Why isn't a number divided by zero, zero?

Schadenfroh

Elite Member
Mar 8, 2003
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I alone know the way to discover the true answer to the divide by 0 question.


wait... isnt he a member here?
 

CheesePoofs

Diamond Member
Dec 5, 2004
3,163
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Because 0 doesn't go into a number 0 times. It just doesn't go in ... so the number of times it goes into the number cna't be defined
 

archcommus

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2003
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Originally posted by: Shawn
Originally posted by: her209
Oh, you can't divide something by nothing.

Then why can you multiply something by nothing? :confused:
Because four groups of 0 is 0? Or 0 groups of 4 is 0? That's all multiplication is, groups.

 

JohnCU

Banned
Dec 9, 2000
16,528
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Because, division is the inverse of multiplication.

if you say 1 / 0 = 1, that implies that 0 * 1 = 1, which is not true.

However, if you divide by zero, you get infinity. I don't know what these people are talking about. :D

i heart the direc delta function!
 

her209

No Lifer
Oct 11, 2000
56,336
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Originally posted by: Shawn
Originally posted by: her209
Oh, you can't divide something by nothing.
Then why can you multiply something by nothing? :confused:
Lets say you have marbles grouped into twos. If you counted zero groups of marbles, you'd have zero marbles.
 

shortylickens

No Lifer
Jul 15, 2003
80,287
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The real answer is infinity.
OR......
How many times can you take 0 away from any given number?

As many as you want!
 

archcommus

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2003
8,115
0
76
Originally posted by: shortylickens
The real answer is infinity.
OR......
How many times can you take 0 away from any given number?

As many as you want!
Tell Texas Instruments that.

 

silverpig

Lifer
Jul 29, 2001
27,703
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Think back to when you first learned division.

8/2 really means, if you have 8 apples and divide them into groups of 2, how many groups do you have?

8/0 means then, if you have 8 apples and divide them into groups of 0, how many groups do you have?
 

archcommus

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2003
8,115
0
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Originally posted by: her209
How can you divide a number by a negative number?
Well, nothing negative really makes very much physical sense. I mean, -4 x 2 is a negative four groups of two? WTF??

 

aphex

Moderator<br>All Things Apple
Moderator
Jul 19, 2001
38,572
2
91
i think texas instruments got it wrong.