Originally posted by Bunk
View Post
- Visitors can check out the Forum FAQ by clicking this link. You have to register before you can post: click the REGISTER link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. View our Forum Privacy Policy.
- Want to receive the latest contracting news and advice straight to your inbox? Sign up to the ContractorUK newsletter here. Every sign up will also be entered into a draw to WIN £100 Amazon vouchers!
Maths query
Collapse
X
-
-
Originally posted by Bunk View PostYou can divide 0
If I'm dividing with '0' I'm not really dividing am I? So in fact 'something' divided by '0' is in fact the same as doing nothing.
I've just solved an infinite number of equations by dividing by them by nothing."Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience". Mark TwainComment
-
If this thread is going to turn into users attempting to attribute infinity with scale, I'm out.
"Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience". Mark TwainComment
-
We were taught that dividing x by y was just working out how many times y needed to be taken away from x to equal 0.
Hence 20 / 4 = 5 means 4 needs to be taken away from 20 5 times to be 0.
Therefore x/0 is infinite as it does not matter how many times you take 0 away from x it will never equal 0.Comment
-
Originally posted by MyUserName View PostCan you? Or do you mean that you can but the answer is just infinity?Comment
-
This is similar to the square of -1 question. That is, it can't be expressed as a whole number so is replaced in formulas by a representation.Comment
-
Originally posted by MyUserName View PostWe were taught that dividing x by y was just working out how many times y needed to be taken away from x to equal 0.
Hence 20 / 4 = 5 means 4 needs to be taken away from 20 5 times to be 0.
Therefore x/0 is infinite as it does not matter how many times you take 0 away from x it will never equal 0.
In practicle terms, it the same as asking someone: "how long is...?". You haven't finished the question so there is no answer (and it certainly isn't infinity).Comment
-
Listen, this is a well-worn problem with a simple answer. The answer is: yes, they are equal when using real numbers, due to the rules of the real number system. Knock yourself out:
0.999... - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia...Comment
-
0.999 recurring is an expression which is impossible to evaluate. The closest approximation which is possible to evaluate is 1. That doesn't mean they are the same. Is it as good as 1? yes. Is it equal to one? clearly not as it's impossible to evaluate.Comment
-
As others have said it is a good apprximation to 1 but it does not equal 1.
Each time you add a 9 to your 0.999999 you are getting a better approximation to 1 - even if you went to 0.9999 ... and carry for a couple of million 9's you will just be getting a better and better approximation to 1 but it will never equal 1.
- If you did a graph of it the lines would never meet but they would get so close that you could not tell the difference.Comment
- Home
- News & Features
- First Timers
- IR35 / S660 / BN66
- Employee Benefit Trusts
- Agency Workers Regulations
- MSC Legislation
- Limited Companies
- Dividends
- Umbrella Company
- VAT / Flat Rate VAT
- Job News & Guides
- Money News & Guides
- Guide to Contracts
- Successful Contracting
- Contracting Overseas
- Contractor Calculators
- MVL
- Contractor Expenses
Advertisers
Contractor Services
CUK News
- Streamline Your Retirement with iSIPP: A Solution for Contractor Pensions Sep 1 09:13
- Making the most of pension lump sums: overview for contractors Sep 1 08:36
- Umbrella company tribunal cases are opening up; are your wages subject to unlawful deductions, too? Aug 31 08:38
- Contractors, relabelling 'labour' as 'services' to appear 'fully contracted out' won't dupe IR35 inspectors Aug 31 08:30
- How often does HMRC check tax returns? Aug 30 08:27
- Work-life balance as an IT contractor: 5 top tips from a tech recruiter Aug 30 08:20
- Autumn Statement 2023 tipped to prioritise mental health, in a boost for UK workplaces Aug 29 08:33
- Final reminder for contractors to respond to the umbrella consultation (closing today) Aug 29 08:09
- Top 5 most in demand cyber security contract roles Aug 25 08:38
- Changes to the right to request flexible working are incoming, but how will contractors be affected? Aug 24 08:25
Comment