I AM NOT SO SURE ABOUT THIS BUT IF MY THEORY IS CORRECT THEN INFINITY IS ACTUALLY A CIRCLE.
2007-03-10 18:21:20 · 9 answers · asked by CRAZY NEIRD 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
Just take any point as centre and draw a circle of finite radius. Then, slowly and slowly, increase the radius of the circle. As you limit the radius towards infinity, the circle grows to infinity itself. This can be said because though infinity is a direction and not a destination, but a hypothetical circle of infinite radius would contain each and every point of the plane, which is one of the ways of looking at infinity. Hence, it may be said that your theory is not incorrect after all!!
2007-03-10 18:41:29 · answer #1 · answered by Shrey G 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are many ways to view "infinity", because it is a construct of the human mind to get around certain problems in mathematics.
In complex numbers (the mathematical set that contains the square root of -1), the entire set of numbers is represented using two axes (real and imaginary), and infinity is placed on only one axis. Therefore, it cannot be a circle.
In a function space, where some functions appear to reach infinity and reappear the other way, infinity is only located on the f(x) axis (as infinity is not defined on the x axis).
For example, the graph of the tangent of x goes up and, as x grows to pi/2 (90 degrees) it seems to disappears towards + infinity; but as soon as x is beyond pi/2, f(x) appears to race back towards 0 from - infinity. As if it had gone beyond the graph and used infinity to cross over from positive to negative values.
However, x itself never reaches infinity.
If the universe is truly infinite in all directions (as some believe) AND it is curved onto itself in all directions (as some believe) then it forms a hypersphere with an infinite radius. You'd think that you could start off in any direction and, after an infinite travel time, you'd arrive at your starting point from the other direction (just like the tangent function on the graph). If that is how you see it, then infinity is a sphere, not a circle.
However, it would take you an infinite time to reach this "turning point" that takes you from one side to the other. The sphere of infinity would have an infinite radius and its surface would be flat (not curved).
2007-03-11 03:36:10 · answer #2 · answered by Raymond 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, infinity IS a circle, at least in one context:
In plane projective geometry (that incredibly beautiful and powerful, non-metrical approach to geometry), parallel lines meet on "the circle at infinity," and various other projective properties depend crucially on the concept of that circle at infinity.
Live long and prosper
2007-03-11 11:32:04 · answer #3 · answered by Dr Spock 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you making your statement correctly?
The symbol infinity is a figure 8 on its side. However, I do know one relation with infinity and circles; that a circle is considered a polygon with infinite sides. Perhaps that what you meant?
Or did you mean the circle itself is a cycle that repeats forever to infinity?
2007-03-11 03:27:56 · answer #4 · answered by Puggy 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I could agree with the inverse - that circle is infinity, not how you put it.
2007-03-11 03:33:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A circle on your finger does not mean the marriage will last for infinity!
2007-03-11 03:26:39 · answer #6 · answered by Over The Rainbow 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
its 360, so its not an infinity. infinity is where it never stops, like a straigh line going to no where and it keeps going and going.
2007-03-11 03:29:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It can be viewed as such, especially in the theory of complex variables. Doesn't really matter much, one way or the other.
2007-03-11 03:31:46 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i always thought it was a figure 8
2007-03-11 03:24:46 · answer #9 · answered by chronus79 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋