This is the funniest thing I’ve seen all day.
In related news, I’m so alone.
Comment by David — 12.31.2007 @
not very funny
Comment by d4ve — 12.31.2007 @
you f—ing losers think you’re base knowledge of math (wow, you can recognize calculus) gives you some insight into this stupid joke. And then we have the first semester calculus genius, travis, detailing to us nomenclature of the derivitive. Geez. Ok, you’re a nerd. Does that help your self esteem by thinking you’re included in the class of people who are smart, b/c you can recognize a derivitive? Wake up man, calculus is just the screwdriver of mathematics. wow, you recognize the screwdriver. IQ must be almost 3 digits.
Comment by mathphd — 12.31.2007 @
OMG, you two are cute.
Comment by Desiree — 12.31.2007 @
Since the derivative of the optimus function is itself, does this mean that optimus = e^x?
Comment by brasslizard — 12.31.2007 @
I think derivative of optimus prime should be equal to his vehicle form. And of course the integral of the vehicle form should be equal to optimus prime :)
Comment by metin — 12.31.2007 @
MathPhD: I think you mean “your base knowledge.” You just told Travis that he IS base knowledge.
Why don’t you take your made-up math Ph.D. and do something useful instead of trying to make people feel bad?
Finally, it IS geeky whether or not the math is advanced, and nobody claimed that it is.
Comment by al_bickers — 01.1.2008 @
erm, brasslizard, I think you missed the punchline… the derivative of Optimus isn’t itself, it’s Optimus Prime
Comment by Nathan — 01.1.2008 @
MathPHD needs a hug
Comment by Nathan — 01.1.2008 @
no notice the function is called optimus and the derivative of the function could be called the prime of the function therefore optimus prime
Comment by not telling :) — 01.1.2008 @
Geez, man, calm down. He’s not asserting himself as a calculus genius or anything. You’re reading way too much into this; lighten up.
Comment by Uberdylan — 01.1.2008 @
No, the derivative of OPTIMUS is OPTIMUS PRIME.
Comment by Jk — 01.1.2008 @
Mathphd you really are an arrogant moron, you’re abusing other posters because of their knowledge of maths in an obvious attempt to make yourself look more knowledgeable.
What a jerk.
Comment by dystopian — 01.1.2008 @
If you’re going to disparage someone’s intellect, you may wish to check “you’re” post for correct spelling and grammar.
Comment by darkyn — 01.1.2008 @
I don’t get it…I think cuz I failed Calc twice…
Comment by Ryuuk — 01.1.2008 @
@mathphd: so you tell me, buddy, which is more pathetic: a couple nerds contemplating the validity of a tongue-in-cheek math joke, or you harping on them for it.
I think the answer is obvious. And you don’t need calculus to figure it out.
Comment by Graham — 01.1.2008 @
Second comment…. last line…. very funny
We really are very nerd people to get this joke LOL
Comment by that other guy — 01.1.2008 @
don’t think about it, just enjoy it
Comment by zack — 01.1.2008 @
No, the derivative of Optimus = Optimus’ or Optimus Prime. Pay attention people.
Comment by Anonymous — 01.1.2008 @
Play nice, everybody. It was just a bad pun with a cool picture of Optimus Prime… No need for name calling or really tacky usernames.
In fact, the gag itself is so unoriginal — I hear this joke at least once a semester in a calculus class — that the pun itself is derivative.
Travis is actually right. d(Optimus)/dx = Optimus prime of x. Maybe put an X on his chest or something?
But as soon as I got it, I was laughing.
Comment by Mr. Briggs — 01.1.2008 @
relax guys, laugh and move on- – this life is too short to take this serious
Comment by mema — 01.2.2008 @
This guy fails at calculus
Comment by Anonymous — 01.2.2008 @
I have been reading the comments in the hope there would be a clue for me to get the joke, I did not have a whole lot of luck. and I agree that that phd guy is a jerk.
awww, it reminded me of my calc class in high school LOL
Comment by cdfe88 — 01.2.2008 @
OK, would someone explain why it is funny?
Comment by gc_wall — 01.2.2008 @
For those that understand basic calculus and need a bit of help:
Suppose O=Optimus
dO/dx = O’ (O prime)
now substitute Optimus back in for O:
dOptimus/dx = Optimus’ (Optimus [P]rime)
That should also help to explain why dOptimus/dx was chosen instead of d/dx (Optimus), but for those that still want or need to see why:
Suppose there was a function Optimus(x). The derivative would then be dOptimus/dx.
If it was d/dx (Optimus), without knowing the definition of Optimus (it isn’t given), we can then consider Optimus as a function such as Optimus(x) or we can consider it a constant. If it is a function, we don’t necessarily know that the function Optimus is defined in terms of x. In that case, d/dx (Optimus) = Optimus’(d/dx) (Optimus [P]rime times d of dx). If it is a constant, d/dx (K) = 0 always, so d/dx (Optimus) = nothing. There is no joke in either case, so dOptimus/dx is the reason why it works.
Comment by rpgfan3233 — 01.2.2008 @
Of course, that substitution trick is not valid. It was just meant to be an example to show how things worked, and a function named “O” is easier to think of than a function named “Optimus”. :P
Comment by rpgfan3233 — 01.2.2008 @
@29
“OK, would someone explain why it is funny?”
Because for some of us, calculus and Transformers(TM) are integral parts of our lives.
Comment by Jimbo — 01.3.2008 @
Nice little pun :) It’s a shame people have to take things so seriously, though, especially online! If you don’t appreciate it then alt+F4, and stop complaining. This “mathphd” guy was probably just bitter because he spent 30 minutes on wiki trying to decipher the joke…
For me, the joke was short-lived, though, due to the bad memories of Math class :P
Comment by slash — 01.3.2008 @
hey #6! your retarded! nobody was trying to be cool or they wouldn’t be talking about math! and they already called themselves nerds.
d(Optimus(x))/dx = Optimus’(x) or Optimus Prime at x
Comment by klopyrev — 01.4.2008 @
Wow…..I don’t know what funnier the picture or the discussion of the picture :P
Comment by sock — 01.4.2008 @
@Jimbo: A sine joke? Is that just _cos_ you can’t think of something better?
Oh dear… ^^
Comment by slash — 01.5.2008 @
Having read through all the comments up to this point, it’s even more stupid that people have been slamming Mathphd and won’t just drop it.
I realize that it’s probably mostly newcomers to these specific comments who just read like the first 10 commments and post. Still, it was like 4-5 days after it happened, so just drop it, please.
It’s a good idea to always look at how long ago it happened or how many times the idea you’re about to post has been stated. I’ve seen so many comments before that people post to say someone is stupid or something for stating something bad about another/others. These same comments are sometimes posted even over a week or two after the one person posted about another/others.
Comment by akul5 — 01.6.2008 @
Summary.
Some people don’t get it, one person explained it.
Some people were jerks. (neglects resorting to flammage)
cos, sine, and integral were used in several further math puns…
Don’t call the function Optimus, Optimus(x).
I enjoyed: d2Optimus/dx2 = Nerd Life… which referred to an earlier joke.
Also, if you’re going to comment it’s considered polite if you read the comments first rather than filling the board with something that was already said. Then again all of this was said before.
Comment by Anon — 01.7.2008 @
ALL HAIL THE DECEPTICONS!!!
Comment by Anonymous — 01.7.2008 @
You guys have analyzed this so much that you’ve sucked all the humor out of it. Now it’s just sad.
Comment by Clang — 01.8.2008 @
arguing on the internet is like running in the special Olympics…
even if you win, you’re still disabled.
quote unquote
have to say the original joke was genius, and secondly this whole page is full of great laughs for those of use who go outside
Comment by thebully — 01.10.2008 @
The comment above is clearly some nerd trying to be cool. PWNED I’m afraid we know who you really are ;D
Comment by HitThat — 01.10.2008 @
The poster and comments are tremendously interesting. We see some folks that are creative. Some analytical. A few are both. The world needs all kinds… we just need to appreciate our strength/differences and not trash each other. Unless it is in good fun!
I don’t remember too much calc, since I spent more of those class hours outside playing hackysack and smoking pot, but unless you don’t know who Optimus Prime is, then this joke should be fairly clear to anyone. Just look at the right side first (Optimus Prime), then follow the equals sign over to the left, and take a wild guess what that equation means…
mathphd isn’t mean or stupid for making fun of people with only limited knowledge of calculus…he’s stupid for not making fun of everyone who can’t figure this joke out based on common knowledge…
Comment by haha — 01.21.2008 @
I think the comments are funnier than the joke!
btw, the derivative of a cow is PRIME RIB!
hahahahaha! I graduated with a math degree. I have a right to laugh!
photoshopped. I can tell from my fears of experience.
Comment by Professional — 12.17.2008 @
Point is that if your like me you ROFL’d that’s the point. simple cheap humor that’ll result in becoming my background for a week while everyone i show will understand. ENGINEERS ARE SUPERIOR!!!
Comment by Abel — 01.13.2009 @
Engineers Fail! I dunno what ur talking about Abel, u are teh Failxor at teh lyfe!
Comment by BunBun — 02.3.2009 @
WOW! I think you’re ALL great! (mathphd excluded)
Comment by Ken — 02.21.2009 @
I couldn’t get this at first, because not many people say prime. We just say “derivative of (something)” and write f’(x) or y’ or something’
Comment by Calc student — 03.15.2009 @
this is the best thing about the internet, it is always entertaining reading peoples posts to others, most of whom they don’t know. It would be good to hear back from mathphd though, you know he read this after others had posted. do hope he got that hug.
sorry guys, i don’t know what came over me, i guess i do just need a hug
Comment by mathphd — 03.24.2009 @
Sorry to bother you guys, but what is optimus anyway? I get the part about the derivative being optimus prime (optimus’). I’m just asking what is an optimus function, optimus(x), or whatever you call that.
Oh god I laughed so hard on this one!
it might be better if it’s like
d/dx (Optimus(x))
because Optimus is a constant, and result is zero.
Comment by Mgccl — 12.30.2007 @
Well, actually, “d/dx(Optimus(x))” is the expression “Optimus Prime of x,” whereas “dOptimus/dx” refers to the derivative function itself.
In a related note, my God are we nerds.
Comment by Travis — 12.30.2007 @
wtf… I don’t understand. :S
Comment by ELLiiE — 12.31.2007 @
This is the funniest thing I’ve seen all day.
In related news, I’m so alone.
Comment by David — 12.31.2007 @
not very funny
Comment by d4ve — 12.31.2007 @
you f—ing losers think you’re base knowledge of math (wow, you can recognize calculus) gives you some insight into this stupid joke. And then we have the first semester calculus genius, travis, detailing to us nomenclature of the derivitive. Geez. Ok, you’re a nerd. Does that help your self esteem by thinking you’re included in the class of people who are smart, b/c you can recognize a derivitive? Wake up man, calculus is just the screwdriver of mathematics. wow, you recognize the screwdriver. IQ must be almost 3 digits.
Comment by mathphd — 12.31.2007 @
OMG, you two are cute.
Comment by Desiree — 12.31.2007 @
Since the derivative of the optimus function is itself, does this mean that optimus = e^x?
Comment by brasslizard — 12.31.2007 @
I think derivative of optimus prime should be equal to his vehicle form. And of course the integral of the vehicle form should be equal to optimus prime :)
Comment by metin — 12.31.2007 @
MathPhD: I think you mean “your base knowledge.” You just told Travis that he IS base knowledge.
Why don’t you take your made-up math Ph.D. and do something useful instead of trying to make people feel bad?
Finally, it IS geeky whether or not the math is advanced, and nobody claimed that it is.
Comment by al_bickers — 01.1.2008 @
erm, brasslizard, I think you missed the punchline… the derivative of Optimus isn’t itself, it’s Optimus Prime
Comment by Nathan — 01.1.2008 @
MathPHD needs a hug
Comment by Nathan — 01.1.2008 @
no notice the function is called optimus and the derivative of the function could be called the prime of the function therefore optimus prime
Comment by not telling :) — 01.1.2008 @
Geez, man, calm down. He’s not asserting himself as a calculus genius or anything. You’re reading way too much into this; lighten up.
Comment by Uberdylan — 01.1.2008 @
No, the derivative of OPTIMUS is OPTIMUS PRIME.
Comment by Jk — 01.1.2008 @
Mathphd you really are an arrogant moron, you’re abusing other posters because of their knowledge of maths in an obvious attempt to make yourself look more knowledgeable.
What a jerk.
Comment by dystopian — 01.1.2008 @
If you’re going to disparage someone’s intellect, you may wish to check “you’re” post for correct spelling and grammar.
Comment by darkyn — 01.1.2008 @
I don’t get it…I think cuz I failed Calc twice…
Comment by Ryuuk — 01.1.2008 @
@mathphd: so you tell me, buddy, which is more pathetic: a couple nerds contemplating the validity of a tongue-in-cheek math joke, or you harping on them for it.
I think the answer is obvious. And you don’t need calculus to figure it out.
Comment by Graham — 01.1.2008 @
Second comment…. last line…. very funny
We really are very nerd people to get this joke LOL
Comment by that other guy — 01.1.2008 @
don’t think about it, just enjoy it
Comment by zack — 01.1.2008 @
No, the derivative of Optimus = Optimus’ or Optimus Prime. Pay attention people.
Comment by Anonymous — 01.1.2008 @
Play nice, everybody. It was just a bad pun with a cool picture of Optimus Prime… No need for name calling or really tacky usernames.
In fact, the gag itself is so unoriginal — I hear this joke at least once a semester in a calculus class — that the pun itself is derivative.
Comment by Travis — 01.1.2008 @
Travis is actually right. d(Optimus)/dx = Optimus prime of x. Maybe put an X on his chest or something?
But as soon as I got it, I was laughing.
Comment by Mr. Briggs — 01.1.2008 @
relax guys, laugh and move on- – this life is too short to take this serious
Comment by mema — 01.2.2008 @
This guy fails at calculus
Comment by Anonymous — 01.2.2008 @
I have been reading the comments in the hope there would be a clue for me to get the joke, I did not have a whole lot of luck. and I agree that that phd guy is a jerk.
Comment by Frits — 01.2.2008 @
awww, it reminded me of my calc class in high school LOL
Comment by cdfe88 — 01.2.2008 @
OK, would someone explain why it is funny?
Comment by gc_wall — 01.2.2008 @
For those that understand basic calculus and need a bit of help:
Suppose O=Optimus
dO/dx = O’ (O prime)
now substitute Optimus back in for O:
dOptimus/dx = Optimus’ (Optimus [P]rime)
That should also help to explain why dOptimus/dx was chosen instead of d/dx (Optimus), but for those that still want or need to see why:
Suppose there was a function Optimus(x). The derivative would then be dOptimus/dx.
If it was d/dx (Optimus), without knowing the definition of Optimus (it isn’t given), we can then consider Optimus as a function such as Optimus(x) or we can consider it a constant. If it is a function, we don’t necessarily know that the function Optimus is defined in terms of x. In that case, d/dx (Optimus) = Optimus’(d/dx) (Optimus [P]rime times d of dx). If it is a constant, d/dx (K) = 0 always, so d/dx (Optimus) = nothing. There is no joke in either case, so dOptimus/dx is the reason why it works.
Comment by rpgfan3233 — 01.2.2008 @
Of course, that substitution trick is not valid. It was just meant to be an example to show how things worked, and a function named “O” is easier to think of than a function named “Optimus”. :P
Comment by rpgfan3233 — 01.2.2008 @
@29
“OK, would someone explain why it is funny?”
Because for some of us, calculus and Transformers(TM) are integral parts of our lives.
Comment by Jimbo — 01.3.2008 @
Nice little pun :) It’s a shame people have to take things so seriously, though, especially online! If you don’t appreciate it then alt+F4, and stop complaining. This “mathphd” guy was probably just bitter because he spent 30 minutes on wiki trying to decipher the joke…
For me, the joke was short-lived, though, due to the bad memories of Math class :P
Comment by slash — 01.3.2008 @
hey #6! your retarded! nobody was trying to be cool or they wouldn’t be talking about math! and they already called themselves nerds.
Comment by FM — 01.3.2008 @
@Jimbo… haha! THAT is funny =)
Comment by mummel — 01.3.2008 @
I think Jimbo’s on to something here…
If dOptimus/dx = Optimus Prime, and Optimus Prime = integral part of a nerd’s life, does that make d2Optimus/dx2 = Nerd Life?
Sweet.
Comment by Travis — 01.3.2008 @
@Travis
Calm yourself, you’re getting off on a tangent.
Note: Math puns are the first sine of insanity
Comment by Jimbo — 01.3.2008 @
d(Optimus(x))/dx = Optimus’(x) or Optimus Prime at x
Comment by klopyrev — 01.4.2008 @
Wow…..I don’t know what funnier the picture or the discussion of the picture :P
Comment by sock — 01.4.2008 @
@Jimbo: A sine joke? Is that just _cos_ you can’t think of something better?
Oh dear… ^^
Comment by slash — 01.5.2008 @
Having read through all the comments up to this point, it’s even more stupid that people have been slamming Mathphd and won’t just drop it.
I realize that it’s probably mostly newcomers to these specific comments who just read like the first 10 commments and post. Still, it was like 4-5 days after it happened, so just drop it, please.
It’s a good idea to always look at how long ago it happened or how many times the idea you’re about to post has been stated. I’ve seen so many comments before that people post to say someone is stupid or something for stating something bad about another/others. These same comments are sometimes posted even over a week or two after the one person posted about another/others.
Comment by akul5 — 01.6.2008 @
Summary.
Some people don’t get it, one person explained it.
Some people were jerks. (neglects resorting to flammage)
cos, sine, and integral were used in several further math puns…
Don’t call the function Optimus, Optimus(x).
I enjoyed: d2Optimus/dx2 = Nerd Life… which referred to an earlier joke.
Also, if you’re going to comment it’s considered polite if you read the comments first rather than filling the board with something that was already said. Then again all of this was said before.
Comment by Anon — 01.7.2008 @
ALL HAIL THE DECEPTICONS!!!
Comment by Anonymous — 01.7.2008 @
You guys have analyzed this so much that you’ve sucked all the humor out of it. Now it’s just sad.
Comment by Clang — 01.8.2008 @
arguing on the internet is like running in the special Olympics…
even if you win, you’re still disabled.
quote unquote
Comment by rofl — 01.8.2008 @
:) fun..
Comment by Matematik Özel Ders — 01.8.2008 @
What all those people up there meant was….
Ha! Thats funny!
Comment by Me — 01.8.2008 @
Optimus is way past his prime.
Comment by . — 01.8.2008 @
@slash
I see your angle.
@Clang
The humor was constant, and you just derived it.
Comment by Jimbo — 01.9.2008 @
lmaoooooo optimus’
Comment by nice — 01.10.2008 @
Id like to see the proof on that one travis (36), still I do agree.
Comment by Kyle — 01.10.2008 @
Math is gay
Comment by NoSkillz — 01.10.2008 @
have to say the original joke was genius, and secondly this whole page is full of great laughs for those of use who go outside
Comment by thebully — 01.10.2008 @
The comment above is clearly some nerd trying to be cool. PWNED I’m afraid we know who you really are ;D
Comment by HitThat — 01.10.2008 @
The poster and comments are tremendously interesting. We see some folks that are creative. Some analytical. A few are both. The world needs all kinds… we just need to appreciate our strength/differences and not trash each other. Unless it is in good fun!
Comment by jim — 01.11.2008 @
@jim
you think that a bully can appreciate a good math joke?
cosecant!
Comment by Jimbo — 01.11.2008 @
(d/dx)Metroid = Metroid Prime
(d/dx)Directive = Prime Directive
⌠Optimus?
Comment by Professor — 01.12.2008 @
P.S. And all hail the Decepticons.
Comment by Professor — 01.12.2008 @
Thanks for explaining the joke.
English isn’t my first language. English math terms were only covered for the basics and not derivatives.
Comment by Anonymous — 01.19.2008 @
MathPhd, you sure are an arrogant prick arent ya?
Comment by rp — 01.21.2008 @
Haha, all I can say is ‘lol at that’. Who doesn’t love a perfect blend of maths and comic-y goodness?
Peace.
Comment by indiKATE — 01.21.2008 @
damn it guys.. this is lame…
Comment by smartguy — 01.21.2008 @
I don’t remember too much calc, since I spent more of those class hours outside playing hackysack and smoking pot, but unless you don’t know who Optimus Prime is, then this joke should be fairly clear to anyone. Just look at the right side first (Optimus Prime), then follow the equals sign over to the left, and take a wild guess what that equation means…
mathphd isn’t mean or stupid for making fun of people with only limited knowledge of calculus…he’s stupid for not making fun of everyone who can’t figure this joke out based on common knowledge…
Comment by haha — 01.21.2008 @
I think the comments are funnier than the joke!
btw, the derivative of a cow is PRIME RIB!
hahahahaha! I graduated with a math degree. I have a right to laugh!
Comment by nato — 01.22.2008 @
Hahaha.. i love people:)
Comment by Anonymous — 01.22.2008 @
awww. math is cute and people are silly :]
Comment by communist daughter — 01.25.2008 @
Hmm, I thought the GoBots were derivative.
Comment by Darwin — 01.25.2008 @
Man, I hated when I get jokes like this; it makes me feel like a total nerd. LOL
Comment by Hyper Space Rebel — 02.5.2008 @
Ha ha I can’t believe I actually get it.
Comment by Amilie — 02.9.2008 @
Aw. Stop being mean to mathphd. I agree. He needs a hug. =)
Comment by =) annimarie — 04.7.2008 @
Honestly… I found this on a FaceBook bumper sticker, then googled it for a full size image… then I spent the last 10 minutes laughing at your comments
Comment by WhyteLyte — 05.20.2008 @
2 words… T-Shirt
Comment by WhyteLyte — 05.20.2008 @
:)
Comment by Sbs Matematik — 06.6.2008 @
1+1=2 and the rest is just filler
Comment by imp — 06.7.2008 @
@ WHYTELYTE
omg, YES. T-SHIRT WOULD BE MOST EXCELLENT~!
Comment by aipod — 11.21.2008 @
i bet mathphd got straight a’s in college
interpret that however you like
Comment by ironic — 11.21.2008 @
I teach calculus, and I don’t suspect MathPHD would fair very well.
Comment by Shields — 11.24.2008 @
YES!!!
Comment by Ktherine — 12.8.2008 @
photoshopped. I can tell from my fears of experience.
Comment by Professional — 12.17.2008 @
Point is that if your like me you ROFL’d that’s the point. simple cheap humor that’ll result in becoming my background for a week while everyone i show will understand. ENGINEERS ARE SUPERIOR!!!
Comment by Abel — 01.13.2009 @
Engineers Fail! I dunno what ur talking about Abel, u are teh Failxor at teh lyfe!
Comment by BunBun — 02.3.2009 @
WOW! I think you’re ALL great! (mathphd excluded)
Comment by Ken — 02.21.2009 @
I couldn’t get this at first, because not many people say prime. We just say “derivative of (something)” and write f’(x) or y’ or something’
Comment by Calc student — 03.15.2009 @
this is the best thing about the internet, it is always entertaining reading peoples posts to others, most of whom they don’t know. It would be good to hear back from mathphd though, you know he read this after others had posted. do hope he got that hug.
Comment by MHB0818 — 03.17.2009 @
HAHA this is hillarious
yeah Calculus jokes!
Comment by ICECrush — 03.17.2009 @
Math + transformers = bliss
Comment by Phil — 03.23.2009 @
sorry guys, i don’t know what came over me, i guess i do just need a hug
Comment by mathphd — 03.24.2009 @
Sorry to bother you guys, but what is optimus anyway? I get the part about the derivative being optimus prime (optimus’). I’m just asking what is an optimus function, optimus(x), or whatever you call that.
Comment by S34N — 03.30.2009 @
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by jzy: possibly, the most beautiful math i’ve seen. “Derivative” http://komplexify.com/blog/2007/12/22/derivative/…
Trackback by uberVU - social comments — 11.16.2009 @