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Started By
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Math whizzes, can you find the error in this math problem?
Posted on 7/23/21 at 11:43 am
Posted on 7/23/21 at 11:43 am
16
Posted on 7/23/21 at 11:45 am to GumboPot
quote:
can you find the error in this math problem?
It was posted on the wrong board.
Posted on 7/23/21 at 11:45 am to GumboPot
Funny things happen when you assume arithmetic works the same when applied to infinities.
Posted on 7/23/21 at 11:45 am to GumboPot
I'm not doing your kid's homework for you.
Posted on 7/23/21 at 11:45 am to GumboPot
Bout 350
Posted on 7/23/21 at 11:50 am to STLDawg
quote:
Funny things happen when you assume arithmetic works the same when applied to infinities.
You're right. Infinity minus infinity is indeterminate. That is the error.
With that said apparently there is an entire branch of mathematics devoted to assigning real values to indeterminate forms.
Posted on 7/23/21 at 11:51 am to GumboPot
You are manipulating an infinite series as if it is a finite sum, which it is not.
Posted on 7/23/21 at 11:51 am to GumboPot
Posted on 7/23/21 at 11:51 am to soccerfüt
Posted on 7/23/21 at 11:52 am to GumboPot
It’s an indefinite number
Posted on 7/23/21 at 11:52 am to GumboPot
quote:
can you find the error in this math problem?
Yes, the sun of infinite positive whole numbers does not equal -1/8.
Posted on 7/23/21 at 11:54 am to OysterPoBoy
I took a math class a couple years ago that just dealt with shite like this. I hated every second of it
Posted on 7/23/21 at 11:54 am to GumboPot
Posted on 7/23/21 at 11:58 am to GumboPot
I don't understand where the factor of 9 comes in.
Is this for a calculus course? Solving limits algebraically?
Is this for a calculus course? Solving limits algebraically?
This post was edited on 7/23/21 at 11:59 am
Posted on 7/23/21 at 11:58 am to Tangineck
quote:
You are manipulating an infinite series as if it is a finite sum, which it is not.
Nah. That's not the error.
The problem happens when S minus 9S occurs. S is an infinite sum of positive whole numbers but infinity minus infinity is indeterminate. Now infinity plus infinity is determinate. It's just infinity.
When subtracting infinity from infinity you can manipulate each infinite series to come up with any number you want. Physicists do it in String Theory where the result is -1/12. However apparently that manipulation has a physical meaning in nature.
Posted on 7/23/21 at 11:59 am to GumboPot
Posted on 7/23/21 at 12:00 pm to tiggerthetooth
quote:
Is this for a calculus course? Solving limits algebraically?
Indeterminant forms are not taught until calc II, IIRC.
This post was edited on 7/23/21 at 12:01 pm
Posted on 7/23/21 at 12:03 pm to GumboPot
Something something to the Nth power
Posted on 7/23/21 at 12:06 pm to GumboPot
quote:
The problem happens when S minus 9S occurs. S is an infinite sum of positive whole numbers but infinity minus infinity is indeterminate. Now infinity plus infinity is determinate. It's just infinity.
This falls under
quote:
quote:
You are manipulating an infinite series as if it is a finite sum, which it is not.
This
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