Divide by zero...?

Question

Considering that anything divided by itself is one, but you can't divide by zero, what is 0/0?

Answer 1

0/0 is undefinable with our present mathematics. Who knows what an inventive future will include?

The reason is that zero is not precisely definable itself. It is more precisely defined for some things than others. One can add and subtract with it because it is defined well enough in those operations to allow that.

But not so division. Consider 0/0 = 1. For the paired operations, multiplication and division to work fully, you'd have to then be able to say 0/0 * 0 = 1 * 0 and have that work out. (In a way, you can: instead of "cancelling" use the idea that "0 times anything is 0" to get 0 = 0. But that doesn't help with what "0/0" means, just eases your pain in regard to the operation. So it's pretty valueless.)

An example of progress in mathematics was when Indian mathematicians began using zero as a real number, not just a placeholder that developed from a dot as a placeholder/placemarker. This was a great leap forward in fleshing out zero and greatly advanced mathematical technique. Imagine how bizarre computer programming could be if the dominant form of mathematical inquiry still involved just geometrical proofs!

Another great leap forward was when calculus was developed. Well, it's still being developed as we speak, of course. But it's most important contribution was a better understanding of zero and not-quite-zero and therefore, their differences. It tremendously expanded the usefulness of zero for us.

So who knows what comes next in mathematics? It could be another great leap forward involving zero and expand it's utility to, perhaps, include evaluating "0/0." Maybe.

Answer 2

There is no answer.

6/3 = 2 right? That also means that 2+2+2 = 6. Add 2, 3 times and you get six.

However, with zero it does not work

0 + 0 = 0

0 + 0 + 0 = 0

0 + 0 + 0 +0 + 0 + 0 .......to infinity will equal 0.

So, 0/0 can be 1. It can be 2. It can be 3. It can be any result. So, 0/0 is undefinable.

Answer 3

Division by zero is an operation for which you cannot find an answer, so it is disallowed. You can understand why if you think about how division and multiplication are related. 12 divided by 6 is 2 because 6 times 2 is 12 12 divided by 0 is x would mean that 0 times x = 12 But no value would work for x because 0 times any number is 0. So division by zero doesn't work.

Answer 4

"Anything divided by itself is one."

Not true. Anything except zero divided by itself is one.

"You can't divide by zero."

This trumps almost all other rules and patterns in mathematics. 0/0 is undefined.

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To see why 0/0 is undefined, notice that you could also have asked the following questions:

"Considering that twice a number over that number is always 2 (for example, 6/3, or 4/2, or 2/1), but you can't divide by zero, what is 0/0?"

"Considering that eight times a number over that number is always 8 (for example, 16/2 or 8/1), but you can't divide by zero, what is 0/0?"

There's no way to reconcile all the patterns with 0/0. It is best left undefined.

Answer 5

0/0 is undefined, i.e. it is completely meaningless.

For example, let us suppose 0/0 was not nonsense, then we could write an equation like this:
let x=0/0, then x+1 = 0/0+1=(0+0*1)/0=0/0=x, and hence 0 = 1??
Of course, this is not true. If you put nonsense in, you get nonsense out.

Answer 6

Zero.
It's the special case of both:
something divided by itself = 1 and
something divided by zero = infinity

zero is often at the bottom of mathematical special cases. it is a fascinating number.

Answer 7

0 oibjects divided into piles of zero each, how many piles?
1, or 2, or 3, or 4, or 5, etc.
It is indeterminate
________________________________________
KrazyKyngeKorny(Krazy, not stupid)
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Answer 8

Yea trick!
its like how do you manupulate two VOID things. 0/0 is like an empty operation. NOTHING/NOTHING. So that is meaningless.

Answer 9

The result is "undefined," which means that if you have nothing in your pocket, you can put your hand in your pocket and take nothing out as often as you like.

Answer 10

Gimme a Z Gimme a E, Gimme a R, Gimme a O,
Z
E
R
O
0000000000000000000000000!!!!!!