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Lionhart

Member

Joined: 2015-02-17

Posts: 40

Re: 1+2+3+4+5+... = -1/12 ???

Aside from Ratburntro becoming overly emotional about a proof, this thread has lost all its humor.

I asked my math professor and she said this is absolute nonsense...

Definition of infinity by math terms: "Infinity is the idea of something that has no end."

In math. You cannot find an answer to something that goes on infinity. My teacher said that there are things called sets. Which may be what you're talking about.
l
What i am saying is if you have a function

int i = 0;
while(1=1)
{
    i++;
}
i--;
console.write(i.tostring());

You're trying to find out what i is. A never ending function doesn't have an end value. That's why infinity is an idea rather than a number.

You should read just a little bit of this article: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/~ppzap4/response.html

The prospect of you "asking [your] math professor" is already a concerning image because it is doubtful that you gave the question the respect it deserves. Read the article(s) and you will see what I mean. One does not simply ask about the validity of Riemann-Euler's Zeta Function after class. There are entire semesters dedicated to this specific branch of complex analysis.

Additionally, your argument is too general. Infinity is not some mystical creature that we can't touch. Infinite sums are one of the foundations to integral calculus... are you and your professor saying Newton was speaking nonsense too? It's almost like the 16th century all over again. Start thinking outside the box.

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Jabatheblob1

Member

Joined: 2015-03-01

Posts: 856

Re: 1+2+3+4+5+... = -1/12 ???

"You just have to imagine that your not measuring physical infinities in nature"...."You just have to do the math hocus pocus"

I only watched the nuberphile video and i see why it's so popular and i am sure it is correct. I just have the easy problem with, you can't actually prove it. You just have to trust that it equals 1/2, or 1/4, or -1/12.

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FDOOU

Banned

Joined: 2015-03-05

Posts: 473

Re: 1+2+3+4+5+... = -1/12 ???

LOL

Just trusting is the opposite of math

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meagainhey

Member

Joined: 2015-04-15

Posts: 7

Re: 1+2+3+4+5+... = -1/12 ???

So, I show up here thinking "nah"

Then OP is immediately proven "nah" -- I don't even have to say it. This other person's "nope" is even better -- it gives somewhat simple explanations.

Then things go downhill... we start debating... then we start using big words because we can. Logical fallacy in there somewhere, but I guess I can't blame others for my small vocabulary...

Have fun with math. Why do you folks go on EE? Just go get mathemagician jobs.

SPT

Member

Joined: 2015-02-17

Posts: 751

Re: 1+2+3+4+5+... = -1/12 ???

no it isnt possible it gives syntax error
im a professional i know what im doing

Jabatheblob1

Member

Joined: 2015-03-01

Posts: 856

Re: 1+2+3+4+5+... = -1/12 ???

Just go get mathemagician jobs.

I am planning on it

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Bimps

Member

Joined: 2015-02-08

Posts: 5,067

Re: 1+2+3+4+5+... = -1/12 ???

dude i cant read