Is the Density of Points in an Interval Twice as Much with Double Length?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of density and cardinality of points in intervals, particularly in relation to black hole singularities and the comparison of infinite sets. Participants explore whether the density of points in a longer interval is proportionally greater than in a shorter interval, and how this relates to the nature of singularities in black holes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that both 2/0 and 1/0 are undefined, making comparisons about their relative sizes meaningless.
  • It is proposed that to compare infinite sets, one must determine if there is a one-to-one correspondence between the members of the sets, leading to the conclusion that the intervals [0, 1] and [0, 2] have the same cardinality despite differing lengths.
  • One participant questions the meaning of "twice as much" in the context of singularities, suggesting that it must relate to a specific quantity such as size or density.
  • Another participant mentions that the singularity at the center of a black hole leads to density approaching infinity while volume approaches zero, complicating comparisons of density between black holes of different masses.
  • There is a suggestion that the comparison of densities of singularities may be as meaningless as comparing 2/0 to 1/0 due to their undefined nature.
  • Some participants express uncertainty about the implications of density and size in the context of black hole singularities.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the comparison of infinite sets and the nature of singularities raises complex questions, but there is no consensus on how to interpret "twice as much" in this context. Multiple competing views remain regarding the implications of density and the nature of singularities.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations in understanding the definitions and implications of density and size in relation to singularities and infinite sets, with unresolved mathematical and conceptual challenges present.

Stephanus
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[Mentor's Note: Thread moved to Astrophysics since it concerns black hole singularities]

Dear PF Forum,

I am just wondering about this. See if anyone can help me.

Is [itex]\frac{2}{0}[/itex] is twice as much as [itex]\frac{1}{0}[/itex]?
Is the above question wrong?

Is the number of points in 2 cm lines twice as much as the number of points in 1 cm lines?
Is the above question wrong?

Thanks.
 
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2/0 and 1/0 are both undefined so the question about their relative sizes is meaningless.

To compare infinite sets the trick is to see if you can assign every member of one set to a member of the other set ... so whole numbers and counting numbers have the same "size" (more accurately: the same way of being infinite) but counting numbers and real numbers are not - with real numbers being "more infinite" or a higher order of infinity.

Look up "Aleph notation" and "Cantor" and you'll be able to answer the question about 1cm and 2cm line segments yourself.
 
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Simon Bridge said:
2/0 and 1/0 are both undefined so the question about their relative sizes is meaningless.

To compare infinite sets the trick is to see if you can assign every member of one set to a member of the other set ... so whole numbers and counting numbers have the same "size" (more accurately: the same way of being infinite) but counting numbers and real numbers are not - with real numbers being "more infinite" or a higher order of infinity.

Look up "Aleph notation" and "Cantor" and you'll be able to answer the question about 1cm and 2cm line segments yourself.
Hi Simon Bridge, glad to see you again.
Actually I want to know the answer of Black Hole singularity.
Is the singularity of 20 solar mass Black Hole is twice as much as the singularity of 10 solar mass Black Hole. But this should belong to other thread.
Thanks for your answer.
 
Is the singularity of 20 solar mass Black Hole is twice as much as the singularity of 10 solar mass Black Hole. But this should belong to other thread.
(my emph) "twice as much" what?

You cannot have twice as much by itself it has to be twice as much of something.
eg. 4 s twice 2 but it is not twice as much as 2; but 4 cups of water is twice as much water as 2 cups of water.

Remember too that the singularity is not a physical object but a mathematical term that means "undefined".
 
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Simon Bridge said:
(my emph) "twice as much" what?
Remember too that the singularity is not a physical object but a mathematical term that means "undefined".
Twice as much "size"? "density"?
I don't know if size and density is the correct question.
Thanks for your answer. Perhaps I should go back to Cosmology Forum.
It's just that the word "singularity" sounds similar to "infinity"
See you in Cosmology Forum before my thread being deleted by the moderator. :smile:
 
OK - the reason there is a singularity at the center of a non-rotating black hole is because the equations do silly stuff as the radius approaches zero.
i.e. The density approaches infinity and the volume approaches zero.

In terms of volume they are both the same: 0.
The comparison of densities - is the density of one twice the density of the other? That's a question for Cantor - but it is unclear what it would mean.
I'd be inclined to think it is more like comparing 2/0 with 1/0: meaningless due to "undefined".
 
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Stephanus said:
Is the number of points in 2 cm lines twice as much as the number of points in 1 cm lines?
Is the above question wrong?
There are the same number of numbers in the interval [0, 2] as there are in the interval [0, 1]. Two sets have the same cardinality if there is a one-to-one, onto function that numbers in one of the sets with those in the other set. Although the interval [0, 2] is twice the length of the interval [0, 1], the two sets have the same number of points in them.
 
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Although the interval [0, 2] is twice the length of the interval [0, 1], the two sets have the same number of points in them.
heh heh heh so does that mean the linear point density of the interval [0,2] is half that for the interval [0,1]?
But I was hoping Stephanus would discover about cardinality and application to infinite sets... the problem, though, seems to be the application to the singularity question.
 
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