Question about hilberts hotel.

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter cragar
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Hilbert's Hotel demonstrates the paradox of infinity, where an infinite number of rooms can accommodate an infinite number of guests simultaneously. Even when all rooms are occupied, it remains possible to add more guests due to the nature of countable infinity. The discussion clarifies that "packed" in this context does not equate to being unable to accept additional guests, as there is always room for more. This concept highlights the unique properties of infinite sets in mathematics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of countable infinity
  • Basic knowledge of set theory
  • Familiarity with mathematical paradoxes
  • Concept of bijections in mathematics
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore the concept of countable vs. uncountable infinity
  • Study set theory, focusing on infinite sets and their properties
  • Learn about mathematical paradoxes, particularly those involving infinity
  • Investigate bijections and their role in demonstrating the properties of infinite sets
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, students of mathematics, educators, and anyone interested in the philosophical implications of infinity and set theory.

cragar
Messages
2,546
Reaction score
3
So if I have an infinite amount of rooms and an infintie amount of people can I pack the hotel.
And both quantities are countable. Ok so I could just put all the people in the odd numbered rooms and have the even rooms open. But it seems like I could pack the hotel if I wanted too.
Can I constucrt both situations if I want too.
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
cragar said:
So if I have an infinite amount of rooms and an infintie amount of people can I pack the hotel.
And both quantities are countable. Ok so I could just put all the people in the odd numbered rooms and have the even rooms open. But it seems like I could pack the hotel if I wanted too.
Can I constucrt both situations if I want too.


Yes...and after packed, you can still free an infinite (countable) number of rooms to host an infinite number of new guests.

DonAntonio
 
so you are saying I can have both situations if I want to.
 
"Packed" for Hilbert's Hotel doesn't have the same meaning it would for a normal hotel. Even if all the rooms are assigned, there is still room for another countably infinite number of guests. So in some sense, it is never full.
 
What do you mean by "packed"? If you mean "every room is occupied", yes, you can do that. If you mean you "cannot add another person", no you cannot do that.
For a "hotel with countably infinite rooms", "every room is occupied" and "cannot add another person" are NOT the same.
 
so I can pack the hotel, but I can still add people. Thanks for your responses by the way.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 73 ·
3
Replies
73
Views
5K
  • · Replies 69 ·
3
Replies
69
Views
7K
  • · Replies 31 ·
2
Replies
31
Views
5K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
5K
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
4K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
1K