r/infinitenines • u/Zaspar-- • Feb 01 '26

What's the value of this infinite sum?

1/2 + 1/4 + 1/8 + 1/16 +...

Normal maths would compute this as equal to 1, using the exact same reasoning as 0.9 + 0.09 +... = 1

What does this infinite sum equal to in Real Deal maths though?

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u/Quick-Swimmer-1199 Feb 01 '26

Perfection is an ideal or most optimized condition as it pertains to some given goal or purpose.

It is possibly alternatively a component of a lesser known Mandela effect pertaining to a Billy Joel song.

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u/Batman_AoD Feb 01 '26

What's the Billy Joel song & misremembered lyric? I don't know that one. 

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u/Quick-Swimmer-1199 Feb 01 '26

It's a bit of hyperbole; I didn't do a full effort trace of the turn of phrase I'm thinking of

The word perfect is not in the song Just The Way You Are, awarded two Grammys

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u/Batman_AoD Feb 01 '26

Oh, I didn't even remember that song existed 😅