this post was submitted on 27 Jun 2024
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Science Memes

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[–] Karcinogen@discuss.tchncs.de 75 points 2 months ago (65 children)

2/9 = 0.222... 7/9 = 0.777...

0.222... + 0.777... = 0.999... 2/9 + 7/9 = 1

0.999... = 1

No, it equals 1.

[–] ytg@sopuli.xyz 24 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Similarly, 1/3 = 0.3333…
So 3 times 1/3 = 0.9999… but also 3/3 = 1

Another nice one:

Let x = 0.9999… (multiply both sides by 10)
10x = 9.99999… (substitute 0.9999… = x)
10x = 9 + x (subtract x from both sides)
9x = 9 (divide both sides by 9)
x = 1

[–] zarkanian@sh.itjust.works 16 points 2 months ago (5 children)

My favorite thing about this argument is that not only are you right, but you can prove it with math.

[–] SmartmanApps@programming.dev 0 points 2 months ago (7 children)

you can prove it with math

Not a proof, just wrong. In the "(substitute 0.9999… = x)" step, it was only done to one side, not both (the left side would've become 9.99999), therefore wrong.

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[–] Crozekiel@lemmy.zip 18 points 2 months ago (1 children)

That's the best explanation of this I've ever seen, thank you!

[–] zarkanian@sh.itjust.works 8 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

That's more convoluted than the 1/3, 2/3, 3/3 thing.

3/3 = 0.99999...

3/3 = 1

If somebody still wants to argue after that, don't bother.

[–] Dagrothus@reddthat.com 6 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Nah that explanation is basically using an assumption to prove itself. You need to first prove that 1/3 does in fact equal .3333... which can be done using the 'convoluted' but not so convoluted proof

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