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1/oo = 0
Posted:
May 8, 2001 4:58 PM
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I just completed a long debate with Dr. Math about how the infinite
series of 1/(2^n) = 1. Our debate ended by saying that the series
essentially sums to .999... which is equal to 1 if we assume that
1/oo=0. In other words:
.999... = 1 - 1/oo = 1
Assuming that 1/oo=0 is nothing new. We make this assumption in
calculas when determining the value of limits. However, I wonder if
there is a contradiction here. Here is one issue I see:
1 = oo/oo = oo * 1/oo = oo * 0 = 0
In terms of the Intergal, the width of each rectangle is of length
1/oo. If we say that 1/oo=0, then the area would always be zero.
Does anyone on this list have any insight here or know of a reference
which addresses this issue ? I think Dr. Math is tired of me asking
these types of questions...
MIke
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