psi20 Posted May 5, 2004 Share Posted May 5, 2004 go to http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/alg2.html#ap scroll down to the part on algebra practice equations. x = (b(e-c))/(a-bd) so a can't = bd or the equation becomes undefined. put x + 0 = x + 0 and you get NaN. what's NaN? Does that mean all real numbers? put x + 1 = x + 0 and you get -Infinity... I don't get it. I thought it was null set. put x + 0 = x + 1 and you get Infinity... I don't get that either. I thought it was null set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bh_doc Posted May 6, 2004 Share Posted May 6, 2004 All that system is doing is taking the coefficients and placing them into the equation for x just above. Some coefficients make the unique solution impossible to find. NaN stands for Not a Number, it is the way computers generally say "undefined". It comes about since the system tries to find the unique result of 0/0. The system isn't designed to handle sets at all, so in this case you could interpret NaN to mean "the set of all real numbers", or "I don't have enough info to be able to tell", etc. You get infinity since it tries to calculate 1/0. You get -infinity since it tries to calculate -1/0. You are right in thinking it is a null set, but computers don't think like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psi20 Posted May 6, 2004 Author Share Posted May 6, 2004 Thanks, that makes sense now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted May 7, 2004 Share Posted May 7, 2004 In short: don't trust everything your calculator tells you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now