Thursday, December 19, 2019

522: Where to start with factoring

You are asked to find the roots and factors of the following polynomial function:
f(x) = x4 – 2x3 – 18x2 + 6x + 45

By the rational root theorem, possible rational roots are
± 1, 3, 5, 9, 15, or 45.

In order to minimize your effort, you know that you should begin with the possibility that is most likely to be a root. Which one is most likely?

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

521: When is an outlier still an outlier?

In a set of data, can the outlier also be the mode or does it stop being an outlier?

520: Dan or Mike? Who's Better at Doodle Jump?

Every year I give this graphic comparing the Doodle Jump stats for @ddmeyer and his friend Mike.


Give a couple of reasons why we could consider Dan the better player.
Give a couple of reasons why we could consider Mike the better player.


Measures of Central Tendency.