infinite number 2

[ncwei]

how to i create a infinite number in visual basic?

 

[wraygun]

What type of infinite number? What is your application?

 

[comaboy]

ncwei, because of the x86 architecture, it's both theorically and practically impossible to create an infinite number. Very, VERY large, yes - infinite, no. If you have the combined IQ of Albert E and Stevie H, you possibly could concoct a theorum whereby the memory could be reused to produce an ever increasing number, but again, you need an every increasing memory. Look at it this way, how many pieces of paper your you need to write it down on?

Now theorically, if you're willing to dump Windows and just about every other OS in use, you can set the x86 chip to run in a planar mode. That'll mean that memory is not assigned my the usual address techniques few of us properly grasp, and you can assign the memory in a single, massive chunk instead of collections bytes, segments, etc.

... The x86 chip CAN do this, but as far as I'm aware, no-one has every written an OS for it (c'MON people, prove me wrong !)

Then again, I could just have the wrong end of this infinite stick, and could well be talking out of my universe!

In the meantime here's a challenge to all the real hardcore assemblers/debuggers/MC-heads out there....

HOW WOULD YOU DO IT?

Mind you, wouldn't it be fun if new apps ran on Event Horizons instead being event driven???

Don't laugh! If you've every read the BOFH, you'll know it could SERIOUSLY cut down on support calls!....

 

[MrEGuest]

Darn fine explanation!

 

[nonguru]

Hi ncwei

maybe if you gave more information about what you
are trying to achieve, people could give you some
more helpful advice (although maybe not as entertaining)
;-)

 

[comaboy]

Yeah, guys,

sorry if I went off on one, but it just had to be done!

 

[wraygun]

The opportunity was there.

 

[Guest_imported]

What are you smoking, Comaboy? What do you mean by an "infinite number?" Any number which could be (even in principle, if not actually) written down or represented in a computer's memory, would, by definition, not be infinite! "Infinity" is a mental abstraction in the minds of mathematicians. Think about it. If you mean (say) a real number with an infinite number of decimal places, it would (literally) NEVER end! Read up some basic math and computer science.

 

[johpje]

If you really want to define an infinite number you should just part it in 2 numbers, which you divide. if the second number (you divide by) is 0, the number you get would be infinite.

 

[strongm]

Just to be pedantic, division by zero does not result in infinity. Mathematically, the operation is actually considered undefined

 

[comaboy]

erm, Blue %-), MATE !

That's EXACTLY the point I was making. Are you American? and if so, would that account account for the SOHF? (Sense Of Humour Failure)LOL

And as for "a mental abstraction in the minds of mathematicians". I hope you're including Cosmologists, Quantum Physicist, etc.

If it wasn't for the use of Infinity (As used as constant) most of the current-day theories regarding the evolution, size, energy, dark matter, etc in the universe would never have been calculated.

%-( And If you really want to go there and start arguing that such theorums as Special Relativity are wrong, write out the correct formulae to substantiate your conclusions & get back to me!

Jeez, I was only havin' a larf, lad! LOL

 

[nonguru]

So, anyway ncwei, what was it you were hoping to do in your program?
X-)

 

[Guest_imported]

Sorry, Comaboy, about the SOHF. I am not American, I'm English, from Bristol, but I can see why you thought I was from the US. Just goes to show... Anyway, I got the phrase about "minds of mathematicians" from the great Karl Friedrich Gauss, I take "mathematician" to mean "person who is thinking mathematically" so that could include cosmologists etc. Of course, Cantor took it further.

There is a very good page on this at:-

http://plaza.powersurfr.com/jsavard/math/infint.htm

As for the use of "infinity" as a constant, I agree that you will see that figure-eight-on-its-side symbol in lots of equations to do with cosmology, etc, but it is not a "number" as such, and does not correspond to any physical reality. It is a kind of conceptual convenience.

I see ncwei hasn't come back; maybe he broke his computer trying to put an infinite number in. Wore out the keyboard?

 

[Themuppeteer]

just had to give comaboy a star for such an explanation X-)






The Muppeteer.

themuppeteer@hotmail.com

Don't eat yellow snow...

 

[comaboy]

Blue,

Nice comeback,

And seeing as you're English, all is forgiven ! LOL

Do you know it's funny... I've got more accolades for being a bit silly than I usually do being *properly* helpfull!

Still, that, as they say, is life !