Assuming nature uses the "real" value in its computations. But where is the computational overhead of the universe that determines what happens?
2006-08-08 11:11:43 · 7 answers · asked by Ejsenstejn 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Its simple. Computers that we use are digital. We can only compute things that can be represented as an integer. For example, integers can obviously be represented as integers, but so can numbers that you can write the formula to, like 5^0.6. In fact it doesn't take an infinite amount of memory to calculate pi, you can write the formula for it, and compute it to an arbitrary accuracy.
(you can represent a formula by an integer by assigning each symbol an integer like * would be 05 or something)
There are other numbers however, that you cant even write a formula for. Those are non-computable numbers.
However, with an analog computer (nature) you don't have to be able to explicitly write something down. There are no distinctions between rational and irrational numbers, they are just numbers. There is no restriction do a convention like we have (integers). If, for example our number system was pi = 1, 2pi = 2, etc, then if we tried to write the number 1 down, it would take infinite digits to write.
There is a lot of theories and research about this.
2006-08-08 11:53:33 · answer #1 · answered by j 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pi is calculated via dividing the circumference of a circle via its diameter and the type of decimal places is infinite. attempt Google to get the long selection. i've got seen some type rooms with the banner exhibiting the cost of Pi beginning in one nook of the room and circulate around overlaying all 4 partitions.
2016-12-11 05:16:23 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nature doesn't have to calculate pi to make things work out. Plus, as you approach zero, the relevance of the decimal places decreases, so what does it matter after you get beyond the millionths anyway? :)
2006-08-08 11:19:05 · answer #3 · answered by Loulabelle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How does nature calculate gravitational force, electro-magnetic force, and the speed of light? Nature doesn't calculate anything. Some things are just true.
2006-08-08 12:29:54 · answer #4 · answered by STEVEN F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't need to be computed, it just IS. Besides that God is infinite, and as such has the infinite memory needed to calculate pi fully. ;)
2006-08-08 11:16:49 · answer #5 · answered by tcindie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not computed or invented by human. It is just there and we just discover it, thats all. The same goes for the word infinity, phi, etc.
2006-08-08 16:49:18 · answer #6 · answered by ET 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
quantum math -- it "leaps" to the correct digit without any calculation at all.
2006-08-08 11:17:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋