Proof that 0 + 0 +....+ 0 +.... = 0

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The discussion centers around the mathematical proof that the infinite sum of zeros, expressed as 0 + 0 + ... + 0, equals zero. Participants explored various approaches, including geometric series and limits, to establish the rigor of this assertion. The consensus is that the sum converges to zero, particularly when considering the limit of partial sums, which consistently yield zero. The conversation also highlighted the importance of defining the summation process and the implications of different types of infinity in mathematical proofs.

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  • #31
With the same logic ##1+ \cdots + 1\,=\, 1## because ##\{1\} \cup \cdots \cup \{1\} = \{1\}##?
That approach brings more problems than it is supposed to solve, especially as it is trivial to show the limit directly with the definitions (as done in posts 27 and 29).
 
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  • #32
mfb said:
With the same logic 1+⋯+1=11+ \cdots + 1\,=\, 1 because {1}∪⋯∪{1}={1}\{1\} \cup \cdots \cup \{1\} = \{1\}?

No beacuse defining the successor function for sets ##S(A)=A\cup\{A\}## you have that ##1=S(\emptyset)=\emptyset \cup \{\emptyset\}=\{\emptyset,\{\emptyset\}\}## so ##1+1 \not = 1## but ##\{\{\emptyset,\{\emptyset\}\},\{\{\emptyset,\{\emptyset\}\}\}\}=2##.
Ssnow
 
  • #33
That is different from what you suggested before, and it is still wrong. If you identify addition with the union of sets then x+x=x for all x because ##s \cup s=s\quad \forall s##.

If you identify the addition with ##f(s,t)=\{s,\{t\}\}## then 1+1 works but nothing else works any more.
 
  • #34
mfb said:
If you identify the addition with f(s,t)={s,{t}}f(s,t)=\{s,\{t\}\} then 1+1 works but nothing else works any more.

Yes, I was thinking of "classes" rather than "sets" ...
 

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