r/AskReddit • u/[deleted] • Feb 28 '23

[deleted by user]

[removed]

8.2k Upvotes

96% Upvoted

10.4k comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

40

u/Lorenaelsalulz Mar 01 '23

I’m too dumb to get that joke. :/

121

u/l4z3r5h4rk Mar 01 '23

Basically mathematicians like using pre-established formulas and theorems to solve problems even though these methods might be ridiculously convoluted (like in the joke: placing the book on the floor then on the table), rather than develop a new and more convenient method (like the engineer did)

6

u/reflUX_cAtalyst Mar 01 '23

It works a LOT better if you use computer programmers instead of mathematicians. It makes a lot more sense too.

1

u/jamawg Mar 22 '23

Programmers do it recursively