271
Irrational (mander.xyz)
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] sir_pronoun@lemmy.world 25 points 4 months ago

But irrational numbers aren't the same as imaginary numbers. Also, there are irrational imaginary numbers. And quantum physics loves using imaginary numbers. So that sentence in the image is nonsense, right?

[-] bstix@feddit.dk -3 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

The definition of irrational numbers is that they are the real numbers that are not rationel. So we need to look at the definition of real numbers. A real number is a number that can be used to measure a continuous one dimensional quantity.

Quantum physics says that reality is not continuous. Particles make "discrete" jumps instead of moving continuously. So irrational numbers can't exist.

[-] kogasa@programming.dev 12 points 4 months ago

That is not a definition of the real numbers, quantum physics says no such thing, and even if it did the conclusion is wrong

[-] bstix@feddit.dk -1 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

Let's have a look.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irrational_number

In mathematics, the irrational numbers (in- + rational) are all the real numbers that are not rational numbers. That is, irrational numbers cannot be expressed as the ratio of two integers. When the ratio of lengths of two line segments is an irrational number, the line segments are also described as being incommensurable, meaning that they share no "measure" in common, that is, there is no length ("the measure"), no matter how short, that could be used to express the lengths of both of the two given segments as integer multiples of itself.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_mechanics

Quantum systems have bound states that are quantized to discrete values of energy, momentum, angular momentum, and other quantities, in contrast to classical systems where these quantities can be measured continuously.

The conclusion is wrong, i agree. That's the joke of the meme.

(Keep down voting if it matters to you. I'm only trying to explain a joke. The top post is in agreement with my statement.)

[-] Natanael@slrpnk.net 2 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

Quantum mechanics still have endless ratios which aren't discrete. Especially ratios between stuff like wavelengths, particle states, and more

[-] kogasa@programming.dev 2 points 4 months ago

I'm fully aware of the definitions. I didn't say the definition of irrationals was wrong. I said the definition of the reals is wrong. The statement about quantum mechanics is so vague as to be meaningless.

[-] bstix@feddit.dk -1 points 4 months ago

Come on then, enlighten the average Joe.

[-] kogasa@programming.dev 2 points 4 months ago

Google it? Axiomatic definition, dedekind cuts, cauchy sequences are the 3 typical ones and are provably equivalent.

[-] wholookshere@lemmy.blahaj.zone -2 points 4 months ago

A real number is the set of both rational and irrational numbers. Nothing about continuous anything.

[-] bstix@feddit.dk -1 points 4 months ago

It is exactly that though.

Irrationel and rational numbers are both real.

Quantum physics is limited to the quantum, hence the name.

[-] wholookshere@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 points 4 months ago

Being continuous is not actually a requirement of being real.

load more comments (16 replies)
load more comments (17 replies)
this post was submitted on 20 Jun 2024
271 points (90.0% liked)

Science Memes

10743 readers
3639 users here now

Welcome to c/science_memes @ Mander.xyz!

A place for majestic STEMLORD peacocking, as well as memes about the realities of working in a lab.



Rules

  1. Don't throw mud. Behave like an intellectual and remember the human.
  2. Keep it rooted (on topic).
  3. No spam.
  4. Infographics welcome, get schooled.


Research Committee

Other Mander Communities

Science and Research

Biology and Life Sciences

Physical Sciences

Humanities and Social Sciences

Practical and Applied Sciences

Memes

Miscellaneous

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS