the explanation (not proof tbf) that actually satisfies my brain is that we’re dealing with infinite repeating digits here, which is what allows something that on the surface doesn’t make sense to actually be true.
Comment on I just cited myself.
UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world 4 months agoThere’s a Real Analysis proof for it and everything.
Basically boils down to
- If 0.(9) != 1 then there must be some value between 0.(9) and 1.
- We know such a number cannot exist, because for any given discrete value (say 0.999…9) there is a number (0.999…99) that is between that discrete value and 0.(9)
- Therefore, no value exists between 0.(9) and 1.
- So 0.(9) = 1
Swedneck@discuss.tchncs.de 4 months ago
UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world 4 months ago
Infinite repeating digits produce what is understood as a Limit. And Limits are fundamental to proof-based mathematics, when your goal is to demonstrate an infinite sum or series has a finite total.
beejboytyson@lemmy.world 4 months ago
That actually makes sense, thank you.
LodeMike@lemmy.today 4 months ago
Even simpler: 1 = 3 * 1/3
1/3 =0.333333…
1/3 + 1/3 + 1/3 = 0.99999999… = 1
UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world 4 months ago
But you’re just restating the premise here. You haven’t proven the two are equal.
This step
And this step
Aren’t well-defined. You’re relying on division short-hand rather than a real proof.
SuperSaiyanSwag@lemmy.zip 4 months ago
ELI5
UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world 4 months ago
Mostly boils down to the pedantry of explaining why 1/3 = 0.(3) and what 0.(3) actually means.