Your Favorite Number - What's Yours and Why?

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers around participants sharing their favorite numbers and the reasons behind their choices. Notable mentions include the number 2, recognized as the only even prime, and 42, famously known as the "Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything" from Douglas Adams' "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy." Other mathematical constants such as π (pi), e, and the Golden Ratio (φ) are also highlighted for their significance in mathematics. The conversation evolves into a playful exploration of numbers, including humorous and fictional terms like "eleventy" and "twelvty."

PREREQUISITES
  • Basic understanding of mathematical concepts such as prime numbers and irrational numbers.
  • Familiarity with mathematical constants like π (pi) and e.
  • Knowledge of number theory, including concepts like cardinality and transfinite numbers.
  • Appreciation for mathematical humor and cultural references in mathematics.
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore the properties of prime numbers and their significance in number theory.
  • Research the mathematical significance of π (pi) and its applications in geometry.
  • Learn about the concept of cardinality and its implications in set theory.
  • Investigate the cultural impact of numbers in literature and media, such as "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy."
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, educators, students, and anyone interested in the cultural and humorous aspects of numbers and mathematics.

  • #31


My favorite number is 0, and my second favorite number is 1.

Oh, and eleventy.
 
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  • #32


Calrid said:
I like watching people trying to put the infinite in a box, the mental masturbation alone makes infinity fascinating.

Favorite cardinality?
 
  • #33


Ivan Seeking said:
Favorite cardinality?

Not really got one as cardinality is a property again not really a number.

Although I have a fondness for aleph pi just because it looks nice, I genuinely have no idea what its cardinality is except its greater than the preceding ones, allegedly. :smile:

Of course it isn't really but axioms are fun. If we say infinity is bigger than infinity then it is I think is how it works. I personally think of infinity at least in reality as all there is, because it stops brain matter from leaking out of my ears too much and is practical.
 
  • #34


Calrid said:
Not really got one as cardinality is a property again not really a number.

Aleph numbers are not numbers?

Of course it isn't really but axioms are fun. If we say infinity is bigger than infinity then it is I think is how it works. I personally think of infinity at least in reality as all there is, because it stops brain matter from leaking out of my ears too much and is practical.

Well, obviously, if you want to understand set theory, the last thing you want to do is think.
 
  • #35


Ivan Seeking said:
Aleph numbers are not numbers?

No infinity isn't numerable I started a thread on it. Infinity is unbound merely defining it makes it bound to a particular symbol not to an actual infinity. Whilst this flies in pure maths outside of it it is ultimately pointless. Because the definition is false and the axiom is questionable at best. Of course if we accept it is true then it works, but I don't think philosophically you can.

Philosobabble you might want to give it a miss. :-p

I don't think anyone can conceive of the infinity or represent it without an allusion which makes the definition non constructive and without any terms as well as useless. But its just an opinion.

Well, obviously, if you want to understand set theory, the last thing you want to do is think.

That's extremely patronising and condescending, well done.

You don't know me and you know nothing about me so please don't judge me, you'll just end up looking like an ***.
 
  • #36


Calrid said:
Philosobabble you might want to give it a miss. :-p

I think so. :biggrin:

I don't think anyone can conceive of the infinity or represent it without an allusion which makes the definition non constructive and without any terms as well as useless. But its just an opinion.

the infinities...

"Can't conceive", I'll buy; "can't represent" is a bit of a contradiction here. I'm pretty sure mathematicians have managed to represent them precisely.
 
  • #37


Ivan Seeking said:
I think so. :biggrin:
the infinities...

"Can't conceive", I'll buy; "can't represent" is a bit of a contradiction here. I'm pretty sure mathematicians have managed to represent them precisely.

Ok show me infinity.

And don't say aleph 0, that is not an infinity any more than a property defines existence ie cardinality.

It is a completely non constructive proof that cannot be proved outside of itself and that no one really thinks about these days. Which in laymens terms means its pretty much only inductively provable and has no application to anything and never will.

Kant would of laughed.

Its a circular axiom how can something which cannot be defined that is more than the universe be defined and have any use? Sure you could take a photo of a fairy but would that mean the fairy was real or that you just used little cardboard fairy cut outs to make it look like they were real.

Bit of a derail take it to the thread if you want to discuss it further. Its an ontological issue and therefore its epistemology is arguable.

It's also not a new argument and has been going on for thousands of years.
 
  • #38


jhae2.718 said:
Don't tell that to the Pythagoreans.

:devil: :mad: :bugeye:
 
  • #39


Dembadon said:
My favorite number is 0, and my second favorite number is 1.

Oh, and eleventy.

What about twelvty the number of precious things in the shop?

Nice round number that.
 
  • #40


calrid said:
ok show me infinity.

1, 2, 3...
 
  • #41


Dembadon said:
Oh, and eleventy.

:smile: and beventeen :-p
 
  • #42


Ivan Seeking said:
1, 2, 3...

That's symbolic. Really should take this to the thread because its a bit of a derail. I'd be happy to discuss it with you there but I'll leave you with this:

Can you draw a perfect circle even with a computer program?

How would you measure it was perfectly in proportion to pi?

is 3.141... = pi? Or is it an approximation.

Using calculus show me how pi = pi?

Now using transfinities, or aleph numbers in number theory, as limits, show me how the area under the graph is larger or smaller than pi if it is a decimal, and if it is a fraction?

How can you diagonalise a concept that cannot be defined in discrete steps?

How can you utilise something that is more than a limit to reality?

What exists outside of time and space?

How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?

How can you define god?
 
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  • #43


HeLiXe said:
:smile: and beventeen :-p

Squillions is my personal fave.

And umumloads.
 
  • #44


SEVENTEEN !

Where things happen in seventeens, or things are divisible by or are multiples of seventeen, then this is both a manifestation of and evidence of the Creator's handiwork. In the number seventeen, we find the most aesthetic satisfaction.

There are 17 wallpaper symmetry groups.
A sattelite in the lowest possible orbit will circle the Earth 17 times per day.
The mass of Neptune is 17 times that of the Earth.
There are 17 sylabbles in a haiku poem.
The cicada has a seventeen year life cycle.
One day it will be proven that the universe has 17 dimensions.
I am looking for a soulmate, but only if she's 17.
If anyone knows something about 17, let me know.
 
  • #45


Calrid said:
Squillions is my personal fave.

And umumloads.
Brazilians are nice.
 
  • #46


Calrid said:
Squillions is my personal fave.

And umumloads.
LOLOL I've never heard of umumloads...instant favorite :biggrin:
Helios said:
If anyone knows something about 17, let me know.
It is inferior to beventeen
 
  • #47


HeLiXe said:
LOLOL I've never heard of umumloads...instant favorite :biggrin:

It is inferior to beventeen

It's not as perfectly square as twelvty though. Although in number theory beventeen is considered the highest order transdefinite number between at least some and lots.

Some people claim you can have more than lots or even umumloads the highest cardinal nondefinite numeration, but they are just idiots, more than lots what like squillionsgajillions+zillions that's just the same as saying umumloads please, idiots. :rolleyes:
 
  • #48


:smile: Caldrid you are killing me! How can I now focus on my illogical English assignment?
 
  • #49


HeLiXe said:
:smile: Caldrid you are killing me! How can I now focus on my illogical English assignment?

Pfft how can you be doing English when I am handing you the secrets of the Universe.

Peasant! :wink:

It's probably illogical because you don't understand twelvty properly anyway. Couldn't hurt..?
 
  • #50


Believe it or not, and I am not sure I do, I saw a few years ago a taxi in London with registration plate TXI 1729.
 
  • #51


What a great thread topic:

Mine is 6 haha OR inifinity
 
  • #52


My favorite numbers are

0, because we express a number as infinitely big with infinity but it isn't really a real number, and something as infinitely small (positive) as a zero which is a real number,

and 42, because it is the answer to the universe according to Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy.
 
  • #53


Maybe 2701?
 
  • #54


Calrid said:
[...]

It's probably illogical because you don't understand twelvty properly anyway. Couldn't hurt..?

One must first investigate the properties of eleventy before concerning oneself with twelvty.
 
  • #55


Favorite: 1729.03
Reason: Richard Feynman's great story about his duel against an abacus wielding Thai.

Second favorite: 42
Reason: Same reason Lewis Carroll liked that number - gravity trains! Even though the concept couldn't possibly work, Carroll liked that number so much that it appears over and over in his "Alice" books.
 
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  • #56


Calrid said:
That's symbolic. Really should take this to the thread because its a bit of a derail. I'd be happy to discuss it with you there but I'll leave you with this:

I [and you] said "represent". Yes, I can represent all sorts of concepts with symbols, including infinity.

1, 2, 3... is an exact representation.
 
  • #57


3, don't know why. And any measuring number my wife uses in her (delicious) recipies - "a little", "not too much", "enough", "some"...
 
  • #58


I like 3 too! and 5! my faves :)
 
  • #59


37 is the best number of all time!
 
  • #60


6928
 

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