Friday, December 31, 2010

University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Math Video Archive

http://www.uccs.edu/~math/vidarchive.html

Spring Semester 2010
Math 448- Mathematical Modeling - Dr. Radu Cascaval

Spring Semester 2009
Math 443- Ordinary Differential Equations - Dr. Radu Cascaval

Fall Semester 2008
Math 447- Applied Mathematics - Dr. Radu Cascaval

Summer Semester 2008
Math 442 - Optimization - Dr. Radu Cascaval

Fall Semester 2007
Math 414 - Modern Algebra - Dr. Gene Abrams
Math 533 - Real Analysis - Dr. Rinaldo Schinazi

Summer Semester 2007
Math 425 - Chaotic Dynamical Systems - Dr. Greg Morrow

Spring Semester 2007
Math 432 - Modern Analysis II - Dr. Bob Carlson

Fall Semester 2006
Math 431 - Modern Analysis I - Dr. Rinaldo Schinazi

Summer Semester 2006
Math 483 - Linear Statistical Models - Dr. Greg Morrow

Spring Semester 2006
Math 535 - Applied Functional Analysis - Dr. Greg Morrow

ICTP Diploma Programs in Math & Physics

High Energy Physics

Relativistic Quantum Mechanics

Quantum Electrodynamics

Quantum Field Theory

Lie Groups and Lie Algebras

Introduction to Particle Physics

General Relativity

The Standard Model

Susy Field Theory

String Theory

Condensed Matter Physics

Advanced Statistical Mechanics

Advanced Quantum Mechanics

Many Body Physics

Solid State Physics

Graduate Mathematics

Partial Differential Equations

Topology

Algebraic Topology

Abstract Algebra

Complex Analysis

Real Analysis I and Real Analysis II

Functional Analysis I and Functional Analysis II

Differential Equations and Dynamical Systems

Ergodic Theory

Differential Geometry

Algebraic Geometry

Probability Theory

Online Physics Video Courses

Everybody knows about MIT OCW and Stanford on iTunes, but here are a few less well known video lectures on advanced physics topics.

Classical Mechanics at McGill University

Computational Physics at Oregon State University

Foundations of Theoretical Physics at USC

General Relativity at McGill University

Quantum Physics A, B & C at UCSD

Mathematical Physics I & II at University of New Mexico

Quantum Mechanics I & II at University of New Mexico

Quantum Field Theory I & II at University of New Mexico

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Here's someone else who shouldn't be trying to do math

http://www.thebigquestions.com/2010/12/22/a-big-answer-2/




The correct answer is 1/2.  In statistical notation, he is asking us to calculate E[G]/E[B+G], the expected proportion of females in the total population.  However, he turns it into the different question E[G/(B+G)], the expected proportion of females in an average family, which is not generally equal to the first expression (since families are of different sizes) and which in this case gives the incorrect answer of 30.6%.  The guy is impervious to all the good arguments that have been posted to his blog pointing out his error.

His argument is exactly the same as if I headed down to the roulette tables in Vegas and placed bets on black, just making sure that at each session I stop when black hits.  According to his "math", that strategy should provide a 69.4% win rate (slightly less once we account for 0 and 00, but still well above 50%).  A sure-fire way to beat the house!