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Etymology of "root number"

Posted By: Nack Ballard
Date: Friday, 22 July 2011, at 7:09 p.m.

In Response To: Etymology of "root number" (Timothy Chow)

Carlo: Blue should play 16/10 13/10, to leave bad 43s, 52s, and 61s to white.

Tim: Presumably Blue should make a random point with 16/10 13/10.

You and Carlo are correct, and thanks for the reference link to an article I had not seen.

In the case of making the 10pt above, the swing is larger than just the creation of the 6 root numbers (i.e., 61 52 43 producing two new blots). This play also immunizes Blue's slotted board points on 4 numbers. If Blue does not make the 10pt, White will be able to hit and run with 52 and 43.

Consider the position below, where there are no blots on the 6pt or 5pt to protect; the swing on creating the random point is not as great. Here, I believe Blue should cover the outfield (23/17 20/15 or 22/17 20/14), instead of making the 10pt and creating the extra 6 root numbers (10 vs 4).

Nack

Messages In This Thread

• Etymology of "root number"
  Timothy Chow -- Friday, 22 July 2011, at 3:49 a.m.
  • Etymology of "root number"
    Ray Kershaw -- Friday, 22 July 2011, at 6:02 a.m.
  • Etymology of "root number"
    Nack Ballard -- Friday, 22 July 2011, at 8:03 a.m.
    • Etymology of "root number"
      Timothy Chow -- Friday, 22 July 2011, at 5:42 p.m.
      • Etymology of "root number"
        Nack Ballard -- Friday, 22 July 2011, at 7:09 p.m.
    • Etymology of "root number"
      Steve Mellen -- Friday, 22 July 2011, at 7:17 p.m.
      • Etymology of "root number"
        Nack Ballard -- Saturday, 23 July 2011, at 12:12 a.m.