Tuesday, September 16, 2008

d[arctan u]/dx = u'/(1 + u*u)

Picture by Jonathan Clare
You have to wonder what's going on in the mind of a mathematician when he is flying a kite. Is he studying relationships of wind vectors with the angle of his kite, testing a new theorem, solving related rate problems, wondering at what point the change in rate of the wind will produce the maximum climb for his kite, or just wondering what will be served for dessert.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

He might be lamenting the absence of one family member; one who couldn't make it to the reunion due to certain airline regulations that require all Oryctolagus cuniculus passengers to be vaccinated. Long live Nibley.

Andy Norman said...

The thinking was more about inconspicuous wedgie removal.

Anonymous said...

Ah, hence the kite string...

Melanie said...

i could have sworn he was trying to figure out how to hook his kite around a random parasailer, thinking it would be funny to bring him down...i guess i totally misread the situation.

Andy, Beth and Jennah, too! said...

it was definitely the look of "what's for dessert?" trust me, I get the look every night.

Anonymous said...

LOL (Laugh out Loud)!