23 février 2010

Le choix dans la date


Kronenbourg à la Poste,
Chronopost à la bourre.

09 février 2010

Courrier des lecteurs (2)

Ladies and Gentlemen, le tintamarre des innénarrables galéjades qui font la modeste renommée de ce blogue a franchi monts et vaux pour happer l'ouïe fine d'un escogriffe anglo-saxon. Ce dernier propose une série de treize questions auxquelles nous tentons de répondre avec quelque sagacité.



01. How many mathematicians does it take to change a light bulb?
R.: None. The answer is intuitively obvious and therefore left to the reader as an exercise.
02. How many numerical analysts does it take to change a light bulb?
R.: 2,4498 (after nine iterations).
03. How many mathematical logicians does it take to change a light bulb?
R.: None. They can't do it, but they can easily prove that it can be done.
04. How many classical geometers does it take to change a light bulb?
R.: None. You can't do it with a straight edge and a compass.
05. How many math analysts does it take to change a light bulb?
R.: Three. One to prove existence, one to prove uniqueness and one to derive a nonconstructive algorithm to do it.
06. How many number theorists does it take to change a light bulb?
R.: I don't know the exact number, but I am sure it must be some rather elegant prime.
07. How many statisticians does it take to screw in a light bulb?
R.: We really don't know yet. Our entire sample was skewed to the left!
08. How many math students does it take to change a light bulb?
R.: Ten. One to do it and nine to watch.
09. How many topologists does it take to change a light bulb?
R.: Just one. But what will you do with the doughnut?
10. How many professors does it take change a light bulb?
R.: One. With eight research students, two programmers, three post-docs and a secretary to help him.
11. How many university lecturers does it take to change a light bulb?
R.: Four. One to do it and three to co-author the paper.
12. How many graduate students does it take to change a light bulb?
R.: Only one. But it takes nine years.
13. How many math department administrators does it take to change a light bulb?
R.: None. What was wrong with the old one?