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UW Challenge June 10

This weeks problem: Determine A2008 if A0 = A and
An+1 = An / (1 + n An), for n = 0, 1, 2, …
 
Solution: A2008 = A / (1 + 2 015 028 A )
 
See my full solution PDF (With Mathematica and by-hand solutions).

Posted in Math and Physics, Mathematica | 1 Comment »

New job at Wolfram Research

I recently switched jobs, leaving Isilon Systems (in Seattle) to start working at Wolfram Research Inc (in Champaign, IL). Besides a new company, in a new town, it’s also a new position: I’m leaving behind the world of hardware testing, for software testing, as a Quality Assurance Engineer. At least, until Wolfram starts building hardware!
My […]

Posted in Job, Life, Mathematica | No Comments »

UW Challenge April 28 2008

This week’s problem: Andrew has n3 white cubes of the size 1 x 1 x 1. He wants to construct an n x n x n cube with all its faces being completely white. Find the minimal number of the faces of small cubes that Basil must paint black in order to prevent Andrew from […]

Posted in Math and Physics | 1 Comment »

UW Challenge April 21 2008

This week’s problem: Find the minimum number of squares that are required to draw a complete n x n grid. For example, when n = 2, the answer is 3, as three squares suffice: a 2×2 and two 1×1 squares (draw a picture!); moreover it is easy to see it can’t be […]

Posted in Math and Physics | 1 Comment »

UW Math Challenge of the Week Winner

The UW Math Department offers a weekly challenge, with a small prize picked each week. A couple weeks ago, they picked me, much to my surprise :-).

While I only do these for fun, and the intent is for the prize to go to Undergrads, then Grad students, and finally Faculty, it was nice to be […]

Posted in Math and Physics | No Comments »

HTPC Case Mod - Part 2

(Part of a porting project from static web pages to blog… Original air date: 27aug2007)
This blog entry is for my original HTPC plan, using a VIA EPIA M10000 motherboard. Initial evaluation of that choice proved unsatisfactory for decent video playback performance. I looked into non-VIA options, including AMD and Intel solutions […]

Posted in HTPC | 1 Comment »