Help! to solve this question

[argszero]

http://groups.google.com/group/java-code-challenge/web/calculate-mininterval?hl=en

 

[Andrew Thompson]

http://groups.google.com/group/java-code-challenge/web/calculate-mininterval?hl=en

Please don't bring conversations from these 'toy' Google
Groups over to usenet.

--
Andrew Thompson
http://www.athompson.info/andrew/

Message posted via JavaKB.com
http://www.javakb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/java-general/200709/1

 

[Roedy Green]

http://groups.google.com/group/java-code-challenge/web/calculate-mininterval?hl=en

Why do people bother making up so many artificial problems where the
answer does not matter when there are so many real world problems to
solve? This is a general question. It is a deeply rooted feature of
humanity. Is it just they admit tidy solutions with minimal work?

And why do you want us to work on it?

1. to publicise the web site.

2. so you can submit the solution as yours?

3. because you think we need the exercise?

 

[Wildemar Wildenburger]

Why do people bother making up so many artificial problems where the
answer does not matter when there are so many real world problems to
solve? This is a general question. It is a deeply rooted feature of
humanity.
>

Right you are. But you make it sound like games are a bad thing.

Is it just they admit tidy solutions with minimal work?

I don't get that sentence.

/W

 

[christopher]

Right you are. But you make it sound like games are a bad thing.


I don't get that sentence.

/W

substitute "allow for" for "admit"

 

[argszero]

Why do people bother making up so many artificial problems where the
answer does not matter when there are so many real world problems to
solve? This is a general question. It is a deeply rooted feature of
humanity. Is it just they admit tidy solutions with minimal work?

And why do you want us to work on it?

1. to publicise the web site.

2. so you can submit the solution as yours?

3. because you think we need the exercise?

Just want to know if there is a solution.Thanks.

 

[Roedy Green]

Right you are. But you make it sound like games are a bad thing.



I don't get that sentence.

My mother was highly opposed to games and athletics. Everything in
her view needed a practical purpose. I picked up that attitude. Why
do people waste time on puzzles?

You do the work without any benefit.

So why would you? because you get a charge out of solving a problem.
Artificial problems are artificially tidy and easy so you get a big
bang for a small amount of work.

Real world problems rarely have quick or tidy solutions. They are full
of compromises.

 

[~kurt]

My mother was highly opposed to games and athletics. Everything in
her view needed a practical purpose. I picked up that attitude. Why
do people waste time on puzzles?

Athletics are not without a purpose - not everyone sits behind a desk
every day all day. Even the average person benefits from the coordination
gained from being forced to play sports when going to school. Games also
teach people skills. Small skills can build forming a foundation for the
big problems.

Quite often, impractical problems are what give reason for one to get out
of bed in the morning. Most people hate their jobs, and only have time
for something small on the side. It is hard to find a job that works
on the real problems.

- Kurt

 

[Lew]

Athletics are not without a purpose - not everyone sits behind a desk
every day all day. Even the average person benefits from the coordination
gained from being forced to play sports when going to school. Games also
teach people skills. Small skills can build forming a foundation for the
big problems.

Quite often, impractical problems are what give reason for one to get out
of bed in the morning. Most people hate their jobs, and only have time
for something small on the side. It is hard to find a job that works
on the real problems.

Solving "toy" problems is like lifting lighter weights - it builds your mental
muscles without straining them too hard whilst you're learning.

 

[Roedy Green]

Athletics are not without a purpose - not everyone sits behind a desk
every day all day

In my mother's view exercise is necessary, but it should be combined
with a practical purpose, e.g. gardening, transportation or housework.

There is just so much to be done, you can't fritter your energy on
treadmills.

 

[Roedy Green]

Solving "toy" problems is like lifting lighter weights - it builds your mental
muscles without straining them too hard whilst you're learning.

I found that in teaching kids, artificial problems put them off unless
it was very clear it was a stepping stone to their stated goal.

Think of all the silly artificial arithmetic problems you solved in
school. All they did in most cases was convince the students they
would never need arithmetic or algebra once the exam was done.

 

[Hunter Gratzner]

Just want to know if there is a solution.Thanks.

Sure ... So you don't have to do your own homework? This is a
discussion group, not a helpdesk. You didn't manage to motivate people
here to look into your artificial problem, and demanding a solution
will not help. Trying to deter people to a vanity group didn't help
you either.

 

[Andrew Thompson]

argszero wrote:
..

...
Just want to know if there is a solution.Thanks.

I just want a pony. But I would not come here looking
for it, this is a Java discussion forum.

A Java discussion forum is probably also the wrong
place to come if you require spoon-fed answers, as
your posts seem to suggest. For that, see a
help-desk or consultant.

If on the other hand, you want to begin to *discuss*
the problem (perhaps by stating your idea of the
answer, as well as your reasoning and any code
that supports the reasoning, then ask others to
*discuss* your conclusions and reasoning) that
might* be more effective at kicking this thread off
to a good start.

* 'Might' being the operative word. There are no
guarantees on usenet, and people do not usually
discuss threads that started on other groups.
And that brings me to.. Do you really think the
creator of that forum would want *you* to be talking
about that problem here? I have no real care about
their group, but at just 2** members, it seems it hardly
needs one of the two members ducking off to other
groups for answers.

** It currently shows '3' because I joined it, about
to chew out the creator for promoting his group on
usenet, but since you (apparently) did *not* create
that group, I decided to leave that poor sucker be.

--
Andrew Thompson
http://www.athompson.info/andrew/

Message posted via JavaKB.com
http://www.javakb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/java-general/200709/1

 

[RedGrittyBrick]

Just want to know if there is a solution.

Yes, there is a solution.

 

[~kurt]

I found that in teaching kids, artificial problems put them off unless
it was very clear it was a stepping stone to their stated goal.

Putting them off is irrelevant - you need to learn the basics, and the
kids just need the discipline to do it. That is why they are not given
a choice about studying before they understand why they need to study it.
The most efficient way to get the material across is to teach it, and
filling the lessons with fluff does nothing more than hold those with
the aptitude for it back. About the only real world problem that a kid
in grade school is going to be able to do with arithmetic is balance a
checkbook.

Word problems - the most hated by students - attempt to put the math
to use. But those are typically artificial problems too.

I can't think of any real problems that you are going to be able to
present to kids learning algebra who are just learning how to factor
polynomials. The most insight you can give them is that they are going
through this trouble to eventually find the roots of the equation, and
at the most you can plot the equation and show them what this means.
But, without physics, what is the use of that? What about complex numbers?
Just what real world problem will a high school junior be able to work on
in which complex numbers are needed?

Think of all the silly artificial arithmetic problems you solved in
school. All they did in most cases was convince the students they
would never need arithmetic or algebra once the exam was done.

Maybe the stupid kids. All the "silly artificial arithmetic problems"
I worked as a kid formed the foundation for the mathematics I do on a
daily basis. I knew I was going to be an engineer, so I paid attention
and learned.

I'm disgusted with the programs I see in place now. I would love for
someone to explain to me why it is necessary to have certain software
on your computer, or a special graphics calculator, to learn arithmetic,
algebra, geomoetry, calculus, etc.... I can't believe they waste time
teaching students how to use such software. They do it because they
believe it will make it more interesting for the kids. But, it takes
up valuable time that should be spent on mathematics - once again it
all comes down to holding back the gifted for the sake of the average.

- Kurt

 

[~kurt]

In my mother's view exercise is necessary, but it should be combined
with a practical purpose, e.g. gardening, transportation or housework.

Well, the problem with that view is such work does not put your muscles
through a full range of motion, so they tend to atrophy. And, they do
not stress the skeletal system enough to maintain bone density. You
can see the difference between active old people, and active old people
who work out - it is like night and day.

- Kurt

 

[Wildemar Wildenburger]

In my mother's view exercise is necessary, but it should be combined
with a practical purpose, e.g. gardening, transportation or housework.

By no means is this going to be an offense (you have to be really
carefull about that around here), but what are you doing for fun?

/W

 

[Wildemar Wildenburger]

By no means is this going to be an offense (you have to be really
carefull about that around here), but what are you doing for fun?

We Germans just don't get the tenses right, do we?
Make that: What do you do for fun?

Sorry.
/W

 

[Roedy Green]

but what are you doing for fun

She was not a Christian, but would get quite angry when she heard
people "having fun". It doubt it was really a philosophical complaint
with frivolity, just that it made her envious. She was a bit of a
slave driver, and was only happy when she had all her 5 kids
industriously working away on activities that would increase her
social status.

There is a line in Mary Poppins -- "fraught with purpose". I like
all my activities "fraught with purpose". Something inside prods that
my activities all must be directed to some grand end. Even though you
can see the source of your mental programming, that does not escape
you from it. Adulthood is a great series of disillusionments about my
own importance in the universe.

 

[Roedy Green]

We Germans just don't get the tenses right, do we?
Make that: What do you do for fun?

My health is so bad, I have very little energy.

Things you might would not think of:
- a hot bath
- an effervescent drink with ground up fruit.
- going to the store for a bagel
- watching First Wave on TV.
- word play and discussions about topics no one else thinks about with
my roommate.
- reading about technology I will likely never use.
- answering easy newbie questions.