1 divided by infinity equals zero (always?)

  • #1
njh
19
4
TL;DR Summary
1/ infinity = 0, but this seems a simplification.
I understand the mathematics that 1 divided by infinity is virtually zero and so equals zero. I look on the internet and that is the answer that I get. Is this a simplification for early mathematics learning and, if I continue, will I find a more complex answer? The reason that I ask is that I find this a simplification that does not sound right. Thank you.
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
  • #2
You cannot divide anything by infinity since infinity isn't a number. The notation ##1/\infty =0## is a very sloppy way to write ##\displaystyle{\lim_{n \to \infty}\dfrac{1}{n}=0} ## or whatever else goes to infinity. There is no division by infinity, only the remark that ##\left|\dfrac{1}{n}-0\right|<\varepsilon ## gets arbitrarily small, but not zero.
 
  • Like
Likes topsquark, Vanadium 50 and mcastillo356
  • #3
Thank you (and incidentally, my apologies for not using mathematical notation in my question).
 
  • Like
Likes PeroK

Similar threads

  • General Math
2
Replies
40
Views
3K
  • General Math
Replies
7
Views
393
  • General Math
2
Replies
47
Views
2K
  • General Math
Replies
31
Views
1K
  • General Math
2
Replies
36
Views
3K
  • General Math
2
Replies
45
Views
3K
  • General Math
Replies
5
Views
1K
Replies
1
Views
840
  • General Discussion
Replies
8
Views
797
  • Other Physics Topics
Replies
13
Views
2K
Back
Top