Re: Epistemology 201: The Science of Science

From: aeo6 (aeo6_at_cornell.edu)
Date: 02/10/05 

Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2005 14:51:50 -0500

Albert said:
> Tony Orlow (aeo6) wrote:
> > robert j. kolker said:
> >
> >>
> >>Lester Zick wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>>Thanks Tony. L'Hospital's rule is just the comparison of infinities
> >>>using slopes defined by differentials instead of direct comparison.
> >>
> >>Consider lim [x -> 0] (sin x)/x
> >>
> >>Where are the infinities?
> >>
> >>Using L'Hospital's rule take the derivatives and get cos x/1. The limit
> >>as x -> 0 is 1.
> >>
> >>>Regards - Lester
> >>
> > At x=0 (sin x)/x = 0/0 = (1/x) / (1/sin x) = infinity/infinity.
> >
> > Zeroes and infinities are two sides of the same coin.
>
> Is there a mathematical name for that coin?
>
>
>
>
>
Sure. it's called the number system. You can also think of zero and
infinity as basic multiplicative inverses if you like, but don't tell
anyone. They'll kick your ass. 

-- 
Smiles,
Tony

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