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Maths question

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richw

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For cakes, maybe, but for numbers, 0/x = 0, for all x != 0. Or, if you really don't like seeing it written that way, 0 * 1/x = 0 for all x != 0. You really don't need a degree level text book for that.

The degree text book looks at both sides of why it is and why it isn't even. I've provided those, up to you what side of the is it, isn't it you take.
 
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Class172

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Whilst 0 fits nicely into the pattern n=2x, I generally wouldn't regard zero as an even number (or odd), since any number divided by zero gives infinity (eg 7/0=∞) - zero is more of an abstract concept, unlike the other intergers.
 

AeroSpace

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Do you agree that the difference of two even numbers is even?
Do you agree that 2 is even?

Then you must agree that 2-2=0 is even.
 

Class172

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Do you agree that the difference of two even numbers is even?
Do you agree that 2 is even?

Then you must agree that 2-2=0 is even.
I do agree with the first statements, but I was merely stating my opinion on the matter; to be honest, I don't see the need for anyone to continue this argument further - we'll end up going round in circles. :roll:
 

AeroSpace

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I could sympathise with someone who rejected one of the two premises. But to accept the premises yet reject the conclusion is just wrong.
 

bb21

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As mentioned I am quoting a degree level text book. there is nothing to divide by 2,

Whether a number is odd or even is not dependent on whether there is something to be divided. That is only a very elementary concept for division.
 

Xenophon PCDGS

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It is now 47 years since I obtained my First in Mathematics and I have obviously been interested in the posting responses to the original query, which was an "old chestnut" when I first attended grammar school in the 1955/1956 school term. All I will say that a few of those postings have answered the query correctly in a clear and logical manner and I was amused to read of the computer usage, as this was a subject area that did not even exist outside certain development bodies when I was studying this subject.

May I, with my mathematical pedantic hat on, give those younger forum members still in secondary education another mathematical conundrum to ponder upon. If, during the theoretical discussions on calculus, bring the matter of infinity into the discussions. My contention is that infinity is not a number for the vast number of mathematical possibilities but there are still certain scenarios where infinity in calculus can behave like a number.
 

Searle

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May I, with my mathematical pedantic hat on, give those younger forum members still in secondary education another mathematical conundrum to ponder upon. If, during the theoretical discussions on calculus, bring the matter of infinity into the discussions. My contention is that infinity is not a number for the vast number of mathematical possibilities but there are still certain scenarios where infinity in calculus can behave like a number.

I think it's common practice, well it is at my university, to refer to infinity always as a limit, and never as an actual number. Gets around the slight loophole of using infinity while never using it!
 

Xenophon PCDGS

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I think it's common practice, well it is at my university, to refer to infinity always as a limit, and never as an actual number. Gets around the slight loophole of using infinity while never using it!

Glad to see that universities are acting in the correct manner alluded to in your quote above....1966 is a rather long time since I went to the podium to accept my First at the graduation ceremony..:oops:
 

Searle

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Glad to see that universities are acting in the correct manner alluded to in your quote above....1966 is a rather long time since I went to the podium to accept my First at the graduation ceremony..:oops:

Never knew that you got a First in Maths, I'm very impressed! :D
 

SS4

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Glad to see that universities are acting in the correct manner alluded to in your quote above....1966 is a rather long time since I went to the podium to accept my First at the graduation ceremony..:oops:

Please accept my very belated congratulations :D
 
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