Asymptotic

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Stargzer
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Asymptotic

Postby Stargzer » Mon Mar 16, 2015 3:37 pm

Asymptotic

From:
as·ymp·tote (ăsĭm-tōt′, -ĭmp-)
n.
A line whose distance to a given curve tends to zero. An asymptote may or may not intersect its associated curve.


[Ultimately from Greek asumptōtos, not intersecting : a-, not; see A- + sumptōtos, intersecting (from sumpiptein, sumptō-, to converge : sun-, syn- + piptein, to fall; see pet- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots).]


Adjective: as′ymp·tot′′ ic (-tŏt′′ ĭk), as′ymp·tot′′ i·cal

Adverb: as′ymp·tot′′ i·cal·ly

American Heritage Dictionary.

In use:
No, it doesn't mean having no symptoms: that's asymptomatic. This is one of those words from Math Class that you never thought you'd ever use again. "As he passed age 64, Stargzer suddenly realized that the graph of time versus his retirement date was an asymptotic line -- he approached it but would never actually be able to retire."
Regards//Larry

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Perry Lassiter
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Re: Asymptotic

Postby Perry Lassiter » Tue Mar 17, 2015 5:56 pm

Please meet the Greek philosopher, whose name escapes me now I need it, who said we could never leave the room if we kept halving the distance....
pl

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call_copse
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Re: Asymptotic

Postby call_copse » Wed Mar 18, 2015 7:36 am

I believe 'twere Zeno (of Elea).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeno%27s_paradoxes

Still slightly troubled by that one.
Iain

Perry Lassiter
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Re: Asymptotic

Postby Perry Lassiter » Thu Mar 19, 2015 10:37 pm

Ah yes. Zeno's paradox. The two ducks couldn't get there either.
pl


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