Ask MetaFilter

I wanted to post this question for quite some time, but had trouble framing it. After reading this interview with Donald Knuth I suddenly realized what is I'm really after: "A person’s success in life is determined by having a high minimum, not a high maximum. If you can do something really well but there are other things at which you’re failing, the latter will hold you back. But if almost everything you do is up there, then you’ve got a good life. And so I try to learn how to get through things that others find unpleasant.". Share your tricks how you raise your minimum! [more inside]
posted by kmt on Apr 23, 2020 - 17 answers

I have a list of charges and need to figure out which went through based on the total. Can Excel do this? Could a different program? Example below. [more inside]
posted by jenlovesponies on Mar 28, 2017 - 3 answers

In my last question, I asked for algorithms that changed the world. Now I'd like to know, what are the data structures that changed the world? [more inside]
posted by pwnguin on Nov 1, 2014 - 16 answers

A recent post to the blue proposed a set of equations that changed the word. As a computer professional, I'm curious, which algorithms transformed the world? [more inside]
posted by pwnguin on Aug 10, 2014 - 23 answers

I'm a 45 year-old adult who has just been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. At least, my counselor and my ex- both believe I have it. I don't believe I can be an Aspie because I am *phenomenally bad* with *both* computers *and* math (details on request). Are there Aspies like me?
posted by dr. zoom on Nov 14, 2013 - 28 answers

I'm starting a new job soon where I will be using Matlab a whole lot. I've used Matlab (and Octave) before and know the basics, but I want to become an expert. What book should I buy, or what other resources should I look into? [more inside]
posted by no regrets, coyote on Jan 27, 2012 - 7 answers

What is the difference between floating point accuracy and precision?
posted by conrad101 on Jan 2, 2012 - 10 answers

Does anyone remember this educational computer game? [more inside]
posted by thebots on Dec 1, 2011 - 18 answers

I have always been horrible at math, but somehow a great programmer. I have found that writing a computer program that demonstrates a certain mathematical concept enables me to better understand the concept. I'm a psych major and I brought this up once in the research lab I've been working in. My prof said he recalls that someone did research and/or created a system in which a student writes a computer program that is pertinent to a certain mathematical concept and upon completion is given the regular math problem (as it would appear in a math class). This enables the student to better understand the math problem, solve, and learn math. Has anyone heard of this or anything similar? A learning system such as this would be a blessing to my education. Thanks.
posted by fightoplankton on Apr 13, 2009 - 15 answers

Does anyone have software recommendations for making Venn diagrams? Especially complicated ones? [more inside]
posted by tnygard on Mar 10, 2009 - 9 answers