So today we basically learnt about different ways to represent a function and we defined what a function is in detail.

First things first, what is a function?

A function is a rule that assigns each element x ( x being any independent variable ) in a set A exactly one element, f(x) ( f(x) being a dependent variable ) in a set B.

From that definition of a function we can now distinguish the different types of ways to represent a function.

I only know four ways, maybe there’s more… idk

1. algebraically, with the use of an equation
2. graphs
3. tables
4. or just in words

So we also learnt how to test if a graph represents a function. To do that you have to use the vertical line test. which means that anywhere within the domain of the graph if an x value has more than one f(x) value assigned to it then that graph does not represent a function.…

Gravitational waves: will the global south provide the next pulse of gravity research?

Amanda Weltman, University of Cape Town and Jeff Murugan, University of Cape Town

A little over a century ago, on 25 November 1915, Albert Einstein published a paper entitled “Die Feldgleichungen der Gravitation”. Its contents would change the world forever.

Like any good scientific theory, Einstein’s General Relativity not only explained the shortcomings of its predecessor, in this case Newtonian gravity, it also made predictions of new and unexpected phenomena. These included the bending of light by massive objects, the existence of black holes, the slowing down of time in strong gravitational fields and the very framework for the cosmology of the universe. All of these have withstood a century of intense scrutiny. But for 100 years one particular prediction in Einstein’s theory of Gravity eluded the most ingenious testing.

That changed on 11 February 2016 with the news that gravitational waves have been discovered.…

Salahdin Daouairi unlocks a numerical model puzzle based on a finite discrete system that is key to understanding and interpreting physical laws of the universe. Read more here.

John Urschel (NFL Player) to Pursue his PhD in Math at MIT (See link). This should be inspiring to all young learners in school/university who think it is not possible to mix sports and “seemingly” difficult subjects like Math that require lots of attention. Actually math is some kind of sport too, it requires practice to fully grasp the concepts. More interesting is what Math can do to help you get your sports right according to the University of Cambridge Math and Athletics Blog (See link).

The Programme for International Students Assessment (PISA) has done various interesting research about mathematics and how it relates to society. You might find their findings interesting. Check them out: Click here

Almost every nation in Africa is inspired by South Africa in terms of economic growth. But wait a minute, is South Africa really up there, well let’s see! In the recent world economic forum Global Information Technology Report of 2015, on mathematics and science education rankings, South Africa emerged as the worst country from the ranking. Refer to Link 0.

Actually, it is indeed astonishing that in the global rankings conducted by OECD every 2 years in the fields of science, reading and mathematics, there isn’t a single representative from Africa.  Is it because the continent is still under developed? well not directly but yes, it has something to do with it. The fact of the matter is that there seems to be a one-to-one correspondence between education (particularly math and science) and economic development as discussed in the OECD findings see: Link 1, Link 2.