ASTOUNDING: 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + ... = -1/12

Numberphile · 9.8M views · 2014-01-09 · 7:50

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Overview

A Numberphile video in which physicists Tony Padilla and Ed Copeland show a seemingly astounding result that 1+2+3+4+... equals -1/12. The argument is informal and has drawn criticism for glossing over what the result actually means.

On Hacker News

HN uses it as the standard reference for the -1/12 meme, with commenters split between enjoying it and calling it a cheat.

Recommended by 3 HN people across 2 months · HN mentions 2014–2023

Topics

Recreational & visual math Pure mathematics

What people said

alternize · 2014-01 · Strong recommendation
this infinite sum was featured in a numberphile video a few days ago with a entraining and simple "proof": [VIDEO] and a more advanced explanation & proof in the bonus-video: [LINK] you should definitely subscribe to numberphile ( [LINK] ) and their sister channel computerphile ( [LINK] ) on youtube :)
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barbs · 2021-10 · Recommendation
This is a good video explaining it: [VIDEO] Although it relies on a particular interpretation of the left side of the equation, it's used in some areas of physics.
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yelnatz · 2014-01 · Recommendation
Watch this entertaining Numberphile video about this topic: [VIDEO] Apparently it's used in many areas in Physics.
Read the original HN comment ↗

Sources

Video by Numberphile, played through YouTube.

HN Library · Source license

Data and selection notes

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