The ancient Muslim empire in the city of Baghdad was the birthplace of the word (and the concept of the) algorithm. In the year 820 AD, a Persian genius named Muhammed ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi created the concept of the algorithm and algebra in an ancient book called Kitab al-Jebr. The book Kitab al-Jebr (later latinisedContinue reading “Ancient word of the day: Algorithm”
Tag Archives: maths
Book Review: The Map of Knowledge by Violet Moller
Have you ever wondered where the original ideas in mathematics, astronomy, science, medicine, philosophy ever came from? The answers to these questions are in this remarkable history book that takes us on a tiki-tour through the highways and back alleys of some of the most vibrant and buzzing cities of the ancient world, where knowledgeContinue reading “Book Review: The Map of Knowledge by Violet Moller”
The Black Swan Model: the domesticated chicken and what it never expected
Writer Nassim Nicholas Taleb calls the phenomenon of people being unable to predict the future based on the past the Black Swan principle. This name is inspired by the the 17th Century early explorers. People in Europe had always assumed that all swans were white. Imagine their surprise when they found that black swans thatContinue reading “The Black Swan Model: the domesticated chicken and what it never expected”
Beautiful Geometry: Hypnotic and Satisfying Geometric Art Blogs
I’ve written a lot about gifs in the past and how they throw a comical light on old forms of art, when remixed with renaissance art and also discussed what makes a gif become a piece of art. I’ve looked at the intricate moving world of Paperholme, gif art which shows the whimsy of aContinue reading “Beautiful Geometry: Hypnotic and Satisfying Geometric Art Blogs”
Short film: 3D printed blooms and the golden ratio
In this mind-bending short film, US designer John Edmark, a lecturer in mechanical engineering at Stanford University, uses 3D printing, the mathematics of the golden ratio and photography tricks to create moving symmetry – a bloom. [The] animation effect is achieved by progressive rotations of the golden ratio, phi (ϕ). This is the same golden ratioContinue reading “Short film: 3D printed blooms and the golden ratio”
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