Why did the mathematician's friends think he was a therapist?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around humorous mathematical jokes and anecdotes, showcasing the interplay between mathematics and humor. Participants share various jokes, some of which involve puns and wordplay related to mathematical concepts, while others reflect on personal experiences and observations related to mathematics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant shares a joke about a mathematician naming his dog "Cauchy" due to a pun involving residues at poles.
  • Another participant appreciates the joke, calling it brilliant.
  • A different joke is introduced about an integral around Western Europe being zero, with participants expressing enjoyment of this humor.
  • A participant recounts a joke involving a mathematician and her husband, highlighting the humorous dynamics of their relationship through mathematical language.
  • Another joke features a mathematician, a dog, and a cow in a bar, playing on the concept of knot theory.
  • Participants discuss variations of jokes, including one about a topologist and a can of food, emphasizing the unique perspectives of different mathematical disciplines.
  • Several jokes are shared about algebra and its perceived complexities, with humorous remarks about algebra being likened to therapy.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the humor of the jokes shared, but there is no consensus on which joke is the best or worst, as humor is subjective and varies among individuals.

Contextual Notes

Some jokes rely on specific mathematical knowledge or terminology, which may not be universally understood. The humor often hinges on puns and wordplay that may not translate well outside of mathematical contexts.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in mathematics, humor, or the cultural aspects of mathematical communities may find this discussion entertaining and relatable.

mathbalarka
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Why did the mathematician name his dog "Cauchy?"

Because he left a residue at every pole.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
(Clapping) That's brilliant! :D
 
Best maths joke I've ever heard... Nice one, Balarka! :cool:
 
There is an even worse joke from the time of the iron curtain about the integral around Western Europe being zero...
 
Evgeny.Makarov said:
There is an even worse joke from the time of the iron curtain about the integral around Western Europe being zero...

Brilliant! :D Nice one, Evgeny! (Yes)
 
My favorite math joke goes like this:

A mathematician and her husband are arguing. "You don't love me anymore! All you care about is math!", he says.

She says, "Honey, that's not true! I DO love you!"

He says, "Oh yeah? Well, then, prove it!".

She says, "OK. Let epsilon be greater than zero..."
 
So the husband became upset, stormed out of the house and came back drunk at 3 AM. His wife told him, "You're late! You said you'd be home by 11:45!" The husband replied, "I'm right on time. I said I'd be home by a quarter of twelve."
 
it is a very good bad joke(oxymoron intended)
 
On a T-shirt I saw on the internet:

"Dear algebra,

Stop asking us to find your x. She's not coming back."

A friend of mine once got me a T-shirt that said:

"What part of

$$\iiint_V (\nabla \cdot \mathbf{F})\ dV = \oint_S (\mathbf{F}\cdot \mathbf{n})\ dS$$

don't you understand?"
 
  • #10
Deveno said:
"What part of

$$\iiint_V (\nabla \cdot \mathbf{F})\ dV = \oint_S (\mathbf{F}\cdot \mathbf{n})\ dS$$

don't you understand?"
The relationship between $V$ and $S$.

I guess if a member of the opposite sex made this remark, the only appropriate reply is, "Marry me!"
 
  • #11
This is absolutely hilarious :

A mathematican walks into a bar accompanied by a dog and a cow.
The bartender says, “Hey, no animals are allowed in here!”
The mathematician replies, “These are very special animals.”
“How so?”
“They’re knot theorists.”
The bartender raises his eyebrows and says, “I’ve met a number of knot theorists who I thought were animals, but never an animal that was a knot theorist.”
“Well, I’ll prove it to you. Ask them them anything you like.”
So the bartender asks the dog, “Name a knot invariant.”
“Arf! Arf!” barks the dog.
The bartender scowls and turns to the cow asking, “Name a topological invariant.”
“Mu! Mu!” says the cow.
At this point the bartender turns to the mathematican and says, “Very funny.” With that, he throws the three out of the bar.
Outside, sitting on the curb, the dog turns to the mathematican and asks, “Do you think I should have said the Jones polynomial instead?”
 
  • #12
Actually, there exists a worst mathematical joke possible about a topologist looking at a hole in the ground, but I think it is better not to give it here. :p
 
  • #13
Evgeny.Makarov said:
The relationship between $V$ and $S$.

I guess if a member of the opposite sex made this remark, the only appropriate reply is, "Marry me!"

Yeah, well...in actuality $S = \partial{V}$, the oriented boundary of $V$...although you might as well have asked:

"What is $\mathbf{n}$?" as it is likewise not explicitly defined by the expression shown.

When I was actually studying math (at a school), there was, at that time, only one girl math major. I should have married her, but I was young and foolish, and did not realize what a singular (hah! a pun!) opportunity was set before me.
 
  • #14
mathbalarka said:
Actually, there exists a worst mathematical joke possible about a topologist looking at a hole in the ground, but I think it is better not to give it here. :p

There exist many variations on the following:

An engineer, a physicist, and a topologist are all locked in an empty room for 3 days with a single can of food, and no can opener, as an experiment.

After 3 days, the engineer's room is opened: the experimenters find a room splattered with food all over the walls, which are pock-marked with dents. He obviously threw the can against the walls until it burst.

In the physicist's room, they find the can bent in half, he explains he determined the optimal point to apply pressure to break the seal, which only took half a day.

In the topologist's room, they just find an unopened can, and he is nowhere in sight. Curious, they open the can, and the topologist pops out, saying (somewhat sheepishly): "Sign error".
 
  • #15

Another T-shirt:

. . \boxed{\begin{array}{c}\text{Dear Algebra,} \\ \text{I'm not a therapist.} \\ \text{Solve your own problems.} \end{array}}

 

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