![infinity](https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/infinity.png)
Why Division by Zero is a Bad Idea
/
33 Comments
A division by zero is primarily an algebraic question. The reasoning therefore follows the indirect pattern of most algebraic proofs:
What if it was allowed?
Then…
![How to Find Potential Functions](https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/how_to_find_potential_functions.png)
How to Find Potential Functions? A 10 Minute Introduction
Definition/Summary
Given a vector field ##\vec F(x,y,z)## that has a potential function, how do you find it?
Equations
$$\nabla \phi(x,y,z) = \vec F(x,y,z)$$…
![What is a linear equation](https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/what_is_a_linear_equation.png)
What is a Linear Equation? A 5 Minute Introduction
Definition/Summary
A first-order polynomial equation in one variable, its general form is [itex]Mx+B=0[/itex] where x is the variable. The quantities…
![What are significant figures](https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/what_are_significant_figures.png)
What are Significant Figures? A 5 Minute Introduction
Definition/Summary
Significant figures (commonly called "sig figs") are the number of figures (digits) included when rounding-off a number.For example,…
![What is a fibre bundle](https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/what_is_a_fibre_bundle.png)
What is a Fibre Bundle? A 5 Minute Introduction
Definition/Summary
Intuitively speaking, a fibre bundle is space E which 'locally looks like' a product space B×F, but globally may have a different…
![What are real numbers](https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/what_are_real_numbers.png)
What is a Real Number? A 5 Minute Introduction
Definition of real numbers
Real numbers are a comprehensive set of numbers that encompasses all possible values on the number line. They include both…
![integration by parts](https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/integration_by_parts.png)
What is Integration By Parts? A 5 Minute Introduction
Definition/Summary
In this article, we shall learn a method for integrating the product of two functions. This method is derived from the 'product rule'…
![What is a parabola](https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/what_is_a_parabola.png)
What is a Parabola? A 5 Minute Introduction
What is a Parabola?
A parabola is a U-shaped curve in mathematics that is defined by a specific set of points. It is a fundamental geometric shape that…
![Limit of a Function](https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/limit_of_a_function.png)
What Is a Limit of a Function? A 5 Minute Introduction
What is a limit?
In mathematics, a limit is a fundamental concept used to describe the behavior of a function or sequence as it approaches a particular…
![Lie Algebra Intro](https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/lie_algebra_intro.png)
What is Lie algebra? A 5 Minute Introduction
Definition/Summary
A Lie algebra ("Lee") is a set of generators of a Lie group. It is a basis of the tangent space around a Lie group's identity element,…
![What is a Tangent Line](https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/what_is_a_tangent_line.png)
What is a Tangent Line? A 5 Minute Introduction
Definition/Summary
The tangent to a curve in a plane at a particular point has the same Gradient as the curve has at that point.More generally, the…
![whatisatensor](https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/whatisatensor.png)
What Is a Tensor? The mathematical point of view.
Key pointsThe author begins by questioning the nature of numbers and their deeper significance.
Numbers can represent various mathematical constructs,…
![999equals1](https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/999equals1.png)
Why Do People Say That 1 And .999 Are Equal?
Why do people say 1 and 0.999... are equal? Aren't they two different numbers?No, they really are the same number, though this is often very counterintuitive…
![proofs](https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/proofs.png)
What Proofs are in Mathematics and Why Bother?
This FAQ is about proofs. Proofs are central to mathematics, and writing proofs is for many people a skill that is hard to master. There are actually two…
![](https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/zero.png)
The History and Concept of the Number 0
The goal of this FAQ is to clear up the concept of 0 and specifically the operations that are allowed with 0.The best way to start this FAQ is to look…