This debate is very very old, and yet still breeds misgivings among many =P I've encountered a number of people who have a problem with the proofs and I've found that once someone is entrenched in the position you cannot convince them.
So I will ask those who don't buy it a question out of genuine curiosity that relates to the question. I've asked others in the past to find one person who has a Masters or Doctorate in mathematics who supports the position that 0.999...~=1 rather than 0.999...=1.
Of course it really doesn't change my point even if there is. The point is that the debate boils down to one of definitions of the mathematical kind and to most(all?) with the highest credentials in these matters they have one single interpretation of every proof that has been put forward (5 of them iirc). And that is that 0.999...=1.
I'll be the first to say that a consensus of experts a fact is not, but this is a case where it seems to be more than consensus ...its unanimous. And with 5 different proofs using different approaches from different parts of mathematics most people are more than sufficiently convinced by that. But I admire the spirit of questioning authority so I havn't rule it out, I'm just infinitely leaning that way
.
Jokes aside, I wanted to post this to put the debate into perspective for others and encourage them to talk to their professors and instructors. I'll avoid the heated side of the debate since I've had it many times before and the purpose has more to do with people working it out for themselves than actually convincing someone else.
PS - I wasn't joking about the question BTW, I'm actually pretty curious if there is one.
 |
| To Each Man, Responsibility |
