Mathematics

I know that infinity is indefinite, and thus could be regarded as not being a number. With that, I realize that attempting to perform any arithmetic operations on infinity(other then 1/infinity, but that technically isn't an arithmetic operation either, though it looks like one) is both futile and meaningless. I thought that the limit of f(x)=x^(0.5) or (x+(x+4)^0.5)^0.5 is infinity as x approaches infinity. However, the graph of y= x^0.5 appears to have an horizontal asymptote (it does however, appear to be indefinite) Why is there such an asymptote? Is the square root of infinity some other indefinite constant which is not infinity? Or is the square root still infi…

Can anybody help , with a basic tutorial for the introduction to tensors - with a workable example , perhaps. My algebra and calculus , is ok but slightly rusty.

I am looking for in depth reasons for why division by zero must remain undefined.

I'm taking part in a course with the Open University and I have been given an assignment, which includes a question asking me to calculate the speed of someone diving off a diving board. The distance given is 4.6m and the acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 m s-2. I'm totally lost and have no idea where to start in trying to calculate this. The context of the question is in relation to solving equations by changing an equation round. If anyone can shine some light on this for me I would be forever grateful.

Thread, Over 1/4 century ago, I was reading about base 256 and the book stated that if you used all the english letters and numbers, and borrowed characters from other languages you would still not have 256 identifiable characters, and nobody was about to come up with such a character set...so I took that as a challenge and came up with 256 unique and sensible characters. I wrote a basic program on my Commodore 64 Executive that printed them all out. I sent it in to the patent office, but they said you couldn't patent a number system, but I might be able to copyright the characters. I told various people about the system over the years, and entertained various ide…

A person who can solve x2 − 92y2 = 1 in less than a year is a mathematician. Brahmagupta http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmagupta's_formula This is mine whats yours? 1/1508996212705581.8 = 6.62692186753095e-16

if there's a positive infinity, can there be a negative infinity?

In your opinion, what equations, solutions, or sets are the most elegant math equations ever solved or conceived of? Personally, I like Euler's identity. That is, e^(i*pi) +1 = 0. The way it is proven is also something to marvel at too, since it comes directly out of complex analysis.

It says that a 'system' cannot be understood (or 'described') without the 'rules' of a 'higher' system. 1. Give me a better, but equally short definition. 2. Well.... I guess '2' depends upon 1. I want to know.

The rays of the sun that hit the planet Earth are parallel, we know that. Even ancient Greek Eratosthenes knew that because he used this particularity for measuring the Earth's radius. Then the question arises: why at the sunset do we see the sun rays converging towards the sun? (it is a sequel of an old thread I cannot find back)

would negative distance occur in a theoretical situation where the length of a straight line between two points is greater than that of a non-straight line?

Hi everyone! Here's the ongoing challenge: Using any mathematical operations you want, but only four 4s (Or less) for the numbers, create equations to equal as many numbers as possible. Here are the rules: 1. All four "4"s must be used in each equation. 2. No other numbers can be used in the equations. 3. You may use any mathematical operations and symbols (not including symbols for other numbers, like Pi, e, etc.) you wish. 4. The answers in this thread will start with trying to find an answer resulting in 1, then the next person must find a solution resulting in 2, the next person 3, and so on. 5. This is to continue as long as answers can be found. 6. …

I understand exponents, I eventually figured out how you manually do negative exponents, but how do you do something like: 3^.4? How do you do something like: abs[3]^3? Can you multiply together absolute values? I am only in algebra right now, not even geometry, but nobody else even cares how they do as long as they pass, but i want to understand this stuff!

how do i work out the area of a circle without a calculator? thanx

36 / 6(2+2+2) = ?? What is the right answer?? 1 or 32 ?? My friend told me, "use BODMAS.. ==> 36/6*6 ==> 6*6= 36 "

If you know some interesting or fun facts about square roots, I would love to know them. I have few so far: - square root of 2 is the diagonal of a square who's side length = 1; square root of 3 is the diagonal of a cube who's side length =1 - a list of the most popular square roots and their answers any information that will inspire others to learn more about square roots is appreciated!

I have little math, But i came across this fact about prime numbers which i thought was interesting and worth a share, Most properly old to those with math, 23X23=529 =(24X22)+1 29X29=841=(24X35)+1 31X31=961=(24X40)+1 37X37=1369=(24X57)+1 41X41=1681=(24X70)+1 I was wondering if there is any sequence to this? Between the multiples of 24? A little find like this to me, brings a new interest and lets me explore where i would otherwise perhaps never go. So my first thought was 3x24 -1=73, So i googled 73 , 73 is an emirp, m…

I was just wondering; is there any way, within the realm of what is practically possible, to write out the number 'googolplex' in its long form? I mean, writing it down on paper is obviously impossible; it would probably take more than a googol years to do so, no to mention that the universe isn't even close to being large enough to accommodate the amount of paper that would be required. But modern computers are capable of extraordinarily rapid calculations and the like. Is there any way for a computer to render the googolplex in its full form? Even in principle? Oh, for anyone who doesn't know, a googolplex is 10^10^100; 1 with a googol zeroes after it.

Continuity and uncountability Discussion about continuity of line, how continuity is related to uncountability and the continuum hypothesis. The real line is made of real numbers which are points. Points are discrete objects, but lines are continuous objects. How does continuity arise out of discreteness when points make line? The idea of uncountability solves this problem. Rational numbers are countable, the line they make contains holes. Real numbers are uncountable, the line they make is continuous. So, continuity must be created by the uncountability of the points of a continuous line. One can imagine that uncountable points are so numerous on the real line that real …

hello guys! i have a column with a shape of a cylinder. the radius is 2cm and the heigh is 5cm. i have to calculate the cross-sectional area of the column. i wonder what is the formula and how is the calculation? it has been a long time since i last had my math lectures, so i really hope for some help! thanks alot!

I don't know how to ask this question, so I'll just give something; my question: is there a formula which can put this 'phenomenon' in a general form? [math]1^2 = 1[/math] [math]11^2 = 121 \rightarrow 1+2+1=4=2^2[/math] [math]111^2=12321\rightarrow 1+2+3+2+1=9=3^2[/math] [math]1,111^2=1234321\rightarrow 1+2+3+4+3+2+1=16=4^2[/math] [math]\cdots[/math] How can this be put in a general, mathematically more plausible expression? I think that this is a 'crucial' part of it: (I found it about a few minutes ago; sorry if it's wrong, haven't seen summations in school yet..) (To be honest, I'm pretty happy with the result that I found this ^^ ) [math]\left[\sum…

The equation of a circle [math](x-h)^2+(y-k)^2=r^2[/math] where (h,k) is the center and r is the radius. The equation of the circumference has no bearing on if it is or isn't a circle. When a circle spins, the circumference shortens and the radius stays the same. Is a circle, spinning near c, still a circle?

Im not posting this in the physics forum because i feel its more of a amth question. My friends and i have bulit an air cannon and i wish to analysis it mathematically...after a couple of hours i came up with an equation i think would do. I was wondering if people could look at my work and see of they see anything wrong with it. First off my aircannon has a simple chamber then a valve and then a barrel. You pump air in to the camber and then let relase the valve and then the projectile is shot(ps i have never used LaTex before so we will see how this goes) first off i started with the equation [math] p=\frac{F}{A}[/math] In this problem i am going to assume the …

OK I admit I thought I was losing my sanity when I thought of this, but then I realized people thought Galileo was crazy when he said that the Earth went around the Sun. I am a (fairly)good mathematician and I know better than to question integer division by zero is undefined, but what about 0/0. Basically, for the past one week I was thinking about 0/0. Not integer division by zero but only about zero divided by zero. To prevent "You must be out of your mind" replies, I would like to state the.... uh.... rules first. Here's my theory. f(x) = x/x is a constant function giving the value 1. Therefore, 0/0 is also 1. IF you're going "OMG, Gasp.... what a sacrilege…