On Mon, 13 Dec 2010 15:28:59 -0800
Rick Stevens <ricks(a)nerd.com> wrote:
Marko Vojinovic wrote:
> Second, there are certain theoretical
ideas about the distribution
> of digits in transcendental numbers which can make progress via
> such lengthy computations.
>
> Nobody needs more than about 6 figures for doing any engineering
> work, however.
IIRC the most accurate measurement of any quantity in nature is that of
the fine structure constant with 12 significant digits, so one really
doesn't usually need much precision.
Is string theory, quantum mechanics or relativity the
"truer"
reflection of reality? Hell, we sent space probes on close fly-bys
of Uranus and hit asteroids using good ol' Newtonian mechanics.
Good luck in getting GPS to work without relativity. Or your computer
without quantum mechanics; you need it to get a reasonable description
of semiconductors (e.g. transistors) or lasers (your cdrom drive).
But this discussion is really OT to this list.
--
Jussi Lehtola
Fedora Project Contributor
jussilehtola(a)fedoraproject.org