Non Sequitur by Wiley Miller for February 18, 2025

Danae has been reading Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.

Danae talking to Lucy reminds me of Calvin talking to Hobbes. Danae doesn’t talk to Kate too much, except when she needs to get out of trouble.

Does her new system work when she doesn’t have the appendix with the answers?

18 is the answer. A * B + C = 18. There are an infinite number of solutions, but name one. It is not that simple to just invent an equation that matches the answer. If you invent the equation wrong, then you’re not right.

I love this artwork.

This is going to be a great help for all the people out there with answers looking desperately for questions.

We know the answer is 42. There is nothing to figure out there.

Actually, doing that would improve your math skills. I wish I’d thought of this back before I retired from teaching.

Danae puts the ”fun” in dysfunction.

Innumeracy is a real thing. Danae may or may not suffer from it, but for those who really cannot do math, it’s pure magic (and not fun magic either). Having a calculator (I would prefer a calcusooner, but that’s life) would seem to make some things easier, but if you don’t really get what a function is USED for, you don’t know when or how to use your calculator to figure tax or tip. Or to split the bill. Or decide whether a 14 oz can of soup is a better deal than a 12 oz can of soup… all things I’ve done within the last week or so.

Since she’s such a mouthy kid, Danae’s method might work well for word problems.

Math Jeopardy.

I haven’t used Algebra at all today…

The end being justified by the means.

No need for a discursive response, Lucy; just raise the tail and leave a trail (of Col. Sherman T. Potter’s “Horse hockey!)”

First shoot the arrow, then paint the target around it.

This reminds me of a very old story. A man was traveling to a new town and he saw fences with targets painted on them. In the exact center of each target was a bullet hole.

When he asked the townspeople who the marksman was, they pointed to a man. When the traveler asked the man how he became such a good shot, he replied. I just shot the fence and painted a target around the bullet hole.

And thus the strawman was invented.

Panel two is actually a pretty good description of differential equations.

Laugh all you want. Buttercup and Fluffy are into the Dept of Finance. Information on every single person or business will soon be under their control.

Lucy, you’re on the mark!

Danae has just revived an ancient philosophy. If the world isn’t the way you want it to be, change it and not your vision. Sounds very, VERY up to date for some reason.

Backward solving is often used by people, and A.I. research done in the ability to use computers to find problem solutions.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t work quite that way, Danae.

But in a way, isn’t that how science works sometimes? Observe something happening, and then figure out the math to explain it? Maybe she’s onto something…

Has Danae been reading MAGA campaign materials again…?

The system of math that starts with the answer and then fills in whatever is necessary to make it right is usually referred to as Economics.

Starting with none, the question is how much gold is in Fort Knox

People have been doing that for thousands of years.

Actually that is AI at work! They who control the algorithm control all the answers that they want

I tested out of college math, both algebra and trig. It was multiple choice. I plugged in each answer provided and worked it backwards, then selected the best answer. Didn’t take either one in high school.

Well… actually, “working backward” is sometimes a good strategy, but not for every problem

Doing that backwards will still require a level of skill, sure you can get there Danae ? ;-)

works for me

The dumb in dumbfounded refers to being speechless.

Oh, I love Lucy’s comeback.

Lucy’s right, it’s also like putting the Stu in stupid.

More than once I have had to use the Finagle Factor. That is the number you add to, subtract from or multiply by or divide into the number you got to get the number you want.

“the dumb in dumbfounded” is my new favorite phrase

OK, let’s put this new method to the test. Here’s the answer: “complete and utter disruption, destruction, chaos, and shambles”. Working backwards, what was the question?

I think that same logic got us into Iraq…

You revealing Secret Agent Comrade Elon’s plan for inventing “fraud.” Mr. Big will not be pleased. We are having long talk with our 12-year-old Security Commissar about this! He is going to bed without his borscht tonight.

There’s a legit firm of mathematical proof that goes backwards like that but logic is involved.

Whomever is her math teacher seriously isn’t getting paid enough…

Well, the Scientific Method involves making a theory to fit the facts – not changing the results to fit the theory. They’ve been doing that with the Bible for years. Maybe Danae should be studying Theology.

She’s ready for the US Supreme Court

This just in: By royal decree, the vassal province formerly known as California will henceforth be called LaLaLand. In like wise the garderobe previously hight New York City shall hereafter be designated Place Where Immigrants Go To Die. Thus it has been ordained, so mote it be, all hail the GodKingEmperor!

The next math test is going to ruin Danae’s system. All equations, no answers.

Seven times Thirteen is 28. Ask Bud&Lou