Dora Medrano

UC Berkeley.
Applied Math/Quantum Mechanics.
Science & Math Education.
Museum Educator.
Aspiring Teacher.
Lover of math facts and history.

[Dora Medrano @dorasmathfacts]

In 1637, Rene Descartes used x, y, z for variables and a, b, c for parameters, introducing fully symbolic notation to algebra #mathhistory

[Dora Medrano @dorasmathfacts]

1591, Francois Viete was the 1st to introduce letters in algebra, using vowels for variables & consonants for parameters #mathhistory #math

[Dora Medrano @dorasmathfacts]

Abelian groups are named after Niels Abel who proved the unsolvabilty of quintic equations in 1824. #mathhistory #mathematicians

[Dora Medrano @dorasmathfacts]

In 1557, Robert Recorde introduced "=" as the equality symbol with the justification "noe 2 thynges can be more equalle." #mathhistory #math

[Maths History @mathshistory]

George Berkeley (1685-1753), known for his attack on the metaphysical foundation of Newton's calculus, born 12 Mar https://t.co/Qm78WgTbxf

[Dora Medrano @dorasmathfacts]

The "weak" Goldbach conjecture says every odd number greater than 7 can be expressed as the sum of three odd primes. #mathfact #math

[Dora Medrano @dorasmathfacts]

Goldbachs conjecture says that every even integer greater than 2 can be expressed as the sum of 2 primes. #mathfact #math

[Maths History @mathshistory]

Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543), proponent of rotating Earth in yearly motion around a stationary sun, born 19 Feb https://t.co/QL7ijQFY7u

[Prof. Feynman @ProfFeynman]

Study hard what interests you the most in the most undisciplined, irreverent and original manner possible.

[Algebra Etc. @AlgebraFact]

A group is called simple if it has no normal subgroups other than the identity and the group itself.

[Dora Medrano @dorasmathfacts]

True, but 216 is the smallest 😉 Bonus fact: the sum of 3 consecutive cubes is always a multiple of 9. https://t.co/Uonr0NNamy

[Dora Medrano @dorasmathfacts]

216 is the smallest number that is both a cube and the sum of 3 consecutive cubes: 3³ + 4³ + 5³ = 6³ = 216 #math #mathfact

[Algebra Etc. @AlgebraFact]

An n x n matrix A is non-singular iff dim(range(A)) = n.

[Algebra Etc. @AlgebraFact]

Every permutation can be written as a product of disjoint cycles.

[NASA Solar System @NASASolarSystem]

ICYMI: The night side of Saturn's moon Dione, gently illuminated by Saturnshine. Details: https://t.co/q1axd9QY5z #SaturnSaturday

[Dora Medrano @dorasmathfacts]

Einstein received the 1921 Nobel prize for his work on the photoelectric effect--not on his theories of special relativity #physicshistory

[Dora Medrano @dorasmathfacts]

in his equation, Planck's constant is the conversion factor between wavelength of light and energy of its associated quantum #physicshistory

[Dora Medrano @dorasmathfacts]

His formula famously assumed black bodies emitted energy in packets--called quanta & then Einstein later dubbed them photons #physicshistory

[Dora Medrano @dorasmathfacts]

The formula, containing the now Planck constant, was an act of genuine desperation. He didn't know it'd be the correct one #physicshistory

[Dora Medrano @dorasmathfacts]

Oct 7 1900: Max Planck scribbled a formula on a postcard & sent it to Heinrich Rueben -- his blackbody radiation formula #physicshistory