Maths FAQ: 0/0, Infinity/Infinity, What is Infinity, 0.999..=/=1

[matt grime]

Ah! That's something that ought to get a mention: the definitoin of a function. Mind you I'd probably only get on my high horse and contradict teachers who set silly and unmathematical questions such as: what is the largest domain of the function 1/(x^2-2)

 

[Zurtex]

It all looks good to me, I think a general FAQ will save a lot of time. Although it will need to include as many methods as possible on how to prove something and demonstrate them clearly enough for anyone to understand (remember that a lot of people who claim that 0.999... does not equal 1, will also probably have little understanding of mathematical terms beyond early years of high school).

 

[Chrono]

It all looks good to me, I think a general FAQ will save a lot of time. Although it will need to include as many methods as possible on how to prove something and demonstrate them clearly enough for anyone to understand

I can't wait for it! I'm already getting excited.

 

[mathwonk]

I once taught a prep class for potential elementary school teachers in which we discussed why .9999... = 1, in our general discussion of what numbers mean and how you represent them and add them and so on, including "carrying" and "borrowing". One of them got so excited about it she tried to convey it to her peers at her next job. I think they shunned her though.

 

[Chrono]

I think they shunned her though.

Now, why would they do such a thing like that?

 

[Hurkyl]

Bumping so I don't lose this again!

 

[Gokul43201]

Rebumping ... in light of parallel discussion here.