h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

"Population: None.

It is known that there are an infinite number of worlds, simply because there is an infinite amount of space for them to be in. However, not every one of them is inhabited. Therefore, there must be a finite number of inhabited worlds. Any finite number divided by infinity is as near to nothing as makes no odds, so the average population of all the planets in the Universe can be said to be zero. From this it follows that the population of the whole Universe is zero, and that any people you may meet from time to time are merely the products of a deranged imagination."


Absolutely brilliant. I mean, how can you argue with it? It has no flaws!

Space is big. Really big. You might think that it's a long way doen the road to the chemists, but that's peanuts compared to space....

I agree it is brilliant. You can not argue with that. I was wondering weather any one else how any other cool logic to explain things?

Form

Peter Jones

If there are an infinite number of worlds, and not all of them are inhabited, it doesn't follow that there are a finite number of inhabited worlds.

It's like saying there are an infinite number of numbers. Not all of them are even, so there must be a finite number of even numbers. Think of the biggest even number you can, and add 2 ... ad infinitum.

I like the argument in which God proves to himself that he doesn't exist, before disappearing 'in a puff of logic'

Paul.

I've got the answer.

But I don't think you're going to like it....
Infinity divided by 2 is still... infinity, isn't it? That's what I thought, anyway.

Yes I think you are right finite divided by two is still finite as is any number divided by infinity. I was wondering what finite divided by finite. Is it one. It could be finite. Any body got an idea.

Peter

finite divided by finite?

please just be joking.

you either have no idea what a finite # is, or you have absolutely no comprehension of maths.

Go ask some random 12 year old.

hey,
I am sorry I meant infinite divided infinite, if you are so cleaver what is the answer then? Here is a definition if you are confused: limitless or endless in space, extent, or size; impossible to measure or calculate. This suggests that it is impossible to calculate. I would appreciate if you would answer the question and if you are so good at maths maybe you could leave you e-mail address and I send you a maths question I am stuck on my degree course. P.S I don’t think you know many 12 year olds? Because I doubt many of them would know the answer.

Peter Jones

Handbags at dawn?
As far as I can work out, infinity divided by itself is 1, because any number divided by itself is 1. Of course, I could be wrong, cuz I only got a B in Maths at GCSE, but it seems to make sense.
PS I just asked my 11 year old cousin.
He doesn't know.

As Far as I know infintety divided by infinety is not 1, but don't quote me on that. Infinety in the world of mathematics is a bit of a hazey subject. I went to lecture on it last year, unforunately I'll be buggered if I can remember any of it.

I hope that clears things up.

Gotcha. I think.
My cousin's too busy watching wrestling to refute that statement.

Does anybody know how to calculate the average air speed velocity of a coconut laden swallow (african not european)

I am sure its something to do with the weight ration of husk to feather but i'm not sure.

What if they used a length of creeper?

Hey there grand most taka, welcome to h2g2. I'm on of the aces that hunt down and welcome newcomers.. welcome aboard, now if you could just to you your space, (by clicking on my space) and then click on edit page, people can pop by for a chat!

lol peter

I'm not even going to bother contemplating what infinity/infinity is because the # itself is so complex in maths.

I was merely responding in shear pain (I was near the point of actually throwing up) to your previous post, in which I now gather you mispelt infinite as finite, 3 times, in the same sentence.

Now I'm sure it was just coincidence, or maybe a late night, that made you do the same typo 3 times, in the same sentence, of which completely changed the meaning.



G'damnit I hate pikes.

Hi snowman,
If you must know I am dyslexic. That’s why I spelt that word wrong three times. I am really poor at spelling as you may have gathered. I sorry if that made you feel physically sick but you have to try and tolerate people’s weaknesses. Do not judge someone by their spelling or their deluded views about snowman world domination. Spelling is not a measure of intelligence it is just a way of conveying it. I hope this post contains no grammatical errors. Don’t want you puking up all over your keyboard. No hard feelings.

Peter

you still don't get it, so i'll spell it out.

I don't care a rats arse about grammer or spelling. This is the internet! So long as it's understandable then all is fine.


If i read something here, i'll take it literally unless it's obviously a spelling mistake. Having made the same error 3 times in the same sentence, I hope you'll agree it wasn't obvious that finite = infinite.
Thus I had no inkling that what I read wasn't what you actually thought; which, trust me, any 12 year old would know what a finite #/finite # is. So to see another uni student in england ask that question was just...wrong!


Now, here's the crux, so listen carefully. You responded to my first message in a rather pissed of tone, "if you are so clever.....if you are so smart...etc," demanding me to then tell you what infinity/infinity is. G'dfingdamnit I never said go ask 12 year olds that.

Understand? I'm just going to stop writing or I'll end up saying something nasty

Snowman,
I am sorry! I got the wrong end of the stick. I think I understand where your were coming from now. I was wrong to respond in such a hostile way. Please accept my apologies and agree that we both misunderstood each other. Let’s say no more about except the original quote you posted from hitchhikers guide to the galaxy was brilliant!

Sorry about the confusion

Peter

Now now children!

A number divided by itself is 1, yes.

But infinity is NOT a number, it's a concept, so the usual rules of mathematics cannot be applied to it.

Oh well done sweetcheeks! Now how about you re-read all of the above and then you can see why you became a pornstar and didn't pursue your literacy ambition