What happens when you divide by zero?

Let  x = 1   Then  x² = 1 as well

So x² - 1 = x - 1

The left-hand side can be written as (x+1)(x-1) so

(x + 1)(x - 1) = x-1

Divide both sides by x - 1 to get

x + 1 = 1

But we started by saying x = 1, so the left-hand side is 1 + 1 or 2.  This means the last equation is

2 = 1

This is the sort of thing that happens when you allow division by zero (which is what I did above when dividing through by x-1).

Division by zero is undefined mathematically, because, if you try to allow it, you get all sorts of inconsistencies appearing in your calculations.

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THEN YOUR ANSWER IS 0 NUMBER THINGYS!!!! (its not undefined, melody)

or alan. its 0.

Try 1/0.1 then 1/0.01 then 1/0.001 then 1/0.0001 etc. where the denominator is getting closer and closer to 0.  

Does it look like the fractions are getting closer to zero?

Informally, the limit is tending to infinity, rather than zero.  However, strictly, division by zero is still undefined.  If you allow it you can prove silly things like 2 = 1.

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well still the answer is 0 number thingys

If by that you mean the result is not a proper number then I'll agree with you!

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yup i mean it by that. at least you know what i mean. so overall, good job sir

Indifinty is the answer when dividing by zero