The Story of Sohcahtoa
My math teacher taught us the mnemonic SOHCAHTOA for the trigonometric functions of sine, cosine, and tangent. He said it can stand for “some old horse caught another horse taking oats away” or something like that. He also said think of it as an Indian chief. I thought it would be fun to have ChatGPT write a story about the Indian chief idea. I had it write one, then he read it and critiqued it, so I repromted. Here are the two iterations that it came up with. The prompts are listed above their respective story. Slight proofreaderal edits were made.
Story 1
Prompt: My Algebra teacher taught us the mnemonic “SOHCAHTOA”. He said think of it as the name of a mythical Indian chief to remember it. Can you write a short story about a math related Indian chief named SOHCAHTOA?
Story
Once upon a time, in the vast mathematical plains of Numerica, there lived a wise and revered Indian chief named Chief Sohcahtoa. His tribe, the Trigonometriks, were known far and wide for their prowess in solving the mysterious and complex problems that often befuddled neighboring tribes.
Chief Sohcahtoa was not an ordinary chief; he possessed a magical knowledge of the sacred trigonometric arts. His wisdom was so profound that his name became a mnemonic for generations of mathematicians who sought to unravel the secrets of triangles.
One day, a young apprentice named Geo ventured into the village seeking the guidance of Chief Sohcahtoa. Geo was eager to prove himself as a worthy mathematician and gain the respect of his peers. He approached the chief's dwelling, a hut adorned with geometric symbols, and respectfully requested an audience.
The wise chief welcomed Geo and sensed the young mathematician's determination. "Ah, young one, I see the curiosity in your eyes. The path of trigonometry is not an easy one, but with the guidance of Sohcahtoa, you shall find your way," Chief Sohcahtoa proclaimed.
Under the chief's tutelage, Geo learned the mystical ways of sine, cosine, and tangent. The chief explained how Sohcahtoa’s magic could unlock the secrets of right-angled triangles and navigate the vast landscapes of mathematics.
As Geo immersed himself in the teachings of Chief Sohcahtoa, he began to see the world through the lens of triangles. Trigonometric functions became his allies, and he could measure angles and distances with newfound precision. The other villagers marveled at Geo's growing expertise and regarded him as a promising mathematician.
One day, a neighboring tribe, the Algebraians, challenged the Trigonometriks to a mathematical duel. The outcome would determine the fate of their territories. Geo, now a skilled disciple of Chief Sohcahtoa, stepped forward to represent his people.
The duel unfolded in a field of mathematical symbols, and Geo faced off against the Algebraian champion. With the teachings of Chief Sohcahtoa echoing in his mind, Geo deftly applied the magical trigonometric principles. He solved equations, calculated angles, and demonstrated the power of Sohcahtoa.
In the end, the Trigonometriks emerged victorious, thanks to the wisdom of Chief Sohcahtoa and the skill of Geo. The defeated Algebraians acknowledged the supremacy of the Trigonometriks and their revered chief.
Chief Sohcahtoa smiled proudly at Geo, recognizing that the young mathematician had embraced the sacred knowledge and used it to bring glory to their tribe. From that day forward, the legend of Chief Sohcahtoa and his apprentice Geo spread far and wide, inspiring mathematicians throughout Numerica to follow the path of triangles and unlock the secrets of the mathematical realm.
Story 2
Prompt: My teacher read this and didn't like a few things. He says math is not magic or mystical. We shouldn't be puffed up. We shouldn't vie for power, and we should glorify God, not our tribe. He also thought it was sad that Chief Sohcahtoa smiled proudly at Geo. Can you rewrite this story, fixing these errors and any similar errors? Please, keep the same overall concept.
Story
In the tranquil expanse of Numerica, nestled among the rolling hills of logic and reason, there was a wise and respected leader named Chief Sohcahtoa. Chief Sohcahtoa led a tribe known for their proficiency in the art of trigonometry. The community, guided by principles of humility and respect for knowledge, held the understanding that mathematics was a tool to explore and comprehend the world.
One day, a young enthusiast named Geo approached Chief Sohcahtoa, expressing a keen interest in learning the ways of trigonometry. Understanding the importance of fostering a healthy curiosity for the subject, Chief Sohcahtoa graciously welcomed Geo into the fold of knowledge.
Under the mentorship of Chief Sohcahtoa, Geo delved into the practical and logical aspects of trigonometry. The chief emphasized the significance of understanding the relationships between angles and sides in right-angled triangles, without attributing any mystical or magical qualities to the subject.
As Geo progressed in his studies, he began to appreciate the beauty of mathematical precision and the ability to solve real-world problems through trigonometric principles. The community observed Geo's growing expertise with admiration, recognizing his dedication to the pursuit of knowledge.
One day, a neighboring tribe, the Algebraians, proposed a friendly mathematical challenge. The objective was not to vie for power but to celebrate the shared pursuit of understanding. Geo, having honed his skills under Chief Sohcahtoa’s guidance, stepped forward as a representative of his community.
In the spirit of camaraderie, Geo and the Algebraian champion engaged in a mathematical exchange. Both sides shared insights and approaches, appreciating the diverse methods each brought to the table. It became a collaborative exploration rather than a competition for dominance.
As the contest concluded, Geo and the Algebraian champion acknowledged each other's strengths and weaknesses, fostering a sense of unity through the language of mathematics. There were no winners or losers, only individuals enriched by the experience of shared learning.
Chief Sohcahtoa, far from expressing pride in a boastful manner, simply nodded in acknowledgment of Geo's growth and the positive exchange between the tribes. The chief recognized the importance of humility in the pursuit of knowledge and the value of collaboration over the desire for supremacy.
The legend of Chief Sohcahtoa and Geo spread not as a tale of conquest but as a story of communities coming together to celebrate the inherent beauty of mathematics. The villagers continued their exploration of Numerica, guided by the principles of respect, humility, and the understanding that the pursuit of knowledge is a shared journey that transcends tribal boundaries.
Thoughts
ChatGPT writes in a very interesting style. Also, it’s kind of interesting how when I told it to correct stuff the second time it very specifically said stuff like “far from expressing pride in a boastful manner” because I told it my teacher that it was sad that he smiled proudly.
Please enjoy a bigger view of the post hero image. This was generated by Dall E. I have a post that mentions Dall E here. I generated one original image and then had it generate more and slightly modify the prompt around the edges. I thought the picture did very well at expressing the post content. Anyway, here it is.
