For those wondering the others are:
- M(0) = 2
- M(1) = 3
- M(2) = 6
- M(3) = 20
- M(4) = 168
- M(5) = 7581
- M(6) = 7828354
- M(7) = 2414682040998
- M(8) = 56130437228687557907788
And our new one M(9) = 286386577668298411128469151667598498812366
That is two hundred eighty-six duodecillion, three hundred eighty-six undecillion, five hundred seventy-seven decillion, six hundred sixty-eight nonillion, two hundred ninety-eight octillion, four hundred eleven septillion, one hundred twenty-eight sextillion, four hundred sixty-nine (noice) quintillion, one hundred fifty-one quadrillion, six hundred sixty-seven trillion, five hundred ninety-eight billion, four hundred ninety-eight million, eight hundred twelve thousand, three hundred sixty-six.
That is two hundred eighty-six duodecillion, three hundred eighty-six undecillion, five hundred seventy-seven decillion, six hundred sixty-eight nonillion, two hundred ninety-eight octillion, four hundred eleven septillion, one hundred twenty-eight sextillion, four hundred sixty-nine quintillion, one hundred fifty-one quadrillion, six hundred sixty-seven trillion, five hundred ninety-eight billion, four hundred ninety-eight million, eight hundred twelve thousand, three hundred sixty-six.
Now say it three times, fast.
It three times, fast.
Typing isn’t saying!
I win!!
[jk]
Yes, jk rowling
ititit
So your end egg count after a run of Eggs, Inc. Got it.
“What is a Dedekind number?”
“it is the number of antichains of subsets of an n-element set, the number of elements in a free distributive lattice with n generators, and one more than the number of abstract simplicial complexes on a set with n elements.”
“Oh, why didn’t you just say so? I thought the number of antichains of subsets of an n-element set, the number of elements in a free distributive lattice with n generators, and one more than the number of abstract simplicial complexes on a set with n elements was called something different. Of course I know what the number of antichains of subsets of an n-element set, the number of elements in a free distributive lattice with n generators, and one more than the number of abstract simplicial complexes on a set with n elements is, silly me.”
Obligatory “it was down the back of the couch cushions”.
Locked in the bottom of a disused filing cabinet, in and lavatory behind a locked door with a sign that said beware of jaguars
Is there a purpose to this, or is it just a bunch of math nerds justifying their college debts to themselves?
Mathematics is full of formulas and theories that were developed without a specific application in mind, but later found to be incredibly useful in various fields. Here’s a list of some notable examples from ChatGPT :
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Complex Numbers and Euler’s Formula: Initially seen as abstract and theoretical, they’re now fundamental in electrical engineering and quantum physics.
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Fourier Transform: Originally developed for heat transfer problems, it’s now crucial in signal processing, image analysis, and quantum physics.
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Non-Euclidean Geometry: Once considered purely theoretical, it’s essential in the theory of relativity and global positioning systems (GPS).
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Group Theory: Developed as a part of abstract algebra, it’s now instrumental in physics, chemistry (especially crystallography), and cryptography.
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Graph Theory: Originating from a recreational math problem, it’s now key in computer science, network analysis, and biology.
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Number Theory: Initially pursued for its intellectual challenge, it’s fundamental in modern cryptography, like RSA encryption.
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Calculus of Variations: Beginning as a mathematical curiosity, it’s now used in physics, economics, and engineering to solve optimization problems.
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Riemannian Geometry: Originally abstract in nature, it’s crucial in general relativity and the description of spacetime.
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Boolean Algebra: Developed from logic studies, it’s the backbone of digital circuit design and computer science.
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Set Theory and Cantor’s Diagonal Argument: Seemingly abstract concepts, they’re now foundational in computer science and logic.
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Gotta love anti-intellectualism
Reminds me of an old ‘The Far Side Cartoon.’ A few cavemen sitting around a fire, and one standing off by himself.
“Pfft! Just another dumb fad.”
You’ve had a couple of pretty good responses. I would add that the very fact that you can ask that question demonstrates a failure of the education system and the fundamental problem of depending on business ideals to manage society.
In the first case, a proper education would have included, at all grade levels, examples and discussion of the various purely intellectual pursuits that ultimately proved critical to some technological advance that improved quality of life.
In the second case, the naive “businessification” of society means that any pursuit that doesn’t make clear at the outset what practical (ie profitable) goal is being pursued is dismissed as folly unworthy of funding and support and education. (See my point above.)
Math nerds don’t need to justify their college debt to themselves. The math alone was enough.
The purpose is to live a life doing what they love and getting paid oodles for it knowing jealous whiners like you are wasting their existences flipping burgers and getting emotionally abused by Karens.
Unless you thought your shitty McDonald’s manager job had any real purpose.