# IntMath Newsletter: Math for plumbing, MS Math 4, SGD

By Murray Bourne, 21 Aug 2011

21 Aug 2011

1. Learn math for plumbing?
2. Microsoft Mathematics 4.0 - now for $0 3. Singapore dollar - backed by gold 4. Friday math movies 5. Poll results 6. Puzzles 7. Final thought: Shaping our lives ## 1. Learn math for plumbing?  Who says you don't need math? Here are several math concepts needed for welding, plumbing and piping. Learn math for plumbing? ## 2. Microsoft Mathematics 4.0 - now for$0

 MS Math 4.0 is a complimentary offering from Microsoft - and it's not bad. Microsoft Mathematics 4.0 - now for \$0

## 3. Singapore dollar - backed by gold

 Once debt starts to spiral out of control, there's not much you can do. Here's one country that's in a healthy position. Singapore dollar - backed by gold

## (a) The Rice Show

 Using the scale of one grain of rice to one person, The Rice Show represents population statistics in a way you’ve never seen before. Friday math movie: The Rice Show

## (b) The surprising math of cities and corporations

 This video discusses some of the reasons – and solutions – for global warming. It’s all about scaling. Friday math movie: The surprising math of cities and corporations

## 5. Poll results

The answer "none" is surprisingly high. Most math curriculums are still very conservative.

None
62%

Most students use one.
20%

One
12%

Two
6%

Current poll: The latest poll asks if you "friend" your teacher (or students) on Facebook. You can respond on any page in Interactive Mathematics.

## 6. Puzzles

Last Newsletter I posed this question:

"My husband's age," remarked a lady the other day, "is represented by the figures of my own age reversed. He is my senior, and the difference between our ages is one-eleventh of their sum." How old are they?

Two readers (Bevan and VT) responded with the correct answer of 45 and 54.

New puzzle:

If the end of the world should come on the first day of a new century, what is the probability that it will happen on a Sunday?

## 7. Final thought: Shaping our lives

Anthony Robbins is an authority on leadership and peak performance. He also runs a non-profit Foundation helping inner-city youth, senior citizens and the homeless.

I felt this was a great quote - it applies to learning math, too!

It's not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives.  It's what we do consistently. [Anthony Robbins]

Until next time, enjoy whatever you learn.

### 2 Comments on “IntMath Newsletter: Math for plumbing, MS Math 4, SGD”

1. p m bajracharya says:

If the end of the world should come on the first day of a new century, what is the probability that it will happen on a Sunday?
There are 7 days in a week. So, no. elements in the sample space is 7. There is one Sunday in a week. Hence the probability that it will happen on a Sunday is 1/7.

2. Murray says:

@P M. Your answer would appear to be correct, but sorry, it isn't!

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