Sort of derivative of a function of the function is zero. Generalization in which some FUNCTIONS are critical points because some Variable) with a function itself and you get a sort of infinite dimensional Line was zero there? The idea is the same but replace x (the How some points were 'critical points' because the slope of the tangent Probably get a vague idea of what the calculus of variations is. In fact, Fermat's principle is just an example of the application of Knowing where it will be going before it gets there (sort of like the Of course, this statement requires that you imagine the light Takes the path from point A to point B which will get it there in the least Somehow the aliens make it clear that they thinkĪbout this phenomenon along the lines of Fermat's principle: that light Physicists start making headway when they try to talk to the aliens about Nonlinear writing system which seems to require thinking of the sentence asĪ whole rather than as a string of words stretched out in time. In fact, the 'your life' of the title is the life of theĪt first, the physicists and linguists are both having troubleĬommunicating with the aliens.

This difficult task, we see how she is courted by, marries, and eventually divorces her partner in the project who is a In addition to learning about her progress in We meet an interesting character who is a linguist hired by the government to help us communicate with a new alien species. Of course, much more goes on here than just that. What sort of mathematics would Vonnegut's Tralfamadorean's like to do? Or,Īlternatively, what sort of worldview would a sentient species have if their idea of simple mathematics was the calculus of variations? Those are the mathematical questions addressed by this clever story. Note: This work of mathematical fiction is recommended by Alex for hardcore fans of science fiction. (click on names to see more mathematical fiction A list compiled by Alex Kasman ( College of Charleston)

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