Monday 28 April 2014

X - The Great Unknown


'X' !

This is the letter we always grab first if we want to depict an unknown in any of our conversations.

'X' has the ability to take on different meanings in different contexts. It is a variable.  

A mystery.

Source : Google Images
We have the reality show on TV called the 'X Factor' where the judges are looking for that one very, very unique talent in that competition. There is no particular talent that is being sought except that it has to be unique. That is why, it is called 'X' Factor.

Then there is the Generation X, which refers to that generation born after Western Post–World War II baby boom. This was called the Unknown Generation. This generation has a unique set of characteristics which are not found in the generation prior to it or in the one after it.
  

Source : Google Images
Coming to movies, we have the 'X-Men', which collectively refers to that set of people who have some special trait or power thanks to some mutation in their systems. Some can fly, some can generate enough heat in their eyes to direct that heat to things so that they catch fire and so on.

Of course, this write-up would be incomplete if there is no mention of that most dreaded use of 'X'. Who doesn't recall the nightmares associated with this one usage?

Yes, it's Mathematics!

Source : Google Images
In Mathematics 'X' is a variable which needs to be solved to get the equations right. This very quality, amongst others, has mathematicians getting all excited. In fact, though many alphabets are used in Mathematics, there is a special place reserved for 'X'.

But then you see, Romans were never all that excited about Mathematics, because for them, 'X' was never a mystery to be solved. 

It was always 10!



8 comments:

  1. haha
    Reminds me my last year post prathima , where I wrote about too many X's ! I loved that post. This year all ideas got Xhausted :)
    Ur post is good btw :)

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  2. X in all its glorious hues, that is what I knew I would get from you. And I am not disappointed. The X from Maths frightened me too as a kid. We haven't encountered each other in a long time. But now that my kids are growing up, we might have to meet again. I hope I won't be as frightened then.

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    1. Glad to know that you are not disappointed with the post. Anytime I encounter 'X' pertaining to Math, I zone out completely :) Good luck Cynthia :)

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  3. X is that special letter which stands out in the crowd of alphabets :) Enjoyed reading your post on X

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    1. Thank you Sulekkha! :) Yes it certainly does. :)

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  4. This was an interesting post ! Yes, X is dreaded because of algebra !

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    1. Thanks Vasudha! X is pretty rampant- Algebra, Calculus, everywhere :)

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