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SHJNP Blog
Opinion and Comment On Mathematics and Physics
September 2009
- Why is the correct view of
zero so important? As we have shown in The Two Faces Of Zero and
the accompanying blog articles, our interpretation of the humble zero
decides: whether the laws of physics break down in singularities or
not. Whether worm-holes are possible or not. Whether there is a need
for renormalisation in physics.
August 2009
- Zero and the Number Line
How "Wide" Is Zero? We note that zero is often shown on
number lines as occupying some width on the line. We often draw actual
lines to represent zero on a line. This re-inforces the convention
that zero is an actual number. But how wide is zero as a quantity?
What dimensions does it have on a number line?
July 2009
- The Scope Of Equations
Equations and mathematical expressions sometimes have logical
boundaries. If a theoretical physicist makes a mistake with the scope
of a function, then in a year, or a decade or a century, someone will
publish a correction. If a computer programmer makes a mistake in the
scope of a function, something goes "bang", someone loses
money or planes fall from the sky.
June 2009
- Something Into
Nothing Nothing demonstrates the subtle interplay between zero,
infinity and reality like the following..
- The Problem With
Points Physics has a long-standing idolatry of point particles as
being some sort of "ideal object" akin to the ancients'
treatment of the planets as perfect spheres...
May 2009
April 2009
- Division By Zero In
Physics - To do it or not? If there is a single topic in basic
mathematics that could be considered "controversial", it is
division by zero. You would think that Mathematics, Physics and
Software Development would share common rules for simple arithmetic,
but they differ in one area: division by zero.
- Infinite Gravity or Field
Strength ...the result is referring to a region of space that has
zero dimensions. I.e. it does not exist. This fact seems to escape
those who make claims about infinite density...
March 2009
February 2009
- Zero Raised to the 0th Power
(00) For an example of the vagaries and effect of
opinion in mathematics let's look at the seemingly mundane topic of 00
(0^0 or 0 raised to the 0th power)...
- What's Hot? One of our
objectives in these pages is to uncover other controversial areas
where mathematics and physics collide...
January 2009
December 2008
- Is 0 / 0
"undefined"? I read in a recent forum post recently that
0/0 is "undefined". This got me thinking...
- Mathematicians and Physics
It is the purpose of these pages to highlight the successes and
failures of mathematics in Physics. To comfort the afflicted and to
afflict the comfortable...
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