See the construct here...
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa...EAAFAF2776CEFC5
Full Version: Which Infinity do you prefer?
I prefer the smaller countable one. It's big enough for me.
Infinities larger than other infinities? I understand the logic they've used, but come on, we're simply updating our view and our language. The infinite is endless, trying to divide it up and pair it off with another line of infinite thought is crazy.
Its similar to the Universe/Multiverse idea. We've defined the universe as everything, then decided its not. Silly, we should simply divide the universe, not expand it.
Its similar to the Universe/Multiverse idea. We've defined the universe as everything, then decided its not. Silly, we should simply divide the universe, not expand it.
QUOTE(trojan_libido @ Jul 24, 2007, 08:20 PM) 
Silly, we should simply divide the universe, not expand it.
If you were Lindsay, you'd give it another name! 
To unlimitedness, and beyond!
Can we make up our own infinities?
I would like to introduce the K Henwood infinity!
Granted it's much smaller in scale than the standard infinity, but interesting nonetheless!
I would like to introduce the K Henwood infinity!
Granted it's much smaller in scale than the standard infinity, but interesting nonetheless!
I hereby define the KH infinity (KHi) to be equal to 10 to the 50th power (10^50). We can define division by zero to be equal to KHi.
10^50 is larger than any number that has practical application in science or engineering, and division by that (10^-50) is so small as to be zero for all practical purposes.
10^50 is larger than any number that has practical application in science or engineering, and division by that (10^-50) is so small as to be zero for all practical purposes.
QUOTE(Rick @ Jul 25, 2007, 06:54 PM)
... so small as to be zero for all practical purposes.
Includes the planet Earth and humans. But one beat of the wings of a butterfly ...
Butterfly effects are not computable, so no need to consider them.
QUOTE(Rick @ Jul 25, 2007, 11:52 PM)
Butterfly effects are not computable, so no need to consider them.
Neither is the weather - just look at the forecasts over 2 days in advance - but a lot of computing power is spent on that! I think weather forecasters must obtain their training and qualifications from the same source as astrologers. In this case PhD means Potluck has Dominated!
QUOTE(Rick @ Jul 25, 2007, 01:54 PM)
I hereby define the KH infinity (KHi) to be equal to 10 to the 50th power (10^50). We can define division by zero to be equal to KHi.
10^50 is larger than any number that has practical application in science or engineering, and division by that (10^-50) is so small as to be zero for all practical purposes.
Yes! My infinity now has definition!
We had to start somewhere, now didn't we?
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