I think what they mean is still a mathematical meaning, just a separate definition of ‘divisible’ not limited to integers. The term is usually used for the set of integers, but really you could define it on any set.
“For x,y in S, x is called divisible by y if and only if x/y lies in S.” could be such a definition. Obviously you also need a definition of “/”, which is usually x/y=a <=> a*y=x with any operation *. This usually involves an algebraic Ring.
Divisible in maths leaves no remainder or is only whole numbers. In the real world everything is divisible by 2 as it doesn’t have the caveat of whole numbers.
Yeah but I’ve never heard anyone use the word “divisible” in a non mathematical context. It’s fundamentally about numbers. You’d never say “three is divisible by two” apart from about maths. You’d never say “this cake is divisible by two”, which is already not the context you were talking in, you’d say “you can cut this cake in half”.
FishFace@piefed.social 3 weeks ago
what non-mathematical meaning are we talking about here?
tomi000@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I think what they mean is still a mathematical meaning, just a separate definition of ‘divisible’ not limited to integers. The term is usually used for the set of integers, but really you could define it on any set.
“For x,y in S, x is called divisible by y if and only if x/y lies in S.” could be such a definition. Obviously you also need a definition of “/”, which is usually x/y=a <=> a*y=x with any operation *. This usually involves an algebraic Ring.
Diddlydee@feddit.uk 3 weeks ago
Divisible in maths leaves no remainder or is only whole numbers. In the real world everything is divisible by 2 as it doesn’t have the caveat of whole numbers.
FishFace@piefed.social 3 weeks ago
Yeah but I’ve never heard anyone use the word “divisible” in a non mathematical context. It’s fundamentally about numbers. You’d never say “three is divisible by two” apart from about maths. You’d never say “this cake is divisible by two”, which is already not the context you were talking in, you’d say “you can cut this cake in half”.