R56 New Cooper: Quantum Improvement over Old

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Mar 28, 2008 | 08:18 AM

#51

sequence

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From: Your Worst Nightmare :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by key_lime_hamster

first of all, for the semantic prigs:

from merriam-webster: Main Entry: 2quantum Function:adjective Date:1942 1 : large, significant <a quantum improvement> 2 : of, relating to, or employing the principles of quantum mechanics <quantum physics>

yes yes that's what I meant: quantum as an adjective rather than quantum as a noun.

Mar 28, 2008 | 08:54 AM

#52

Dr Obnxs

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From: Woodside, CA

OK....

Quote:

Originally Posted by psustang89

As a chemist by trade I was doing my best not to jump on the vocab lesson bandwagon, but I failed. Describing something as "increasing exponentially" means a very rapid increase. An exponential curve does just that, it increases very suddenly. No one speaks in terms of exponents <1...that's just funny.

So, an exponent of 1.03 (like current savings account or T-Bill interest rates) is a very rapid increase? Give me a brake. Having an exponentail growth (or decay) just means you get a straight line on a log plot, nothing more. It says nothing about what that line looks like relative to the axis.

You may be a chemist, but you need to go re-read your math books!