[GRLUG] Math Question

[Michael Mol]

On Wed, Nov 4, 2009 at 12:39 PM, Philip J Robar <philip.robar at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> On Nov 4, 2009, at 8:48 AM, Adam Tauno Williams wrote:
>
> So maybe a bit off topic, but I know we have people here you love to
> argue about such things.
>
> I have three types of equipment: X, Y, & Z.
> Given $1.00 I know that in a year a single type X will typically consume
> 14% of that $1, type Y 30%, and type Z 56%.  So if I have x Xs, y Ys,
> and z Zs how do I calculate what percentage of the maintenance budget of
> N will typically be consumed by type X, Y, and Z?
>
> More complex problems of this nature, where you're trying to optimize the
> mix of components in order to minimize/maximize a particular outcome fall
> into the category of finite math. Any decent community college will offer a
> class in finite math. Solving such problems is quite straight forward, if
> somewhat tedious when done by hand.
> What is Finite Math: "Finite Math" is a catch-all title for a collection of
> topics that are anything but calculus. The purpose of the course is to give
> a survey of mathematical analysis techniques used in the working world,
> but you might also say that this course gives valuable experience at
> organizing information and then analyzing it. In a larger sense, it's also
> another way we use math to give people experience at analytical
> thinking. Business, accounting and computer majors tend to take this course,
> or are required to by their program.
> Phil

Those techniques are also used when writing game AIs, FWIW.

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:wq