Is it possible to solve a fraction that has 0 at denominator? Can a/0 be defined or solved?

zabuheljz

zabuheljz

Open question

2022-08-16

Is it possible to solve a fraction that has 0 at denominator?
Can a 0 be defined or solved?

Answer & Explanation

Izabella Fisher

Izabella Fisher

Beginner2022-08-17Added 14 answers

Let one equation -
4 0 = x
Then 4 = 0 × x
But no value would work for x because 0 times any number is 0. So division by zero doesn't work.
Tarnayfu

Tarnayfu

Beginner2022-08-18Added 3 answers

Algebraically, the projective numbers are convenient, which adds a single point at (in particular, = in this number system), and defines a / 0 = whenever a 0
You have to keep in mind, however, that 0 / 0 is still undefined, and so are / , + , and
Projective coordinates may be enlightening; let ( a : b ) (for real a , b) denote the projective number a / b. Alternatively, we can define coordinates without reference to , by saying that ( a : b ) = ( c : d ) if and only if a d = b c, and then define = ( 1 : 0 )
Then, the elementary arithmetic operations are
( a : b ) + ( c : d ) = ( a d + b c : b d )
( a : b ) ( c : d ) = ( a d b c : b d )
( a : b ) ( c : d ) = ( a c : b d )
( a : b ) / ( c : d ) = ( a d : b c )
( a : b ) 1 = ( b : a )
In projective coordinates, ( 0 : 0 ) is not allowed, so any arithmetic operation that would give that result is instead left undefined.
There is an even more general theory called "wheel theory" that would let us further extend to allow 0 / 0 to be a number as well. They're kinda neat, but I am not aware of wheels being used beyond the work of their inventor.

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