By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close

Dang, people got here before me who understand what's going on. It's not a paradox anymore so that .333... x 3 = 1. The real issue is that people don't understand infinity. They can't fathom reaching it, and thus problems like this are a real issue. Achilles overtakes the tortoise after an infinite amount of these little repetitions. Although it's hard for us to imagine reaching infinity, doing so is not impossible. Thus, there's no paradox. So he must reach infinity to pass the tortoise, but so what? We overtake an infinite amount of points with each and every step. Just because we can't imagine it doesn't mean it isn't possible.

Edit: In case that wasn't clear, I was saying there is no mathematical paradox.  People just can't imagine reaching infinity well.