Eff this, philly mike is an idi0t, ask zdunklee.

[Philly Mike]

how is a fraction the truest form of a number???? that really makes no sense. A fraction is a representation of the--

MIKE, mike, mike, mike... mike....

you're being glib!

i think the meaning of "fraction is the truest form of a number" is that fractions are the simplest way to write out a representation of an irrational number. no matter how many decimal points you use, you can't write out the exact decimal of, oh, say 1/7.

"but you just said 0.999... = 1! how can you say that, and then tell me that using decimals for irrational numbers is inaccurate?"

we're using the "..." to represent an infinite repeat without wasting an assload of space.
1/7 = 0.142857...
...i think that works. which is truer? well, they are both true. take your pick. 1/7 is just easier.

keep an open mind here. the proof that 0.999... = 1 has been put in front of you several times already. if you can't understand it, it doesn't mean it's wrong.

the reason you use a fraction to represent an infinite is because an infinite can't really be shown. A fraction is a definite number as best it can be shown the the decimal is an answer. the fraction is the simplest way to write it because it is the question that leads to the answer representing the answer as closely it can be rounded. since .999... can't be shown completely it is represented as the fraction that most closely represents it. Which is why they say it = 1 because 1 most closely represents .999... but it isn't the same number.

We need to get Zane to try and read this thread on air. His head will explode at the first proof.

and yes it would be fun hearing zane contemplating this one on the air.