Re: Mathematician Using Nil With Students

Sorry guys, don't confuse the computer scientist with a mathematician.

Dividing by zero in computers is bad.

Dividing by zero in mathematics or engineering analysis is defined (from a
behavior standpoint anyway). If it weren't many analysis we do simply
wouldn't work out.

For example, to define an impulse for the study of frequency analysis you
use a critter whose integral area is 1.0 and a pulse widthof zero. The
magnitude is infinity. Try doing it almost any other way and you'll have a
difficult (or impossible) time.

The problem of computers not being able to handle that kind of analysis
without "fudging" is a well known shortcoming of computers. Some of those
problems can't be handled well even with a fudge so are nailed as
"undefined". They're only undefined in the digital world!

Dan




"Mike Vance" <nospam@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:MPG.1fe25ac3c0ac5ad8989685@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I encountered this artciel about a mathematician explaining the meaning
of nil to his students. Okay, he calls it "nullity" but he should of
called it nil. Perhaps he is acquainted with Pascal. He says that he
uses it to help solve division by zero. The article is located at:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/berkshire/content/articles/2006/12/06/divide_zero_f
eature.shtml



.

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