Transedentals

In math we learn about transcendental numbers. First of all this is math class and not english class. Where we would learn the meaning of that giant word. Most mathematicians can manipulate the most complex equations around and around until there is a nice pretty "1" as an answer, but spelling and word roots and that sort of englishy stuff is not a strong point of theirs. So how did they come up with it?

According to the Princeton University website, a "a transcendental number is a number (possibly a complex number) which is not algebraic—that is, it is not a root of a non-constant polynomial equation with rational coefficients." 

Holy cow. That is wordy and super duper confusing. Mathematicians understand this wordiness but normal people like you and I have no idea as to what this means. In plain english, a transcendental number is a non-terminating, non-repeating decimal. "Transcendent" means not limiting to the material universe. π and e have no end and go on forever without repeating a sequence of decimal places. That is what mathematicians do in real life. They take the most complex equations (in this case an explanation) and they work it and maneuver it to get a nice pretty answer that people can understand. 

In math this year we will learn about taking the super complicated and turn it into something very pretty. We will do math in the name of "pre calculus" and burn our brains working on these equations. The result is something we can be proud of. Practicing these skills is a much. Besides learning super complicated math, we will learn to think outside the box. Writing a blog posting once a cycle is the perfect way to work those skills. Mathy numbers is not going to help us in the future. Problem solving and thinking about things in a different way, even if you are the only one that understands it will get you far. Thats what we learn at school: how to use our brains to succeed at life.