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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What term refers to a physical constant that is the quantum of action in quantum mechanics?
(a) The Planck constant.
(b) M-Theory.
(c) The Golden Ratio.
(d) The Pythagorean theorem.

2. What term refers to an elementary particle, the quantum of light and all other forms of electromagnetic radiation?
(a) Photon.
(b) Radon.
(c) Nucleus.
(d) Electron.

3. According to the author in Chapter 6, “Infinity's Twin,” “i” appears whenever one takes the square root of what?
(a) Zero.
(b) Infinity.
(c) A negative number.
(d) A fraction.

4. What mathematical term refers to a function that preserves distinctness by never mapping distinct elements of its domain to the same element of its codomain?
(a) Derivative function.
(b) Differential equation.
(c) Bijective function.
(d) Injective function.

5. What mathematical term refers to a function giving an exact pairing of the elements of two sets?
(a) Bijection.
(b) Infinity.
(c) Injection.
(d) Derivation.

Short Answer Questions

1. Jean le Rond d'Alembert came up with what idea that solved the zero problem in calculus?

2. What refers to the geometric theory of gravitation published by Albert Einstein in 1916 and the current description of gravitation in modern physics?

3. Approximately when did Johannes Kepler live?

4. The Leibniz–Newton calculus controversy was an argument between Sir Isaac Newton and Gottfried Leibniz over what?

5. What refers to an indeterminate polynomial equation that allows the variables to take integer values only?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who discovered “absolute zero”? How is absolute zero defined in Chapter 7, “Absolute Zeros”?

2. How did the field of quantum mechanics address the problem of zero in thermodynamics?

3. Who devised the concept of a limit in calculus? What problems did the limit solve?

4. How is string theory described by the author in Chapter 8, “Zero Hour at Ground Zero”?

5. How did Max Planck address the problem of the ultraviolet catastrophe?

6. How does the elimination of zero help general relativity theory, according to the author in Chapter 8, “Zero Hour at Ground Zero”?

7. What is expressed through the Rayleigh-Jeans law? How does this law relate to zero?

8. How are electrons described in Chapter 8, “Zero Hour at Ground Zero”?

9. What problem do black holes present in physics, according to the author in Chapter 8, “Zero Hour at Ground Zero”?

10. How did l’Hopital address the problem of zero, according to the author in Chapter 5, “Infinite Zeros and Infidel Mathematicians”?

(see the answer keys)

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