African Journal of
Mathematics and Computer Science Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Math. Comput. Sci. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2006-9731
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJMCSR
  • Start Year: 2008
  • Published Articles: 261

Review

Division by zero in real and complex number arithmetic and some of its implications

Chihoro Ernest Tafadzwa
  • Chihoro Ernest Tafadzwa
  • Science Department, Chatiza Secondary School, P. O. Box 155 Mutoko, Zimbabwe.
  • Google Scholar


  •  Received: 16 July 2020
  •  Accepted: 25 March 2021
  •  Published: 30 November 2022

Abstract

In this paper, an attempt is made to include division by zero in ordinary arithmetic. Counting or measuring is done to get the value of multiples, powers, quotients, sums and differences of zeros. Zero divided by zero is taken to be equal to one. There are many infinities and many zeroes. The biggest of all infinities cannot be imagined and the smallest zero cannot be imagined also. An attempt is made to define a mathematical structure from the set of real numbers, zeros and infinities. Some fallacies have been resolved, implications of allowing of division by zero on the quadratic equation where ? = 0 is discussed and Newton's law of gravity and light deflection by gravity is also discussed.

Key words: Division by zero, number, Hilbert hotel, zero, infinity, -0, negative zero, nothing, Euler number.