[*BCM*] tangential math discussion

Thomas John Vitolo tjvitolo at bu.edu
Mon Jun 19 19:04:27 EDT 2006


A standard definition:

An even number is an integer of the form n==2k, where k is an integer.

For infinity to be even, there would have to exist an integer k such that n==2k.
 The only possibility for k is infinity, but infinity isn't an integer --
therefore, infinity can't be even.

 - TJV



Quoting Dimitri Kountourogianni <dimitrik at gmail.com>:

> Infinity seems both even and odd to me. Alexander must have
> infinitely many arms. :)
> 
> -Dimitri
> 
> 
> Here's an infinite set: (smallest size of infinity - aleph-0)
> 
> 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ...
> 
> Here's that set divided into two pieces both of the same size:
> 1, 3, 5, 7, 9,  ...
> 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, ...
> 
> Here's one thing taken away from that set and then the result divided
> into two 
> equal pieces:
> 
> 1
> 
> 3, 5, 7, 9,  ...
> 2, 4, 6, 8,  ...
> 
> David Hammond wrote:
> > But it’s always positive
. ;-)
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > Dave
> > 
> >  
> > 
> >
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > 
> > *From:* bostoncriticalmass-bounces at bostoncriticalmass.org 
> > [mailto:bostoncriticalmass-bounces at bostoncriticalmass.org] *On
> Behalf Of 
> > *William Lynch
> > *Sent:* Saturday, June 17, 2006 2:49 AM
> > *To:* 'Boston Critical Mass'
> > *Subject:* RE: [*BCM*] Be the change you want to see in the
> world.
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > Infinity is neither even nor odd.
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > -Bill
> > 
> > My two cents
> > 
> >  
> > 
> >  
> >
> 
>  >>--
>  >>
> 
> >>--------------------------------------------------------------------------
>  >>
>  >>(1)   Alexander the Great was a great general.
>  >>
>  >>(2)   Great generals are forewarned.
>  >>
>  >>(3)   Forewarned is forearmed.
>  >>
>  >>(4)   Four is an even number.
>  >>
>  >>(5)   Four is certainly an odd number of arms for a man to have.
>  >>
>  >>(6)   The only number that is both even and odd is infinity.
>  >>
>  >>
>  >>
>  >>Therefore, Alexander the Great had an infinite number of arms.
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