Dividing infinity

[QuickDEMOL1SHER]

So my idiot friend came up this idea: If you divide infinity by 2, you get 0.
His explanation is that theoretically there is an infinite number of positive numbers ad an infinite number of negative numbers. Therefore, the middle point of both those infinities would be zero.

Being worse at math than the average chimpanzee I couldn't really argue.
So what do the people of the Escapist think?

 

[BillyShakes]

I think it would end the world.

...I'm all for it.

 

[Ftaghn To You Too]

*BRAINSPLOSION*

That sounds... logical... I guess..

 

[Omikron009]

Infinity isn't a number, just a concept, so you can't really factor it into mathematical equations. That's my smart sounding possibly incorrect answer. Let's see you do better.

 

[aruseusx]

Infinity isn't a number, just a concept, so you can't really factor it into mathematical equations. That's my smart sounding possibly incorrect answer. Let's see you do better.

Tell that to X and Y.

 

[Arcticflame]

What? That doesn't work at all.

If I'm infinitely fat, that doesn't mean I have fat where some of it is negative some is positive. All my mass is positive.

That's ignoring the fact that infinity is a concept, not a number.

Infinity isn't a number, just a concept, so you can't really factor it into mathematical equations. That's my smart sounding possibly incorrect answer. Let's see you do better.

Tell that to X and Y.

X and Y aren't infinity, they just sometimes represent him, they are like spokespeople.

 

[Cherry Cola]

Actually, his evaluation is faulty.

A positive number can Never be divided into a negative number. It just won't happen.

 

[dududf]

[sub][sub]Oh..wait...Yes that is true. Awkward moment now..[/sub][/sub]

 

[dr3amer]

Well, tell your friend that it's really simple: if you divide infinity by ANY number (including infinity), you get infinity. Hope they were joking, though.

 

[sabotstarr]

well, say infinity=9 for the purpose of the argument (infinity is a concept of forevermore correct?)
so 9/2 =/= 0....no... X/2 =/= 0, it's just not possible.

EDIT: and yes x/2 = 0 if x = 0

 

[reinersailer]

in this case, the positive and negative numbers give the sum zero, so he divides zero and not infinity.
Have a good new year

 

[Haiman]

well, say infinity=9 for the purpose of the argument (infinity is a concept of forevermore correct?)
so 9/2 =/= 0....no... X/2 =/= 0, it's just not possible.

With the exception of 0. 0/2=0

 

[sabotstarr]

well, say infinity=9 for the purpose of the argument (infinity is a concept of forevermore correct?)
so 9/2 =/= 0....no... X/2 =/= 0, it's just not possible.

With the exception of 0. 0/2=0

yes, but infinity =/= 0
and yes x/2 =/= 0 UNLESS x=0....

 

[X Gintoki X]

Actually, his evaluation is faulty.

A positive number can Never be divided into a negative number. It just won't happen.

Exactamundo.

"bee-duu" incorrecto
here we go -8/4=-2 its that simple

now infinite can be expressed as 1/0 or Lim+ 1/x = 1/0 = positive infinity
........................................x->0

so it is 1/0/2=(1/0)/(2/1)=1/(2*0)=1/0 so infinite divided by 2 equals infinity

also he should specify whether it is negative infinity, positive infinity, or unsigned infinity. there are differences you can't group them all together.

 

[Threesan]

If you sum and add the infinite sequences +1, +2, +3... and -1, -2, -3...

I suppose you could also ask, "What is the sum of all integers (or whatever)?"

Would that be zero, or indeterminate, or nonsensical?

That might be the intent, in which case the statement "If you divide infinity by 2, you get 0" is in error. Unless there is a piece missing? E.g., write it as (1+2+(-1)) + (3+4+(-2)) + ... = ∑(2n-1+2n+(-n)), which would include all positive and negative integers but lead to infinity, or similarly negative infinity or zero.

So you could say ∞ = 0 = -∞,

Spoiler: but the problem is...

but the problem is (at least) that you're assuming g = f to get zero while taking g ≠ f to get +/-∞.

[sub](fin)[/sub][hr]

Actually, his evaluation is faulty.

A positive number can Never be divided into a negative number. It just won't happen.

Exactamundo.

6 ÷ -3 = -2 ?

Well, tell your friend that it's really simple: if you divide infinity by ANY number (including infinity), you get infinity. Hope they were joking, though.

∞ / ∞ is indeterminate [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indeterminate_form].

 

[Admiral Stukov]

ividing infinity by two will result in an infinity thats half as big but still infinite.
Thus: Infinity/2=Infinity
I was on a lecture on my university discussing the infinity concept, don't argue with the math proffessor.

EDIT: Ninja'd

 

[ctrl-alt-postal]

dividing infinity by two will result in an infinity thats half as big but still infinite.

MY BRAIN!

How many times would I /2 this infinity till it was small enough to see? Oh, infinitely?

*HEADSPLOSION*

[sub]This is the question we ask sentient robots to fry them.....[/sub]

 

[Dommyboy]

Actually, his evaluation is faulty.

A positive number can Never be divided into a negative number. It just won't happen.

Exactamundo.

Wow, are you serious? That's one of the most basic things you learn when you get into negative numbers.


-9 divided by 3 = -3