X/0 and a possible explanation of a solution

[Pirwzwhomper]

First, let me say that I have degrees or anything. I'm just out of hig school and took regular math the whole time I was there. I am not a mathematician or a numerologist.

But, I do have a theory.

Could we say that 6/3 is the same as saying "six divided into three equal parts"?

If so, would 6/0 be the same as saying "six divided into zero equal parts"?

Since a nonexisting thing cannot have a numerical value, wouldn't 6/0=0?

 

[jcsd]

I'm sorry it's just not that simple, you can define y in y = x/n as the number of sets containing n units that are needed to be added together to make up x.

Also for example n(x/n) = x, but now you have 0*(0) = x which doesn't fit with this for any value of x other than 0, or another example y = x/n as n tends to 0, y tends to infinity. Therefore x/0 is undefined.

 

[Pirwzwhomper]

a(b)=c so c/b=a

How does 3(0)=0? You cannot say that 0/0=3.

I was always told that any number times zero equalled zero.

 

[jcsd]

That example was just to show you why having x/0 = 0 leads to inconsistencies, 0*0 = 0.

 

[Pirwzwhomper]

Hmmm. There has to be a better answer than undefined. Don't know why, but it just doesn't seem right. Maybe someday . . .

 

[HallsofIvy]

1)"Since a nonexisting thing cannot have a numerical value, wouldn't 6/0=0?"

Are you saying that 0 is not a number?

2)"I was always told that any number times zero equalled zero."

Yes, that's exactly WHY 6/0 cannot be 0: 0*0 is not equal to 6.