• Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In@lemmy.world
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        2 days ago

        So you think

        0.333.... + 0.333.... + 0.333.... = 1

        Is clearer and more concise than

        1/3 + 1/3 + 1/3 = 1

        Fractional representation is the method for rational numbers, particularly if they are part of an intermediate calculation.

        Decimals are lossy, fractions aren’t.

        • axEl7fB5@lemmy.cafe
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          2 days ago

          No because you said this:

          If you want to precisely write to infinity you write 1/3.

          You can also precisely write to infinity if you write 0.333…

          Decimals are lossy, fractions aren’t.

          Decimals aren’t lossy, any fraction can be converted to decimal but it just takes longer to write.

          • Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In@lemmy.world
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            2 days ago

            The fraction 1/3 is a compact and unambiguous representation—it doesn’t rely on an ellipsis or an understanding of infinite series to be interpreted. It can easily be used in later calculations (you never see … notation in algebra). It is a useful notation.

            As soon as you use decimals in computer and human calculations, they become lossy.

            I’m not really sure what hill you are trying to die on. Fractions are useful, even if you don’t know how to use them.

            • axEl7fB5@lemmy.cafe
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              2 days ago

              As soon as you use decimals in computer and human calculations, they become lossy.

              What does lossy mean? I’m not trying to die on any hill, but I’m quite confused aswell.

              • Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In@lemmy.world
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                2 days ago

                By lossy I mean rounding errors. Try to combine 2 or more recurring decimals in any function and you start loosing accuracy.

                Mathematicians rarely use decimals (also they rarely use numbers). Everything stays in fractions. Maybe the very last step is delivered as a decimal, but rarely.

    • Jamablaya@lemmy.world
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      3 days ago

      well, no, it’s understood that a third is .333 to infinity, so .333+.333+.333 does equal 1 for any use not requiring precision to the point of it mattering that it was actually .33333335 when measured.

        • Jamablaya@lemmy.world
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          3 days ago

          It came from it not being actually .333 to infinity when measured in the required engineering precision i was talking about. It’s literally a “common use” mathematical convention (you clearly are unaware of) that three times .333 is one. Solves a lot of problems due to a failure of the notation.

          • Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In@lemmy.world
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            3 days ago

            3 times 0.333 is 0.999 not 1.

            Saying it equals 1 may be a common engineering convention, but it is mathematically incorrect.

            There is no failure of notation if fractions are used, which is why I gave this example of usefulness.

            • Jamablaya@lemmy.world
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              2 days ago

              You knows when a person informs you of a convention people use to solve a problem created by notation, you could just fucking learn instead of arguing stupidity.

              • Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In@lemmy.world
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                2 days ago

                Your chosen notation solves nothing. Try Representing 3227/555 using 4 trailing dots.

                I started here by showing how fractions are useful.

                You are the ignorant aggressor, trying to fight centuries of mathematicians by claiming decimals are always better.