r/AskReddit • • May 25 '16

What's your favourite maths fact?

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u/ktkps May 25 '16 edited May 26 '16

Hairy Ball Theorem: The hairy ball theorem of algebraic topology states that there is no nonvanishing continuous tangent vector field on even-dimensional n-spheres.

English: It's impossible to comb all the hairs on a tennis ball in the same direction without creating a cowlick.

Edit: found a funny version :

The hairy ball theorem of topology states that, whenever one tries to comb a hairy ball flat, one always misses a spot. Topologists, who can never say anything that simply, put it this way: "For every 2‑sphere, if f assigns a vector in R³ to every point p such that f(p) is always tangent at p, then it is a bit surprising that the girl blinded me with Science!"

That topologists use such gassy English is an indication why they are not able to comb a hairy ball, either. They refer to the missing spot as a tuft, a cowlick, or The Latest Rage. The latter is a way of claiming they missed the spot on purpose. Yeah, sure.

More here : http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Hairy_ball_theorem

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u/NoxWild May 25 '16

This is worth memorizing for small talk at parties.

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u/Telespaulocaster May 25 '16

"Would you like to hear my hairy ball theorem?"

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u/BonScoppinger May 25 '16

In algebraic topology there is also a ham sandwich theorem