The sum of all +ve numbers is.....

The sum of all +ve numbers is.....

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Discussion

AA999

Original Poster:

5,180 posts

224 months

Friday 3rd October 2014
quotequote all
.......-1/12

Summing up all the positive numbers through to infinity = -1/12

This result is actually used within the maths of physics.


But summing up all +ve numbers results in a -ve fraction?..... just one of the weird results when you involve a concept such as infinity.


FunkyNige

9,166 posts

282 months

Friday 3rd October 2014
quotequote all
Knock yourself out for the explanation

http://physicsbuzz.physicscentral.com/2014/01/redu...

(short answer is a sloppy use of the equals sign)

Otispunkmeyer

13,057 posts

162 months

Friday 3rd October 2014
quotequote all
Check out numberphile on YT. They have an explanation for this and show you the working.

Its just a bit of bobbins maths.

Simpo Two

87,119 posts

272 months

Friday 3rd October 2014
quotequote all
My non-mathematical answer would be 'infinity minus a bit'.

And I guess the 'bit' is 1/infinity?