What is Confusing: Definition and 407 Discussions

In medicine, confusion is the quality or state of being bewildered or unclear. The term "acute mental confusion" is often used interchangeably with delirium in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems and the Medical Subject Headings publications to describe the pathology. These refer to the loss of orientation, or the ability to place oneself correctly in the world by time, location and personal identity. Mental confusion is sometimes accompanied by disordered consciousness (the loss of linear thinking) and memory loss (the inability to correctly recall previous events or learn new material). The term is from Latin: confusĭo, -ōnis, from confundere: "to pour together", "to mingle together", "to confuse".

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  1. D

    Confusing home electrical problem

    I have 2 indoor lights (hallway and garage), 3 vanity lights(small bathroom), 1 outdoor light, an outlet, and a bathroom ventilation fan connected to the same circuit breaker in my house. A few weeks ago, the lights began flickering slightly and progressively worsened until they stopped working...
  2. V

    Confusing (but surely simple) gravity problem

    Homework Statement An exceptional vertical jump from rest would raise a person 0.80m off the ground. To do this, what constant force would a 70kg person have to exert against the ground? Assume the person lowers himself 0.20m prior to jumping and remains in a standing position while in the...
  3. K

    Confusing System of Masses Question

    May somebody please help me on this question, I have no idea even where to begin. A 0.5kg wooden block is placed on top of a 1.0kg wooden block. The coefficient of static friction between the two blocks is 0.35. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the lower block and the level table...
  4. D

    Parabolas and Other confusing equations

    So here's the deal. I have three equations for three parabolas. I need to find the x and y inercepts, and a simplified radical to go with it. Here are the equations. Parabola one: y=(x-5)^2+6, Vertex: (5,6) Parabola two: y=2(x-1)^2-4, Vertex: (1, -4) Parabola three: y=-1(x+3)^2+8, Vertex...
  5. G

    Manifolds / Lie Groups - confusing notation

    Hi there, I'm reading over my Lie groups notes and in them, in the introductory section on manifolds, I've written that F_{\star} is a commonly used notation for d_{x}F and so the chain rule d_{x}{G \circ F}=d_{F(x)}G \circ d_{x}F can be written (G\circ F)_{\star}=G_{\star}\circ F_{\star} Is...
  6. G

    Manifolds / Lie Groups - confusing notation

    I'm reading over my Lie groups notes and in them, in the introductory section on manifolds, I've written that F_{\star} is a commonly used notation for d_{x}F and so the chain rule d_{x}{G \circ F}=d_{F(x)}G \circ d_{x}F can be written (G\circ F)_{\star}=G_{\star}\circ F_{\star} Is what I've...
  7. S

    Mastering Definite Integrals: A Guide for Solving Tricky Problems

    Homework Statement Integrate \int_{0}^{1}\sqrt{\frac{4x^2-4x+1}{x^2-x+3}}dxHomework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution U sub: let u=x^2-x+3 Then du=2x-1 and then have to evaluate \int_{3}^{3}\sqrt{\frac{du^2}{u}}dx But how with these limits of integration should this be 0? Not sure how to...
  8. P

    Can someone clarify this please? Confusing Wording

    Can someone clarify this please? Confusing Wording... 1.Two blocks, each with a mass 0.40 {\rm kg}, can slide without friction on a horizontal surface. Initially, block 1 is in motion with a speed v = 1.2 {\rm m/s}; block 2 is at rest. When block 1 collides with block 2, a spring bumper on...
  9. A

    Proving Fibonacci Number as Permutations with Restriction |p(k)-k| \leq 1

    Homework Statement Prove that the number of permutations p on the set {1,2,3,...,n} with the property that |p(k)-k| \leq 1, for all 1\leqk\leqn, is the fibonacci number f_{n} The Attempt at a Solution I guess I don't understand what it's asking. I thought I knew what a permutation was...
  10. M

    Simple Algerbraic Manipulation is Confusing Me

    I'm working on a chemistry problem and I'm trying to follow the derivation for % ionization (of a weak acid or base) but I can't seem to understand how rearrangement of eq. 6 results in eq. 7. In more general terms, I started with the Hendreson Hasselbalch equation: pH = pka + log(A-/AH)...
  11. J

    Confusing Introductory Electricity Question

    Homework Statement In the figure, particle 1 of charge +1.0 µC and particle 2 of charge -2.5 µC, are held at separation L = 7.0 cm on an x axis. If particle 3 of unknown charge q3 is to be located such that the net electrostatic force on it from particles 1 and 2 is zero, what must be the...
  12. E

    How Do You Calculate the Final Kinetic Energy of a Jet-Powered Train?

    Confusing problem? HELP please! i am trying to solve this problem: In the 1950s, an experimental train that had a mass of 2.60 X 10^4 kg was powered across a level track by a jet engine that produced a thrust of 5.25 X 10^5 N for a distance of 509 m. Assume that air resistance is...
  13. G

    Confusing Conformal Maps: Exploring Complex Analysis

    Hello!, I was studing the conformal maps in complex analysis, I don't understand this definition: Definition: A map f:A\rightarrow\mathbb{C} is called conformal at z_0 if there exist a \theta\in[0,2\pi] and r>0 such that for any curve \gamma(t) which is differentiable at t=0, for which...
  14. T

    Confusing Pulley + Friction question

    "The coefficients of friction are u_s = 0.40 (static) and u_k = 0.30 (kinetic) between all surfaces of contact. Determine the force P for which motion of the 60-lb block is impending if cable AB (A) is attached as shown, (B) is removed." (sorry the image is blurry, i took it on my camera...
  15. T

    Confusing Friction + Pulley question

    "The coefficients of friction are u_s = 0.40 (static) and u_k = 0.30 (kinetic) between all surfaces of contact. Determine the force P for which motion of the 60-lb block is impending if cable AB (A) is attached as shown, (B) is removed." http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...06-07_1844.jpg...
  16. D

    Finding the Relationship Between Volume and Surface Area of a Sphere

    The Volume and surface area of a sphere is 4/3πr^3 and 4πr^2 respectively. V=4/3πr^3 and S=4πr^2. Write a) S in terms of V and b) V in terms of S Im stuck on this question... I write out similar base units and stuff but it doesn't seem to work, any help? -The answer to part a is S=2^2/3...
  17. T

    EPR paradox philoshophy is confusing me

    The philoshophy is confusing me. If i understand correctly, it comes down to the following: when a pion decays (which decays to an electron and positron), we can make a measurement of the spin of both resulting particles. If I measure the spin in the z-direction of the electron, I instantly...
  18. M

    Circuit with 2 batteries is confusing me

    Homework Statement The circuit in the figure is composed of two batteries (E1 = 6 V and E2 = 4 V) and three resistors (R1 = 4 , R2 = 4 , R3 = 5 ) as shown. (a) What is the current I3 flowing through the batteries? I3 = .286A (no problem here) (b) What is the voltage Vb - Va...
  19. E

    Unit Conversion Help: A Simple Way to Make Sense of Confusing Conversions

    i know this is a basic question but i need some assistance abut unit conversions. i want to know how to convert something like, say, 120km/hr to m/s but the way my teacher explains it is too confusing. i just want to know is there a simpler way to convert somthing like that easliy?
  20. D

    Help, homework simple confusing question

    Homework Statement A pilot performs an evasive maneuver by diving vertically at 310 .If he can withstand an acceleration of 9.0 's without blacking out, at what altitude must he begin to pull out of the dive to avoid crashing into the sea?
  21. G

    Iq 130+ simple but confusing brain teaser.

    you are a jewelry shop owner. one day a customer comes into buy a $70 ring. He only has a voucher worth $100. you do not have any cash around, so you go next door to the pastry shop and ask the owner to change the $100 voucher for cash. the pastry shop owner gives you the cash. you go back...
  22. L

    Implicit Differentiation is so confusing

    Hello there! Please help me relieve my confusion. Thanks! For \frac{d}{dx}[y^{3}] , why do you need to use the chain rule on this equation? Basically, the chain rule is used on almost every function right? It is just that we do not see the dx/dx since it equals one, for example...
  23. Z

    Calculating Energy and Friction in a Child's Descent on a 6m Slide

    A child of mass 26kg is traveling at 4.0ms at the bottom of the slide which is 2m vertically below the top. The length of the slide is 6m. Calculate i) The energy used in overcoming the friction during the child's descent ii) The magnitude of the frictional force. Totally confused...
  24. N

    Some really confusing directions (and the world is flat).

    A map suggests that Atlanta is 730 miles in a direction of 5.00 degrees north of east from Dallas. The same map shows that Chicago is 560 miles in a direction of 21.0 degrees west of north from Atlanta. Modeling the Earth as flat, use this information to find the displacement from Dallas to...
  25. V

    Force Law for 2D Motion with Const a,b,w: F = F(r)

    A body of mass m moves under the influence of a force F in two dimensions. It has an trajectory r(t) = aCos(wt)x^ + bSin(wt)y^ a = alpha b = beta w = omega, they are not a, b, and w in alphabet x^,y^: vector unit a,b,w are constant. Find the force law F = F(r) which corresponds to...
  26. N

    Confusing expression in a paper

    Hi all, Whilst reading http://www.jhuapl.edu/techdigest/td1703/thomas.pdf I found one of the equations a little difficult to interpret. On page 3, there is a function defined as f. On the denominator there it appears that they have differentiated n(z''(Z')) as a function of z'' and then...
  27. O

    Solving a Confusing Problem: Truck, Rock & Tire

    There is a truck with a rock stuck in the tire. The tire has a diameter of 36 inches. The truck is going 55 mph. There is a car behind it going 55 mph also. What is the minimum distance the car can be behind the truck so it won't get hit by the rock when it flies out of the tire? I did a...
  28. S

    Confusing wording? Energy conservation part two

    Homework Statement A 900-kg two-stage rocket is traveling at a speed of 6.50 x 10^3 m/s away from Earth when a predesigned explosion separates the rocket into two sections of equal mass that then move with a relative speed (relative to each other) of 2.80 x 10^3 m/s along the original line of...
  29. B

    Confusing mixing problem - differential equations

    A tank contains 300 gallons of water and 100 gallons of pollutants. Fresh water is pumped into the tank at the rate of 2 gal/min, and the well-stirred mixture leaves the tank at the same rate. How long does it take for the concentration of pollutants in the tank to decrease to 1/10 of its...
  30. K

    "Solving the B0 Decay of Z0 to D+X

    I will put the question in exact wording that the prof gave us: Homework Statement A B+ - B- pair is produced in the decay of at Z0. The B then decays to D + X, where X represents some other particles, with a lifetime of 1.638 x 10^12 s. On average how far will the B0 travel before...
  31. E

    Understanding Acceleration: Experimental Vehicle and Thrown Objects Explained

    i just want to know what does these problems mean exactly: first: an experimental vehicle slows down and comes to a halt with an acceleration whose manitude is 9.80m/s². after reversing direction in a negligible amount of time, the vehicle speeds up with an acceleration of 9.80 m/s². other...
  32. N

    What are the supporting forces for a car parked on a bridge?

    Hi i tried this problem a couple times but could not figure out...thought maybe i could get some help 1. Homework Statement [/b] A 10 000 -kg bridge of length 10 m is supported at both ends. If a 2000-kg car is parked on the bridge 3.0 m from the left support, what are the supporting...
  33. S

    Changing periods. Very confusing

    This is driving me nuts: How do you show that that's true?!? How do you prove it? For the life of me I can't see how this holds despite the fact that I've wasted the past two hours working at it. I can't think of a technical explanation for it (a proof) OR an intuitive one... Please help.
  34. N

    Solve Confusing Problem: Find w2 & a

    Hi, I did this question one way and realized my answer was totally wrong. Was wondering if anyone knew a possible solution for this problem. 1. The leg is in the cast in the diagram shown below weight 220N(w1). The leg is held in traction by two weights (w2 and w3) attached to stings and...
  35. A

    Solving Forces Confusion: Finding Chris's Force on Chair

    I'm confused on this problem, I have found the acceleration of the forces, but I'm stuck with the the question below. Thanks for your help! Problem: An inventive child named Chris wants to reach an apple in a tree without climbing the tree. Sitting in a chair connected to a rope that passes...
  36. A

    Simple, but confusing question about Newton's laws

    Ok, if you need to determine a tension in a string that is being pulled by a human that is on a sled (the sled is accelerating outwards). Is the normal force the two weights combined?? I have Friction force + (- Tension)= ma But for the friction force I don't know whether or not I need to...
  37. S

    Calculating Pressure for Stacked Books on Glass Coffee Table

    1. [1pt] A student has a glass coffee table in their dorm room that they want to stack some of their books on. However they are a little worried about how much pressure the table can withstand at anyone point. If the pile of books has a mass of 11.20 kg, a length of 27.94 cm, a...
  38. T

    Calculating Coyote's Fall and Flight: Motion Question & Final Velocity

    Confusing Motion Question..Please Help! Question: The coyote in his relentless attempt to catch the elusive roadrunner loses his footing and falls from a sharp cliff, 500meters above ground level. After 6seconds of free fall the coyote remembers he is wearing his ACME rocket-powered backpack...
  39. C

    Tennis Lob question Very confusing

    Here is the problem...The lob in tennis is an effective tactic when your opponent is near the net. It consists of lofting the ball over his head, forcing him to move quickly away from the net (see the drawing). Suppose that you loft the ball with an initial speed of v = 16.5 m/s, at an angle of...
  40. M

    Spring scale- confusing me help

    Hi firstly Thanks for the help... I am not very good at forces ... and spring balances etc... Q1 A 10N force is pulling up on the ring of spring scale that weighs 2N. If an 8N mass is attached to the bottom hook of the scale, what is the scale reading? I figure that the mass of the...
  41. Cyrus

    Solving a Confusing Fluid Flow Problem

    This came up in the homework help section, and has me scratching my head. Consider a vertical pipe open to atm at one end under steady flow. The velocity in has to be equal to the velocity out because of the cont. equation. The pressure at the bottom is zero, (atm), and the datum is at...
  42. R

    Convert English & Metric Units: 200 cubic yards to cubic cm

    Metric unit conversions - 100 square kilometers to square centimeters Wouldn't the answer be 10000000? English units to metric units - 200 cubic yards to cubic centimeters How would I solve that? And does anybody know how I would enter my answers in the correct Unit Multiplier...
  43. A

    Understanding Circular Motion: Force and Velocity in Orbits Explained"

    hiya Circular motion is really confusing Force perpendicular to velocity is said to change only velocity's direction but not its magnitude. But how about object orbiting the earth? If object orbits the Earth then force of gravity is perpendicular to it and thus is said it only changes its...
  44. D

    Exploring Capacitor Charge and Energy: Understanding Confusing Questions"

    I have a question that has confused me a little, A 10 micro-farad capacitor is fully charged by a 24v battery. The question asks how much charge is stored and how much energy would be stored. I think i have found the answer to these using, Q=CV and E = 1/2 CV^2 respectively but...
  45. J

    Integrating -2x Over (1-x^2)^(1/2): A Confusing Challenge

    Find the antiderivative of: -2x (1-x^2)^(1/2) That's -2x over all of that... Bleh, i suck at code. But anyway.. I just started integrals, and this is confusing for me... Is there a product or quotient rule in integrals like there is in derivatives?.. if not? how do you work...
  46. S

    Mean & Variance of X: Solving Confusing Problem w/sin(θ)

    Let X be the sin of the angle theta in radians chosen uniformly from (-pi/2,pi/2). Find the mean and variance of X. HINT: X = sin(theta). Specify the support of X and check to see if your result describes a p.d.f. Anyone got any idea's? I managed to solve the majority of other problems and...
  47. P

    Solving Physics Questions: Muons, Speakers & Sound Intensity

    Hi. I'm having a bit of problems with this question: A group of muons is observed to pass a balloon at a height of 480 meters above the Earth's surface. The muons move at a speed of 0.8c straight down towards the Earth's surface. a) Calculate the time for the muons to travel from the...
  48. S

    Complex analysis - something really confusing

    I think I have misunderstood one of the theorems in complex analysis (k reperesents the order of the derivative) Theorem: Suppose f is analytic on a domain D and, further, at some point z0 subset of D, f (k) (z0) = 0. Then f(z) = 0 for all z subset of D ... Is the theorem basically...
  49. J

    Calculating Mass of Spherical Planet: Solve Confusing Question

    Question: A spehrical planet of Radius R has a density p which depends on the distance r from its centre according to the formula p = \frac{p_0}{1 + (r/R)^2} where p_0 is a constant. By dividing the planet up into spherical shells of a small thickness dr, find the mass of the planet...
  50. D

    Solve Confusing Pattern: 10,17,26,37,50,65

    these pattener are cofusing please help i coml=pleted the first one 10,17,26,37,50,65 1,3/2, ____, 7/8, 9/16 243, 324, 403, _____, 567 234;________; 23,481; 234,819; 2,348,200.
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