Curious where 9th grade math is used?

Submitted by david.thacker on
Given a collection of points in space, can you find a certain type of curve that passes through all of them? This is called the interpolation question. The answer is that we can and we can use the process to detect and correct errors in data entry. How? Using Reed-Solomon codes.
A simple geometric idea has been used to power advances in information theory, cryptography and even blockchain technology.
In a proof-of-concept test, NASA scientists encoded the Mona Lisa onto a laser beam and sent it from Earth’s surface to a lunar spacecraft. Reed-Solomon codes were used to correct transmission errors introduced by Earth’s atmosphere.

Curious where 9th grade math is used? Check out this unexpected application.

How Mathematical Curves Enable Advanced Communication

A simple geometric idea has been used to power advances in information theory, cryptography and even blockchain technology.

Given a collection of points in space, can you find a certain type of curve that passes through all of them? This is called the interpolation question. The answer is that we can and we can use the process to detect and correct errors in data entry. How? Using Reed-Solomon codes.

How much of a difference does this math make? Check out the two images

In a proof-of-concept test, NASA scientists encoded the Mona Lisa onto a laser beam and sent it from Earth’s surface to a lunar spacecraft. Reed-Solomon codes were used to correct transmission errors introduced by Earth’s atmosphere.

Read the full article at https://www.quantamagazine.org/how-mathematical-curves-power-cryptography-20220919/

Attributions
By Ms. Whiteside