Re: Idle Thoughts

Nick Hodges [TeamB] wrote:
> Bob Dawson wrote:
>
>> 1 - 0.999... = x
>
> Here's the part I don't get. There /is/ no value of x for this
> expression, right? I mean, it's not 0. Or is it?

In standard mathematics, x=0. I don't know if there is any non-standard
system in which x<>0.

> I get that there is no number between 1 and 0.99999....., but is the
> difference between them actually 0? It sure seems like it shouldn't
> be.

If the difference is not 0, then half the difference won't be 0 either.
Which means you've found something between them. Which you have agreed is
impossible.

(This proof-technique, starting with the opposite assumption and trying to
end up with something known to be false, is called reductio ad absurdum)

Cheers,
Jarle


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