[split] 0.999... equals 1

[Rob]

Just because the numbers are infinity long does not mean they are them selves infinite. the numbers you cited have a value. 0.9^_ is somewhere close to 1 and 0.8^_ is somewhere close to 0.9. take one from the other and you get a number somewhere close to 0.1. This is because the amount of space required to accurately represent the number has no correlation to the actual value of the number.

[Meatball]

You're wrong.

Maybe I shouldn't say that. Maybe thousands of years of Mathematics is wrong.

[leo-rcc]

Okay I stand corrected on that one, however .999 to infinity - .888 to infinity does not equal zero though both are infinite.

Uh. sure it doesn't, because those aren't the same numbers. o.O

They are both infintes, and according to Adrian subtracting infinites gives zero.

The way I understand it is through fractions. To me it's just another way of expressing 1 through symbols, like how 2/2 = 1

It also helps to think of the fraction 1/3 to better understand. We all know 3/3 = 1

1/3 = .333...
1/3 + 1/3 = .333... + .333...
2/3 = .666...
2/3 +1/3 = .666... + .333...
3/3 = .999...
3/3 = 1 therefore .999 = 1

Does that make it clearer?

Do you realize why you get the .333... .666.... etc? Because it is not accurate. There shouldn't be an equal sign at all. Turning fractions into decimals will leave you with a rounding figure no matter where you put the rounoff point.

So no, I do not accept that .99999.... =1

[Eilonnwy]

If you don't want to accept an established fact of mathematics, that's your prerogative, but you're still wrong.

BTW, Rounding off a number means your are no longer expressing the exact number, just an approximation to make things simpler in certain situations. 1 divided by 3 is .3 repeating, or 1/3. Infinite numbers are supposed to be expressed with a line over the repeating number.

[leo-rcc]

I call bollocks on this mathematical truth. If I am wrong, so be it, but I've seen nothing convincing me that a number smaller than 1 equals 1.

[Violet]

Establishment doesn't make something right 1/3 is an approximation, because 1 does not perfectly divide into three parts. 1/2, on the other hand, divides perfectly into 0.5.

[Rhizomorph13]

Well,

If you take a bannana and split it through the middle it DOES split into three equal parts. It is God's way of showing us the validity of this mathmatical proof. You see the bannana is proof of everything! While it is one bannana it is also three seperate sections of the same fruit! It fits so perfectly in our hand! It also, when lubed properly...

This post has been cut short by the Foreign Umbilical Corporation from Kansas due to Young Observers of Unctiousness. Have a nice day.

Tee hee,
Rhizo

[Eilonnwy]

So are your saying you can't split a circle into 3 equal parts?

[Retorth]

It also helps to think of the fraction 1/3 to better understand. We all know 3/3 = 1

1/3 = .333...
1/3 + 1/3 = .333... + .333...
2/3 = .666...
2/3 +1/3 = .666... + .333...
3/3 = .999...
3/3 = 1 therefore .999 = 1

Does that make it clearer?

THIS is what I was trying to come up with.

I suppose this is one of those "controversial" things where people either agree, disagree or agree to disagree on lol I doubt you can be convinced either way once you have landed on your stand point.

[Rhizomorph13]

I think it is the mathmatical equivalent of the equivocation fallacy but I can't proove it. I know of no application for this fact in engineering, biology, or even psychology so I feel no great reason to agree or dissagree with it.

Rhizo