4 ms·
> Here's a plain-English metaphor: > What does the Fourier Transform do? Given a smoothie, it finds the recipe. > How? Run the smoothie through filters
by otabdeveloper4 5y ago
> Here's a plain-English metaphor:
> What does the Fourier Transform do? Given a smoothie, it finds the recipe.
> How? Run the smoothie through filters to extract each ingredient.
> Why? Recipes are easier to analyze, compare, and modify than the smoothie itself.
> How do we get the smoothie back? Blend the ingredients.
This has to be the absolute worst attempt at an explanation ever. Even the "monads are a burrito" thing is better.
- kortex 5y agoWhy? I totally understood it. Then again, I have a background in chemistry, HPLC-MS, NMR, AA, FTIR, so I'm used to the idea of "breaking a mixture into orthogonal components."
- otabdeveloper4 5y agoBecause "recipe for a smoothie" analogy is too broad and doesn't help you understand how the Fourier Transform is different from a Ruby script or a bill of materials for a chair. Not to mention that the idea of "given a smoothie, it finds the recipe" is impossible and makes no sense in the first place.
- stocknoob 5y agoTasting a drink and guessing its ingredients makes no sense?
- otabdeveloper4 5y agoExcept that absolutely not how the Fourier Transform works and gives a very false impression.