Division by Zero.....

why division by zero isnt zero......

take this example that i use to learn math

if you got 10 apples, and there is 5 people, how many apple do each people get? 2

so if you got 10 apples, and there is no people, so how many apple do each people get? none, because there is no people to give too... so doesnt it mean zero?

 

no. you still have the apples that didnt distributed yet.

so it is undefine.

 

And that's why you can't explain math using objects. There's always a loophole.

"But what if someone eats the apple?"

 

Let me follow this up with another question:

Take the limit of the function f(x)= 1/x as x -> 0.

What is the limit?

Here's a hint, graph the function and trace the graph on both sides where x=0.

 

10/1 -> eat apple -> (10-1)/1... no problem.

 

How about this, Hypr:

If you have a limit of f(x) = (6x^6 + 8x) / (2x^4) as x -> 0, you get an undefined answer. Do you agree or do you have skills to pay the bills?

Edit: Where I thought L'Hopital's rule was in order, Hypr proved (in IRC) that it didn't work. GJ, Hypr. I'll get you next time.

 

The limit does not exist in that problem.

Worked out solution

 

f(x) = c/x as x -> 0+-0 is +-infinity
(for c != 0)

 

http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=limit+of+f(x)+%3D+(6x^6+%2B+8x)+/+(2x^4)+as+x+->+0

Asymmetrical graph is asymmetrical.

 

Do you even know what the mathematical definition of 'limit' means?

And no, your answer is not acceptable; it's wrong. +/- infinity is not even a valid answer for limits.

 

An appreciation of maths is hardly nerdy.

 

ahhh, my head... so zero does not equal zero?

 

Guess what, you're using a computer which does a lot of mathematical computations in the background (and I dare you to prove me wrong on this), which makes you a nerd as well. Pot calling the kettle black!

No, it's just anything divided by zero is undefined.

Also, for Calvin, does my explanation with limits help explain why anything divided by 0 is undefined?

 

Apparently, the post you quoted doesn't exist anymore.

 

wait there is an explanation? all i see is bunch of math formula.... i'm very slow when come to math.....

 

Haha. Well, That makes it two of us.

 

Be careful what you call undefined. If it is assumed 1/0 results in infinity, and everybody accepts this, then it is defined as such. Just like 2+2 can be 5.

Also, in some fields 1/0 is defined. A good example for this is floating point. Computers have to be able to handle division-by-zero somehow.

 

how exactly can that happen?