Puzzles Forum: Re: Avoiding Division By Zero

Re: Avoiding Division By Zero

Posted by Denis Borris on 18/9/2009, 3:13 pm, in reply to "Re: Avoiding Division By Zero"

> x^2 * y*3 = 675
> x^2 = 675/y^3
> x = sqrt(675/y^3)
> Which is actually exactly the same as the expression that I gave

Yes. But that really is:
x = +/- sqrt(675/y^3)
with specification y<>0

Also: x cannot = 0

But if we go this way:
x^4 * y^6 - 675 * x^2 * y^3 = 0
x^2 * y^3(x^2 * y^3 - 675) = 0
then x^2 * y^3 = 0 or x^2 * y^3 - 675 = 0

So (from x^2 * y^3 = 0) x and y can both be zero.

That's where I'm confused.

Message Thread:

Li'l algebra... - Denis Borris 18/9/2009, 2:26 am
- Avoiding Division By Zero - Moby Dick 18/9/2009, 2:29 pm
  - Re: Avoiding Division By Zero - Moby Dick 18/9/2009, 2:36 pm
    - Re: Avoiding Division By Zero - Denis Borris 18/9/2009, 3:13 pm
      - A Picture Tells A Thousand Words... - Moby Dick 18/9/2009, 3:52 pm
        
        Thanks, MD. - Denis Borris 18/9/2009, 5:51 pm
- Re: Li'l algebra... - Moby Dick 18/9/2009, 9:16 am
  - Re: Li'l algebra... - Denis Borris 18/9/2009, 1:19 pm
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