Yompton
Brown Belt
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- Jun 26, 2009
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It's misconception # 2 in the video:
His rationalization is fairly simple.
We know that .33333333 = 1/3
We know that 1/3 + 1/3 + 1/3 = 1
Hense .999999999 = 1
I never really put this into perspective but it becomes increasingly complex the more I think about it. If we look at 1 as a distance, such as an inch, is .99999999 actually a real number? You could magnify the inch infinite times to see how close .99999999 is to it. It should always be close but never quite reach right? So no, it's not equal to 1. On the other hand, I never noticed the way his equation worked before. How can the math with the fraction work, when the math with the decimals produces a different answer? Is it possible that we've made a fundamental flaw in how we understand math?
I appologize for not knowing how to scribe a vinculum on an iPad. (We are discussing repeating decimals, no need to clarify it in your posts.)
His rationalization is fairly simple.
We know that .33333333 = 1/3
We know that 1/3 + 1/3 + 1/3 = 1
Hense .999999999 = 1
I never really put this into perspective but it becomes increasingly complex the more I think about it. If we look at 1 as a distance, such as an inch, is .99999999 actually a real number? You could magnify the inch infinite times to see how close .99999999 is to it. It should always be close but never quite reach right? So no, it's not equal to 1. On the other hand, I never noticed the way his equation worked before. How can the math with the fraction work, when the math with the decimals produces a different answer? Is it possible that we've made a fundamental flaw in how we understand math?
I appologize for not knowing how to scribe a vinculum on an iPad. (We are discussing repeating decimals, no need to clarify it in your posts.)
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