What if the “wrong” way to add fractions was secretly a key to understanding advanced mathematics? This exploration reveals how the “mediant”—adding numerators and denominators directly—offers an intuitive grasp of Simpson’s paradox. This seemingly simple error is then used to construct the Stern-Brocot tree, visualize number theory with Ford circles, and prove a fundamental theorem on rational approximation.
The ‘Wrong’ Way to Add Fractions is Actually Genius
What begins as a simple mathematical mistake unfolds into a surprising journey through advanced number theory, statistical paradoxes, and the hidden beauty of rational numbers.
Related Posts
Bringing classical physics into the modern world with Galileo’s Leaning Tower of Pisa experiment
Galileo, holding two balls, about to perform his legendary experiment. Hulton Archive/Stringer via Getty Images Larry M. Silverberg,…
The Story of Azurite
Azurite, a naturally occurring copper carbonate mineral, has been a blue pigment for thousands of years, particularly in…
How do brains coordinate activity? From fruit flies to monkeys, we discovered this universal principle
whitehoune/Shutterstock Brandon Robert Munn, University of Sydney The brain is a marvel of efficiency, honed by thousands of…
New Study Reveals More Details About King Tut’s “Cosmic” Dagger
The storied pharaoh of ancient Egypt Tutankhamun, commonly referred to as “King Tut,” was famous for owning a…