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Usenet Posted 21 years ago
Usage
"Finite" for "greater than zero"
I was just thinking about this the other day, and since a good example drifted by on another ng, I thought I'd bring it up.
I sometimes see "finite" used where a meaning of "greater than zero" seems intended, rather than one of "not infinite". An example came up in a discussion of life near the Arctic Circle: "since the sun has a finite angular diameter, the night and day durations are asymmetric". I think I've also heard similar usages from mathematicians. Comments?
Aaron Davies
Opinions expressed are solely those of a random number generator. "I don't know if it's real or not but it is a myth." -Jami JoAnne of alt.folklore.urban, showing her grasp on reality.
I sometimes see "finite" used where a meaning of "greater than zero" seems intended, rather than one of "not infinite". An example came up in a discussion of life near the Arctic Circle: "since the sun has a finite angular diameter, the night and day durations are asymmetric". I think I've also heard similar usages from mathematicians. Comments?
Aaron Davies
Opinions expressed are solely those of a random number generator. "I don't know if it's real or not but it is a myth." -Jami JoAnne of alt.folklore.urban, showing her grasp on reality.
Top answer
Aaron Davies filted: [nq:1]I was just thinking about this the other day, and since a good example drifted by on another ng, I ... finite angular diameter, the night and day durations are asymmetric". I think I've also heard similar usages from mathematicians.
- Aaron Davies filted: [nq:1]I was just thinking about this the other day, and since a good example drifted by on another ng, I ...
- finite angular diameter, the night and day durations are asymmetric".
- I think I've also heard similar usages from mathematicians.
- r
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197 Answers
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Aaron Davies filted:
[nq:1]I was just thinking about this the other day, and since a good example drifted by on another ng, I ... finite angular diameter, the night and day durations are asymmetric". I think I've also heard similar usages from mathematicians. Comments?[/nq]
It's a shorthand way of saying "not infinitesimally small", and a shorthand that's become widespread enough to be use
[nq:1]I was just thinking about this the other day, and since a good example drifted by on another ng, I ... finite angular diameter, the night and day durations are asymmetric". I think I've also heard similar usages from mathematicians. Comments?[/nq]
It's a shorthand way of saying "not infinitesimally small", and a shorthand that's become widespread enough to be use
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[nq:1]I was just thinking about this the other day, and since a good example drifted by on another ng, I ... finite angular diameter, the night and day durations are asymmetric". I think I've also heard similar usages from mathematicians. Comments?[/nq]
Yes, I can't grasp the point of your question. Surely "infinite" itself was based on "not finite," so there's no real problem in saying that "
Yes, I can't grasp the point of your question. Surely "infinite" itself was based on "not finite," so there's no real problem in saying that "
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[nq:2]I was just thinking about this the other day, and ... I think I've also heard similar usages from mathematicians. Comments?[/nq]
[nq:1]Yes, I can't grasp the point of your question. Surely "infinite" itself was based on "not finite," so there's no real problem in saying that "finite" means "not infinite". Another pair: Impossible = not possible. Possible = not impossible.[/nq]
Yes; t
[nq:1]Yes, I can't grasp the point of your question. Surely "infinite" itself was based on "not finite," so there's no real problem in saying that "finite" means "not infinite". Another pair: Impossible = not possible. Possible = not impossible.[/nq]
Yes; t
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[nq:2]I was just thinking about this the other day, and ... I think I've also heard similar usages from mathematicians. Comments?[/nq]
[nq:1]Yes, I can't grasp the point of your question. Surely "infinite" itself was based on "not finite," so there's no ... zero. Angle measurement in certain circumstances can be negative, to convey direction of motion, but does that make sense here?[/nq]
T
[nq:1]Yes, I can't grasp the point of your question. Surely "infinite" itself was based on "not finite," so there's no ... zero. Angle measurement in certain circumstances can be negative, to convey direction of motion, but does that make sense here?[/nq]
T
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[nq:2]I was just thinking about this the other day, and ... I think I've also heard similar usages from mathematicians. Comments?[/nq]
[nq:1]Yes, I can't grasp the point of your question. Surely "infinite" itself was based on "not finite," so there's no real problem in saying that "finite" means "not infinite".[/nq]
...
In this case though, the meaning seems to be "not infinitesimal" o
[nq:1]Yes, I can't grasp the point of your question. Surely "infinite" itself was based on "not finite," so there's no real problem in saying that "finite" means "not infinite".[/nq]
...
In this case though, the meaning seems to be "not infinitesimal" o
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[nq:1]In this case though, the meaning seems to be "not infinitesimal" or "not immeasurably or incalculably small". Does "finite" cover this condition in addition to its usual meaning?[/nq]
Now that's an excellent question. As an engineer who uses a lot of math, my opinion would be that it should (though, maybe it doesn't literally) also mean "not infinitesimal".
When I read "finite", I in
Now that's an excellent question. As an engineer who uses a lot of math, my opinion would be that it should (though, maybe it doesn't literally) also mean "not infinitesimal".
When I read "finite", I in
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[nq:2]In this case though, the meaning seems to be "not ... "finite" cover this condition in addition to its usual meaning?[/nq]
[nq:1]Now that's an excellent question. As an engineer who uses a lot of math, my opinion would be that it ... When I read "finite", I interpret it to mean "of a definite, measurable value". Oh ****; now we have *de*-finite![/nq]
I'm cool with "finite" implying a
[nq:1]Now that's an excellent question. As an engineer who uses a lot of math, my opinion would be that it ... When I read "finite", I interpret it to mean "of a definite, measurable value". Oh ****; now we have *de*-finite![/nq]
I'm cool with "finite" implying a
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Aaron Davies:
[nq:2]I sometimes see "finite" used where a meaning of "greater ... I think I've also heard similar usages from mathematicians. Comments?[/nq]
I find it bothersome but convenient.
Donna Richoux:
[nq:1]Yes, I can't grasp the point of your question. Surely "infinite" itself was based on "not finite," so there's no real problem in saying that "finite" means "not infinite
[nq:2]I sometimes see "finite" used where a meaning of "greater ... I think I've also heard similar usages from mathematicians. Comments?[/nq]
I find it bothersome but convenient.
Donna Richoux:
[nq:1]Yes, I can't grasp the point of your question. Surely "infinite" itself was based on "not finite," so there's no real problem in saying that "finite" means "not infinite
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Aaron Davies:
Don Gilmore:
[nq:1]Incidentally, the quoted passage is drivel.[/nq]
No, it isn't.
[nq:1]The angular diameter of the sun has nothing to do with the relative lengths of night and day in the arctic. It is approximately the same for all observers on earth.[/nq]
Yes, which is why the day and night durations are asymmetric for all observers on Earth. It's just that
Don Gilmore:
[nq:1]Incidentally, the quoted passage is drivel.[/nq]
No, it isn't.
[nq:1]The angular diameter of the sun has nothing to do with the relative lengths of night and day in the arctic. It is approximately the same for all observers on earth.[/nq]
Yes, which is why the day and night durations are asymmetric for all observers on Earth. It's just that
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[nq:1]I was just thinking about this the other day, and since a good example drifted by on another ng, I ... finite angular diameter, the night and day durations are asymmetric". I think I've also heard similar usages from mathematicians. Comments?[/nq]
I think some mangling of terms is at work. Mathematicians won't mistakenly speak of zero as if it is not finite or could somehow impliedly not
I think some mangling of terms is at work. Mathematicians won't mistakenly speak of zero as if it is not finite or could somehow impliedly not
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