The discussion revolves around the concept of negative dimensions, exploring whether such a dimension could exist alongside the conventional positive dimensions of space and time. Participants engage with theoretical implications, definitions, and the nature of dimensions in both classical and quantum contexts.
Participants generally disagree on the concept of negative dimensions, with some asserting that such dimensions cannot exist while others explore the idea more freely. The discussion remains unresolved, with multiple competing views present.
Some definitions of dimensions and their applications in various fields, such as fractal theory and topology, are discussed, highlighting limitations and the complexity of the topic without reaching a consensus.
This discussion may be of interest to those exploring theoretical physics, mathematics, and the philosophical implications of dimensionality.
True, but I'm saying would it be possible for there to be a dimension where everything worked inversely as we see things happen? I suppose a more suitable name would be a reversed time dimension_PJ_ said:I don't think the word 'negative' makes any sense in regards to dimensions. One could choose a coordinate system that reversed the sign of the bases for a given dimension, which would affect the sign related to any such results appropriately, but this would only serve to hindet or facilitate calculation, it would not impact on the reality at all.
I suspect you're not really proposing a theory so much as a fantasy without foundation, rationale nor potential for testing.
Dimensions are not parallel or alternate realities/universes.SakoNova said:True, but I'm saying would it be possible for there to be a dimension where everything worked inversely as we see things happen? I suppose a more suitable name would be a reversed time dimension
This is a false understanding of what a dimension is. A dimension is in any of its uses I know of a synonym for some kind of extension: whether it's mathematically a coordinate, or physically a quantity like length, time, mass, energy or whatsoever. @_PJ_ mentioned a reverse measurement of such an extension, but this is still an extension. That's the additive version of what you called "inverse". The multiplicative version would be a quotient, like frequency is. This, too, is physically a dimension. The fact that it counts something per second is only of technical interest and doesn't affect what is meant by a dimension. Therefore, there cannot be something of negative dimension. As soon as it is there, it has a positive dimension of some kind.SakoNova said:True, but I'm saying would it be possible for there to be a dimension where everything worked inversely as we see things happen? I suppose a more suitable name would be a reversed time dimension
Yes. As far as I know, the weirdest you can get are some non-integer dimensions in fractal theory or topology. The smallest thinkable is a point, which has dimension zero. It "exists" without any extension.SakoNova said:Oh. I see what you mean. So there can be no negative dimensions
No, a dimension is stuff that can be measured (or hypothesized), the units you measure it in and whether you call them positive or negative units is arbitrary.SakoNova said:Oh. I see what you mean. So there can be no negative dimensions