Because don't the measurements get infinitely smaller? like 0.01 then 0.001 then 0.0001 and so on?
So if two objects are moving towards each other they pass all the distances between them right? Like first they are 1 foot apart, then they are half a foot apart, then a quarter, and so on. So what is the last distance until the distance between them finally reaches zero?
Won't they never get to zero since the number keeps getting smaller and smaller forever? Of course they DO get to zero because two objects moving together DO touch, but doesn't that mean they skipped some numbers to get there? If there is an infinite number or smaller numbers then they couldn't ever get to zero, but they do...so they had to have skipped some numbers.
Of course they didn't, because they HAD to pass every distance between 1 foot and 0 feet in order to touch. But since the number keeps getting smaller and smaller forever, HOW?!
HOW PEOPLE?
I really don't understand...
So if two objects are moving towards each other they pass all the distances between them right? Like first they are 1 foot apart, then they are half a foot apart, then a quarter, and so on. So what is the last distance until the distance between them finally reaches zero?
Won't they never get to zero since the number keeps getting smaller and smaller forever? Of course they DO get to zero because two objects moving together DO touch, but doesn't that mean they skipped some numbers to get there? If there is an infinite number or smaller numbers then they couldn't ever get to zero, but they do...so they had to have skipped some numbers.
Of course they didn't, because they HAD to pass every distance between 1 foot and 0 feet in order to touch. But since the number keeps getting smaller and smaller forever, HOW?!
HOW PEOPLE?
I really don't understand...
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This is known as Zeno's paradox.
The answer is that the sum of an infinite series can be a finite number. Thus any finite move no matter how big or small, always passes through an infinite number of distances. Take note that as you keep going down the decimal places and the distances approaches zero, the time taken between successive distances approaches zero too.
The answer is that the sum of an infinite series can be a finite number. Thus any finite move no matter how big or small, always passes through an infinite number of distances. Take note that as you keep going down the decimal places and the distances approaches zero, the time taken between successive distances approaches zero too.
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The numbers and measurements are artificially applied in your head. They do not exist in reality.
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This was the principle of differential mathematics . You will find your answer when you take calculus 1 and 2.