Why do I care if an infinite series converges?

[notfred]

Is there some practical application for this? I can't think of anything.

 

[Savarak]

of course! you want to know how much area there is, under the graph of the function, don't you?

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

I thought that is useful for when you determine the usefulness of algorithms for computer programs?

 

[Savarak]

that's the Big O notation thing madd indian... well, I think thats what you think you mean

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: Savarak
of course! you want to know how much area there is, under the graph of the function, don't you?

What area? It's a set of numbers, there's no area under them.

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Originally posted by: Savarak
that's the Big O notation thing madd indian... well, I think thats what you think you mean

i know that. but what i meantto say was, if you had a program that would deal with recursive operations. You'd want to see if it would go to infinite loop or if it would come to a base case.

Actualy i think im wayy off.

 

[agnitrate]

I was up above it, now I'm down in it... I was up above it... now I'm down in it...

 

[matsuhisa]

as a applied math alumni, infinitie series can be used to for many uses. it can be used in differential equations as i mainly use them. they can be used to approximate the answer for a equation that is unsolveable. that's just one example...

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: matsuhisa
as a applied math alumni, infinitie series can be used to for many uses. it can be used in differential equations as i mainly use them. they can be used to approximate the answer for a equation that is unsolveable. that's just one example...

I don't really see solving math problems for the benefit of solving more math problems as practical.

 

[agnitrate]

Originally posted by: Tyler

Originally posted by: matsuhisa
as a applied math alumni, infinitie series can be used to for many uses. it can be used in differential equations as i mainly use them. they can be used to approximate the answer for a equation that is unsolveable. that's just one example...

I don't really see solving math problems for the benefit of solving more math problems as practical.

Aw, shucks. Well I guess you have to modify your definition of practicality. Math was created to solve math problems. Eventually, this leads to applications.

-silver

 

[chiwawa626]

One day someone might hold a gun to your head and ask you to tell them if the series 1/x^3 converges or diverges, and if you get it wrong theyll blow your head off, prolly blow your head off if you get it right was well, see it really has no practical value.

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: chiwawa626
One day someone might hold a gun to your head and ask you to tell them if the series 1/x^3 converges or diverges, and if you get it wrong theyll blow your head off, prolly blow your head off if you get it right was well, see it really has no practical value.

Well, at least they picked an easy one.

 

[Kyteland]

If you ever find youself at the bridge of death, these kind of things come in handy.

Bridge keeper: "What does the series 1/x converge to?"
Arthur: "Well what do you mean? The series or the sum of the series?"
Bridge keeper: "I don't know that. Wha... AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA..............."