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What is Infinity Divided by Infinity?

Published in Undefined Operation 2 mins read

The result of infinity divided by infinity is undefined.

Understanding Infinity in Mathematics

Infinity is not a number; instead, it represents a concept of something without any limit. Therefore, you cannot perform standard arithmetic operations like division with it directly. When you encounter expressions like infinity divided by infinity, it's not a normal mathematical calculation.

Why is it Undefined?

  • Not a Number: As stated, infinity is not a numerical value. Therefore, basic math operations don't apply.
  • Different Magnitudes: There isn't a single "infinity." There are different "sizes" of infinity. For example, the infinity of real numbers is larger than the infinity of integers. This means the ratio of these two infinities would be different from others.
  • Limits: In calculus, such expressions typically arise when dealing with limits. The answer to a limit of an expression involving infinities can vary widely depending on how the two infinities are approaching their infinite state.

Examples of Indeterminate Forms

The expression infinity divided by infinity is considered an indeterminate form. This means that, without additional information, we cannot determine a specific value. It could result in any number, including zero, a finite number, or infinity itself. Other indeterminate forms include:

  • 0/0
  • 0 * ∞
  • ∞ - ∞
  • 1^∞
  • 0^0
  • ∞^0

Reference Information:

  • According to the reference, you can't do math with infinity. In the context of concept of infinity divided by concept of infinity, it's undefined.

Conclusion

In short, "infinity divided by infinity" is not a calculable quantity and is generally considered undefined in mathematics. It's a situation that requires careful analysis, often within the context of limits.

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