British flag theorem British flag theorem In Euclidean geometry, the British flag theorem says that if a point "P" is chosen inside rectangle "ABCD" then the sum of the squared Euclidean distances from "P" to two opposite corners of the rectangle equals the sum to the other two opposite corners. As an equation: The theorem also applies to points outside the rectangle, and more generally to the distances from a point in Euclidean space to the corners of a rectangle embedded into the space. Even more generally, if the sums of squared distances from a point "P" to the two pairs of opposite
The purpose of a system is what it does The purpose of a system is what it does The purpose of a system is what it does (POSIWID) is a systems thinking heuristic coined by Stafford Beer. Stafford Beer coined the term POSIWID and used it many times in public addresses. In his address to the University of Valladolid, Spain, in October 2001, he said "According to the cybernetician, the purpose of a system is what it does. This is a basic dictum. It stands for bald fact, which makes a better starting point in seeking understanding than the familiar attributions of good intention, prejudices about expectations, moral judgment,