Explaining Infinity

In depth explination

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AgQQzB1hN21y4DeSVDHqvWvsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20070906154910AAAXBMz&show=7#profile-info-tkGymxxEaa
from WinCustomize Forums
So I'm a part of Yahoo! Answers and I didn't really spend a whole lot of time researching my answers until this one popped up, and it was rather interesting. I'm taking a rather high math class for my age and I understand most aspects of everything up to calc, but while browsing I saw this quesion titled "Infinity?????????" Check out the link and look at my first answer and then the update (both on the 5th post, name's Stephen G) and let me know what you think, I'm looking for some feedback on what I found out. Thanks, Stephen
2,526 views 16 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It makes sense.

Now try to figure this one out. It is true.

Mathematically .999 = 1  

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Three thirds?   
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Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
mathematically, no. pictoratus is right.

I could make it really confusing and say that .999 is infinity away from 1   
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
.000… becomes 0/9 = 0.
.111… becomes 1/9.
.222… becomes 2/9.
.333… becomes 3/9 = 1/3.
.999… becomes 9/9 = 1.

  
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I really didn't want to believe you at first, but a quick trip to wikipedia explained it all out:



That pic basicly breaks down 9/9 [1] into two numbers, multiplies them together and gets .999...
Thanks for the insight, thats another one of those tricky things that I love figuring out.
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I dunno what you people are smoking but since when was 0.111 = 1/9?

It is not, and never will be.

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I think there should more '1's at the end of that 0.111 ... a whole lot ... as in infinity     
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I think they meant 0.111r   

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Yeah, hence the reason it's written .111... and not just .111

If you still done want more proof, go to the wikipedia link;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.999
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

These old arguments pop up periodically since time immemorial, simply because proponents try to adopt mathematical treatise to that which are not actual numbers, but concepts.

0, 1, and Infinity are concepts.....states of mathematical absolutes, and there has always been quaint 'mathematics' to demonstrate the 3 states are one and the same...eg. 1 = 0 = Infinity.

It doesn't actually PROVE anything, other than certain people having more time on their hands than is healthy.....

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Doesn't matter what spin you put on it, 0.9r will never =1, it will always be short by an infinitesimal amount.
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The math is right there, if you still don't believe it take a calculator and convert 1/3 into a decimal. It will give you .333r Now multiply that by 3, in reality it should give you .999r

Go ahead and try it, you will get 1 everytime. In fact calculators don't even have .999r programmed into them, go ahead and try whatever you want, you will never be able to get .999r

For even more proof go to the wikipedia link I posted, it talks about people like you and how they don't want to believe it.
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Go ahead and try it, you will get 1 everytime. In fact calculators don't even have .999r programmed into them, go ahead and try whatever you want, you will never be able to get .999r

Oh come on....if you need to reference/rely on a calculator to interpret your mathematics/logic then there's going to be no point in arguing/debating.

A calculator is a tool, and as mindless as its operator.

Remember...

Some moistened bint ripping a scimitar out of a rock is not a basis for government....

Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I hope you weren't refering to me with that statement Jafo, because I'm not the one who had to rely on a calculator. As soon as I saw the equation I posted on wiki it all made sense, but for people like Fuzzy who couldn't understand it i simply refered them to a calculator.

Is that REALLY such a bad thing?
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Aye, and if my granny had wheels she'd be a waggon...