An infinite number of mathematicians walk into a bar

[Biggles]

An infinite number of mathematicians walk into a bar.
The first one says, "I'll have a pint." The second asks for half a pint. The third asks for a quarter of a pint.
"I hope you guys know your limits," the bartender says, and he pours two pints.

[nate]

Oh......


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[Biggles]

I'm sure there will be someone who will explain it for nate and anyone else who's stuck.
Any amateur mathematicians out there?

[Brock]

Its gonnat take forever for them to drink those two beers, and they will never finish it all..  Cheap drinkers.

[Williamson]

I'm sure there will be someone who will explain it for nate and anyone else who's stuck.
Any amateur mathematicians out there?

Err!  Not me, I reckon the barman didn't know his maths, he poured just a little bit too much.

[Biggles]

Its gonnat take forever for them to drink those two beers, and they will never finish it all..  Cheap drinkers.

nope, that's not quite the point, but a good one, nevertheless.

Err!  Not me, I reckon the barman didn't know his maths, he poured just a little bit too much.

That's pretty close- can you quantify how much too much?     

[Brock]

An infinitesimal amount.... :)
 

[Biggles]

Very good!

The point, to save internet electrons, is that as each mathematician ordered, he asked for half the previous man's quantity.  Thus 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16 and so on.  If you added each of these decreasing amounts, you would be forever approaching a whole pint, but, by definition, never reaching it.
The barkeep short-circuited the process by adding Brock's infinitesimal bit to make a whole pint and left them to divide it up.         

[Brock]

I would prefer to be the first math guy, tha way I get the full glass

[Nigel]

I would prefer to be the first math guy, tha way I get the full glass

Yep Yep........................................................................................

[Williamson]

Its gonnat take forever for them to drink those two beers, and they will never finish it all..  Cheap drinkers.

nope, that's not quite the point, but a good one, nevertheless.

Err!  Not me, I reckon the barman didn't know his maths, he poured just a little bit too much.

That's pretty close- can you quantify how much too much?     

An infinitesimal amount.... :)

Very good!

The point, to save internet electrons, is that as each mathematician ordered, he asked for half the previous man's quantity.  Thus 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16 and so on.  If you added each of these decreasing amounts, you would be forever approaching a whole pint, but, by definition, never reaching it.
The barkeep short-circuited the process by adding Brock's infinitesimal bit to make a whole pint and left them to divide it up.         

I would prefer to be the first math guy, tha way I get the full glass

I would prefer to be the first math guy, tha way I get the full glass

Yep Yep........................................................................................

Oh, my eye lashes are hurting ............

[Biggles]

There's actually a kicker to all that.
The barman asks whether the mathematicians are aware of their limits.
There is, of course, a pun on the idea of having a drinking limit for sobriety, but in the mathematical realm, it also alludes to the aspect of infinitude.
Whereas theoretical geometric progressions approaching zero can, by definition, never reach zero (the theoretical hyperbolic line and its axis), we are dealing here with matter.
So the unfortunate barman will ultimately be confronted with his inability to split an atom.
Hence the limit of which he reminds them.     

Mind you,m the bar is getting crowded by then...

[Williamson]

....... So the unfortunate barman will ultimately be confronted with his inability to split an atom.

Unless of course he does, and then it would interesting to know of the mathematicians reaction to that event.

.... Mind you, the bar is getting crowded by then...

It would be very crowded indeed, in fact way before that - there is something like 1 x 10²⁶ atoms in a litre of water.

[Gadget]

Of concern is the dimsension of the bar and the volume of air in order to sustain life with an infinite number of mathemeticians breathing. 

[Gadget]

Is this where I mention Measurement Uncertainty? 

[Biggles]

Is this where I mention Measurement Uncertainty? 

I would think so.  We should be able to get some mileage out of that.   

[Biggles]

Is this where I mention Measurement Uncertainty? 

I agonize over that every time I check my bike's tyre pressure.  How much have I changed it just by testing it????                     

[Brock]

No, do not mention Uncertainty on Measurement, on pain of expulsion.

(By the way, only 5 samples are needed, as the results from higher samples dont affect the result (+/- a % or 2))


Any way, you cany get an infinite number of Mathematicians cos there arent enough brain surgeons to do the lobotomy...

 

[Nigel]

Impossible......................................................the bars not big enough to hold an infinite amount!..........................................................

[Skip]

   ALL of you guys should just go for a ride. Seriously. All that was just a waste of precious time.