My high school calculus teacher explained every mathematical concept
using real world examples. This helped
me so much in understanding the concepts, just like math helps many people in the art
and science business. I am a believer in
how mathematics is used in all sciences and art. Rollercoasters, origami, and card counting
show my beliefs. When building a
rollercoaster the designer has to make it visually appealing yet at the same
time make sure everything runs smoothly.
They do this through math. Completely
opposite from a rollercoaster is origami.
This looks like it involves no math at all, however that assumption is
incorrect. Robert Lang explains how real
world origami has its limits and that’s where mathematical origami comes
in. The Huzita-Justin Axioms is a theorem that incorporates math into the
art of origami. Lastly the film 21
affirmed my belief. Counting cards is
considered to be an art, yet to perfect this art one needs to be a genius math
wise. Each of these students used the
ideas of mathematics to perfect the art of counting cards.
(21)
Rachel Thomas
states how rollercoasters, “are
propelled just by the force of gravity alone” this fact makes it so the
designers need to be expert mathematicians.
Werner Stengel has
designed hundreds of the most famous rollercoasters including the Xcellerator
at Knotts Berry Farm. Stengel has
mastered the concept of art, science, and math.
He states in his video how he bases his rollercoasters off the forces
astronauts and pilots face. He does this
by using math and science, once mastered he puts the art concept into
work. The Xcellerator is a perfect
example of mastering the art concept; it is a visually stunning
rollercoaster. In the video he explains
how, “the ride has to be so interesting that people want to get on again and
again.” To accomplish this he needs to
master the physics behind it so that the rider will not die. Yet at the same time design a rollercoaster
that visually attracts riders.
(Werner Stengel)
)
(Xcellerator)
This week I learned how people master the mathematics before mastering
the art of their work. Both Stengel and
the characters in 21 would not have accomplished anything if their math was not
perfect. Which makes me come to the
conclusion that math, science, and art will always go together.
Works cited
German
Engineer Werner Stengel | Euromaxx. Perf. Werner Stengel. Deutschewelleenglish.
YouTube, 04 Oct. 2012. Web. 09 Oct. 2013.
Xcelerator
(Knott’s Berry Farm) Review." Park Thoughts Xcelerator Knotts Berry
Farm Review Comments. Park Thoughts, n.d. Web. 09 Oct. 2013.
"21
Movie Trailer - First Look." YouTube. YouTube, 07 Jan. 2008. Web.
09 Oct. 2013.
"Origami
Mathematics." Origami Mathematics. Robert J. Lang Origami, 2004.
Web. 09 Oct. 2013.
Thomas,
Rachel. "Maths Inspires a Rollercoaster Ride." Plus.maths.org.
N.p., 4 July 2013. Web. 09 Oct. 2013.
Derek, I completely agree with your statement "When building a rollercoaster the designer has to make it visually appealing yet at the same time make sure everything runs smoothly." In my experience, the most memorable rollercoasters were the ones that looked the scariest. However, it would have been a disaster if one of the rollercoasters had malfunctioned. Great blog!
ReplyDeleteI have to give it to engineers out there, everything that we see build in the modern world definitely had a lot of engineering to go into it. It definitely takes a peculiar type of person to take on the task of designing and engineering rollercoasters. There is so much effort that goes in place for a 90 second thrill ride.
ReplyDeleteI also happen to be greatly fascinated by rollercoasters. Your post was simply amazing and I liked the clips you imbedded in it. I liked the way you brought out how engineers incorporate math, art and science to come up with machines that are appealing to the eye and safe for our usage. One more fascinating thing about your post is that you focused on a much practical example. In summary, this was great!
ReplyDeleteI love to ride roller coasters. I used to go to knotts berry farm in Anaheim and love the Roller coasters there. I appraciated the clips that you posted and how the engineers can use machines that people love to see, but the behind the scenes is much more facinating in the creation of the machine, the math, art and science that can build such an amazing roller coaster.
ReplyDelete