Re: Dangerous Knowledge
Reply #14 - December 05, 2010, 06:34 PM
it's not necessarily equal to infinity, it is just undefined. it's undefined in the same way x/0 is undefined(as defining it as 'infinity' has bad consequences).
though really, i'd have to ask if you're talking about infinity; which infinity? the 'countable' infinity(i.e. the 'size' of the set {1,2,3,4,...}) or the 'uncountable' infinities(which are larger).
also, just to make this clear: infinity is not a number, it's a concept. with respect to any diverging sum(e.g S = 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 +...) infinity is just indicating that this sum goes on forever and does not settle at any value.
maybe tlaloc can explain this better than i can :/