Does Zero Divided by Zero Equal One and Zero at the Same Time?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the mathematical concept of dividing zero by zero (0/0) and whether it can be interpreted as equating to both one and zero simultaneously. Participants explore the implications of this division, the nature of zero, and the validity of various interpretations.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that dividing zero by zero acknowledges the 'presence' of more than one zero, leading to the conclusion that 0/0 could equal both 1 and 0.
  • Another participant argues that a calculation cannot yield two values simultaneously and emphasizes that 0/0 does not have a defined value, referencing different limits that can approach 0/0.
  • A third participant asserts that dividing by zero is not permissible and indicates confusion in the original post, suggesting a lack of mathematical rigor.
  • Further clarification is provided that even if two zeros are considered, they are ultimately the same, challenging the notion of multiple zeros.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express disagreement regarding the interpretation of 0/0, with some asserting it cannot equal both 1 and 0, while others explore the idea of multiple zeros. The discussion remains unresolved, with no consensus on the nature of zero or the validity of the original claim.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the complexity of limits and the undefined nature of division by zero, indicating that assumptions about the nature of zero and its representation are not universally accepted.

Slicklight
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Please bear with me. This is my first post.

I've put together quickly, with the best logic I could fathom, a solution to the infamous 0/0.

Does 0/0 = 1 and 0 at the same time with respect to 0?

By taking zero and dividing it by zero, you acknowledge that there is, in fact, the 'presence' of more than one zero. So "a zero" divided by "a zero" is also "a zero" no?
So zero isn't actually 'just plain' zero so much as it is... a zero. A single zero. One zero. Get it?

0/0 = 0

But 0 = (1*0)

Hence there are no ones, there is one zero.

1*0 obviously equals zero but... there is 'a'... zero. Presence.


Could someone aid me with my recent confusion/is this question more for a psychology/philosophy/theoretical physics themed site?
 
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I see no "mathematics" or "pschology/philosophy/theoretical physics in what you wrote, just a lot of confusion mixed with as little "mysticism" when you talk about "zero isn't actually 'just plain' zero so much as it is... a zero. A single zero. One zero". Or was that just a pun on the different meanings of "one" in English.

I hope you see that a calculation cannot be "0 and 1 at the same time". 0/0, as a single calculation simply doesn't have a value. There are a number of different limits that, if you were to ignore basic rules of limits, would appear to give "0/0" but in fact can give many different limits: \lim_{x\to 0} x^2/x= 0, \lim_{x\to 0} x/x= 1, \lim_{x\to 0} ax/x= a for any a.
 
Slicklight,
The short answer is that you can't divide by zero. Period.

You have a lot of confusion about zero. Perhaps this post will be helpful: https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=530207

Owing to the lack of actual mathematics in your post, I am locking this thread.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Slicklight said:
By taking zero and dividing it by zero, you acknowledge that there is, in fact, the 'presence' of more than one zero.
No, there's only one. The way to see this is to consider what happens if there are two zeros, let's call them 0 and 0'. We would have 0'=0'·0=0. So the two zeros are the same.

Slicklight said:
So zero isn't actually 'just plain' zero so much as it is... a zero. A single zero. One zero. Get it?
Not at all.
 

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