Re: Interesting math

Hatunen <hatunen@xxxxxxx> writes:

Division by zero is undefined. Anyone who has even dabbled in basic
number theory knows that. And division by zero does not create an
infinite number for that reason. What we CAN say is that as the
divisor approaches zero the result grows larger and larger.

I'm sure you know this, but this is only necessarily true if the
dividend is constant. If the dividend and divisor are functions of a
variable, the quotient can go to anything you like as the divisor
approaches zero. 2x/x, for example, will approach two. x^2/x will
approach zero. If the divisor goes to zero faster than the dividend
does, the quotien will, in fact, diverge to infinity.

--
Evan Kirshenbaum +------------------------------------
HP Laboratories |The body was wrapped in duct tape,
1501 Page Mill Road, 1U, MS 1141 |weighted down with concrete blocks
Palo Alto, CA 94304 |and a telephone cord was tied
|around the neck. Police suspect
kirshenbaum@xxxxxxxxxx |foul play...
(650)857-7572

http://www.kirshenbaum.net/


.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Interesting math
    ... infinite number for that reason. ... divisor approaches zero the result grows larger and larger. ... translate into their own language and forthwith it is something entirely ...
    (alt.usage.english)
  • #Num! Error
    ... When there is a number in the divisor, everthing is fine, ... but when the divisor is zero (the dividend is always zero at that point as ... The control source for this control is: ...
    (microsoft.public.access.reports)
  • Re: Question about divisors of zero
    ... I would like to know whether divisor of zero(in any of the systems ... been useful in explaining some physical phenomena or has it been more ... In physics, all over the place, you use matrices. ... The rings of matrices are chock-full of zero divisors. ...
    (sci.math)
  • Re: Interesting math
    ... infinite number for that reason. ... divisor approaches zero the result grows larger and larger. ... dividend is constant. ...
    (alt.usage.english)
  • Re: #Num! Error
    ... Use IIfto test for zero in the divisor: ... When there is a number in the divisor, ... > but when the divisor is zero (the dividend is always zero at that point as ... The control source for this control is: ...
    (microsoft.public.access.reports)