This morning I got up to absolute torrential rain. The patio was flooded and water was pouring down the road. This was at half past six. By the time my Carer came at half past seven it was just 'ordinary' rain and by half past ten, when I had more or less finished most of the Mind Games in The Times, the sun came out and the sky was blue. I decided to take the bull by the horns and go for my walk - it was glorious, a real Summer's Day. On the way back there were a few ominous clouds and I debated which way to return. It suddenly struck me that the paths involved formed a more or less perfect right angled triangle so - obviously - I had to apply the Pythagoras theorem (the square on the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the square on the other two sides). Miss Bayliss, my maths teacher, would have been proud of me. (we always called her Bertha Martha because her sister, Annis, always called Miss Annis was our house mistress). If she is looking down on me I would like her to know that in all my eighty eight years that is the first time I have found it useful.
As it happens unnecessary though - now, two hours later, it is still a glorious Summer's Day.
Summer in May! We had one such day on Sunday, the 9th (Mother's Day in Germany and the US). The sun shone all day, and it was 30 C - what a difference to the previous day, and the next.
ReplyDeleteI liked geometry at school, it was something I could get my head round easily, unlike algebra.
One of the reasons I gave up trying to teach Geography was that I lived in fear of Little Jimmy at the back of the class asking why he needed to learn about hydro-electricity in Brazil. When I worked on the farm I used to square up the bases of straw stacks by using a 3,4,5 triangle made from lengths of baler twine! When I told the old man who worked with me that I was using Pythagoras, he exclaimed "Tha's all Greek to me!"
ReplyDeleteI detested mathematics, was so bad at it, and was always terrified of that particular exam when at grammar school . . . . . but I do recall Pythagoras, perhaps because I have always loved the triangular shape!
ReplyDeleteGlad you are having some better weather - sunshine is such a booster of good feelings and health.
Thank you John -first laugh of the day.
ReplyDeleteI thought you were going to say 'and by the time I'd worked it out, it was raining again!'
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful day here, too. we had a little rain on our walk, but not the soak-you-to-the-skin rain we have had recently. A few ominous clouds...maybe just time to cut the lawn?
Well, you brain is sharp if you can remember and apply a theory from your days in geometry! I am impressed! Glad the weather cooperated for your walk today!
ReplyDeleteThe rain in Sheffield today has been turning on and off like a tap!
ReplyDeleteAlgebra and Geometry were two subjects at school that I couldn't see the point of, and still can't, they were a complete mystery to me. I guess it all depends on what career you decide on in adult life.
ReplyDeleteAt the moment here in North Kent, 30 degrees such as the Librarian had the other day, seems like a dream - 20 degrees would be nice!
I wonder if Pythagoras himself is looking down on you and smiling. I guess if your teacher is, then there is no reason why he wouldn't be too!
ReplyDeleteI am absolutely with Derek on this - couldn't see the point of 'em! I was soon dropped down to the simple maths only class (and can still add up goodly lengths of numbers in my head). I am right brain, and that's the end of the matter. No logic (or tact!) to me at all . . .
ReplyDeleteBeen a pleasant day so far (5pm) but the wind is getting up now.
ReplyDeleteHurray for glorious summer days!! ~Andrea xoxo
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful day you've had to enjoy! It sounds like the early rain just freshened it all for you.
ReplyDeleteI did learn it but it is mostly forgotten, although I do use some theories in the stonework. Calculating circumference, for instance.
ReplyDeleteNever, ever understood geometry or algebra and when my wretched teacher, hit my hand with a ruler, that was the end of maths for me. If you were to go on to Google Earth Pat, you would see the pattern of your estate as well.
ReplyDeleteApplied maths always makes maths easier to enjoy and understand. I believe good maths teachers today make maths come alive and relate it to everyday life. I met a maths teacher when I was on holiday once who told me he had turned around a school that had an abysmal Maths GCSE record by relating the subject to things the boys liked doing, like sport etc. and they were so enthusiastic for the subject they had after school clubs just for maths and the school GCSE pass rate leapt upwards. The boys were doing maths and they didn't even know it.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had such a lovely day today. It must have been your turn for a change.
ReplyDeleteI was hopeless at geometry and algebra I am ashamed to say. I gave up on patchwork because it necessitated too much maths!
It's a pleasure to know you were afforded a perfect day, and perfect Pythagorean Theorum.
ReplyDeleteI used the Pythagorean theorum to figure out stairs. I have a feeling that I was doing it all the long way, but I got it done. My husband was quite amazed.
ReplyDeleteSo many things one learns in school are pretty useless after an exam has been passed, but many remain in our heads for ever. It's amazing when they crop-up again.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice when something we learned in school comes back and is useful ... I have yet to need algebra though!!
ReplyDeleteI bet you can also remember semi-permeable membranes and the definition of diffusion in biology.
ReplyDeleteTasker - pass
ReplyDeleteRachel -O h for more maths teachers like that ( and I am sure it can be related to every subject) I took French for four years and can't speak a word of it
I likw to think that that things have changed these days but somehow I doubt it. Thanks for joining in the deate - seems we are all agreed at any rate