The largest number, does it end in 0 or 9?

[Orson]

Does the largest number end in 9 or 0?

 

[jedishrfu]

Yes - (I don't know)

 

[Drakkith]

I was under the impression that there is no largest number.

 

[Mark44]

Does the largest number end in 9 or 0?

There is no largest number.

 

[phinds]

Does the largest number end in 9 or 0?

Now stop and think about this. Let's say the largest number is N. What happens when you add 1 to it?

 

[diogenesNY]

Perhaps it depends on the context.

I remember when I was much younger, I was frequently in a situation where the largest number was 32767.

diogenesNY

 

[phinds]

Perhaps it depends on the context.

I remember when I was much younger, I was frequently in a situation where the largest number was 32767.

diogenesNY

I remember it well.

 

[I like Serena]

The largest number - if it is defined - ends in 0 (actually, it is 0).
Reference: http://planetmath.org/node/84824
And no, this is not a joke. It's just that ordering of numbers is not quite unique.
There is an algebraic ordering based on divisibility that says that $a\le b \text{ if } a\mid b$.
That is, if a number divides another one, it cannot be greater.
And that puts 0 at the top.

 

[jbriggs444]

The largest number - if it is defined - ends in 0 (actually, it is 0).
Reference: http://planetmath.org/node/84824
And no, this is not a joke. It's just that ordering of numbers is not quite unique.

That seems to be cheating. By equally valid logic, I could say that the last digit of the largest number is 3. Take the standard total ordering of the integers and adjust it so that 123 is larger than all others. Done.

 

[I like Serena]

That seems to be cheating. By equally valid logic, I could say that the last digit of the largest number is 3. Take the standard total ordering of the integers and adjust it so that 123 is larger than all others. Done.

Ordering based on divisibility has meaning and is used in number theory. It's not unusual that in specific scientific areas edge cases are defined slightly differently. And zero is definitely an edge case in algebraic structures.

 

[WWGD]

If it ends in 9 , multiply it by 10, if it ends in 0, add 9... SORRY, please delete.

 

[WWGD]

Does the largest number end in 9 or 0?

If it ends in 9 , multiply it by 10, if it ends in 0, add 9...

 

[Windadct]

If it ends in 9, cut off a finger and start over.

 

[FactChecker]

If it ends in 9 , multiply it by 10, if it ends in 0, add 9...

Rinse and repeat.

 

[phinds]

Oh, come on guys. Everybody knows that the largest number ends in the digits 42. I mean, where do you think Douglas Adams GOT the idea?

 

[fresh_42]

Oh, come on guys. Everybody knows that the largest number ends in the digits 42. I mean, where do you think Douglas Adams GOT the idea?

This answer is as good as any answer.

With more details what number, large, larger, largest or even end mean, one could perhaps have taken this seriously. Without them, the integers or reals have to be assumed and this entire question is less meaningful than 42 is. The fact that the OP obviously has lost his interest leaves two questions:

• Is he a troll?
• Is this funny?

The first question has a 70 : 30 chance on a yes, and the second is a clear no. And I'm always ready for some poor, bad or lame jokes. This one is none. Thread closed.