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

223 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

9,059 posts

281 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

12,918 posts

161 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

86,727 posts

271 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?