This particular incident extended into today. In my MV Calculus Class, we were learning how to do revolutions about an axis by using parametric equations with 2 variables (u and v).

So if f(x)=x^2, we can write x(u,v)=u; y(u,v)=u^2 cos (v); z(u,v)=u^2 sin(v), and these equations define f(x) revolved around the x axis.

Of course I wanted to graph one on WinPlot to show my students, so I said “pick a function, any function” and of COURSE, one of the students says “SINE OF X.” I started laughing so hard, telling them “very funny guys…” assuming they had talked with students in my Calculus class. The best part is — they hadn’t. So I had to tell them the story AND graph it AGAIN today.

Great times. Great times.

that reminds me of when I did a volume problem about a “10 inch rod”

hilaaaarious.