Two mathematicians are in a bar. The
first one says to the second that the average
person knows very little about
basic mathematics. The second one disagrees
and claims that most people can
cope with a reasonable amount of math.
The first mathematician goes off to the
washroom, and in his absence the second
calls over the waitress. He tells her
that in a few minutes, after his friend has
returned, he will call her over and ask
her a question. All she has to do is answer
“one third x cubed.” She repeats
“one thir–dex cue?” He repeats “one third
x cubed.” She asks, “one thir dex cuebd?”
“Yes, that’s right,” he says. So she agrees,
and goes off mumbling to herself, “one
thir dex cuebd…”. The first guy returns
and the second proposes a bet to prove
his point, that most people do know
something about basic math. He says
he will ask the blonde waitress an integral,
and the first laughingly agrees.
The second man calls over the waitress
and asks “what is the integral of x
squared?” The waitress says “one third
x cubed” and while walking away, turns
back and says over her shoulder, “plus
a constant!”
