this post was submitted on 09 Aug 2023
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Memes

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 years ago (3 children)

But why would you divide the numbers to two sets? It is reasonable for when considering 2, but if you really want to generalize, for 3 you’d need to divide the numbers to three sets. One that divide by 3, one that has remainder of 1 and one that has remainder of 2. This way you have 3 symmetric sets of numbers and you can give them special names and find their special properties and assign importance to them. This can also be done for 5 with 5 symmetric sets, 7, 11, and any other prime number.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Not sure about how relevant this in reality, but when it comes to alternating series, this might be relevant. For example the Fourier series expansion of cosine and other trig function?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

But then it is more natural to use the complex version of the Fourier series, which has a neat symmetric notation

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

True, but normally, you'd introduce trig functions before complex numbers. Anyhow: I appreciate the meme and the complete over the top discussion about it :D

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 years ago

Complex numbers ftw

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Then you have one set that contains multiples of 3 and two sets that do not, so it is not symmetric.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 years ago (1 children)

You'd have one set that are multiples of 3, one set that are multiples of 3 plus 1, and one stat that are multiples of 3 minus 1 (or plus 2)

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 years ago

How do you people even math.

You might as well use a composite number if you want to create useless sets of numbers.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I don’t know if it’s intentional or not, but you’re describing cyclical groups

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 years ago

Not intentionally, but yes group rise in many places unexpectedly. That’s why they’re so neat