tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10348701.post3626485376208031860..comments2024-03-13T21:26:03.011-07:00Comments on Right on the Left Coast: Views From a Conservative Teacher: One of the Problems With My Getting a Master's DegreeDarrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15730642770935985796noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10348701.post-79421150644343518232014-09-11T11:54:49.384-07:002014-09-11T11:54:49.384-07:00I found linear algebra was best used to explain Pa...I found linear algebra was best used to explain Pandora's algorithm for picking the song you might like best: <br /><br> Define a vector for each song, rating things like speed, genre, and such as different dimensions. Then use a weighted Euclidean inner product to define an angle [cos(theta) = /|u|*|v|] between songs, or a distance [d(u,v)=|u-v|] between songs. You give a song, and Pandora spits out "nearby" songs. You "like" songs, and we can define a subspace in the vector space of songs that you might like... Isn't it neat?Joshua Sasmorhttp://people.setonhill.edu/sasmornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10348701.post-50602592373906590972014-09-10T16:11:46.809-07:002014-09-10T16:11:46.809-07:00Steve, that's good advice, thank you.
And whe...Steve, that's good advice, thank you.<br /><br />And when I get a chance I *will* share some of it. Right now I need to work on another lesson before heading off to work again for Back To School Night.Darrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15730642770935985796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10348701.post-8339358753584627262014-09-10T16:08:10.277-07:002014-09-10T16:08:10.277-07:00What Richard said. What Richard said. PeggyUnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10348701.post-51070104618137047332014-09-10T09:51:22.528-07:002014-09-10T09:51:22.528-07:00And share them with us. I think it's cool ...And share them with us. I think it's cool ...rclarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17821361886811348282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10348701.post-13894186186815426382014-09-10T07:52:34.224-07:002014-09-10T07:52:34.224-07:00You're actually learning math instead of educa...You're actually learning math instead of education theory? You da man!<br />If I were a parent in your school district, I would thank you for your concern for your craft (rather than merely your paycheck, as so many MEds seem to be).pseudotsuganoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10348701.post-63032050824960796442014-09-10T05:39:45.398-07:002014-09-10T05:39:45.398-07:00Darren, in my teaching of 200-level Probability &a...Darren, in my teaching of 200-level Probability & Statistics at West Point, I don't hesitate to mention the complex problems you can solve with the basic concepts I am teaching. The key I've found is that you can't try and explain it so they understand. You have to mention it so the one kid who is interested gets their appetite whetted enough to wonder if this would be something to pursue later.<br /><br />"Ever wonder how FEDEX decides where to position their hubs to get your package overnight from California to Maryland? It is just a complex matrix solved with linear algebra."<br /><br />Kid who is interested in math will ponder that and maybe ask a question after class (It has happened to me). Kids that would glaze over don't have time to because I immediately move on after making the statement.Steve USMA '85https://www.blogger.com/profile/01098957060650513905noreply@blogger.com