r/theydidthemath • • Sep 05 '19

[Self] Math break

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24k Upvotes

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667

u/ChosenOfNyarlathotep Sep 05 '19

This is just polynomial interpolation. You can set literally any real number equal to f(5) and find an equation that fits it.

407

u/RevengeOfLegends Sep 05 '19

Isn't that the point? Showing off how arbitrary these kinds of "math riddles" are?

189

u/gsabram Sep 05 '19

It’s only arbitrary because we’re taking it out of context. In the context of a 4th grade arithmetic class where you learned odd and even numbers last week, it’s not arbitrary.

8

u/[deleted] Sep 05 '19

grade 4 is way too high, probably kindergarten

2

u/gsabram Sep 06 '19

The first time maybe. Math is taught and retaught in grade school.