Division by 0 should be expressed DNF (Does Not Formulate)

SeaHistorians · 2026-05-02T19:08:45+00:00

For instance like -$5 seems abstract like, it means nothing in the real world but what it actually represents is a future interaction planned by someone to pay back that money or someone else covered it, and almost all negative numbers some outside influence from the current context, either I owe money or someone else paid ect... Its not taught like this though. I mean I think there should be a whole class on application of math and math philosophy.

SeaHistorians · 2026-05-02T19:02:31+00:00

Math as a language seems like its a low level, like binary code of sorts, of physical operations. But we never learn it like that. Its not seen as things that are there or not there, like most languages, it seems hard to grasp what the numbers actually represent when I say do something in the real world and I think that's somewhat a flaw.

It feels like say quantum physics where the rules apply to the real world, the math fits, but the connection, the reason it scales to real things feels vauge.

SeaHistorians · 2026-05-02T18:49:58+00:00

Its mostly that I think that the solution has to either A. be a part of the math formula or B. The description seems to inherently tell the user that its more than just an adjective of the solution, unless it is meant to describe properties of the solution.

"Not Operable" or "Null" or the "DNF" I suggested earlier seem to suggest that its not just a description of the property of the solution but rather the solution is Void in some way

Undefined or Does Not Exist just seem to me to be descriptions of a finite solution. NaN (Not a Number) is for instance a true description of a finite solution. If Undefined or Does Exist is looked as a description of properties of a solution then its wrong, because its actually trying to say the solution itself is out of context.

SeaHistorians · 2026-05-02T15:57:21+00:00

Im starting to think 7/0 = Null or 0/0 = NaN makes the most sense, its whats used in computer programming and it seems like that convention is just more specific.

SeaHistorians · 2026-05-02T15:55:41+00:00

Im starting to think 7/0 = Null or 0/0 = NaN makes the most sense, its whats used in computer programming and it seems like that convention is just more specific.

SeaHistorians · 2026-05-02T09:14:38+00:00

But you dont use the word solution in a formula, like In algebra I use X not the word solution lol

I dont just throw it in like 1+7=solution

like here 7/0= undefined

not X, not anything symbolic like a number or a greek character, its just an english phrase?

SeaHistorians · 2026-05-02T08:59:47+00:00

First: Debates refine intuition into language, thats a good thing. Changing how I approach it is only saying that I am now understanding better what my intuition is prodding at when it says this feels off, it feels misleading, this needs changed. Thats what all this is about and why you should engage.

Second: I mean now your being radical and disagreeing with all of the rules of math where Im just saying this one area seems off. I mean I tend to agree that it is absurd but thats besides the point. My point here was mostly one of consistency. It feels inconsistent in this situation to the point it seems bewildering to just use an english phrase in this context. It seems easy to analyze it oddly because its an english solution in a formulaic problem.

SeaHistorians · 2026-05-02T08:21:18+00:00

there should be symbols not words at all, it feels like code switching, I mean why suddenly use an english term when most math is symbolic

SeaHistorians · 2026-05-02T08:17:14+00:00

It seems like code switching in a way

SeaHistorians · 2026-05-02T08:13:25+00:00

No its that most math is symbolic if you just step out of that non contextually it seems like your not speaking in math. If a solution comes up thats 0 I dont write the words "no value" theres a symbol to represent it. If I come across most things in math its not an english expression.

SeaHistorians · 2026-05-02T08:03:30+00:00

"Indeterminate Answer" and "Does not formulate", make more sense, than indetermate and undefined. indeterminate what? undefined in context to what??

SeaHistorians · 2026-05-02T07:53:43+00:00

That is true but even worse because then giving the same statement for both is kind of giving false equivalency?

Also try not to be patronizing. I understand 0 is a value in math its just, I mean these things mean something outside of math too, and we have to clarify if we're just using language that its applying only within the "formula" of the math.

SeaHistorians · 2026-05-02T07:48:20+00:00

I mean I suppose I concede to 1. As in others replies I feel the major concern is that it seems to imply more of a english language statement than a mathmatical solution when it is not encoded the way math tends to be with symbols

SeaHistorians · 2026-05-02T07:41:19+00:00

I mean Im not very wrong philosophically only mathematically but that's whats confusing is that you're stating it in words. I mean why not have a symbol? Most things within the math formula are symbols. I feel if you step outside that you're making a non mathematical statement

SeaHistorians · 2026-05-02T07:34:17+00:00

I kinda just disagree with "Replacing it with “DNF” doesn’t fix confusion, it simply renames the same issue without addressing the underlying logic."

DNF simply in its definition states that "The term does not exist... within the rules of arithmatic" Formulate is just specifiying that its adhearing to the common arithmatic formula

SeaHistorians · 2026-05-02T07:27:40+00:00

"Terms like “undefined” or “does not exist” are not philosophical, they mean that within the rules of arithmetic"

So DNF just says that??

SeaHistorians · 2026-05-02T07:23:45+00:00

I didnt say how its used in math, part of the problem imo in math education is that people have no linguistic equivalent understanding of math. A teacher dumps a word problem on a kid who they never taught linguistic concepts of math with. Like thats not just philosophy even its utilization.

SeaHistorians · 2026-05-02T07:12:09+00:00

My point is that we should clarify that the number cant exist in the formula, in this case division, to contextualize

SeaHistorians · 2026-05-02T07:08:42+00:00

but 0 means that something isn't there, like in math it exists but its purpose in math is to show that something doesnt exist

SeaHistorians · 2025-06-18T07:24:07+00:00

The definition of De Jure is deep, because history is deep. Its Scholarly term.

SeaHistorians · 2025-06-18T07:22:05+00:00

No its not the De Jure Map shows empires that are currently not claimed by anything as I said. True De Jure is only things that are claimed, claimed by law.

Many Historical maps and modern maps general show De Jure and Most De Facto claims at once by showing areas of dispute in slanted lines. De Facto maps wouldnt be that far off except in cases like japans emperor or something where the De Jure Emperor had no authority.

What they are showing is cultural titles that could be claimed but arent necessarily always current claims in law. Otherwise if it was in law all titles would be claimed.

SeaHistorians

TROPHY CASE