0.999… is the same number as 1. It’s counterintuitive, but mathematics says that it’s true. Whether you believe it or not is another matter.

File:999 Perspective.png: Melchoir, AzaToth, Mets501, Sopoforic derivative work Pbroks13 [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

I’m not even going to try to summarise all of the proofs and arguments for this result. The one I find most convincing is this:

x = 0.999…
10x = 9.999…
10x = 9 + x
9x = 9
x = 1

• 0.999…
• Monty Hall problem

Categories: Mathematics & statistics Sciences

The Generalist

I live in Auckland, New Zealand, and am curious about most things.