2011-03-14, 04:40 PM
Devil Wrote:X^0=1 is only so because scientists across the world agreed that they will call it that way. It could be 0 too, but since that is not possible for humans to calculate at this moment (same way as dividing something by 0 is "impossible"), we all just agree on that is must be 1 to keep things simple.
It's the same as the time-travel paradox, it shouldn't be possible, that's why scientists agreed it isn't possible.
Math isn't about truth, it's about logic. Logic that isn't possible isn't logic, it's chaos. Although chaos is possible, we all agree that it isn't, just to keep things simple...
Uhmm... no.
Math, like any science, is formulated through hypothesizing, experimenting and concluding. It's just less observation based like say astronomy. Theorems in math are tested theories and hold true for as long as until a new theory disproves it. In other sciences, theories are disproved by a newfound observation, which does happen every now and then. In math, theorems are logically proven so you do not see a theorem disproved very often (or at all) unless there is a logical fallacy. And like science, new theories and concept such as calculus and the imaginary number revolutionize and advance the field.
Division by zero isn't because people "agreed it's impossible". It is possible. It's just that it yields a logical error (1 = 0 or 1 = 2). 1 + 1 = 2 isn't because people agree. There is a theorem that proves that 1 + 1 = 2 is in fact true and it doesn't involve counting fingers and a bunch of scientists nodding their heads in agreement.
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