Simon Shares his Derivatives Tricks: Visualizing Calculus

It never seizes to mesmerize me how Simon sees math. So many times has he solved math problems or proved theorems relying on visual, geometric illustrations instead of bluntly applying … Continue reading Simon Shares his Derivatives Tricks: Visualizing Calculus

Easter Eggs Optimization Problem

We’ve calculated the perfect (optimized) combination of biological corn snack (dinos) vs. premium Belgian chocolate eggs. Simon takes it from here: Here’re the assumptions that we used: Both one bag … Continue reading Easter Eggs Optimization Problem

DIY: Derive It Yourself

This is Simon’s preferred way of learning math and physics: try to work out the formulas independently. This time it’s the collision formulas which he attempts to depict geometrically. You … Continue reading DIY: Derive It Yourself

Some weekend combinatorics

Combinatorics problems (each one builds on the previous one): If there’s a sequence of tasks you need to do, and you know how many ways there are to do each … Continue reading Some weekend combinatorics

What is a fidget spinner’s actual speed, in km/h?

How fast can a fidget spinner spin? Is it not that fast or can you literally use it as a car wheel? Inspired by Matt Parker, who listened to the … Continue reading What is a fidget spinner’s actual speed, in km/h?

Integration Techniques for Physics Simulations

Simon has made a visual about what he calls “three different ways to make a physics simulation”: Blue: Modified Euler Integration (aka Backward Euler Integration); Green: Euler Integration (aka Forward … Continue reading Integration Techniques for Physics Simulations

How to Lie Honestly

Really enjoying the chapter on Statistics in our bed-time read, Math with bad Drawings by Ben Orlin, who approaches the subject in the most profound and at the same time … Continue reading How to Lie Honestly

Simon and Abhay have made a favorite game rise from the ashes

My friend Abhay Kashyap and I have recreated the game AddEmUp! It was a flash game, so you can’t play the original any more. Link: https://addemup.abhayandsimon.repl.co After Adobe first deprecated … Continue reading Simon and Abhay have made a favorite game rise from the ashes

Simon’s Magnum Opus

At the beginning of each year, I make a very long, ridiculous video (which I like to call a “magnum opus”). Last year it was the 2048 cookies project. This … Continue reading Simon’s Magnum Opus

The Twelve Days of Christmas: How many Presents in Total?

I was looking up the lyrics of The Twelve Days of Christmas song (you know, the one that goes “On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to … Continue reading The Twelve Days of Christmas: How many Presents in Total?

A quick experiment to prove that a catenary is not a parabola

I sampled 9 points on this curve. The x coordinates have constant increments (equally spaced horizontal coordinates). I then measured the y coordinates — that’s what the numbers at the … Continue reading A quick experiment to prove that a catenary is not a parabola