Another question for the science type folk out there...

[ramtrumpet]

Why is a number divided by 0 said to be undefined? In my mind, it should be positive or negative infinity. Since infinity is not a real number (as proven by the notion that infinity is all and adding or subtracting any number from it will still yield infinity) it would not be subject to the standard rules of division wherein the process could be

Comments

[seadootrickster]

My idea is this:

Boy, you think too much.

If it's bothered you for this long, you probably should be working towards a degree in Mathematics. Perhaps they have a lab that demonstrates the undefinition of a number divided by zero.

[purple_sax09]

What did that book say?
I think your idea is intriguing but there must be a reason why this idea was thrown out... Did they explain why?

heaven knows math is not my forte...

[bumblebee83]

oh josh, you make me smile. =)

ok so lets take a really simple number, say 12. take 12 and divide it into 3 groups. thats 4 per group. 3 groups of 4 is 12. again, take 12 and divide it into 2 groups, 6 per group, 2 groups of 6 is 12.

now take 12 and divide it into 0 groups. the 12 cease to exist. you also can't turn 0 groups of any number into 12. you could divide 12 into 1 group of 12, but you cant turn it into 0 groups because matter cannot be created or destroyed.

hope this helps, lol

[ramtrumpet]

You have a perfect example of division in real life. My problem is more with people who will say that you can find an answer to the square root of -9 which in my mind is impossible to conceptualize while you can't find the answer to 10/0. Why is the square root of -9 = 3i while 10/0 is undefined? At least when dividing by zero I can kind of see what the answer should be. I agree with you in a real world sense where I also feel that negative numbers don't really exist because how is it possible to have a negative quantity of something. Higher maths like calculus, however, are based on a lot of concepts that don't hold true in the real world. However, I guess Danny has taken more calculus than me and has the "real" explanation below for why we can't divide by zero.

[bumblebee83]

i is stupid, I don't like i either.

a real world example of a negative number is if you overdraw your checking account.

MY TURN!!!

[dandaman0690]

I think you nailed it on the head. the limit as x->0 of n/x would be pos or neg infinity. in calculus, as the limit of an equation approaches infinity, we accept that it does not exist. Which means n/0 does not exist, and is undefined in arithmetic.

[rfb]

ahem.
i think it's appropriate i comment on this.. as, obviously, the most intelligent person you know..

i'll give you a moment to get over that... and.. there

i will first say this.. you may not be able to put 12 individuals into zero groups, but those 12 individuals do not cease to be once . you simply don't call them groups..and zero groups spread over 12 individuals still gives you 12 individuals. i think i explained that right. but really don't care at this point. i'm sorta tired.

moving on to my next point.
go practice or something.. you aren't supposed to be thinking in this major.
..unless you're starting a mathcore band.. and then you're just Fn AWESOME

anyway.. sorry i'm a couple days late

[bumblebee83]

what you're thinking of is putting them into 1 group of 12. you cant make 0 groups.

[bumblebee83]

excuse me, i'm wrong about that. that would be 12 groups of 1! you still cant make 0 groups

[rfb]

yes you can.. 12 people not in a group is zero groups.. i don't personally consider myself a group..and i sort of hope you don't either

not to dwell on month old posts or anything.