Originally posted by bogeyman
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!
Is infinity more than 6000?
Collapse
X
-
Insanity: repeating the same actions, but expecting different results.
threadeds website, and here's my blog. -
Since transfinite calculus was invented, there's been division among mathematicians about whether it's a good way of doing things. There's a group who reject the notion of infinite for reasons given here already. Mathematically, it's a valid position.
In my mind though, it's a limiting position. (excuse the pun, for those with the wit to spot it). Mathematics isn't about - how is this applicable? How does this help us understanding the real world? It is a simply an observation and investigation about how certain rules (axioms) fit together, and consequences of those axioms. When physics comes across something new, they generally find that the maths has already been invented - this was the case for relativity, quantum mechanics.
Mathematics already has areas of severe "edge". The whole issue of computability. "Will the rules of arithmetic ever lead to contradiction." Probably not - but it is has been proved that you can't prove that arithmetic will never lead to a contradiction.
The concept of infinity does have important, real world, implications. For example - it is provable to say "You can't design an algorithm to check whether a program is bug free".
Infinity is a very useful concept when you need to consider "all". In the above example, "all" computer programs. It turns out that the number of programs that can be written is the same as the number of real numbers that can be written out. So it turns out that understanding that the cardinality of the real numbers is "bigger" than that of the integers has important, real world implications.
Infinites are used in quantum mechanical calculations. Without these, we wouldn't have computers, lasers,... any digital consumer electronics.
Hey - but don't let that stop you whiffling on a subject where you haven't even the bare bones of understanding. This is CuKLast edited by NotAllThere; 22 May 2009, 05:05.Down with racism. Long live miscegenation!Comment
-
I much prefer the 'good guess' to 'transfinite' theory.
If Physicists had followed Cantors continuum hypothesis we wouldn't have Quantum mechanics for example.
There again I follow the 'Copenhagen model' of quantum mechanics, (well I would ), and that the mathematics used is just a tool in the box that has been found to fit, rather than an actual 'good' description.Insanity: repeating the same actions, but expecting different results.
threadeds website, and here's my blog.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