Jump to content

Is 1 to the power of infinity (1^infinity) indeterminate?

Featured Replies

Yes

 

If we let 3^0 then;

 

(3^0)^infinity=3^(0*infinity)=3^((1-1)*infinity))=3^(infinity-infinity)(3^infinity)/(3^infinity)=infinity/infinity) <br><br> which equals any positive number.

Edited by Realintruder

no 1^infinity=1 because no matter how many times we multiply 1 by 1 we still get 1

same with infinty√1 being=1

0^infinity=0

infinity√0=0

Edited by fiveworlds

  • Author

 

no 1^infinity=1 because no matter how many times we multiply 1 by 1 we still get 1

same with infinty√1 being=1

0^infinity=0

infinity√0=0

 

<br><br>

Not if you multiply one by itself infinity times.<br><br>

(1^0)[which is redundant]^infinity equals 1^(0*infinity)=1^(infinity-infinity) which is indeterminate. Since infinity minus infinity can equal any real number.<br><br>

But if change the base to 3, and substitute 3 for 1 in the above equation it shall not at all change the above value and we get 3^(infinity-infinity) which we can further reduce to <br><br>

(3^infinity)/(3^infinity)=infinity/infinity which equals any positive value.<br><br> As when you multiply the above by any positive value it still equals the above of infinity/infinity<br><br>

 

What about (3^0)^infinity=1...to the infini-ith that is base <b>3 to the 0</b> to the infinity equal <b>1</b> you have a comprehension problem with is beyond me.

no 1^infinity=1 because no matter how many times we multiply 1 by 1 we still get 1

But the problem is that infinity is not a real number and so you have to be very careful using it as if it were. As the expression given could have more than one 'sensible' meaning it is taken to be indefinite for safety reasons.

Not if you multiply one by itself infinity times.

(1^0)[which is redundant]^infinity equals 1^(0*infinity)=1^(infinity-infinity) which is indeterminate. Since infinity minus infinity can equal any real number.<br><br>

But if change the base to 3, and substitute 3 for 1 in the above equation it shall not at all change the above value and we get 3^(infinity-infinity) which we can further reduce to <br><br>

(3^infinity)/(3^infinity)=infinity/infinity which equals any positive value.

 

As when you multiply the above by any positive value it still equals the above of infinity/infinity

 

 

What about (3^0)^infinity=1...to the infini-ith that is base <b>3 to the 0</b> to the infinity equal <b>1</b> you have a comprehension problem with is beyond me.

Not so - 1 is 1 in all bases. Unity in base 10 is the same as unity in base 3.

[math]1^{\infty}[/math] is an indeterminate form, yes, though the reasoning presented in the original post doesn't entirely work, since, as mentioned, infinity isn't simply a number we can toss in for the purposes of arithmetic.

By the same token, since infinity isn't a number, when we see something like [math]1^{\infty}[/math], we should understand it as shorthand for the result of some limiting process. Furthermore, there are various ways to approach this limit, and various paths lead to various values. This is why it is considered indeterminate.

  • Author

[math]1^{\infty}[/math] is an indeterminate form, yes, though the reasoning presented in the original post doesn't entirely work, since, as mentioned, infinity isn't simply a number we can toss in for the purposes of arithmetic.

 

By the same token, since infinity isn't a number, when we see something like [math]1^{\infty}[/math], we should understand it as shorthand for the result of some limiting process. Furthermore, there are various ways to approach this limit, and various paths lead to various values. This is why it is considered indeterminate.

 

Not so.

 

Infinity times 0 equals any number because infinity (1-1) which it is equal to, is equal to anything

 

(infinity-infinity) equals any number.

 

Thus infinity is not treated as just a concept but as an interminately large quanity when added any finite number to one side does not make a difference.

Thus infinity is not treated as just a concept but as an interminately large quanity when added any finite number to one side does not make a difference.

The point is that infinity is not a real number and so you have to take care with expressions involving it, as your example here shows. The usual thing is to understand it in terms of limits, as already stated. If the limit is not well defined then the natural thing to do is to take the expression as being indeterminate.

no 1^infinity=1 because no matter how many times we multiply 1 by 1 we still get 1

same with infinty√1 being=1

0^infinity=0

infinity√0=0

Not necessarily. Although not as related, an example of the assumption fallacy is the summation of 1 to infinity. Although we think it is infinity, it actually would be -1/12(from Numberphile, a great YouTube Channel).

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.