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Wednesday, November 28, 2012

TIL: Mathematically too, 1 equals 0.999999999999999999999999 till infinity

One of those discontinuities, where laws of Mathematics break down.

This discontinuity, while it may not have any real-life significance, AFAIK, I still found quite bemusing on hearing it. This was one of the many mathematical concepts discussed in this last week's Science Friday podcast, that I heard only today. Mathematician Steven Strogatz was the guest last week. His appearance was, perhaps, part of a book tour publicise his latest, 'The Joy of x: A Guided Tour of Math, from One to Infinity' that went on sale recently.

Incidentally, the most relatable proof of this discontinuity is actually narrated by the mother of a 10-year old boy who called into the show, as he had explained it to her earlier. Yes, he is taking advanced Mathematics lessons, three classes ahead. Worth listening to this podcast, perhaps subscribe too.

source

Godspeed

Related: Oral History Of India's Constitution [Podcast]