Squaring the Circle - Numberphile

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  • Опубликовано: 30 июл 2024
  • Why squaring the circle - the old-fashioned way - was found to be impossible? Numblr: / numberphile
    More links & stuff in full description below ↓↓↓
    This video featuring Dr James Grime: / jamesgrime
    The paper from this video on ebay - bit.ly/brownpapers
    NUMBERPHILE
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Комментарии • 3 тыс.

  • @TheZenytram
    @TheZenytram 8 лет назад +4918

    omg he said pi on 3:14, i can die now.

  • @keithwilson6060
    @keithwilson6060 8 лет назад +557

    I love how obviously excited you get about math. That more teachers would have such zeal.

    • @thanatosdaughter6298
      @thanatosdaughter6298 8 лет назад +32

      I completely agree! He's so obviously passionate and it's great. If my teachers were like this, I'm pretty sure I would have a lot more fun in my classes.

    • @Schobbish
      @Schobbish 8 лет назад +7

      The thing is that I probably learned more from this channel than my math teachers. (Sorry math teacher...)

    • @seanp4644
      @seanp4644 8 лет назад +5

      +Nathan Adam (SchobbishBot3000) don't apologize. These guys do it better.

    • @supersohig3671
      @supersohig3671 7 лет назад +1

      Aragorn Stellar by v.

    • @Tom-vu1wr
      @Tom-vu1wr 3 года назад +1

      Bruh my pure teacher is this excited about maths

  • @swipenet
    @swipenet 7 лет назад +243

    In case anyone is wondering about the square root thing at 2:15, it's pretty simple. The ratio between the dotted line and 1 has to be the same as the ratio between a and the dotted line, because if you draw lines from the ends of the diameter to the top of the dotted line, the resultant triangles have the same angles. It would be a lot better if I could draw this out, but hopefully you can visualize it. In other words, call x the length of the dotted line, and you have x/1 = x = a/x. Therefore, a = x^2, so x = sqrt(a).

    • @philipk4475
      @philipk4475 4 года назад +6

      Neat

    • @idzudinsaffuan9095
      @idzudinsaffuan9095 3 года назад +4

      @U.S. Paper Games exactly. the ratio couldnt be the same

    • @johnnye87
      @johnnye87 3 года назад +3

      @U.S. Paper Games Maybe your description is unclear but it doesn't sound like you're doing what the video demonstrated. You need a semicircle of *diameter* A+1, with a line segmenting it 1 unit from the perimeter. If our radius is 15, then A (the number we're going to find the sqrt of) is 29. So our dotted line is 14 units from the centre, and forms a right angled triangle with the radius such that its height is the sqrt of (15 squared minus 14 squared), ie root (225-196), ie root 29.
      Which shows you what's happening in algebraic terms: the length of A (diameter minus 1) is 2r-1, and the Pythagorean formula gives you the sqrt of (r sq minus r-1 sq)... which simplifies to the sqrt of 2r-1. Neat!

    • @E1craZ4life
      @E1craZ4life 2 года назад +2

      If you draw a rectangle and then draw diagonals connecting opposite vertices, the diagonals would bisect each other. So drawing a circle with a center at the intersection point between the diagonals would pass through all four vertices of the rectangle if it passes through one of them. What that means is that any triangle with points on a circle is a right triangle if the hypotenuse is the same length as the circle's diameter. If a line is drawn perpendicular to the hypotenuse passing through the point opposite the hypotenuse, then this will produce two smaller right triangles. Since the sum of a triangle's angles has to be 180 degrees, the smaller triangles will be similar since the original right angle was split into two smaller angles. By that logic, the smaller leg of the smallest triangle would have to be scaled up by a factor of the longer leg to match the size of the other triangle. And that in turn, means the longer leg of the larger triangle has a length equal to the shared leg's length squared.

    • @franciscohamlin7544
      @franciscohamlin7544 2 года назад +4

      Beautiful!

  • @renjiai
    @renjiai 8 лет назад +1642

    But can you cube a sphere?

    • @adant9536
      @adant9536 8 лет назад +51

      Yea

    • @MatteoBlooner
      @MatteoBlooner 8 лет назад +51

      No

    • @zachmanifold
      @zachmanifold 8 лет назад +117

      I gave it a try: This is for surface area, and I will do volume after. So, let's say 'Sa' = sphere area, and 'Ca' = cube area. Let's give the sphere a radius of five. Therefore, Sa = 4pi(5^2) = 314.16 units^2. Now we have Ca which is an unknown. The formula for the area of a cube is 6a^2, so to get rid of the 6, I divided the area of Sa by six, which gives us (314.16 / 6) = 52.36. Now we're left with a^2 = 52.36, so I took the square root: sqrt(52.36) = 7.236021. So a = 7.236021, now let's plug it into the formula for the surface area of a cube: Ca = 6(7.236021)^2 = ~314.16. Seems like we got surface area, now let's do volume: A sphere with a radius of five (just like the sphere above) = (4/3)pi(5^3) = 523.6 units^3. The formula for the volume of a cube is a^3. We already solved for a when a sphere has a radius of five, so let's plug it in: (7.236021)^3 = 378.88 units^3. The cube appears to have a lesser volume than the sphere. ((523.6 / 378.88) * 100) - 100 = 38.2%. The sphere's volume is about 38.2% larger than the cube. Thanks for taking the time to read, I hope my maths is all correct. (:

    • @unicockboy1666
      @unicockboy1666 6 лет назад +2

      same system

    • @unicockboy1666
      @unicockboy1666 6 лет назад +4

      Figgy Winks Clear NO: you multiply the radius by an infinite number, so that you cant take the 3rd root (or any root in fact) out of it...

  • @GMPStudios
    @GMPStudios 5 лет назад +258

    *Greeks:* Straight edge and compass
    *Numberphile:* Straight edge, Ccompass and loads of brown paper.

  • @nh-a6713
    @nh-a6713 8 лет назад +1720

    make a circle out of playdoh, then mold it into the shape of a square, wheres my nobel prize?

    • @michaelbauers8800
      @michaelbauers8800 8 лет назад +190

      You would have to keep the playdough perfectly flat and the same height it originally was.

    • @aiden359
      @aiden359 8 лет назад +84

      were talking about two dimensions though lol

    • @ingolfura.4327
      @ingolfura.4327 8 лет назад +47

      watch it from above :)

    • @jimbobago
      @jimbobago 7 лет назад +189

      a) There's no Nobel Prize for Mathematics
      b) No one's saying you can't solve the problem with Play-Doh. It's only impossible under the rule that you have to do it with nothing but a compass and unmarked straightedge.

    • @Edgard422
      @Edgard422 7 лет назад +75

      That's a compressible material, no nobel prize for you.

  • @adityakhanna113
    @adityakhanna113 10 лет назад +446

    At time 3:14 he said "Pi"

    • @njood96
      @njood96 9 лет назад +5

      Aditya Khanna and now your comment likes are 314 XD
      i want to like it but i don't want to ruin it XD

    • @zashtozaboga
      @zashtozaboga 9 лет назад

      comment something else please

    • @thefremddingeguy6058
      @thefremddingeguy6058 9 лет назад

      +Aditya Khanna You're right....

    • @rongliu3339
      @rongliu3339 8 лет назад +1

      +Aditya Khanna creepy

    • @coopergates9680
      @coopergates9680 8 лет назад

      +Стилиян Петров I think the Zeno's paradox video doesn't say how you could really "make" a square with side Sqrt(pi).

  • @stripeysoup
    @stripeysoup 8 лет назад +2445

    His skin is brighter than my future.

    • @ObsidianShadowHawk
      @ObsidianShadowHawk 8 лет назад +32

      +stripeysoup Making me laugh at 3am... Thank you, sir!

    • @reizayin
      @reizayin 8 лет назад +81

      이강민
      Vantablack is brighter than mine.

    • @vijayshejal4322
      @vijayshejal4322 7 лет назад +6

      ha ha :)

    • @onyxgod777
      @onyxgod777 6 лет назад +4

      you almost made me choke laughing loll

    • @clayz1
      @clayz1 6 лет назад +3

      and too close.

  • @glenn2687
    @glenn2687 8 лет назад +4190

    soooo.... who's watching this after the 'pi nearly became 3.2' vid

  • @jonasbindslev9894
    @jonasbindslev9894 9 лет назад +1614

    Why is he so shiny?

    • @galek75
      @galek75 9 лет назад +28

      Battle typhoon truuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

    • @frtard
      @frtard 9 лет назад +394

      Battle typhoon Too much maths. It's coming out his pores.

    • @Toimi
      @Toimi 9 лет назад +164

      Battle typhoon He's a robot. His skin is actually plastic.

    • @nourse
      @nourse 9 лет назад +100

      Battle typhoon He's shiny and chrome to go to valhalla.

    • @castleblack6941
      @castleblack6941 9 лет назад +274

      Cause he's brilliant. Duh!

  • @burnsy96
    @burnsy96 8 лет назад +1179

    Guys I found the solution to this so called 'unsolvable problem' and I will patent it so you have to pay me when you math it out except for my home state Minnesota as a gift to them.

    • @fullyverified7491
      @fullyverified7491 8 лет назад +5

      thats funny

    • @burnsy96
      @burnsy96 7 лет назад +55

      Tsavorite Prince
      Yes, I'll get the Nobel prize for this one

    • @General12th
      @General12th 7 лет назад +8

      +burnsy96 I think you meant Fields medal.

    • @LivingChords
      @LivingChords 7 лет назад +20

      no i'm pretty sure he meant the nobel prize.

    • @Carter040404
      @Carter040404 7 лет назад +3

      burnsy96 I also live in Minnesota

  • @dante224real1
    @dante224real1 10 лет назад +42

    you cannot theoretically square a circle, but realistically you can. in realist terms we are left with approximations determining the effectiveness of theorems in geometry, physics, etc.
    if you can find me a perfect circle in real life that has exactly an area of x^2xpi, and you can prove it to any digit within pi with no room for error, i'd eat my house.

    • @coopergates9680
      @coopergates9680 8 лет назад +1

      +Daniel Williams (Invents arbitrary unit such that x = 1)

  • @moonblink
    @moonblink 8 лет назад +310

    Algebra rocks. I've been explaining that to people since high school. Algebra is there to make sense of everything. Algebra is like the ABC's of math.

    • @TehKorwinMikke
      @TehKorwinMikke 8 лет назад +14

      +moonblink Algebra is THE alphabet, words, and sentences of math, yo.

    • @carbon13
      @carbon13 8 лет назад +22

      +moonblink Cough, Calculus is more fun, cough

    • @carbon13
      @carbon13 8 лет назад

      ***** But the fundamentals of Calculus differentiate from every other form of Algebra.

    • @carbon13
      @carbon13 8 лет назад

      ***** Really depends on what you're doing with your programs.

    • @moonblink
      @moonblink 7 лет назад +2

      Tsavorite Prince
      a = c - b

  • @TheChangingWays
    @TheChangingWays 9 лет назад +336

    I once ingested an e. It was truly a transcendental experience. ‪#‎MathJokes‬

    • @SpaceGuru5
      @SpaceGuru5 8 лет назад +68

      Hopefully you had pi for dessert.

    • @Intel1502
      @Intel1502 8 лет назад +17

      +The Changing Ways Meth Jokes.

    • @losthor1zon
      @losthor1zon 8 лет назад +20

      +The Changing Ways - Hope it didn't require a transcendentist.

    • @qclod
      @qclod 8 лет назад +12

      +SpaceGuru5 I can eat a whole pi, but a tau is too much to handle.

    • @SpaceGuru5
      @SpaceGuru5 8 лет назад +8

      levizna Either would be just as irrational.

  • @michael-h95
    @michael-h95 9 месяцев назад +2

    10 years later and I still come back to these videos videos 😅

  • @swinki33
    @swinki33 6 лет назад +13

    I love Dr James Grim's enthusiasm when he tries to explain such not so easy math problems. I wish I had such a math teacher. Or all my teachers.
    Fantastic!!! Thank you.

  • @JesseRaylabrancaro
    @JesseRaylabrancaro 9 лет назад +133

    I really wish I had had y'alls videos when I was a kid. I think I would've liked math A LOT more.

    • @alexeysaranchev6118
      @alexeysaranchev6118 4 года назад +3

      What sort of videos could've made you love the English language enough not to use "y'alls"?

    • @nickwilson3499
      @nickwilson3499 3 года назад +1

      @@alexeysaranchev6118 yaull’ses

    • @puppergump4117
      @puppergump4117 2 года назад

      @@alexeysaranchev6118 It's about as improper as your use of "could've". Sieg grammar I guess.

    • @alexeysaranchev6118
      @alexeysaranchev6118 2 года назад

      @@puppergump4117 what's the correct way then?

    • @puppergump4117
      @puppergump4117 2 года назад +1

      @@alexeysaranchev6118 It's only correct if you stick to one standard. Either accept contractions or don't. Since contractions are accepted by the vast majority, with the exception of some college teachers, the use of both "y'alls" and "could've" are grammatically correct.
      Of course, not in the technical sense. However, if half of our country accepts a form of a word, who cares if some college's dictionary accepts it? Language is meant to express meaning, not to be restricted by redundant rules.

  • @Zalemones1
    @Zalemones1 8 лет назад +17

    Dr Grime sure is a bright man, no pun intended!

  • @KpxUrz5745
    @KpxUrz5745 Год назад +2

    I love this channel and return to it often. Not only fascinating and educational, but the sheer excitement and clarity by Numberphile is a joy to behold!

  • @michaelchen5575
    @michaelchen5575 10 лет назад +139

    It is possible to use materials that the Greeks had at their disposal to "square the circle":
    Draw circle, radius 1 (area=π)
    Outline circumference with string, straighten out the string, then draw line (this has a length of 2π)
    Divide length by 2, use triangle scaling method
    Use the square root finding method thing with the semicircle (to get √π)
    Side for square has been found
    Of course, there will be some error due to the elasticity of the string and the human impossibility of perfectly measuring where the string coincides with itself after one rotation among other factors, but theoretically and statistically speaking it is possible

    • @kevinoduor9841
      @kevinoduor9841 7 лет назад +12

      use a ruler and a compass only, that's the rule.

    • @KnakuanaRka
      @KnakuanaRka 6 лет назад +4

      The Greek problem only permitted compass and straightedge; there is no way to emulate your “straighten out the string” bit under these rules.

    • @hanniffydinn6019
      @hanniffydinn6019 6 лет назад +3

      Yeah, simple really, it's called string theory !!!

    • @pbierre
      @pbierre 6 лет назад +1

      You're allowed to use the compass as a caliper to copy distances, right? So break up an arc length into a series of piecewise line segments, and copy them out to a straight line length. If you solve for the half-width of the square , sqrt(pi/4), you only need to "linearize" 1/8th of the unit circle arc.

    • @KnakuanaRka
      @KnakuanaRka 6 лет назад +2

      Pierre Bierre It wouldn’t be possible to exactly replicate the length of the arc unless you used an infinite number of line segments, which is not allowed, as the construction must be finite.

  • @SaveSoilSaveSoil
    @SaveSoilSaveSoil 4 года назад +11

    Awesome presentation! Thank you! I hated straight edge and compass problems back in junior high (esp. the "is it possible" type, which are way harder than the "construct..." type). I always wondered what the point was. I wish this video had been my introduction to straight edge and compass.

  • @Crunchymixx
    @Crunchymixx 10 лет назад +14

    I really love how passionate he is about mathematics :D it's amazing.

  • @bowl1820
    @bowl1820 2 года назад +2

    Thank you for not having distracting background music, like so many others! Like given.

  • @RigoBuitrago
    @RigoBuitrago 10 лет назад +1

    Awesome videos, man, I watch a few of them every day and re-watch them every few days. Fantastic!

  • @timothyclements2290
    @timothyclements2290 8 лет назад +5

    lol I love this guy. Great smile and he absolutely enjoys his field.

  • @casplant
    @casplant 5 лет назад +3

    This is friends talking about cool stuff! Loving it!

  • @dnnstalks
    @dnnstalks 11 лет назад

    Im so hypnotized by him, thats the stunning thing in these Numberphile clips, these people have a passion with their theme, its so fun to watch.

  • @blacknwhitestripe
    @blacknwhitestripe 7 лет назад +1

    You people are wonderful wonderful people. I've never been great at math but it's really fun to watch your videos and enjoy it without worrying about skill

  • @thomashan4963
    @thomashan4963 3 года назад +4

    This channel made me like maths
    and now I'm an educator sharing problem solvings based on calculations ❤️

  • @SnakesAndApes
    @SnakesAndApes 10 лет назад +7

    I'm not really into math, but so far I'm enjoying these videos, Good job!

  • @thesimulacre
    @thesimulacre 8 лет назад +1

    The fact that we can't just change our units to solve this also points to something transcendental

  • @ollomont830
    @ollomont830 7 лет назад

    4 years later still watching, again. Numberphile

  • @IaFsI
    @IaFsI 9 лет назад +7

    Wish I saw enough videos of numberphile before finishing high school. I would have been more interested in maths, not that I wasn't interested at all.

  • @firstnamelastname-oy7es
    @firstnamelastname-oy7es 9 лет назад +7

    Squaring the circle? If you think that's difficult, try Cubing the Sphere! I've been trying to do that for the last 141 years!

  • @barenuffsafe
    @barenuffsafe 2 года назад

    Quite happy to be strung along by these two!

  • @howie5697
    @howie5697 6 лет назад

    You guys are freaking great. Thank you very much!!!

  • @htomerif
    @htomerif 8 лет назад +7

    This isn't how I've heard of "squaring the circle" I'm thinking of something different I guess but I thought it was a (possibly equivalent) problem of dicing up a circle in such a way that you could construct a square from its pieces.
    And I think this was solved relatively recently, but using some not very satisfying feeling rules.

    • @steffenjensen422
      @steffenjensen422 4 года назад

      No, the problem your describing is trivial. Just look at the curved parts, you're not gonna get rid of them

    • @nikhilnagaria2672
      @nikhilnagaria2672 2 года назад

      @@steffenjensen422 you can actually :)

  • @DudeGlenn
    @DudeGlenn 9 лет назад +36

    Algebra is brilliant.
    I knew it!

    • @gfetco
      @gfetco 8 лет назад

      +Glenn Beeson (BeesonatotX) You don't say.

    • @DudeGlenn
      @DudeGlenn 8 лет назад

      +Enlightenment I did say. And you replied.

    • @gfetco
      @gfetco 8 лет назад

      Glenn Beeson Do you know who I am?

    • @DudeGlenn
      @DudeGlenn 8 лет назад

      +Enlightenment You know that I don't hence the question. I assume this is going some where correct?

    • @gfetco
      @gfetco 8 лет назад

      Glenn Beeson I am Ronnie Pickering! Don't you forget! :D

  • @christiaanbalke
    @christiaanbalke 4 года назад

    Numberphile still going strong during the corona-lockdown! Fabulous!

  • @OrianneCorman
    @OrianneCorman 9 лет назад +1

    You are amazing. I feel that I could love maths with you enthusiastic presentation. Thank you!

  • @prometheusxo6013
    @prometheusxo6013 7 лет назад +4

    I wonder what goes through your head when you solve a problem like this

  • @eossakira2653
    @eossakira2653 7 лет назад +8

    I have never been so interested in math in my whole life.

  • @TheJtyork420
    @TheJtyork420 4 года назад

    I wish u were 1 of my teachers in school. I hated math class but seeing someone who not only actually enjoys it but is also passionate about it brings a lot of excitement to the subject.

  • @pinksphaghetti
    @pinksphaghetti 8 лет назад

    I absolutely love this channel its marvelous

  • @Twinrehz
    @Twinrehz 10 лет назад +45

    How does calculating Pi with a calculator work? I did a simple experiment once, I typed in 3.14 instead of using Pi on the calculator, then afterwards I did the same formula again, this time using Pi, and as some of you probably already have guessed, the numbers where quite different. My question is then if the button for Pi on my calculator, is defined with a very long row of numbers, or if there's another method used in the calculator's programming to define Pi?

    • @Aerxis
      @Aerxis 7 лет назад +9

      Pi digits can be calculated using taylor series, among other methods, but your calculator is only using a fixed set of digits (10 or 12), most likely.

    • @Aerxis
      @Aerxis 7 лет назад +2

      Slimzie Maygen
      Not all of what you said is true, and I fail to see why is it relevant in connection to my reply.

    • @drearyplane8259
      @drearyplane8259 6 лет назад +1

      Twinrehz My calculator has a verify mode, and, using this, I found it uses 13 digits of pi.

    • @unicockboy1666
      @unicockboy1666 6 лет назад +1

      Its using a lot of numbers (depending on your calculator), but not quite pi. It only comes so close to it, that for us and our practical universe, it doesn't matter anymore. In fact you cant even form a perfect cirle of sphere in real life...

    • @pedrosaenzsantamaria2358
      @pedrosaenzsantamaria2358 6 лет назад

      Pi is burned in the prom

  • @sameash3153
    @sameash3153 4 года назад +4

    I wish I had math teachers that were excited about math and could rub it off on their students. Well, I did have a few, and their classes were the ones I passed. But other teachers I had, especially my college teachers... Well, I didn't take anything away from them. Now I'm going on a self teaching spree with math.

  • @jakobygames
    @jakobygames 7 лет назад

    i lovehate this channel so much. its so interesting that i end up clicking video after video in my recommended late into the night and i cant sleep because i need to ABSORB ALL THE KNOWLEDGE IN THE UNIVERSE

  • @HowdyStranger12312
    @HowdyStranger12312 9 лет назад

    I love this channel!

  • @gwendance
    @gwendance 10 лет назад +11

    In case you didn't get it:
    √2 is an algebraic number because is is the square root of a rational number.
    Although there is an n where √n = π, there would have to be another number (let's call it 'm') where √m = n, and (let's call the next one 'p') where √p = m, and so on to infinity,
    That's why π is not an algebraic number.

    • @steffenjensen422
      @steffenjensen422 4 года назад

      You left out the crucial point that none of those numbers are rational

  • @McDanny420
    @McDanny420 8 лет назад +30

    What about circling the square?

    • @olli343
      @olli343 8 лет назад +24

      +McDanny420 If you can find a circle with the area of a square, you have square with the area of a circle, sooooo...?

    • @cclupu
      @cclupu 8 лет назад +1

      +McDanny420 Same way

    • @seanp4644
      @seanp4644 8 лет назад

      Walking around a square is easy...

    • @chlover5853
      @chlover5853 6 лет назад

      McDanny420 you got em there

    • @Theo_Caro
      @Theo_Caro 5 лет назад

      We are given a square with side length "s." We need to construct a segment with length "r" so that s^2=pi*r^2. Since s is a constructible number, pi*r^2 is constructible. However, we know that pi is transcendental and not constructible so that pi*r^2=s^2 is not constructible, a contradiction. Thus, we cannot construct a circle with an area equal to a given square.
      Squaring the circle and circling the square are logically equivalent in fact. "Squaring" was a word for what we know call integration. So the problem is really one in just being able to talk about the area of circles in terms of how we normally measure area (i.e. with rectangles). The problem fundamentally is about the nature of pi. And the solution is ehm... really cool.

  • @gfetco
    @gfetco 11 лет назад

    That you speak about maths with such enthusiasm it makes me so happy.

  • @jabara83
    @jabara83 8 лет назад

    doggonit numberphile. I'm trying to do math homework; I take a study break, and I decide to watch a silly 4 minute video. Instead of being 5 minutes you string me along for a half hour. errrggg

  • @Appolyon
    @Appolyon 8 лет назад +4

    While trying the squaring of the circle, Is it allowed to use a thin string or twine? I mean: If i draw a circle with radius 1, i can messure the lenght of the semi circle with the twine. Now i have the lenght pi and can draw a line of this lenght + 1. Then i can draw the semi circle over this line and can messure the square root of pi like the square root of a in the video. And now i have the length to draw the sides of the square.
    Or am i making any mistake here?

    • @raykent3211
      @raykent3211 8 лет назад

      I was thinking along similar lines in the video about an attempt to legislate that pi = 3.2. Here, the prof emphasises that they were playing by certain rules. You've stepped outside the rules that are considered pure mathematics. But I bet ancient greek engineers didn't rely entirely on the mathematicians. Archimedes invented a simple machine (trammel) which draws ellipses. If it could be made perfectly, they'd be perfect ellipses (proven by mathematicians). But it's less "pure" than just straight-edge and compasses. Who makes the rules?

    • @siekensou77
      @siekensou77 8 лет назад

      i think they would have access to string or twine..

  • @Usammityduzntafraidofanythin
    @Usammityduzntafraidofanythin 9 лет назад +15

    Algebra is a tool of convenience. Makes sense to me. A lot of what the arabs did was taking greek texts that came from all over the place and just consolidate it into something more interpretable.

  • @hollo500
    @hollo500 9 лет назад

    Love these vids!

  • @vedangratnaparkhi
    @vedangratnaparkhi 6 лет назад

    James, love you!

  • @tapwater424
    @tapwater424 8 лет назад +8

    Still watching in 2015

    • @samkollmeier753
      @samkollmeier753 8 лет назад +9

      watching in 2016

    • @AoSCow
      @AoSCow 8 лет назад +5

      +Desmond Dishwater watching in 2016.02716895

    • @Alliloux
      @Alliloux 8 лет назад +7

      Still watching in 1996.

    • @AoSCow
      @AoSCow 8 лет назад +1

      *****
      The video was made in 2013 March. So it's closer to pi years.

  • @SimchaWaldman
    @SimchaWaldman 8 лет назад +4

    04:22 I thought Algebraic numbers are numbers which solve "rational coefficient equations" - not necessarily "constructable numbers". Like ³√2.

  • @GreenMeansGOF
    @GreenMeansGOF 8 лет назад +1

    One thing that I would like to point out is that there are ways of solving this problem as well as the other two famous impossible problems of Euclidean Geometry. The three problems are 1)Squaring the Circle, 2)Doubling the Cube, and 3)Trisecting an Angle. However, it requires us to move away from Euclid's axioms. 1) & 3) can be solved using the Spiral of Archimedes and 2) can be solved using parabolas. Perhaps Numberphile can make a video about those constructions in the future.

  • @dcsnunes
    @dcsnunes 4 года назад +1

    Use the last way to construct a number. Draw a line sized pi, add 1, make a circle with pi + 1 and the height will be sqrt(pi). Get this dimension with a compass and draw the square.

  • @trallalala100
    @trallalala100 11 лет назад +3

    2:32 - mind blown.

  • @starvetodeath123
    @starvetodeath123 10 лет назад +3

    How can one derive the area of a circle? Imagine a circle is superimposed in a square such that the r of the circle is equal to half the side of the square. The area of the square is known as s^2. Suppose one didn't know the formula for the area of a circle. How would he/she derive it from this information?

  • @christosmourouzidis9420
    @christosmourouzidis9420 2 года назад +1

    Thanks a lot for the wonderful videos over the years. Just to highlight that the fact that you can approximate the side of a square that has the same area with a given circle using algebra, doesn't mean that it can actually be done. Since you can only approximate it and not really find it (pi is transcendental), it doesn't exist, no matter the intermediate tools you are using, computers or otherwise. The only tool we have in any case is our mind. Thanks again!

  • @stealthwolf1
    @stealthwolf1 11 лет назад

    This channel is severely underrated

  • @AuddityHipHop
    @AuddityHipHop 10 лет назад +16

    You can only ever approximate the area of a circle.

    • @cclupu
      @cclupu 8 лет назад

      As lenght of a segment too

    • @harinandanrnair6768
      @harinandanrnair6768 7 лет назад +1

      Fleegsta no and yes ....actually Area of a circle is exactly pi times r^2, but as u said it can only be approximated because pi can only be approximated

    • @cclupu
      @cclupu 7 лет назад

      For Harinadan Nair : But if you put r=Pi the area becomes r^3. Isn't so weird if you use the fact in physics...

    • @simonruszczak5563
      @simonruszczak5563 6 лет назад +1

      Because a polygon of infinite sides can't really exist.

  • @fifafutbeast
    @fifafutbeast 8 лет назад +4

    Can someone explain why the sqrt(a) part of the semi circle is sqrt(a)? or just explain the steps for finding the measurements of the semi circle? thanks!

    • @Titurel
      @Titurel 8 лет назад +2

      +Angel Urbina Draw a triangle by connecting the ends of the diameter to where the line sqrt(a) (call this line "h") meets the circumference. This larger triangle is a right triangle. The two smaller triangles are also right triangles. All are Similar (check by adding up angles) in two smaller triangles ratio of a/h is equal to h/1. so h^2 equals a*1 so h equals sqrt (a*1)

    • @fifafutbeast
      @fifafutbeast 8 лет назад

      +Titurel ohhhhhh... that makes sense. thanks!

  • @johnbeene3117
    @johnbeene3117 9 лет назад +1

    I love James' skill at explanation but can I just say how CUTE he is too?! :D

  • @MrGingerpupes
    @MrGingerpupes 11 лет назад

    this is the best channel.! Video every 60 squared second.

  • @dandanthebabyman
    @dandanthebabyman 7 лет назад +95

    π=3.2

  • @fiona9891
    @fiona9891 8 лет назад +33

    Step 1: Make a circle with the radius 1
    Step 2: Cut a wire the same size as the circle's circunference
    Step 3: Wire equals Pi
    Step 4: Make a line the size of the wire, add the 1 which we used for the radius
    Step 5: Take the square root of pi
    Step 6: Cut a wire of that size
    Step 7: Use wire to draw a square with the sides equal to the square root of pi
    Done.

    • @fiona9891
      @fiona9891 8 лет назад +3

      +( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡° )TheNoobyGamer *Looks at comments* Oh, this has been said before? Anyways, can someone figure out
      sqrt(π)
      ?

    • @Lastrevio
      @Lastrevio 8 лет назад

      +( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡° )TheNoobyGamer
      1.77245385090551...

    • @fiona9891
      @fiona9891 8 лет назад +2

      Lastrevio
      There you go.

    • @enderman6777
      @enderman6777 7 лет назад +14

      but the wire's length would not be exactly equal because of physical limitations (atoms; material decay; acuracy and all that). You'd get, for the length of the square, and approximation of the length "root of pi".

    • @gilbertonogueira3481
      @gilbertonogueira3481 6 лет назад +1

      Assuming it would possibly work, the lenght of the wire would equal 2Pi, not Pi.

  • @foldingcircles9521
    @foldingcircles9521 6 лет назад

    Brilliant Video.

  • @AsBi1
    @AsBi1 4 года назад

    Why i find each n every video of this channel extremely easy to understand ? What's recipe

  • @BrickfilmMan
    @BrickfilmMan 7 лет назад +153

    At 2:26, why is the length equal to √(a)?

    • @BrickfilmMan
      @BrickfilmMan 7 лет назад +5

      Thanks for your reply, but I still don't quite understand. What does that have to do with the length?

    • @jeymsie2474
      @jeymsie2474 7 лет назад +92

      This is also new for me so I tried searching for proof but sadly there was'nt any in the net so I made my own proof. Bear with me please.
      From that semi-circle, make a line from the upper part of the line measuring √(a) and connect it to the center to make a radius. So now we have a right triangle and we can make use of Pythagorean's theorem.
      The diameter measures (a+1) so we can say that the radius is (a+1)/2, so...
      HYPOTHENUSE = (a+1)/2
      LEG 1 = √(a)
      Now, leg 2 is just the radius minus 1 right? So that means,
      LEG 2 = ((a+1)/2) - 1 OR (a-1)/2
      Now, using pythagorean's theorem,
      √(a)^2 + ((a-1)/2)^2 = ((a+1)/2)^2
      a + (a^2 - 2a + 1)/4 = (a^2 + 2a + 1)/4
      4a + a^2 - 2a + 1 = a^2 + 2a + 1
      4a - 2a = 2a
      2a = 2a
      So that's it, hooray or something

    • @Sonny_McMacsson
      @Sonny_McMacsson 7 лет назад +30

      If the arc's diameter (a+1) is labeled A_B, put a point C where a and 1 meet then move up perpendicular to A_B until it touches the arc at D. Triangle ABD is a right triangle therefore triangles ACD and BCD are similar.
      The relationship exists:
      B_C / C_D = C_D / A_C (1)
      The lengths are:
      B_C = 1 (2)
      A_C = a
      C_D = b
      Substitute lengths (2) into (1) to get:
      b/a = 1/b
      Therefore:
      b^2 = a
      b = √(a)

    • @BrickfilmMan
      @BrickfilmMan 7 лет назад +7

      embustero71 Thank you very much for your proof! :D It works very well, and I understand it! Just one quick question, why is the value of angle ADB a right angle?

    • @Sonny_McMacsson
      @Sonny_McMacsson 7 лет назад +5

      Brickfilm Man
      Draw two intersecting diameters in a circle (they'll cross at the center of course). Take care to notice that the outer hull of the four points where the diameters meet the circle just happen to make a rectangle with the diameter segments being its diagonals.

  • @RotcivOcnarb8000
    @RotcivOcnarb8000 9 лет назад +17

    what about strings? you cant put a string around a circle of radius 1, and then divide by 2? this would be pi with no doubt

    • @ilyatoporgilka
      @ilyatoporgilka 4 года назад

      You would not be able to calculate it further after millimeters,microns,atoms,etc.

    • @harryw4802
      @harryw4802 3 года назад

      you can't use strings.

  • @athletico3548
    @athletico3548 10 лет назад

    hes the only guy that makes me entertained

  • @SmellsLikeEMinor
    @SmellsLikeEMinor 6 лет назад +2

    James Grime...the man who made me love math

  • @franz14ade
    @franz14ade 8 лет назад +58

    You guys need a board or something.
    Papyrus has been used too much...

    • @AiZeno
      @AiZeno 8 лет назад +5

      +Oh Kazi but those are recycled paper aren't it? (not papyrus, but the paper used in their videos)

    • @askingstuff
      @askingstuff 8 лет назад +15

      NYEHEHEH...HEH

    • @hetakusoda2977
      @hetakusoda2977 8 лет назад +3

      That's corier new. (I think)

    • @pe3akpe3et99
      @pe3akpe3et99 4 года назад

      you mean..THE GREAT PAPYRUS

    • @Mike-739
      @Mike-739 4 года назад

      That is Kraft paper

  • @benjaminbrady2385
    @benjaminbrady2385 7 лет назад +3

    Easily! You can make a square with holes in a fractal pattern to get it, that might not count as a square though, so...

  • @monkeyfoetus
    @monkeyfoetus 11 лет назад

    He looks so excited at 4:35 talking about transcendental numbers. It's adorable.

  • @styk0n
    @styk0n 10 лет назад

    every time I watch a numberphile video, I wish I had dedicated more of my time at high school to appreciating maths.

  • @JorgetePanete
    @JorgetePanete 7 лет назад +6

    So, a circle with radius 1 is just a pie with π area

    • @Marcelo-yp9uz
      @Marcelo-yp9uz 4 года назад

      @Fester Blats No, a circle with a diameter of 1 has an CIRCUMFERENCE of pi

    • @egs_mythicgamer4013
      @egs_mythicgamer4013 4 года назад

      Anifco67 No they’re right the area formula is pi times r^2 so if r is 1 then the area would just be pi.

  • @Babluuyt
    @Babluuyt 3 года назад +2

    He is addicted to mathamphetamine

  • @Kraniumbrud
    @Kraniumbrud 4 года назад

    his passion is infectious..,

  • @cukka99
    @cukka99 10 лет назад +1

    Archimedes merely found one of a long series of approximations. As mentioned in the video, Ramanujan found a very close one too. What happened in 1882 was that it was finally proven that the circle in fact CANNOT be squared using just a straightedge and a compass. When they say the problem was "solved", this is what they mean.

  • @BillySugger1965
    @BillySugger1965 9 лет назад +4

    Numberphile At 0:13 James says that squaring the circle was solved in 1882. Please show us how...

    • @BillySugger1965
      @BillySugger1965 9 лет назад

      George Sorrell
      Thank you for that. :-)

    • @Scy
      @Scy 9 лет назад +10

      Solved as in proven impossible.

  • @MultiXGamer1
    @MultiXGamer1 8 лет назад +46

    Why is he so shiny xD

    • @TigerXeN
      @TigerXeN 7 лет назад +52

      Rare Pokemon

    • @ryanlira7194
      @ryanlira7194 6 лет назад +2

      why are you so shiny

    • @Ghost____Rider
      @Ghost____Rider 6 лет назад +5

      When a reply gets more likes than the original comment

  • @champ19ngp
    @champ19ngp 4 года назад

    What if I had a triangle with opposite length to the right angle that was the circumference of a circle and the adjacent length was the diameter of that circle amd then i scaled it down? (as in examples in the video) is that not then constructing Pi?

  • @Derederi
    @Derederi 11 лет назад

    I love your videos. :->

  • @rajens1
    @rajens1 9 лет назад +6

    i don't understand how you get the root 'a' part by adding 1?

    • @polpat
      @polpat 6 лет назад +4

      Between the diameter and any point on the circle you get a straight triangle. When you add the vertical line he added you get 3 similar triangles. Similar means their ratios are the same. write down the equality between the ratios in the triangles having this vertical line in common. As you will see it shows that the unknown length squared is a.

  • @Pumbear
    @Pumbear 10 лет назад +5

    So the greeks didnt have numbers or algebra but they did have square roots?!

  • @Qardo
    @Qardo 11 лет назад

    You know...I randomly clicked on one video and soon watched this. I have to admit. This is far more interesting than what my math classes could teach. Yet...also could be that your British makes it more interesting lol.

  • @WillShredForBread
    @WillShredForBread 6 лет назад

    great transitions XD

  • @otherssingpuree1779
    @otherssingpuree1779 8 лет назад +45

    That unsolved rubik's cube was driving me crazy. Anyone else?

    • @mr.j_krr_80
      @mr.j_krr_80 6 лет назад

      Adarsh Singpuri ow yeah

    • @ilyatoporgilka
      @ilyatoporgilka 4 года назад

      Search "Radio cube 3".It is a shape mod of another difficult puzzle "Eitan's star".Basically,an icosahedral variant of a Rubik's cube.
      In my channel you can watch hundreds of videos about that kind of puzzles.Go and do so.

  • @pauldogon2578
    @pauldogon2578 9 лет назад +4

    Here something that has always bugged me, maybe you numberphiles can help.
    the sum of the product of 9x anything = 9. eg 9x1 =9. 9x2 =18 the sum of the product = 9 (1+8=9)
    This works for 9 x anything. Why

    • @AlsteinLe
      @AlsteinLe 9 лет назад +3

      it's cause it's always missing 1 from 10. u can think of it being +1 instead of +9/-1. so if it counting +1 for each number u got. it's the same as that number . ex 5=+5

    • @bjornsahlin
      @bjornsahlin 8 лет назад +2

      +Paul Dogon
      Look up modulo calculation and/or the proof of why a number is divisible with 9 if the digit sum of that number is divisible by 9. :)

    • @user-zh3sn6fo5o
      @user-zh3sn6fo5o 8 лет назад

      +AlsteinLe Can i sue u? U just made me brain wrinkle.

    • @AlsteinLe
      @AlsteinLe 8 лет назад

      +ʎɯɯıɾ ɔ haha...

    • @coopergates9680
      @coopergates9680 8 лет назад

      +8070alejandro What's your preferred base then?

  • @HuggumsMcgehee
    @HuggumsMcgehee 6 лет назад

    How do you add using a straightedge if it isn't marked off? Do you use some finite length straightedge as a unit length?

  • @PlatonicPluto
    @PlatonicPluto 2 года назад

    He said Pie, on 3:14, on March 14, I am complete now, thank you Numberphile for activating the heehoo neurons in my brain.

  • @DrScrubbington
    @DrScrubbington 8 лет назад +7

    If we had no algebra there would be no cities. There probably wouldn't be any computers either, but that's all I'm saying.

    • @gavinwightman4038
      @gavinwightman4038 7 лет назад

      Andrew S We wouldn't know the distance of roads with curves.

    • @unicockboy1666
      @unicockboy1666 6 лет назад

      Dr Scrubbington There is an explanation below a comment about the same question

  • @zerospin876
    @zerospin876 8 лет назад +3

    Take a tube with a radius of 0.5. Wrap a sheet of paper around it. Draw a line around the perimeter. Unfold the paper. You now have a line with a length of PI. Done. You just need to use warped space. Next problem?

    • @BetaDude40
      @BetaDude40 5 лет назад

      This problem only works in Euclidean space, you can't use a third dimension.

  • @colinjuddpianocovers
    @colinjuddpianocovers 4 года назад

    Numberfile has 3.14 million subscribers at this exact moment

  • @tylerlowden8023
    @tylerlowden8023 5 лет назад

    That is a nice shirt James!