why it's possible to divide by zero

[unpopular]

because nothing is stopping mathematicians from performing a negative square root. The only difference is that imaginary numbers are useful! Just because the result of division by zero cannot be determined doesn't mean it shouldn't be symbolized!

I say we should give these "unpopular numbers" the recognition they deserve!

 

[Derrel]

As in zero recognition?

 

[amolitor]

Surreal number - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Your line is now something like:

"Thank you, that's very interesting. I think that the link you cited doesn't deal properly with the Saturnian Cloud Worm problem, however. Can you take some photographs of elk?"

 

[runnah]

I had that on my résumé for a while. It got a few laughs and no jobs.

 

[unpopular]

division by zero doesn't have the same value as zero!

mathematicians are just lazy and discriminatory.

 

[480sparky40 40]

Last time I divided by zero, I created a space-time continuum warp. It quickly digressed into a worm-hole, and ended up as a black hole.

It's the basis for shows such as Star Trek, Stargate SG-1, Sliders, Quantum Leap etc. But I haven't seen any royalties yet.

 

[jwbryson1]

.999 (BAR) = 1.0000000

Precisely. I can prove it if you disbelieve....

 

[unpopular]

Last time I divided by zero, I created a space-time continuum warp. It quickly digressed into a worm-hole, and ended up as a black hole.

It's the basis for shows such as Star Trek, Stargate SG-1, Sliders, Quantum Leap etc. But I haven't seen any royalties yet.

You must have been using an Pentium V

 

[unpopular]

.999 (BAR) = 1.0000000

Precisely. I can prove it if you disbelieve....

stop being so rational

 

[dbvirago]

Try to write a computer program that divides by zero. Fastest way to crash a computer

 

[unpopular]

Try to write a computer program that divides by zero. Fastest way to crash a computer

Yes. I always wondered though what is physically happening within the CPU/FPU when you attempt this. What physically causes the crash?

I've also wondered what would happen if you square root a negative input current on an analog computer. SOMETHING has to come out the other end, right?

 

[jwbryson1]

.999 (BAR) = 1.0000000

Precisely. I can prove it if you disbelieve....

stop being so rational

Nice pull! :thumbup: