0.9 rec=1

0.9 recurring (i.e. 0.999999999999999999...9) is equal to one-can anyone work out a proof for this?

Okay. 1/9 = 0.1 rec. 2/9 = 0.2 rec. 3/9 = 1/3 =.6 rec. 6/9 = 2/3 = .6 rec.

1/3 + 2/3 = 1
1/3 + 2/3 =0.3 rec + 0.6 rec = 0.9 rec. Thus 1= 0.9 rec. This is not entirely perfect, but is rhetorically easier than:

0.9 rec = lim(n->infinity) (10^n - 1)/10^n = lim(n->infinity) (1-10^-n) =1.

That is a mathematically sound proof. Genius, you are familiar w/ limits, correct?

Another classic proof of this is:

x=0.9 rec.
10x=9.9 rec.
9x=10x-x=9
x=1

therefore x= 1 AND x= 0.9 rec.
so 0.9 rec. = 1

Originally posted by royalchicken
Okay. 1/9 = 0.1 rec. 2/9 = 0.2 rec. 3/9 = 1/3 =.6 rec. 6/9 = 2/3 = .6 rec.

1/3 + 2/3 = 1
1/3 + 2/3 =0.3 rec + 0.6 rec = 0.9 rec. Thus 1= 0.9 rec. This is not entirely perfect, but is rhetorically easier than:

0.9 rec = lim ...[text shortened]... tically sound proof. Genius, you are familiar w/ limits, correct?

1/9 = .111 rec

So:
1/9*9 = .999 rec

But also:
1/9*9 = 1

All of these work....and depend on different fundamental details, from the definition of a recurring decimal (the limits proof), to the multiplicative inverse property of the real numbers (zamba's). Good going all...

Originally posted by zamba
1/9 = .111 rec

So:
1/9*9 = .999 rec

No, it isn't;

1 = 9 * 1/9 = 9*0.11111111... = 0.9999999....

Don't overlook this proof.

Observe that 0.999... may be viewed as a geometric series as such:

T = .9 + .09 + .009 + ...

Recall the derivation of the formula for geometric series:

S = a + ar + ar^2 + ... + ar^n + ... where |r| < 1.

Then:

Sr = ar + ar^2 + ar^3 + ... + ar^(n+1) + ...

Subtracting the second series from the first cancels all terms on the right-hand side except one:

S - Sr = a

S(1 - r) = a

S = a/(1 - r)

For the number in question, a = 0.9 and r = 0.1:

S = 0.9/(1 - 0.1)

S = 0.9/0.9

S = 1.0

-Ray.

Originally posted by rgoudie
Don't overlook this proof.

Observe that 0.999... may be viewed as a geometric series as such:

T = .9 + .09 + .009 + ...

Recall the derivation of the formula for geometric series:

S = a + ar + ar^2 + ... + ar^n + ... where |r| < 1.

Then:

Sr = ar + ar^2 + ar^3 + ... + ar^(n+1) + ...

Subtracting the second series from the first cancel ...[text shortened]... er in question, a = 0.9 and r = 0.1:

S = 0.9/(1 - 0.1)

S = 0.9/0.9

S = 1.0

-Ray.