- #1
netzweltler
- 26
- 0
Is the distance between any position A and any position B in infinite space always finite?
netzweltler said:To clarify this: I do not mean an expanding universe. I mean an actual infinite universe (let's assume the space our physical universe is expanding in is infinite). I just don't know what the correct mathematical model is.
mathman said:The simplest model is ordinary 3-space, using Euclidean geometry. Then every point with identifiable coordinates is at a finite distance from any other point with identifiable coordinates.
netzweltler said:What am I doing wrong in this thought experiment:
Infinitely many mathematicians are starting simultaneously from position A in their space ships. Each mathematician has chosen a different destination (a different position B). So there is one mathematician for each possible position B in space. Whenever a mathematician arrives at his destination there are infinitely many other mathematicians who haven't reached their destination yet. This is _always_ true. So, there are _always_ mathematicians who haven't reached their position B.
Does it mean, that _never_ all of them do arrive at their destination?
mathman said:Between any two points in space, the distance is finite. However there is no upper limit to distances between pairs of points, which is the essence of your example. I'll assume they are all traveling at the same speed.
Number Nine said:You may have an easier time understanding this if you understood the notion of a metric, which is how distances are defined in a mathematical sense. Take the plane as an example: A metric on the plane is a function that assigns, to every pair of points, a real number (subject to certain restrictions), which is the distance between the two. Pick any two points in the plain: their distance is then a real number ("infinity" is not a real number). You can then calculate the travel time based on that number; it my be arbitrarily large, but it is necessarily finite.
But there is always a set of mathematicians left still travelling. As long as you are one of the mathematicians of this set,
you are on an infinite trip. And the set never disappears.
netzweltler said:For simplicity yes, they are traveling at the same speed. Do you agree, that there are mathematicians on a non-ending trip in this setup?
netzweltler said:What about my statement, that the set of mathematicians who haven't reached their destination does exist forever? Is this statement true or false?
mathman said:My comment about the integers applies here. After any finite number there are an infinite number of larger numbers. For your question after any finite time there are an infinite number who are still going.
You need a precise definition of the set you are talking about.
I'll illustrate by using set theory. Let A(n) = {k|k >n}. Each A(n) is an infinite set. However the intersection of all A(n) is empty.
netzweltler said:Makes perfect sense to me from a set theoretical point of view. Is it possible, that "travelling forever" simply means "travelling to each position finitely apart" and not necessarily, that a position infinitely apart is reached?
mathman said:We seem to have reached a point where we are trying to define terms (like traveling forever). The math itself is clear.
netzweltler said:Is it possible, that "travelling forever" simply means "travelling to each position finitely apart" and not necessarily, that a position infinitely apart is reached?
To see the analogy it might be helpful to biject the previous example to the trip of the set of mathematicians who haven't reached their destination. Let's say
1. traveling the first meter → drawing the segment [0, 0.5]
2. traveling the second meter → drawing the segment [0.5, 0.75]
3. traveling the third meter → drawing the segment [0.75, 0.875]
...
Do we have two different definitions of infinite travelling?
1. Travelling between two points infinitely apart
2. Passing every finite meter/segment of infinitely many meters/segments
netzweltler said:to get an idea of what i mean it might help to clarify this first:
I am shifting the line [0, 1] in infinitely many steps to the left
step 1: I am shifting the line [0, 1] to position [-0.5, 0.5]
step 2: I am shifting the line at [-0.5, 0.5] to position [-0.75, 0.25]
step 3: I am shifting the line at [-0.75, 0.25] to position [-0.875, 0.125]
...
At which position is the line after infinitely many steps?
Number Nine said:[-1, 0]
netzweltler said:step 1: I am shifting the line [0, 1] to position [-0.5, 0.5]
step 2: I am shifting the line at [-0.5, 0.5] to position [-0.75, 0.25]
step 3: I am shifting the line at [-0.75, 0.25] to position [-0.875, 0.125]
...
Number Nine said:[-1, 0]
SteveL27 said:I don't follow that. It's like taking the sequence 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, ... and asking what's the value of the sequence "after infinitely many steps." If you're using the phrase to mean "what is the limit of the sequence as n goes to infinity," then the answer is zero. But there is no point at which the value of the sequence is actually zero; and that's a huge conceptual difference in a discussion like this. Isn't it?
At which step does the leftmost point of the line move to position -1?
netzweltler said:step 1: I am shifting the line [0, 1] to position [-0.5, 0.5]
step 2: I am shifting the line at [-0.5, 0.5] to position [-0.75, 0.25]
step 3: I am shifting the line at [-0.75, 0.25] to position [-0.875, 0.125]
...
According to the list above the position of the line is not defined after infinitely many steps, but the line has done an infinite trip.
netzweltler said:step 1: at t = 0 I am shifting the line [0, 1] to position [-0.5, 0.5]
step 2: at t = 0.5 I am shifting the line at [-0.5, 0.5] to position [-0.75, 0.25]
step 3: at t = 0.75 I am shifting the line at [-0.75, 0.25] to position [-0.875, 0.125]
...
All shifting is done before t = 1. No action is done at t = 1. Countable infinity doesn't allow a last shift at t = 1, which clearly is needed for point -1 to be covered.
"Positions in Infinite Space" refers to the concept of measuring and determining the location of objects in a three-dimensional space that has no boundaries or limits.
Understanding positions in infinite space is crucial in many fields of science, such as astronomy, physics, and mathematics. It allows us to accurately describe the location and movement of objects in the universe and make predictions about their behavior.
Scientists use various methods and tools to measure positions in infinite space, such as telescopes, satellites, and mathematical equations. These methods often involve measuring the distance and direction of an object from a reference point.
Yes, positions in infinite space can change due to the movement of objects. For example, the position of a planet in relation to other objects in the universe will change as it orbits around its star.
While there are advanced technologies and methods for measuring positions in infinite space, there are still limitations. For instance, the vastness of the universe makes it impossible to measure the exact position of every object. Also, our current understanding and technology may not be able to accurately measure positions beyond a certain distance.