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/sci/ - Science & Math

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File: 64 KB, 492x450, DivideBy0.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
1830166 No.1830166 [Reply] [Original]

Hey /sci/, I'm settling a bet with my math teacher. I know that x/0 is TECHNICALLY undefined, so anytime I write 0 or infinity, replace it with "approaches 0" or "approaches infinity." Because 0/x is 0, than x/0 is the reciprocal of 0, which approaches infinity. Now, here is where we disagree. She says that they can't be reciprocals because anything multiplied by an unlimited quantity (infinity) is infinity, and anything multiplied by 0 equals 0. But I say that these two non-values cancel out, resulting in a net answer of 1. Who is correct in this situation?
Pic related. It's /b/'s first post when I asked them this question.

>> No.1830194

non op bump

i'm curious

>> No.1830230

This is an OP bump.
So am I.>>1830166

>> No.1830251

it's a moot point either way until someone finds a problem that can only be solved by multiplying those reciprocals, and where a result is reached that makes sense one way, and makes no sense the other way

>> No.1830262

>>1830251
Way to think positive.

>> No.1830269

> x/0 ... approaches infinity.

No, no it doesn't. If f(x) = 1/x, f(x) approaches infinity as x approaches 0. But just plain, 1/0? That doesn't make any sense.

You're an idiot. Stop making these threads. You CAN'T "multiply by infinity" and you CAN'T "divide by zero." It doesn't make any mathematical sense. Get over it. Tell your math teacher you're sorry for saying anything so ridiculous.

>> No.1830289

Infinity isn't a number you twit. You can't have the reciprocal of something that isn't a number.

>> No.1830294
File: 79 KB, 500x375, colbert-lockwood.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
1830294

>>1830166
>Who is correct in this situation?

Your math teacher is
we really cannot treat this kinda "infinity" as the reciprocal of 0

\thread

>> No.1830296

>>1830269
You're making me sad. I think you just skipped over the explanation portion and just did the math.
Ok. So 1 divided by X such that X approaches infinity is equivalent to N such that N approaches 0. So the reciprocal (1 over N such that N approaches 0) must equal X such that X approaches infinity.
It's a bit awkwardly worded, but I think this is actually a valid point. Could 0 multiplied by infinity equal 1?

>> No.1830304

>>She says
She is a woman
quod erat demonstrandum
She is wrong

>> No.1830306

Limits.

>> No.1830311

>>1830304
I scientist must keep himself free of all bias.

>> No.1830312

>>1830296
>0 multiplied by infinity equal 1?

lol....no

1) There are tons of different kinda infinities

2) Assusming you mean the basic real infinity, no your statement is false

>> No.1830320

>>1830166
>my math teacher
>She

She hot? Post pics.

>> No.1830322

>>1830311
A scientist. Not I scientist.

>> No.1830329

>>1830320
I think you're probably new here. Go to /b/.

>> No.1830354

>>1830296
Say you have x*y = 1.
As x approaches infinity, y approaches 0.

But you CAN'T FREAKING MULTIPLY SOMETHING BY INFINITY. It's not a number.

>> No.1830366

>>1830296
Dude either way you word it, it's impossible to divide by zero. Plain & simple. Limits don't help because it only explains as it approaches a number on the graph, it doesn't explain what value it has at all! And because X/0 has no graph, there is no such limit. And multiplying infinity by another number is still infinity either way you put it, unless it is 0 then it's just 0. So stop over thinking, just stick to the basics or GTFO!

>> No.1830384
File: 48 KB, 561x499, 1277425332067.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
1830384

>>1830329
GTFO!
Anon asked for tits!
TITS ARE WELCOME ON ALL BOARDS!
IM FUKCING SICK OF YOU ENGINEERS!
YOUR GAY SEX MAKES ME SICK!
LEARN TO LOVE TITS!

>> No.1830397

>>1830296
There's a lot of flawed assumptions here. Way too many to sort through.

I count at least three off the top of my head. So instead I'll just tell you that your question makes no mathematical sense.

>> No.1830408

>>1830384

I assure you as an engineer who loves tits I implore anon to post pics.

>> No.1830448

Well although you make a terrible argument you still are more right. You said she, so if you are not a woman yourself then it doesn't matter what she says, you're right.