What's the best equation? | Andrew Pontzen, Tom Whyntie & Hannah Fry | Earth Science

Here on Head Squeeze we work with some very, very, clever scientists, mathematicians and engineers. The banter around the water cooler really is something to lol at. So we thought we'd give you a taste of the exciting discussions that go on behind the scenes...
This time, Drs Andrew Pontzen, Tom Whyntie and Hannah Fry are debating just what is the best equation?

In the particle physics corner, fighting for the LHC, is Dr Tom Whyntie arguing that the Standard Model Lagrangian equation is by far the best -- because it has the most terms.

In the cosmologist's corner, backing Einstein, is Dr Andrew Pontzen who thinks that equations that explain one thing really well are the best. He's going for Einstein's Gravity equation.

Dr Hannah Fry, however, argues that the best equations are those that apply to many things. For example, the equation for thermodynamics is used in physics to show us that the universe will ultimately wind down to a cold, lifeless void, but also tells supermarkets how much money we'll spend on shopping!

What's your favourite equation? Let us know in the comments!

[allanrempel]

Pssh, mathematicians don't need to go the physicists to find the best equation, because the answer is clearly Euler's Identity. Done.

[BBCEarthScience]

You lot are some clever people, it's great reading about all your favourite equations! So come on, it's not just a question that has come up at Head Squeeze HQ...

[Heiroglyphs]

she is absolutely stunning. she might just be my favorite equation! S+Lr=D (where S=smarts L=looks r=readhead D= girl of my dreams)

[kimmine]

Dr. Hannah Fry has my mind and heart. <3 Gahd! Her sultry voice is so mind-boggling and so out of this world and so out of my league!

[RezaAP]

Every mathematician knows, that *Euler's identity* is THE greatest equation of all time.

[tootz]

Wow.  This went so far over my head I didn't even feel the breeze.  In fact at the end my mind was so scrambled I could barely recognize basic letters and numbers.  Thank the heavens and earth for wonderful people like you three who don't seem to get headaches.

[trevorhewitt]

The best equation is the reflexive axiom: a=a
Every equation in existence need this to exist! It summaries the point of all equations! What can beat that?

[MagicOfDark]

My favorite equation must be a^2+b^2=c^2. Not only does it tell you everything about a right triangle, but it describes the distance between 2 points on an x and y axis. Plus it can be expanded to as many dimensions you want x^2+y^2+z^2=d^2, where x, y and z are distance between 2 points on the given axis and d is the overall distance between 2 points in a 3d grid.

This is probably why my favorite shape is also the triangle, next to the circle. Just thinking about it my favorites are the shape with least amount of sides next to the shape with arguably infinite sides. Oh and graphing that equation would give you a circle so...yeah. Best equation in my book.

[Minihood]

IMO the best equation is y=mx+c, because a large number of relationships in the universe can be reduced down to this simple equation which can be easily represented on a graph.

Some honourable mentions:
Differentiation;
Integration;
The Quadratic Equation Formula;
Pythagoras' Theorem;
The Trigonometric Equations.

[atrumluminarium]

I'm glad that the heat equation (aka diffusion equation) got to be a part of this <3

[FerrariAu]

These scientists are funny! Love them to bits!

[Manticorp]

I really don't see how it can't be e^ipi -1 = 0

[tungsten]

Lagrange's Equation, for modeling dynamic systems.

[TheRealSkeletor]

I did learn something from this video; I learned mathematicians and physicists both enjoy overuse of the word "fundamental" way too much.

[MadaxeMunkeee]

My favourite is Euler's solution to the Basel Problem

[TheSentientCloud]

Best equation? z=z²+z in the complex plane. Why?
makes that thing. The most intricate and beautiful object in all of mathematics.

[mattp.]

You might wanna re-check your annotations at 2:10

[kujmous]

I have a degree in math and don't have a favorite equation. I think it's just a matter of being able to write code and equations that make life and work a bit easier for those who are important to me.

[whmozart]

No comments on how beautiful the hostess is?! That's all I could pay attention to.

[chuckgaydos]

Circumference / diameter = pi

Making that ratio a constant was a brilliant idea.