Is Transfinite Truly Larger Than Infinity?

In summary, transfinite refers to quantities that are larger than finite and can be described by various sizes of infinity. Infinity, on the other hand, is a more general term for quantities that are not finite. Transfinity is not a number, but a noun used to describe the concept of the transfinite. It is important to note that "absolute infinity" is a paradoxical concept and cannot actually exist. Transfinite sets are never-ending numbers and infinity is said to contain all transfinite sets. This discussion would be better suited for a mathematics forum.
  • #1
tacsec
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So transfinite is larger than infinity right?
So if there was an infinitely large object, would a transfinite object be larger than the infinitely large object?
 
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  • #3
jbriggs444 said:
Transfinite means larger than finite. One transfinite quantity might or might not be larger than another.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transfinite_number
So is transfinity bigger than infinity?
 
  • #4
Err, did you actually click on the link? Your question is answered right in the first sentence of that article.
 
  • #5
rumborak said:
Err, did you actually click on the link? Your question is answered right in the first sentence of that article.

It said absolute infinity was bigger than transfinity. What I got from that was absolute infinity > transfinity > infinity.
 
  • #6
What I get from the Wiki article on the transfinite is that "absolute infinity" is a concept that leads to paradox. It cannot exist.

I had to go digging for the meaning of "transfinity". It is a noun referring to the general concept of the transfinite. It is not a number.

"Infinity" is not a single well defined number. Comparing it for size against something else that is not a number at all is nonsensical.
 
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  • #7
Transfinite is a term used to describe various sizes of infinity, countable, non-countable, etc., usually described by alephs. Infinity is a more general term about quantities that are not finite.

This discussion should be in the mathematics forum.
 
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  • #8
mathman said:
This discussion should be in the mathematics forum.

Done. :smile:
 
  • #9
Okay I did some extra research kind of get it now. So transfinite just refers to the sets of never ending numbers, and Infinity is supposed to contain all transfinite sets. Is that correct?
 

Related to Is Transfinite Truly Larger Than Infinity?

1. What is the concept of infinity?

Infinity is the idea of something being limitless or endless. It is a mathematical concept that represents a quantity or value that has no end. In other words, it is something that has no boundaries or limitations.

2. What is the difference between infinity and transfinite?

Infinity is a concept that refers to something that has no limit, while transfinite is a specific type of infinity that is larger than any finite number but smaller than the absolute infinity. Transfinite numbers were introduced in mathematics to help understand the concept of infinity.

3. How is transfinite used in mathematics?

Transfinite numbers are used in mathematics to represent infinite sets or quantities that are larger than any finite number but smaller than the absolute infinity. They are also used in the study of infinite series, limits, and other mathematical concepts that involve infinity.

4. Can transfinite numbers be used in real-life situations?

Transfinite numbers are primarily used in abstract mathematical concepts and do not have direct applications in real-life situations. However, they provide a useful tool for understanding and studying the concept of infinity, which has implications in various fields such as physics, cosmology, and philosophy.

5. How is the concept of transfinite related to the concept of Cantor's diagonal argument?

Cantor's diagonal argument is a proof that there are infinite sets that cannot be put into one-to-one correspondence with the natural numbers. This concept is closely related to transfinite numbers as it helped Cantor develop the theory of transfinite numbers and understand the concept of infinity in a more precise way.

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