Talk:Coin problem

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[edit] Rename/merge?

Should we not rename the article Frobenius problem? Also, what is the opinion on a proposed merge of Chicken McNuggets problem with this article? JocK 18:30, 3 November 2007 (UTC)

The misnamed Chicken McNuggets problem is a subarticle fork from this article. The question of whether there is enough to split off was previously decided in the negative in AfD. Any content should be added here first before a split is considered. — Arthur Rubin | (talk) 18:51, 3 November 2007 (UTC)
The current article is not helpful at all for a casual reader. Would any non-mathematician be able to understand the general concept of the Frobenius problem when reading about quatloo's? For didactical purposes it is much better to discuss the well-known special case g(6,9,20) in a separate article (Chicken McNuggets problem) that contains links to Coin problem (potentially renamed Frobenius problem). JocK 19:14, 3 November 2007 (UTC)
The section #McNugget Number seems to contain all that is needed for a casual reader. I have no objection to the McNugget number redirects to be re-redirected to redirect to that section. But I'm a mathematician, so what is obvious to me may not be obvious to the casual reader. WP:3O, anyone? — Arthur Rubin | (talk) 19:24, 3 November 2007 (UTC)
Whether the more specific, didactical article should be named Chicken McNuggets problem or McNugget number is largely irrelevant for this discussion. However see: here, here, here and here. JocK 19:30, 3 November 2007 (UTC)

I have no opinion on the rename of this article, but let's talk McNuggets - is that not exactly the same as the coin problem? It says "special case" but it's really nothing special. That's like saying "4 is a special case of n2" or something else completely stupid. I'm tempted to say it's advertising form McDonalds. It introduces no new content and speaks nothing to the notability of this "special case" (ie plug and chug) of the coin/Frobenius problem. Additional comment: I would be happy to see an article that discusses this as a "famous problem" or "often used example" but that is far different from it being some problem in mathematics pioneered by the brightest of research mathematicians. Or whatever. --Cheeser1 02:00, 4 November 2007 (UTC)

You do have a sense of humour "..it's advertising form McDonalds", but miss my point entirely. Of course this specific case of the Frobenius problem is not "a problem in mathematics pioneered by the brightest of research mathematicians". Indeed, it is just a specific case (g(6,9,20)=43) of a more general theory. Just like the article Theorem on friends and strangers is a special case (G(3,3)=6) of the more general Ramsey's theorem. The article Theorem on friends and strangers is not "a problem in mathematics pioneered by the brightest of research mathematicians", but I would not like to see it merged&redirected into the article Ramsey's theorem that is much less suitable for a casual reader with little or no background in mathematics. I'm trying to do the same here with the Frobenius problem. Surely there is room for a rigorous mathematical article (although I have to say that the current article coin problem hardly qualifies as such) as well as an article of didactical nature that presents the concept by focusing on a specific example.
I guess it all boils down to what are we trying to establish here on Wikipedia. I am trying to create some math articles accessible to a larger audience of interested laypersons.
Hope that some non-mathematicians place their opinions here as well! Cheers, JocK 07:52, 4 November 2007 (UTC)
I'm just not aware of this as some outstanding or notable "problem" and would also like to see the article reflect what it really is - not representing it as some important mathematical problem. --Cheeser1 10:13, 4 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Outside layperson's 2 McNugget's worth

I happened upon this article via the McNugget problem hook at the |DYK page and I was pleased to learn something interesting and new from this page. I am about as far from a mathematician as you can get and would normally not bother with something so.....well (please don't take offense!) boring. But there was something approachable and quirky about the McNugget problem and once I grasp the basic premise of it, I was able to look at the rest of the article in a more inquisitive light. To that extent I think its a worthwhile inclusion in the article. As for the rename/merge question, I'll just leave that to the folks who know what they are talking about. :) AgneCheese/Wine 14:54, 4 November 2007 (UTC)

I totally agree, and I am (or will probably be) a mathematican. Paxinum 16:43, 7 November 2007 (UTC)
But that could be said for this page - in fact, coins are a far more appropriate context than McNuggets, in terms of worldview. --Cheeser1 16:48, 7 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] "McNugget Theorem"?

You've got to be kidding. The proof sketch might appear under the "n = 2" tab, but it's NOT EVER known as the McNugget Theorem. — Arthur Rubin (talk) 02:34, 14 June 2008 (UTC)