Stan

• The letter x often symbolizes something unknown, with an air of mystery that can be appealing – just look at Elon Musk with SpaceX, Tesla’s Model X, and now X as a new name for Twitter.
• Many algebra problems use x as a variable, to stand in for an unknown quantity.
• There are a few different explanations that math enthusiasts have put forward – some citing translation, others pointing to a more typographic origin.

Ancient unknowns

• But many ancient societies had well-developed mathematical systems and knowledge with no symbolic notation.
• All ancient algebra was rhetorical.
• Ancient Egyptian mathematicians, who are perhaps best known for their geometric advances, were skilled in solving simple algebraic problems.
• For example, problem 24 asks for the value of aha if aha plus one-seventh of aha equals 19. “Aha” means something like “mass” or “heap.” The ancient Babylonians of Mesopotamia used many different words for unknowns in their algebraic system – typically words meaning length, width, area or volume, even if the problem itself was not geometric in nature.
• One ancient problem involved two unknowns termed the “first silver thing” and the “second silver thing.” Mathematical know-how developed somewhat independently in many lands and in many languages.

So what about x?

• When Spanish scholars translated the Arabic mathematical treatises, they lacked a letter for the “sh” sound and instead chose the “k” sound.
• However, there is some evidence that casts doubt upon the theory that using x as an unknown is an artifact of Spanish translation.
• I think that the most plausible explanation is to credit the influential French scholar René Descartes for the modern use of x.
• Whatever his reasons for choosing x, Descartes greatly influenced the development of mathematics, and his mathematical writings were widely circulated.

Xtending beyond algebra

• Even if the origins of x in algebra are uncertain, there are some instances in which historians do know why x is used.
• The X in Xmas as an abbreviation for Christmas definitely does come from the Greek letter χ.

• Legible Inc. (CSE: READ) (OTCQB: LEBGF) (FSE: D0T) (“Legible”) today announced that it will partner with Kartoon Studios (NYSE AMERICAN: TOON) (“Kartoon Studios”), the controlling partner of “Stan Lee Universe, LLC,” to launch STAN LEE COMICS, a line of digital and print comic books based on never-before-released stories and characters created by Stan Lee.
• With the never-before-seen comics, Stan also left us his unique editorial page as well, Yakkin’ with Stan, which will highlight each comic.
• Initiatives have included the critically-acclaimed premiere of Marvel Studios’ Stan Lee Documentary at the Tribeca Film Festival in June, followed by its debut on Disney +.
• The Life and Legacy of Stan Lee,” will launch at the Comic-Con Museum, featuring never-before-seen items donated by auction houses and private collectors.

• Today Roku, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROKU) and TCL Electronics announced that TCL Roku TV models will be coming to Australia.
• View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221103006002/en/
  TCL Roku TV - Australia (Photo: Business Wire)
  Roku TV models provide consumers with a seamless smart TV experience.
• These statements include but are not limited to the benefits, features, timing, and availability of TCL Roku TV models in Australia; and the features and benefits of the Roku platform.
• Roku and the Roku logo are registered trademarks and Roku TV is a trademark of Roku, Inc. in the U.S. and in other countries.

• Adding this talented group of real estate professionals further establishes Northmarq as a full-service investment sales and capital markets platform.
• With the acquisition, Northmarq will have nearly 1,000 professionals across its investment sales, debt/equity financing, loan servicing, and fund management operations.
• Founded in 1985, Stan Johnson Company has expanded from its roots in the Midwest to a full-service investment sales company, specializing in net lease investment sales and other areas including multi-tenant retail, office, industrial, self-storage and healthcare sales, as well as other specialty products and service lines.
• The addition of the Stan Johnson Company team will provide Northmarq the opportunity to offer our clients enhanced services related to retail, industrial, office and corporate solutions, said Trevor Koskovich, president of investment sales - Northmarq.