My friend and I have recently begun an email correspondence. Every weekend we send each other a question in our area of expertise. While I do posses a very logical mind, I am by no means a great mathematician, he is. This week his question to me was: "Why is an equation that contains a number divided by zero undefined?"
The answer I came up with is: "An equation containing a number divided by zero is undefined for it compromises the validity of known mathematical laws."
In explanation: "If we take the fraction 4/2. We know for a fact that this is equal to 2. We should therefore be able to reverse the process and come to the logical conclusion that 2x2 is equal to 4. In contrast take the fraction 5/0, the two most logical guesses at the solution to this fraction would be 5 and 0. When trying to reverse the process we come to 5x0 and 0x0 respectively. Neither of which equal the original fraction 5/0. This constitutes an inconsistency in mathematical law."
2007-09-14 00:50:18 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
Understanding defined
6 divided by 2 equals 3
6/2 = 3
Division is the inverse of multiplication
2 is the divisor (denominator)
6 is the dividen (numerator)
3 is the quotient
2, 3 and 6 are real numbers
Multiplying the quotient 3 times the divisor 2 will give the produce or dividen of 6 in the numerator
Therefore 6/2 = 3 can be defined (explained).
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6 divided by 0
6/0 =
There are no real numbers that you can multiply times zero to give the produce of 6 in the numerator. Therefore 6/0 is undefined (cannot be explained).
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2007-09-14 01:12:12 · answer #1 · answered by SAMUEL D 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your answer that "it compromises the validity of known mathematical facts" is misty profundity which doesn't really get at the heart of the matter. Your explanantion, on the other hand, is right on!
There is a slight modification that I would suggest. When you say "the two most logical guesses" you invite other questions. Better to say: Suppose 5/0 = y; then y*0 = 5, and there is no such number y.
2007-09-14 08:07:46 · answer #2 · answered by Tony 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
try something that is easy to do! Take a calculator and start to divide any number by 0.1; 0.01; 0.001 and so on.You are always going closer to zero but????
2007-09-14 08:10:21 · answer #3 · answered by Bernhard W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, it seems a correct approach to the problem
2007-09-14 09:30:27 · answer #4 · answered by Theta40 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋