Why don't mathematicians define 1/0 as something, like they define √-1=I?

Let's try it! Write [math]0\cdot s=1=s\cdot 0[/math], where [math]s[/math] = "something." What follows from that? We already have a problem: normally, [math]0x=0[/math] for all [math]x[/math].…

Top stories for Long   Why don't mathematicians define 1/0 as something, like they define √-1=I? Alex Eustis, Ph.D. Mathematics, University of California, San Diego (2013) • Answered February 3 Let's try it! Write [math]0\cdot s=1=s\cdot 0[/math], where [math]s[/math] = "something." What follows from that? We already have a problem: normally, [math]0x=0[/math] for all [math]x[/math]. So let's start there. Property broken: [math]0x=0...[/math] Read more » 478 38   If AI can now write code, design systems, and debug faster than most developers, what's the actual value of a computer science degree in 2025—and will it be worth anything by 2030? Christopher F Clark, Yacc++ author, Intel chip designer, ex-Googler • Answered December 3 I have answer roughly this question so many times, I am close to giving up. Re-read all the previous answers that people have given. And, after that, if you still believe a... Read more » 73 15   The mysterious rock of Al Naslaa Alessandro13 • Posted Sep 5, 2024 The rock formation of Al Naslaa is located 50 km south of the Tayma Oasis in Saudi Arabia. It has been split in half in two parts so perfectly that it looks like the work of a laser blade. Both parts... Read more » 791 76   Kudzu is easy to grow, it hides the ground well, and it can be used as feed for cows, so why is it considered undesirable in the US? Asked in Ask Daddy • Answered by Dormas • October 28 Many people thought the same way you did. America in the 1800s imported arrowroot for exactly that reason. I thought it was a very good idea at the time. Unfortunately, they... Read more » 2.2K 127   Is drinking water right before sleeping good or bad? Judith Tiara, Former Medicaid Doctor (2005-present) • Answered January 20 Consuming water at night has different consequences for people with varied health situations. For those who have healthy statuses, it is advisable to consume an adequate qu... Read more » 452 18   I am not satisfied with my PhD thesis. Could it be worthwhile to do another PhD? Leonard Waks, Distinguished Professor at Hangzhou Normal University (2018-present) • Answered May 30, 2025 I was not satisfied with my doctoral thesis and neither was my committee. They failed me. Nonetheless, some chapters were pretty decent and one got published in a high leve... Read more » 193 8   If you were sitting in a silo and grain flowed over you, could you lie down on your back and "swim" to stay upstairs? Asked in Ask Daddy • Answered by Fano • October 20 No, that wouldn't work. However, there is a very simple way not to "sink" under the grain flow. I grew up on a farm where wheat was grown, and I've been in a granary with a g... Read more » 7.1K 224   Basketball by RJ, Longtime NBA fan • Posted Jan 17 Michael Jordan is already quitting NBC. And I don't blame him for quitting. He can do whatever he wants. But this whole process is genuinely hilarious. Let me get this straight. NBC paid Jordan 20 mi... Read more » 190 53   A credit card was issued in my name without me knowing and now the company says I am liable for the debt. What can I do? Chris Garcia, Executive Management at Fortune 500 Companies (1995-present) • Updated January 12 Making the credit card company prove in court that you actually opened the account is one of the stupidest moves you could make. First of all, it will not happen overnight.... Read more » 4K 185   When will alcohol kill the alcoholic? Marylyn Dranos, studied at University of Nevada, Las Vegas • Answered January 23 I have an uncle, a man who over the course of the last twelve years grew from a functional, successful businessman, someone I could finally recognize, into a shell of a man... Read more » 737 102   What happens to outdated supercomputers? Malleus Veritas, Engineer, Artist, Maker, Writer, Teacher, Veteran, Father • Answered January 25 When I was working at LANL in the mid 90s, they were giving away a Cray 2 supercomputer. The catch was that you had to remove the 5 tons of cooling equipment that went with... Read more » 217 24   Which Nazi leader shaved his face to escape execution after WWII, and was he successful? Alex Colby, read hundreds of books about WWII history • Posted Oct 11 The story by Heinrich Himmler is an incredible real-life story of one of the most wicked Nazi leaders. He was the leader of the SS and the mastermind behind the holocaust. Himmler was the criminal ... Read more » 368 31 Read more in your feed

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