Comment

Comment on Kid gave a reasonable answer without all the math bullshit

Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

So you think

0.333… + 0.333… + 0.333… = 1

Is that clearer and more concise?

Fractional representation is the method for rational numbers, particularly if they are part of an intermediate calculation.

Decimals are lossy, fractions aren’t.

Sort:hotnew top

axEl7fB5@lemmy.cafe ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago
No because you said this:

If you want to precisely write to infinity you write 1/3.

You can also precisely write to infinity if you write 0.333…

source
- Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago
  The fraction 1/3 is a compact and unambiguous representation—it doesn’t rely on an ellipsis or an understanding of infinite series to be interpreted. It can easily be used in later calculations (you never see … notation in algebra). It is a useful notation.
  
  As soon as you use decimals in computer and human calculations, they become lossy.
  
  I’m not really sure what hill you are trying to die on. Fractions are useful, even if you don’t know how to use them.
  
  source
  - axEl7fB5@lemmy.cafe ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago
    
    As soon as you use decimals in computer and human calculations, they become lossy.
    
    What does lossy mean? I’m not trying to die on any hill, but I’m quite confused aswell.
    
    source
    Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago
    By lossy I mean rounding errors. Try to combine 2 or more recurring decimals in any function and you start loosing accuracy.
    
    Mathematicians rarely use decimals (also they rarely use numbers). Everything stays in fractions. Maybe the very last step is delivered as a decimal, but rarely.
    
    source