Math Is Fun Forum

MathsIsFun

Administrator

Registered: 2005-01-21

Posts: 7,713

Solving Polynomials

Just finished Solving Polynomials

Feedback please!

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"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..."  - Leon M. Lederman

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Solving Polynomials

Hi MathsisFun;

Typo, 1 / 4 down the page "posible"

Good page: lots of people don't understand the geometric significance of a root as a place where the equation crosses the x axis. Liked that you recommend eyeballing the graph for root estimation. Super important in numerical analysis to get an initial value ( fancy term for guess ) of the root and most people never look at the graph!

Beginnings of asymptotic analysis and Big Oh at the bottom with pointing out how the x^3 term drowns out the x^2 term!

2 Thumbs up!

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In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

MathsIsFun

Administrator

Registered: 2005-01-21

Posts: 7,713

Re: Solving Polynomials

Thanks, bobby! Will fix typo.

Beginnings of asymptotic analysis and Big Oh at the bottom with pointing out how the x^3 term drowns out the x^2 term!

Yes! Future pages!

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"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..."  - Leon M. Lederman

ccmint

Member

Registered: 2009-10-11

Posts: 22

Re: Solving Polynomials

Page looks great!

MathsIsFun

Administrator

Registered: 2005-01-21

Posts: 7,713

Re: Solving Polynomials

Thanks!

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"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..."  - Leon M. Lederman

MathsIsFun

Administrator

Registered: 2005-01-21

Posts: 7,713

Re: Solving Polynomials

I have completely remade the Solving Polynomials page

I included more general advice and moved the middle section to a new page called How Polynomials Behave

Is it all good?

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"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..."  - Leon M. Lederman

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Solving Polynomials

Hi MathsisFun;

Typo, About 1/4 down the page 'whol'

Might be good to mention the fact, that someone else pointed out that there are poly's that don't cross the x axis, they just touch it at a point. Oh wait, I see you covered it further down the page.

Excellent that you through in some "Theory of equations" on the bounds page. That is an important point. Because we know so much about polynomials that is why why we use them to approximate other functions.

Good Page and good work and Happy 2010!

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In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

MathsIsFun

Administrator

Registered: 2005-01-21

Posts: 7,713

Re: Solving Polynomials

Thanks Bobby! Much appreciated.

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"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..."  - Leon M. Lederman

elite-mathlete

Member

Registered: 2006-07-16

Posts: 40

Re: Solving Polynomials

Dude I just learned about Polynomials today, so thanks!

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Maybe the helicopter, maybe it's made of chocolate.

MathsIsFun

Administrator

Registered: 2005-01-21

Posts: 7,713

Re: Solving Polynomials

You are welcome!

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"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..."  - Leon M. Lederman

elite-mathlete

Member

Registered: 2006-07-16

Posts: 40

Re: Solving Polynomials

You are welcome!

For some reason you guys explain it better.

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Maybe the helicopter, maybe it's made of chocolate.