Infinity came up this past week in our classes, as we were studying set notation. Even the smallest thing in mathematics can remind us that God exists. In set notation we have this weird sub language of solution groups that look something like this: x∊{(3,5]}. Let me explain what this means a bit:
x : the unknown variable that we are discovering
∊ : "a member of" or "an element of", simply put this is saying that the variable is a member or is inside of the following set
{ } : defines the set or group that contains the variable. The set is from the opening bracket to the closing bracket
( or ) : notes the lower or upper bounds of the set as an indefinite. In other words, the lower or upper bound is not included in the set. So for example, ( 3 means that the variable approaches 3 as the lowest possible value, but does not include 3.
[ or ] : notes the lower and upper bounds of the set as definite. It includes the value in the set
Knowing these hacks, we have basic sets like the set containing only one value: x∊{3} means that x=3 , while x∊{(3,5]} means that x is greater than 3 but less than or equal to 5. 3<x≤5
Now onto infinity. In set notation, if x is every value greater than 10, then the upper bound is ∞, but couldn't possibly contain or include ∞ because ∞ is a concept understood only by the one infinite being: God. Hence we would write this relationship as x∊{[10,+∞)}. Notice that the boundary marker for infinite is indefinite, because x could never reach God, even if he wanted to. Hidden in the world of set notation in mathematics we find another truth pointing straight to God Himself, isn't math glorious?