So we took our question to the internet once again. According to Wiki Answers:
1. The largest number with a name that is considered to actually have a use is Graham's number. It is used in field of math known as Ramsey theory.
2. Another very large number with a name is a Googol or 1•10^100 or a 1 with 100 0's behind it.
(10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,
000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000)
An even larger number is a Googolplex is 1•10^googol, or a 1 with googol 0's behind it.
Many numbers are infinite so there is no way to say that there is a largest number.
We can talk about the largest natural number that is used and that is Graham's number.
The largest finite number ever devised by man is also a result from proof theory and is likely related to this one made by MIT Associate Professor Agustin Rayo:
Some might say the answer is megafugagargantugoogolplex, however, if you take that number and add 1, you have an even bigger number. This logic helps you to see there is not biggest number!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
And We're Back!
So things were put on hiatus this summer but we are back now! And we have a fun question to start us off again..........
What is the BIGGEST number after 100?
K's answer:
89-110-gillion-trillion
L's answer:
101-15-thousand-102
What is the BIGGEST number after 100?
K's answer:
89-110-gillion-trillion
L's answer:
101-15-thousand-102
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Mold, Mold, Mold
We are still waiting on our mold to grow, checking it daily. While we wait we have been searching different types of mold and how they grow.
L is fascinated with all things pink, of course, so she wanted to know where pink mold is from. I asked where she thought pink mold would grow and she stated that it would grow on a "rock that is dying."
We quickly had a discussion on inanimate objects versus living organisms. After some thought she then decided that pink mold is grown on dying trees.
We discovered that pink mold can be two possible things (via Wikepedia):
1. Fusarium:a large genus of filamentous fungi widely distributed in soil and in association with plants. Most species are harmless saprobes and are relatively abundant members of the soil microbial community. Some species produce mycotoxins in cereal crops that can affect human and animal health if they enter the food chain. The main toxins produced by these Fusarium species are fumonisins and trichothecenes.
2. A bacterium known as Serratia marscencens: Due to its ubiquitous presence in the environment, and its preference for damp conditions, S. marcescens is commonly found growing in bathrooms (especially on tile grout, shower corners, toilet water line, and basin), where it manifests as a pink discoloration and slimy film feeding off phosphorous containing materials or fatty substances (such as soap and shampoo residue). Once established, complete eradication of the organism is often difficult, but can be accomplished by application of a bleach-based disinfectant. Rinsing and drying surfaces after use can also prevent the establishment of the bacteria by removing it's food source and making the environment less hospitable.
S. marcescens may also be found in environments such as dirt, supposedly "sterile" places, and the subgingival biofilm of teeth. Due to this, and the fact that S. marcescens produces a reddish-orange tripyrrole pigment called prodigiosin, S. marcescens may cause extrinsic staining of the teeth. The biochemical pathway illustrating the production of prodigiosin by S. marcescens is unknown except for the final two steps. In these steps, a monopyrrole (MAD) and a bipyrrole (MBC) undergo a condensation reaction by way of a condensing enzyme to ultimately form prodigiosin.
Here is a really amazing picture we found of L's pink mold. She of course thought it was very pretty. ;)
K takes a more broad perspective on the mold phenomena. She was interested in brown, black and blue mold. When asked where she thought those grew she said in the forest.
She then discovered that brown and black mold could grow inside your home and was not very happy about that. She was very concerned about our home and wondered if our house was safe.
We also found out that blue mold is the "most important postharvest decay of stored apples in the United States. The losses from this disease can be significant but can be substantially reduced by following proper sanitation and control measures. The fungus, Penicillium expansum, not only causes fruit decay but also produces the carcinogenic mycotoxin patulin. This toxin may rise to unacceptable levels in fruit destined for processing and may also result in off flavors."
Here are some pictures we discovered.
Brown Mold
Black Mold
Blue Mold
L is fascinated with all things pink, of course, so she wanted to know where pink mold is from. I asked where she thought pink mold would grow and she stated that it would grow on a "rock that is dying."
We quickly had a discussion on inanimate objects versus living organisms. After some thought she then decided that pink mold is grown on dying trees.
We discovered that pink mold can be two possible things (via Wikepedia):
1. Fusarium:a large genus of filamentous fungi widely distributed in soil and in association with plants. Most species are harmless saprobes and are relatively abundant members of the soil microbial community. Some species produce mycotoxins in cereal crops that can affect human and animal health if they enter the food chain. The main toxins produced by these Fusarium species are fumonisins and trichothecenes.
2. A bacterium known as Serratia marscencens: Due to its ubiquitous presence in the environment, and its preference for damp conditions, S. marcescens is commonly found growing in bathrooms (especially on tile grout, shower corners, toilet water line, and basin), where it manifests as a pink discoloration and slimy film feeding off phosphorous containing materials or fatty substances (such as soap and shampoo residue). Once established, complete eradication of the organism is often difficult, but can be accomplished by application of a bleach-based disinfectant. Rinsing and drying surfaces after use can also prevent the establishment of the bacteria by removing it's food source and making the environment less hospitable.
S. marcescens may also be found in environments such as dirt, supposedly "sterile" places, and the subgingival biofilm of teeth. Due to this, and the fact that S. marcescens produces a reddish-orange tripyrrole pigment called prodigiosin, S. marcescens may cause extrinsic staining of the teeth. The biochemical pathway illustrating the production of prodigiosin by S. marcescens is unknown except for the final two steps. In these steps, a monopyrrole (MAD) and a bipyrrole (MBC) undergo a condensation reaction by way of a condensing enzyme to ultimately form prodigiosin.
Here is a really amazing picture we found of L's pink mold. She of course thought it was very pretty. ;)
K takes a more broad perspective on the mold phenomena. She was interested in brown, black and blue mold. When asked where she thought those grew she said in the forest.
She then discovered that brown and black mold could grow inside your home and was not very happy about that. She was very concerned about our home and wondered if our house was safe.
We also found out that blue mold is the "most important postharvest decay of stored apples in the United States. The losses from this disease can be significant but can be substantially reduced by following proper sanitation and control measures. The fungus, Penicillium expansum, not only causes fruit decay but also produces the carcinogenic mycotoxin patulin. This toxin may rise to unacceptable levels in fruit destined for processing and may also result in off flavors."
Here are some pictures we discovered.
Brown Mold
Black Mold
Blue Mold
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Question Two Continued
On our quest to discover where mold comes from we have decided to perform an experiment. The girls thought mold could grow on food so we are testing their hypothesis.
We have taken 4 ziploc bags and placed inside each a piece of bread. Then the girls decided where to put these bags to help induce the growth of mold.
K stated we should place one outside where it is hot. she also thought one should go inside where there is a sunny spot. she then said her mold would be green in color.
L stated we should place one in the refrigerator where it is cold and one in the closet where it is dark. she said her mold would be pink in color. (gotta love the princess mentality.)
We will keep you updated daily to see whom will be victorious.
Here are our pictures:
K placing bread in the bags.
L placing bread in her bags.
K's outside bag of bread.
L's closet bag of bread.
L's fridge bag of bread.
K's sunny spot bag of bread.
We have taken 4 ziploc bags and placed inside each a piece of bread. Then the girls decided where to put these bags to help induce the growth of mold.
K stated we should place one outside where it is hot. she also thought one should go inside where there is a sunny spot. she then said her mold would be green in color.
L stated we should place one in the refrigerator where it is cold and one in the closet where it is dark. she said her mold would be pink in color. (gotta love the princess mentality.)
We will keep you updated daily to see whom will be victorious.
Here are our pictures:
K placing bread in the bags.
L placing bread in her bags.
K's outside bag of bread.
L's closet bag of bread.
L's fridge bag of bread.
K's sunny spot bag of bread.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Question Two
Question: What is mold and where does it come from?
Last week we took our morning walk to the park and discovered a surprise at the park. On the ground were various patches of fungus/mold. Of course the first thing the girls said was "gross!" But, after that, they asked what is that? I told them mold. And, instead of asking "what is mold?" K asked "where does mold come from?"
So, I asked the girls where do you think mold comes from?
K: From a dead tree that is rotten. (smart girl)
L: From a duck's poop. (very funny, but also very insightful!)
So, this week we are working out our answers to that question. "Where does mold come from?"
But before we could figure out where mold comes from we first asked the question: "what is mold"?
Looking in the Webster dictionary we find:
Mold: a superficial often woolly growth produced esp. on damp or decaying organic matter or on living organisms; a fungus
Here are our pictures from the park:
Last week we took our morning walk to the park and discovered a surprise at the park. On the ground were various patches of fungus/mold. Of course the first thing the girls said was "gross!" But, after that, they asked what is that? I told them mold. And, instead of asking "what is mold?" K asked "where does mold come from?"
So, I asked the girls where do you think mold comes from?
K: From a dead tree that is rotten. (smart girl)
L: From a duck's poop. (very funny, but also very insightful!)
So, this week we are working out our answers to that question. "Where does mold come from?"
But before we could figure out where mold comes from we first asked the question: "what is mold"?
Looking in the Webster dictionary we find:
Mold: a superficial often woolly growth produced esp. on damp or decaying organic matter or on living organisms; a fungus
Here are our pictures from the park:
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Conclusion
So, at last, we come to our final conclusion in our quest for the "biggest thing in the world."
Each girl has come up with their own conclusion.
K:
She is torn, as any child would be with so many options, but has finally narrowed it down to two things:
A Tree (the picture is of General Sherman)
or a Beanstalk
L:
A House. There was no second guessing for this child. She said the answer with such conviction that I asked no further questions. :)
Each girl has come up with their own conclusion.
K:
She is torn, as any child would be with so many options, but has finally narrowed it down to two things:
A Tree (the picture is of General Sherman)
or a Beanstalk
L:
A House. There was no second guessing for this child. She said the answer with such conviction that I asked no further questions. :)
Part IV
Sorry it has been so long. We have had a very busy past week-and-a-half.
For our final discussion the girls decided that the "biggest thing in the world" was:
K: A Beanstalk
K loves the story about Jack and the Beanstalk. And remembering that it reached to the sky she decided that may be the biggest thing in the world. In our search I could not find anything about the biggest beanstalk in the world but came across this image. It worked out great because it truly looks "big." Can't you just imagine yourself climbing to the top to reach the giant?
L: A House
Our search for the biggest house is a two-fold answer.
1. The Windsor Castle is without a doubt the "biggest" house but truly it is a "castle." And, is owned by royalty so I did not think that was a true "home."
2. So, we searched for the "biggest" private-owned house in the world and we came up with this. A private home being built in Mumbai, India by Mukesh Ambani.
It has the following:
Separate gym for each family member
Six stories of parking
Four stories of open-air-gardens
A ballroom covered with crystal chandeliers
65 seat theater
A spa
Swimming pool
Ice room, where you sit as snow drifts onto your head.
27 stories high
Over 400,000 sq. ft.
Over two billion cost
Rooftop helipad
For our final discussion the girls decided that the "biggest thing in the world" was:
K: A Beanstalk
K loves the story about Jack and the Beanstalk. And remembering that it reached to the sky she decided that may be the biggest thing in the world. In our search I could not find anything about the biggest beanstalk in the world but came across this image. It worked out great because it truly looks "big." Can't you just imagine yourself climbing to the top to reach the giant?
L: A House
Our search for the biggest house is a two-fold answer.
1. The Windsor Castle is without a doubt the "biggest" house but truly it is a "castle." And, is owned by royalty so I did not think that was a true "home."
2. So, we searched for the "biggest" private-owned house in the world and we came up with this. A private home being built in Mumbai, India by Mukesh Ambani.
It has the following:
Separate gym for each family member
Six stories of parking
Four stories of open-air-gardens
A ballroom covered with crystal chandeliers
65 seat theater
A spa
Swimming pool
Ice room, where you sit as snow drifts onto your head.
27 stories high
Over 400,000 sq. ft.
Over two billion cost
Rooftop helipad
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