3 ms·

Wouldn't it be more accurate to describe epsilon as an infinitesimal?

• alexbecker 10y ago
  There are no infinitesimals in the reals. You can define a mathematical structure containing infinitesimals [0], but it's not the reals. [0] Specifically, the dual numbers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual_number https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual_number
  • CuriouslyC 10y ago
    Interesting. How do you describe the difference between two successive real numbers?
    • stymaar 10y ago
      > How do you describe the difference between two successive real numbers? There is no such things as «two successive real numbers».
      • alexbecker 10y ago
        Yeah, there aren't even two successive dual numbers. What's after 1? If it's 1 + epsilon, then what about 1 + epsilon / 2?