How Can We Have Whole Numbers When Infinity Exist---0.99...?????
If 0.99... exists, then how can be have whole numbers? Infact, how can we have the number 1?
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Yup, that's exactly what happens. If you're equating the mass of your current body to equal 1, in this case, then removing a fingernail clipping would probably equal 0.001 of your body mass (or some tiny number). So, in relation to what your body mass was before (1), your body mass is now 0.999 after clipping your nail. But if you mean 'person' as in your quantity of personhood, that's something that cann't be physically measured by number or quantity, because it is a metaphorical property. Physical things like mass and quantity have number though. Real and imaginary numbers are just situational versions of measuring quantity and amount. Theoretically or truthfully. Side: Numbers are useful imaginary concepts
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:) .99 does not exist. Sure, judge real things by fake thing standards and all the sudden real doesn't seem so real any more. If you approach numbers as a measurement, it's only useful form, you can never get to any number, 1, 2, .99, .00000000000000000000001 without first counting infinate numbers between. Since you cannot count infinite numbers you cannot measure. Numbers are simply the most accurate label for things we count. We ignore that we can imagine infinity in order to go about our day. After all, it does little good to question every notch in the ruler while making a cabinet. It will hold cups regardless how much you worrry about the difference between 1 and .99. We first imagined (as humans now) 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. We then saw room for .99 much later. .99 though does not exist. You have 1, or you do not. The rest are tools to increase understanding. I shouldn't be used to question what we already understand - as seems to be the rabbit whole we're falling into here. Side: Numbers are useful imaginary concepts
I shouldn't be used to question what we already understand - as seems to be the rabbit whole we're falling into here. So don't question what we already understand and accept, because we risk falling into a rabbit hole? I have seen that logic expressed elsewhere to defend the "not questioning" of other useful imaginary constructs. I am philosophically opposed to avoiding scrutiny of value systems. Side: Numbers are useful imaginary concepts
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The very fact that infinity exists allows us to have whole numbers. --------------------------------------- 1 is short for 1. (followed by an infinite amount of 0's) We just denote it as "1", it is still infinitely long. --------------------------------------- Just as 0.99 is short for 0.9900000000000000000000000000.... (followed by an infinite amount of 0's) We just denote it as "0.99". --------------------------------------- Side: Numbers are useful imaginary concepts
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