This is why mathematics makes my head hurt... - by catbarf
catbarf on 29/9/2007 at 00:13
So if I have two infinite numbers, one can be smaller than another? Gah, this just gets more and more confusing...
demagogue on 29/9/2007 at 00:28
Quote Posted by catbarf
Okay, the other day a few friends and I were talking about the possibility of life on other planets, when one brought up the following argument:
The argument you're looking for is called the (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drake_equation) Drake equation. Part of it gives you the total number of alien civilizations in the universe, the whole thing gives you just the ones we can contact, or realistically hope to contact.
It's more for discussion than for giving a "real" answer. But anyway, two prominant answers given to it are 2 and 10 alien civilations we can presently hope to make contact with.
Gingerbread Man on 29/9/2007 at 01:13
divide by infinity equals zero lol
There's your problem.
Well done.
catbarf on 29/9/2007 at 02:24
Quote Posted by demagogue
The argument you're looking for is called the (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drake_equation) Drake equation. Part of it gives you the total number of alien civilizations in the universe, the whole thing gives you just the ones we can contact, or realistically hope to contact.
It's more for discussion than for giving a "real" answer. But anyway, two prominant answers given to it are 2 and 10 alien civilations we can presently hope to make contact with.
Thank you for the link, that is very informative and just a tad bit creepy (Predicting numbers of contactable alien races? Whaa...?).
Angel Dust on 29/9/2007 at 02:46
Quote Posted by catbarf
5. Divide by infinity, you get 0. Therefore there are no organisms, intelligent or otherwise, in the universe.
Dividing by infinity does not equal zero. It just equals a number so small that for alot of calculations in maths you treat it as zero.
Vernon on 29/9/2007 at 03:14
Quote Posted by catbarf
I also recall reading about a physicist who proved that gravity is impossible. Does anyone have a link?
ah yes
(
http://www.intelligent-forces.com/)
Livo on 29/9/2007 at 03:40
I prefer the Douglas Adams explanation of the universe;
There is a theory which states that if ever anybody discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable.
There is another theory which states that this has already happened.
Duncan on 29/9/2007 at 03:43
Quote Posted by intelligent-forces.com
'There are also alleged reports of a number of anti-gravitationalists dying in "mysterious circumstances" before keynote speeches.'At least my time was not a complete loss.
JayDee on 29/9/2007 at 03:57
That site strike me as a flying-spaghetti-monster-esque parody, though. And nothing in it resembling, or attempting to resemble, proof.
Angel Dust on 29/9/2007 at 04:16
Just had a look myself and there seems to be a whole lot of nothing there but its pretty funny. I like the caption under Newtons pic!
