaches Poisson distribution. The result is a randomized generalized sieve algorithm. (Also known as Gorosort.) You end up on a journey along combinatorial base of statistics. It is a terribly complex description. Welcome to statistics. Permutation is a basic combinatorial concept that is assumed to not have to be explained.
AstralStorm 10y ago
Then you get to define what those concepts mean. It is not that hard actually...
shas3 10y ago
Richard P. Feynman (who else!) had a scathing critique of this: http://calteches.library.caltech.edu/2362/1/feynman.pdf http://calteches.library.caltech.edu/2362/1/feynman.pdf To quote him, in reference to new mathematics of the post-Sputnik era, "In regard to this question of words, there is also in the new mathematics books a great deal of talk about the value of precise language - such things as that one must be very careful to distinguish a number from a numeral and, in general, a symbol from the object that it represents. The real problem in speech is not precise language. The problem is clear language. The desire is to have the idea clearly communicated to the other person. It is only necessary to be precise when there is some doubt as to the meaning of a phrase, and then the precision should be put in the place where the doubt exists."
- bluetwo 10y ago
  Thanks for sharing.

by bluetwo 10y ago

gmfawcett 10y ago

How would you use statistics to express the set of permutations on a set of integers? Not saying it isn't possible, I'm just asking how you would approach that.

AstralStorm 10y ago
You would describe a Poisson process... define a permutation that the set of them approaches Poisson distribution. The result is a randomized generalized sieve algorithm. (Also known as Gorosort.) You end up on a journey along combinatorial base of statistics. It is a terribly complex description. Welcome to statistics. Permutation is a basic combinatorial concept that is assumed to not have to be explained.

AstralStorm 10y ago

Then you get to define what those concepts mean. It is not that hard actually...

shas3 10y ago

Richard P. Feynman (who else!) had a scathing critique of this: http://calteches.library.caltech.edu/2362/1/feynman.pdf http://calteches.library.caltech.edu/2362/1/feynman.pdf To quote him, in reference to new mathematics of the post-Sputnik era, "In regard to this question of words, there is also in the new mathematics books a great deal of talk about the value of precise language - such things as that one must be very careful to distinguish a number from a numeral and, in general, a symbol from the object that it represents. The real problem in speech is not precise language. The problem is clear language. The desire is to have the idea clearly communicated to the other person. It is only necessary to be precise when there is some doubt as to the meaning of a phrase, and then the precision should be put in the place where the doubt exists."

bluetwo 10y ago
Thanks for sharing.