Mysterious figure.

Steve W

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Feb 10, 2020
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4
Dear mathematicians,

A maths graduate friend of mine sent me a letter recently, after I'd been telling them of my interest in maths, and - long time ago - moderate knowledge in some areas.

At the end of the letter, after the signature, they had drawn this figure, with no explanation at all: -

Q curve.jpg

What the heck might that mean?

About all I know (I think) is that there is a point of inflection at the origin? Does the "Q" symbol have some special significance? Anything to do with quantum mechanics or some famous, or esoteric, maths problem? Anyone got a clue?

All suggestions would be gratefully appreciated. I don't want to look like a total ignoramus the next time I see them.

All best wishes

Steve
 
Thank you very much for this insight Romsek! Too flipping clever for the likes fo me.
 
clever

the drawing is the graph of \(\displaystyle y=x^3\) or \(\displaystyle x\) Q'bed you might say... I wouldn't say that but you or your friend might :D

Hi Romesk, could the solution also be the pun "tan Q" ?
 
Hi Romesk, could the solution also be the pun "tan Q" ?

Well I can't claim to be any sort of universal authority on the what goes on in your friends brain I would say sure, it could.

Actually looking at it now that's probably exactly what it is.
 
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