Cristian Tudor Popescu, holiday message. The equation “x²-5x+7=0” and a “theological” question

Journalist and writer Cristian Tudor Popescu wished the Romanians “happy holidays”, in a message in which he talks about mathematics and asks a question from the field of theology.

“The undersigned, on the occasion of Christmas and New Year, re-read from the Bible and, alternatively, solve math and physics problems,” writes CTP, in a message published on Friday on his Facebook page.

“I propose that you also think, between a wire and a glass of wine, about the following problem: given the equation x²-5x+7=0. Calculate the difference of the roots, x₁-x₂, without solving the equation,” the writer mentions.

“And a theological question: why do the Romanians, the vast majority of Orthodox believers, after bingeing to the point of refusal on Christmas Day and feeling sick, call 112 and go or are rushed to the doctors on call, instead of raising, at the icons around the house, a liberating prayer to the guardian angel, and if it doesn't work, even to Christ?”, added Cristian Tudor Popescu, in the post titled “Guardian Angel”.

On Wednesday, on Christmas Eve, the authorities announced that nine hospitals in the Capital will provide emergency medical assistance services during the Christmas period.

And on December 25, the spokeswoman of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Monica Dajbog, announced that approximately 23,000 employees of the MAI – policemen, gendarmes, firefighters, SMURD rescuers and border policemen – will be on duty, daily, during the Christmas mini-holiday.