most recent 30 from http://mathoverflow.net 2013-06-19T05:21:57Z http://mathoverflow.net/feeds/user/1008 http://www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/rdf http://mathoverflow.net/questions/1083/do-good-math-jokes-exist/2143#2143 larry Senner 2009-10-23T18:36:05Z 2009-10-23T18:36:05Z

<p>Test to tell the difference between a Physicist or a Mathematician</p> <p>Consider the following scenario: A room with a sink at the far end with a working cold water faucet plus a table with the following items on top – small bucket, ring stand, Bunsen burner, and a pack of matches. The problem is to boil water.</p> <p>If the individual picks up the bucket from the table, walks to the sink and fills the bucket from the faucet, brings it back to the table, sets it on the ring stand, puts the Bunsen burner under the stand, and then lights the burner and waits for the water to boil … this establishes the base line but does not separate which it the Physicist and which is the Mathematician.</p> <p>Test scenario 2: The bucket is now sitting on the floor under the table and the problem is again to boil water.</p> <p>If the individual picks up the bucket from under the table, walks directly to the sink and fills the bucket from the faucet, brings it back to the table, sets it on the ring stand, puts the Bunsen burner under the stand, and then lights the burner and waits for the water to boil … this proves that this individual is the Physicist.</p> <p>However, if the individual picks up the bucket from under the table and places it back on top of the table thus reducing the current problem to a form that they have previously solved … this proves that this individual is the Mathematician.</p>

http://mathoverflow.net/questions/1083/do-good-math-jokes-exist/1946#1946 larry Senner 2009-10-22T21:05:08Z 2009-10-22T21:05:08Z

<p>The water receded and the Ark came to rest upon the land. Noah opened the doors and commanded the animals, “Go forth and multiply.” The animals slowly departed the Ark except for two snakes that remained in the back. Again Noah proclaimed ,“Go forth and multiply” yet the two snakes did not move. Noah walked to the back of the Arc and asked, “Why have you not followed my command”.? The snakes answered, “Noah, we can’t because we are Adders.”</p> <p>Noah then went out upon the land and felled several large trees; from these trees he made a four legged platform. He then went inside the Arc and carried the snakes outside and upon placing them on the platform, his words became true.</p> <p>As everyone knows … Adders can multiply using log tables.</p>