Zeno Paradoxes
What is the point of Zeno's Racetrack Paradox?
It appears to show that one cannot traverse an infinite number of finite space intervals in a finite time.
Continuous data is from qualities that can be
Measured
In the Achilles and the Tortoise Paradox, Achilles needs to actually cross an infinite number of catchup points before he can be even in distance from the starting line with the tortoise.
True
Daily rainfall is an example of what sort of data:
Continuous
Discrete data is from qualities that can be
Counted
A paradox, by definition, is an unresolvable problem in reasoning.
False
All infinite series of numbers, when each number is positive, must add up to an infinite amount or total. Consider, for example, these infinite series: {1, 2, 3, . . .}, {1/2 + 1/3 + 1/4 + 1/5 + . . . } and {1/2 + 1/4 + 1/8 + 1/16 + . . . }. When the numbers in each series are added together they sum to an infinite total.
False
In the Paradox of the Arrow, Zeno argues that it is impossible ever to see the arrow move.
False
Which of these is not discrete data: Height of a sunflower as measured each day How many students are absent from school each day Cars finished in a factory each day The number of people who drive through a red light each hour during rush hour None of the above
Height of a sunflower as measured each day
Anyone who claims that motion is impossible would be well advised not to use the Racetrack Paradox since it seems to require motion when it is argued that "In going from A to B you must first go half the distance, then the next half of the remaining distance and so you can never reach B."
True
According to Zeno, what problem does Achilles encounter when racing the tortoise?
The problem that all motion involves going through an infinite number of units of space
What is the point of Zeno's paradoxes?
To defend the idea that all motion is impossible
Zeno's paradoxes take as their starting point the following question:
Whether space and time are continuous or discrete