Math Is Fun Forum

calculator

Member

Registered: 2013-11-06

Posts: 3

Divide by zero

Do you ever think there would be a second imaginary number?  A one about x/0?  There could be one, since √-1 was once thought to be impossible.

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Divide by zero

Hi calculator;

One problem with x / 0 is that when we have

we can multiply that 3 on both sides and it makes sense.
6 does equal 2 * 3. But since we agree that 0 x anything = 0 let's see what happens. Supposing we say

we multiply by 0 on both sides and get the contradictory statement that 6 = n * 0 when we already know that anything times 0 is 0.

So, I would say you will never see that definition changed.

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In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

Agnishom

Real Member

From: Riemann Sphere

Registered: 2011-01-29

Posts: 25,002

Website

Re: Divide by zero

Those arithmetic are clearly not working with x/0 but that does not stop you from calling it an imaginary number.

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'And fun? If maths is fun, then getting a tooth extraction is fun. A viral infection is fun. Rabies shots are fun.'
'God exists because Mathematics is consistent, and the devil exists because we cannot prove it'
I'm not crazy, my mother had me tested.

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Divide by zero

It is undefined. Imaginary number was a term used for a complex number.

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

Agnishom

Real Member

From: Riemann Sphere

Registered: 2011-01-29

Posts: 25,002

Website

Re: Divide by zero

I meant, a new kind of a number

---

'And fun? If maths is fun, then getting a tooth extraction is fun. A viral infection is fun. Rabies shots are fun.'
'God exists because Mathematics is consistent, and the devil exists because we cannot prove it'
I'm not crazy, my mother had me tested.

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Divide by zero

It leads to too many contradictions to call it anything.

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.