The 0.999... = 1 Fiasco

Dross · 2007-10-24 01:37:46

I am putting a formal request (if such a request is necessary/required/recognised) that someone from site admin put a stop to the on-going joke that has become Anthony R Brown's crusade to convince all of us that 0.999... is not equal to 1.

Let me also say that I am the last person who would want to stop open-minded discussion, alienate or ostracise another person, or make them feel in any way "bullied" or chastised. I may not like someone, but I think I can still have a fair amount of respect for their feelings and points of view.

However, the truth of the matter is that this situation has gotten utterly ridiculous. So far, no fewer than nine topics have been started which concern (either as their main or only subject matter) the 0.999... = 1 issue (see below for the list I got from looking at the first few pages in the "This is Cool" forum), with a total of 1,302 posts between them. Most of the topics were started by Anthony, and most of the posts in them have been either from or too Anthony. On a more subjective note, most of the later posts say the same things - there are simply no new things to say, as the subject has been flogged to death. Furthermore, around half of the topics have already been closed to discussion by a moderator anyway.

This is quite simply a waste of everybody's time.

Recently, Wikipedia deleted his posts, with the following comments being made:

jpgordon (on Wikipedia) wrote:

Anthony's Arguments
Removed. There is no reason for Wikipedia to be providing a platform for Anthony; it's time for him to go elsewhere. I'll be removing all his nonsense as it appears. --jpgordon 15:40, 23 October 2007 (UTC)

jpgordon (on Wikipedia) wrote:

I've semi-protected the page for a few hours; he seems to be enjoying himself too much. Go find yourself another playground, Anthony; you're wasting everyone's time here. --jpgordon 20:38, 23 October 2007 (UTC)

(source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:0.999.../Arguments)

I believe that we are the "playground" referred to in the latter of these comments. These useless discussions make the site and the forum a much less respectable and reputable environment for both existing users and visitors to the site, indeed giving the impression of a playground even though the rest of the forums are places for reasonable, rational and well-debated discussion.

I would like to suggest that Anthony either be banned from the site, and/or have his posts deleted as soon as possible. It might sound harsh to some - to others, it would be a welcome relief.

~~~

List of topics concerning 0.999...:

1) 0.9999....(recurring) = 1? by i am evil, always will be (856 posts)

2) Cut A Hole! In A Sheet Of Paper Problem!... by Anthony.R.Brown (20 posts)

3) Domestos Kills 99.999...Percent of all Germs! by Anthony.R.Brown (101 posts)

4) Infinite 0.9 And Recurring 0.9 : Posts Only! : Unbiased! by Anthony.R.Brown (8 posts)

5) INFINITE 0.9 <> 1 PROOF : COMPLETE : By,Anthony.R.Brown,15/02/07 by Anthony.R.Brown (28 posts)

6) INFINITE 0.9 <> 1 PROOF By,Anthony.R.Brown,15/01/07. by Anthony.R.Brown (129 posts)

7) IF TWO NUMBERS START WITH A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR VALUES! By A.R.B by Anthony.R.Brown (6 posts)

8) Genius Answer! 1/3 = by Anthony.R.Brown (67 posts)

9) I disagree with 0.999... = 1 by Traesk (87 posts)

Devantè · 2007-10-24 07:34:53

So, in other words, just about all of the topics ever started by Anthony.R.Brown, you mean.

Well, back in the good ol' days, when Anthony.R.Brown just registered and began posting, we were having a nice, settled argument. But for some reason, Anthony.R.Brown began to annoy people, which caused insults and immense disagreement. Let this be a lesson to each and every one of us; always seem wise and enlightened ... rudeness and intolerance is bad.

MathsIsFun · 2007-10-24 09:21:16

For me it is the fact that he is becoming rude ... not acceptable.

John E. Franklin · 2007-10-24 11:31:03

You guys make me laugh!!!! )

bossk171 · 2007-10-24 12:00:47

Why not just combine all the different threads and let him "play in his playground" by himself. If it offends you, don't read it If it doesn't offend you, well that's fine too.

landof+ · 2007-10-24 17:07:28

actually, I disagree with the theory of 0.999... being able to be multiplied by 10, because there is no end, which actually gives the extra value.

Zach · 2007-10-24 22:43:19

Surely you can multiple it by 10. It'll just be 9.999...

Devantè · 2007-10-24 22:53:00

And, surely, based on the above statements, this proof would be valid;

x = 0.999...
10x = 9.999...
10x-x = 9.999...-x
9x = 9
9x/9 = 9/9
x = 1
0.999... = 1

Could someone tell me the error in this proof?

Maelwys · 2007-10-24 23:14:15

Wow, I'm impressed! Here is a thread complaining that there's too many 0.999... = 1 argument threads around, and you guys have managed to convert it into a 0.999... = 1 argument thread within the first 8 posts. And Anthony wasn't even around to blame! ;-)

Devantè · 2007-10-24 23:15:34

Well, technically, we're discussing why Anthony.R.Brown is acting in his immaturity in such simple proofs.

Identity · 2007-10-25 01:58:58

You forgot to mention Anthony's hijacking of other threads with his 'WHY?'.

Devantè · 2007-10-25 02:45:03

Why?

Zach · 2007-10-25 03:01:11

Why not?

Math Is Fun Forum

#1 2007-10-24 01:37:46

The 0.999... = 1 Fiasco

#2 2007-10-24 07:34:53

Re: The 0.999... = 1 Fiasco

#3 2007-10-24 09:21:16

Re: The 0.999... = 1 Fiasco

#4 2007-10-24 11:31:03

Re: The 0.999... = 1 Fiasco

#5 2007-10-24 12:00:47

Re: The 0.999... = 1 Fiasco

#6 2007-10-24 17:07:28

Re: The 0.999... = 1 Fiasco

#7 2007-10-24 22:43:19

Re: The 0.999... = 1 Fiasco

#8 2007-10-24 22:53:00

Re: The 0.999... = 1 Fiasco

#9 2007-10-24 23:14:15

Re: The 0.999... = 1 Fiasco

#10 2007-10-24 23:15:34

Re: The 0.999... = 1 Fiasco

#11 2007-10-25 01:58:58

Re: The 0.999... = 1 Fiasco

#12 2007-10-25 02:45:03

Re: The 0.999... = 1 Fiasco

#13 2007-10-25 03:01:11

Re: The 0.999... = 1 Fiasco

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