Re: Infinite precision floating-point

On 2005-05-26 14:15:47 -0400, tar@xxxxxxxxxxxxx (Thomas A. Russ) said:

Well, I would say that there are a fair number of irrational numbers in
the analog world.   Pi and the square root of 2 for starters.

I believe you're missing the point. pi as defined relies on the existence of *perfect* circles. No perfect circles in the real world (and the quantum nature of the physical world means all "circles" are actually slightly bumpy) means no pi.

Similarly, square roots are a mathematical construct. Basically this is an argument between quantum mechanics and mathematical platonism. Pysicists hold that the platonic view of the world is not borne out by physical experimentation. If all physical quantities are discrete, not continuous, then there are no real world irrational quantities - every real world quantity can be reduced to an integer number of the fundamental unit for that quantity (charge, length, time, etc.).

.

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