Mathematical Paradox
Can the Sum of Infinite Terms be Finite? The Mathematical Concept of Infinity in Easy Terms
Infinitely Many vs. Infinity Big
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A math major has a girlfriend who is a philosophy major. One day, he visits his girlfriend’s home and discusses a math problem with her dad, who also studied philosophy. He uses the infinite sum of 1/2+1/4+1/8+… which equals one to illustrate that a sum of infinite terms can be finite. To his frustration, both the girlfriend and her dad are unconvinced and insist that the above sum should go up to infinity.
The above story is based on a post that I read on social media a long time ago. I tend to believe that the user had made up the story to catch attention but I have no proof. One thing I am sure though, many people indeed find it perplexing that the sum of a sequence of infinite terms, like 1/2+1/4+1/8+…, can be a finite number. Philosophers are well-trained in reasoning, yet sometimes it is still difficult for mathematicians to explain the concept of infinity to them to their satisfaction.
The Paradoxical Nature of “Infinity”
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