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The On-Line Encyclopedia of Integer Sequences

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the that's-six-times-10-to-the-23rd dept.

Neil Sloane writes, "Run across a number sequence you want to identify? For instance, what comes next after 1, 2, 4, 9, 20, 48, 115, 286, 719, ...? The On-Line Encyclopedia of Integer Sequences is a database with over 50,000 such sequences. Serves as a "fingerprint file," so you can see if your problem has been studied before. Widely used by researchers in number theory, combinatorics, computer science, physics, chemistry, etc., as well as people trying to solve puzzles. " That's nuts. Mind you it would in no way have assisted me in getting a decent grade in calculus, but still, it's fun.

2 of 63 comments (clear)

  1. As long as we're talking about numbers... by nosaj · · Score: 5

    Another great resource is the Inverse Symbolic Calculator. Take that real number you've been trying to identify, and see what formula or combination of known constants might have generated it.

    The integer sequence database has proven quite handy to me on several occasions. Kudos to N. J. A. Sloane for creating and maintaining it, and to the people who keep contributing more good sequences!

    -jason

    "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."

  2. Get the book! by wabewalker · · Score: 5

    Encyclopedia of Integer Sequences by N.J. Sloane and S. Plouffe, USD$57. It is actually neat; I found it in a (university) library once. There is a fine line between "combinatorics" and "recreational mathematics" sometimes, and that's good. The book will certainly have a large number of sequences that you'll find interesting if you have any interest in mathematics whatsoever. Other sequences are horribly technical. It's a very useful book and not as boring as some of the previous posters think.

    --
    --- Premature complacency is the evil of all roots