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Innumeracy


EricW

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I swear that I am not making this up. I actually had to write a series of emails at work today declaring that:

Barring issues with significant figures (we weren't dealing with measured data, but manufacturer's specifications) ...

1 = 1.0 = 1

Tomorrow, I fully expect to have a debate with corporate counsel as to what the meaning of "is" is. :lol:

Edited by EricW
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x^0=1 Try to explain that one. :huh:

Here's why:

x^a / x^c = x^(a-c)

Concrete example, x^5 / x^3 = xxxxx / xxx = xx = x^2

In the special case of a=c, the x^a / x^a = x^(a-a) = x^0

Something divided by itself is always one (except for zero, natch), so x^0 = 1.

Edited by p99shooter
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Here's why:

x^a / x^c = x^(a-c)

Concrete example, x^5 / x^3 = xxxxx / xxx = xx = x^2

In the special case of a=c, the x^a / x^a = x^(a-a) = x^0

Something divided by itself is always one (except for zero, natch), so x^0 = 1.

Now can you explain that to the Verizon customer service? :D

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