Avoiding Trigonometry (2013)

Posted by WithinReason 7 hours ago

Avoiding Trigonometry (2013)(iquilezles.org)

129 points | 28 commentspage 2

storus 5 hours ago|

In principle, wouldn't a change of basis be all that is needed?

srean 5 hours ago|

It's a little more than change of basis, although change of basis is an important part of it. It converts many apparently trigonometric operations into algebraic ones, root finding included.

There are certain drawbacks. If the solution involves non-algebraic numbers there is no getting away from the transcendental numbers (that ultimately get approximated by algebraic numbers).

virgil_disgr4ce 2 hours ago|

OK I have a genuine question outside the topic of TFA. Do people really prefer "orientate" over "orient"? This pattern baffles me. You don't get out of the subway and "orientate" yourself, you "orient" yourself.

I mean I'm perfectly aware that language is a descriptive cultural process etc etc but man this bugs the crap out of me for some reason

moi2388 7 minutes ago||

I absolutely get out of the subway and orientate myself.

If I orient myself I have not taken the subway but the orient express, I’m afraid..

nyeah 2 hours ago||

I think Americans tend to say "orient." I think English people tend to say "orientate."