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Director Case

Essay by   •  June 2, 2014  •  Essay  •  722 Words (3 Pages)  •  986 Views

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The question has always been asked while taking a math class, 'how can I apply this' or 'will I ever use this in real life'. The real question is, where you can find the mathematical symbols in real life. Not technically where the symbol derived from, not looking for a background check on 'pi' or 'E', but where can you see the symbol in real life and how it is then related to its mathematical usage. The basics of math are addition, multiplication, subtraction, and division but the symbols used in more advanced mathematics include beta, alpha, and the delta symbols.

Beta has always been a bit elusive to me, being more than just a measure of volatility or riskiness, the term beta also is the name of a fish. Considering a "beta fish" is a Siamese fighting fish, one could understand this mathematical terminology when referring to this fish. With this being said that the beta fish is also referred to as the fighting fish, the term risky and volatile can be fully understood. Volatility is described as a measure of risk of uncertainty faced by participants in the financial markets (OECD) and this coincides with the idea that when you put two Siamese fighting fish in one fish bowl, the risk increases for the participant and the outcome is uncertain as both are trying to overtake the other. This term begins to make more sense when put into relation with an awkward comparison to a fish.

Though that may be an interesting take on beta and its symbol usage in the real world, how about alpha? Alpha is a term used in many scenarios and situations. Alpha is a synonym for 'beginning' (alpha) and used in that sense when recalling language but also referred to in religion. One can read the book of Revelations and find where the angels are shouting 'You are the Alpha and the Omega' but does the definition in mathematical language relate? Alpha is referred to as a risk ratio in finance and has a corresponding index. Not really what I believe John to be referring to when he was transcribing the New Testament book. Another scenario of alpha can be seen when talking about dominance. The term 'alpha male' exists in society and the animal kingdom to specify the dominant one. Considering the mathematical term alpha again measures risk, I do not see the similarity.

Beyond peculiar uses that are not related to the mathematical terminology, the term 'delta' has many uses that should be further explored. Before I had ever heard

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