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1 + 2 + 3 + ... = -1/12
08-19-2019, 05:22 PM
Post: #16
RE: 1 + 2 + 3 + ... = -1/12
(10-01-2018 08:26 PM)Albert Chan Wrote:  Is this a joke ?




From a purely non-mathematical POV:

1 > -1/12

and if you're adding positive integers to 1 you are going to get numbers that are even greater than 1.

If your sum is S then

S > 1 > -1/12

So the sum, S, can never be equal to -1/12.

In fact it can never be equal to a fraction since the set of natural numbers is closed under addition and multiplication. That is to say that any two natural numbers added (or multiplied) together produce a natural number. Now let's try three numbers, A, B and C. Let A+B=M. M must be a natural number. M+C must also be a natural number. So A + B + C is a natural number. By induction (whatever the hell that is), it can be shown that the sum of ANY number of natural numbers is a natural number.

The very first sum he forms is incorrect.

At least that's how I (as a non-mathematician) see it.

Tom L
Cui bono?
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Messages In This Thread
1 + 2 + 3 + ... = -1/12 - Albert Chan - 10-01-2018, 08:26 PM
RE: 1 + 2 + 3 + ... = -1/12 - Thomas Klemm - 10-01-2018, 09:09 PM
RE: 1 + 2 + 3 + ... = -1/12 - SlideRule - 10-01-2018, 09:25 PM
RE: 1 + 2 + 3 + ... = -1/12 - Albert Chan - 10-01-2018, 11:34 PM
RE: 1 + 2 + 3 + ... = -1/12 - SlideRule - 10-01-2018, 11:56 PM
RE: 1 + 2 + 3 + ... = -1/12 - pier4r - 10-03-2018, 03:42 PM
RE: 1 + 2 + 3 + ... = -1/12 - pier4r - 10-03-2018, 05:13 PM
RE: 1 + 2 + 3 + ... = -1/12 - Thomas Okken - 10-03-2018, 06:22 PM
RE: 1 + 2 + 3 + ... = -1/12 - Albert Chan - 10-03-2018, 11:13 AM
RE: 1 + 2 + 3 + ... = -1/12 - mfleming - 10-04-2018, 01:38 AM
RE: 1 + 2 + 3 + ... = -1/12 - SlideRule - 10-04-2018, 11:48 AM
RE: 1 + 2 + 3 + ... = -1/12 - Albert Chan - 08-19-2019, 04:15 PM
RE: 1 + 2 + 3 + ... = -1/12 - toml_12953 - 08-19-2019 05:22 PM
RE: 1 + 2 + 3 + ... = -1/12 - ijabbott - 08-19-2019, 07:17 PM
RE: 1 + 2 + 3 + ... = -1/12 - jebem - 08-20-2019, 04:03 PM



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