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## Can x/0 be divided out

Say I had an expression that went like this

$$\frac{ 5 \frac{x}{0} }{3 \frac{x}{0} }$$

Can I divide those $\frac{x}{0}$ terms or do they make the expression undefined?
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 Recognitions: Gold Member Science Advisor Staff Emeritus Nope, you can't divide them out. The entire expression is indeterminate (NOT undefined). - Warren
 Recognitions: Homework Help Science Advisor I wouldn't say you can't divide them out so much as what you wrote is just plain wrong, being polite about it - the symbols make no sense as written.

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## Can x/0 be divided out

I think he means

$$\frac{ 5 \cdot \frac{x}{0} }{3 \cdot \frac{x}{0} }$$

to be read "5 times x over 0...", not "5 and x zeroths..."

- Warren
 Recognitions: Homework Help Science Advisor But is still makes no sense. x/0 is not a well-defined symbol in the real number system that one can manipulate like this.
 I think that was part of his question.
 1/0.1 is tha same as 1*10 1/0.01 is tha same as 1*100 1/0.001 is tha same as 1*1000 and so on ... 1/0 is the same as 1*oo and in both cases we are no longer in a finite system. oo is a general notation for infinity therefore 1/0 is also a general notation for infinity. Please look at: http://mathworld.wolfram.com/Infinity.html

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$$\frac{1}{\infty} = 0$$