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Single Idea 18738

[from 'Lectures 1930-32 (student notes)' by Ludwig Wittgenstein, in 6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 3. Nature of Numbers / g. Real numbers ]

Full Idea

We say we get nearer to root-2 by adding further figures after the decimal point: 1.1412.... This suggests there is something we can get nearer to, but the analogy is a false one.

Gist of Idea

We don't get 'nearer' to something by adding decimals to 1.1412... (root-2)

Source

Ludwig Wittgenstein (Lectures 1930-32 (student notes) [1931], Notes)

Book Reference

Wittgenstein,Ludwig: 'Lectures in Cambridge 1930-32', ed/tr. Lee,Desmond [Blackwell 1980], p.114