Monthly Archives: September 2012

How Much Radioactive Material is in a Smoke Alarm?

Posted on 28-September-2012 by mathscinotes

Quote of the Day MacArthur could never see another sun, or even a moon for that matter, in the heavens, as long as he was the sun. - Dwight Eisenhower on Douglas MacArthur Introduction I was watching this Youtube video … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics, General Science | 5 Comments

Variable Voltage Power Supply Control Input Design Example

Posted on 27-September-2012 by mathscinotes

Introduction An engineer in my group is learning Mathcad and he asked me if could I show him how to use Mathcad to design the control input for a variable voltage power supply. After looking at the problem, I decided … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics | 2 Comments

Habitable Planet Math

Posted on 25-September-2012 by mathscinotes

Introduction I was reading the news the other day when I stumbled upon an article about exoplanets -- planets that are not in our solar system. The article referenced this web page that provided a Figure of Merit (FOM) for … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy | 1 Comment

The Ultimate Lego-Based Analog Computer

Posted on 25-September-2012 by mathscinotes

I find this video incredible. I have heard of people reconstructing the Antikythera mechanism and I have even seen a reproduction in Bozeman, Montana. However, I have never heard of one built out of Legos before.

Posted in General Science | 2 Comments

John Wayne Math

Posted on 25-September-2012 by mathscinotes

My oldest son and I have been watching some old cowboy movies -- John Wayne has figured prominently in these movies. While watching "Stagecoach", the question came up as to how many movies John Wayne has made. I grabbed the … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal | Comments Off on John Wayne Math

Another Young Couple Starting Their Life Together ...

Posted on 13-September-2012 by mathscinotes

I am going to be sentimental for a while. Thirty-three years ago I married the love of my life. We have two sons. One son is getting married this week to a wonderful girl he met while going to university in Montana. I am now sure that I will never get him back. I guess that is the way things are supposed to work. I think back to all the time spent helping him with homework, teaching him to ride a bicycle, coaching his soccer practice, and taking him to hockey practice. All the things that dads do. It has all been about bringing him to this point. He is now on his own -- an accountant at a hospital who is marrying a nurse. Continue reading →

Posted in Personal | 1 Comment