"Cannot divide by Zero" ...Or can you?

[Vash_the_Stampede]

1200-year-old problem 'easy'

Schoolchildren in Caversham have become the first in the country to learn about a new number - 'nullity' - which solves maths problems neither Newton nor Pythagoras could conquer.

 

 

Dr James Anderson, from the University of Reading's computer science department, says his new theorem solves an extremely important problem - the problem of nothing.

 

"Imagine you're landing on an aeroplane and the automatic pilot's working," he suggests. "If it divides by zero and the computer stops working - you're in big trouble. If your heart pacemaker divides by zero, you're dead."

Watch a video report from BBC South Today's Ben Moore, then let Dr Anderson talk you through his theory in simple steps on the whiteboard:

Dividing by Zero: Ben Moore reports

Dr. Anderson's theory in detail

(Real Player required to watch)

 

Computers simply cannot divide by zero. Try it on your calculator and you'll get an error message.

 

But Dr Anderson has come up with a theory that proposes a new number - 'nullity' - which sits outside the conventional number line (stretching from negative infinity, through zero, to positive infinity).

 

'Quite cool'

 

The theory of nullity is set to make all kinds of sums possible that, previously, scientists and computers couldn't work around.

 

"We've just solved a problem that hasn't been solved for twelve hundred years - and it's that easy," proclaims Dr Anderson having demonstrated his solution on a whiteboard at Highdown School, in Emmer Green.

 

"It was confusing at first, but I think I've got it. Just about," said one pupil.

 

"We're the first school kids to be able to do it - that's quite cool," added another.

 

Despite being a problem tackled by the famous mathematicians Newton and Pythagoras without success, it seems the Year 10 children at Highdown now know their nullity.

 

Source: BBC News

 

So, what do you guys think?

[LPShinodaFM]

*Head turns twice as big*

 

Whoa

[UnhingedMouse0]

Ummmmm... yeah. Ok...

 

First, I hate math. lol Second, I understand it... but I just think its a load of crap. As 'easy' as it is to come to this number, how is it any different from just calling your answer UNDEFINED. It isnt. He just renamed an old concept. I mean, how are you supposed to use it in a real problem? What answer will you get 3/0 = 3Null? Wtf?

 

I may not understand it completely.

Cool find though, still interesting though absurd.

[Rusu_luvs_LP_4ever]

bah, why did they do that?? That means more learning random shit we won't ever use

(I don't like maths very much lol)

[UnhingedMouse0]

bah, why did they do that?? That means more learning random shit we won't ever use

(I don't like maths very much lol)

Im with you on that one, Im not bad at math, its just that anything after basic algebra and trigonometry end up being completely useless to 92% of the worlds population.... and even those are a stretch. (I made that number up btw, but its probably true)

[Rusu_luvs_LP_4ever]

Im with you on that one' date=' Im not bad at math, its just that anything after basic algebra and trigonometry end up being completely useless to 92% of the worlds population.... and even those are a stretch. (I made that number up btw, but its probably true)[/quote']

Yeah, I'm alright at maths, but it does tend to get pointless the more complex it gets...

[GraDoN]

lol i dont get it :> how can your heart be divided by null :\

[Rusu_luvs_LP_4ever]

^doesn't make too much sense neh? If it's being divided by nothing...shouldn't it NOT divide?

[Peterdea]

Im with you on that one' date=' Im not bad at math, its just that anything after basic algebra and trigonometry end up being completely useless to 92% of the worlds population.... and even those are a stretch. (I made that number up btw, but its probably true)[/quote']

lol my whole class agrees with you

[MrRandomGuy]

haha, I find it funny they made up a word that is the exact same as "undefined"

[Jeezy]

That's just another thing to confuse us...

[CrimsonRegret]

haha' date=' I find it funny they made up a word that is the exact same as "undefined"[/quote']

 

I agree. I mean, what's the difference between it and undefined?

[Black_Angel]

That's confusing and pointless :/

I'm actually alright at Maths (taking it for A level next year arrgh), but that's just.... I can't get my head round it.

 

Stupid Southerners...