1+2+3+4+5+6+... = ? \ stacker news ~science

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What's the answer to this infinite sum?

First obvious answer gets 100 sats, first less obvious answer gets 200.

Hint, i was reminded of this question after reading this post on the problems of renormalization in general relativity.

+∞

That's for the obvious answer. Let's see if any one can find the correct counterintuitive answer as well...

I've been reading a bit about this topic, and the answer is -1/12 (Ramanujan summation), but to be honest, I don't quite understand why. Ha ha ha

That's correct. If you don't mind, I'll explain tomorrow why that is, i need to sleep now.

Okay, I'd like to know. But you have to explain it like I'm a 5-year-old. GN

Explanation by people who have better pedagogical skills than I do.

answer = (1 + lastElement) * 0.5 * totalCountOfElelements

∞+∞+1 Or... A lot?😅

∞+∞

Try again with ∞-∞, and you'll get closer to the answer of -1/12.

According to DEEP THOUGHT it's 42.

-28+56

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