infinity

Everyday

1. Infinity is the idea of something that has no end and goes on for ever, bigger than any number. tree →
2. (maths) Infinity is shown by the symbol ∞; counting numbers go on to infinity. tree →
3. An infinity of something is an extremely large or endless amount. tree →

In the lessons

In maths lessons, there is no biggest number: whatever number you say, you can add 1, so numbers go on to infinity. Infinity is not a normal number, so you cannot really do sums like infinity minus infinity. In space science, people wonder if the universe goes on to infinity. In stories, «to infinity and beyond» is a famous line from Toy Story. In religion, Christians believe God is infinite.

Examples

• The symbol for infinity is ∞, like a sideways eight. tree →
• Numbers go on to infinity. tree →
• There is no largest number because counting goes on to infinity. tree →
• «To infinity and beyond!» shouted Buzz Lightyear. tree →
• Two mirrors facing each other seem to show reflections going to infinity. tree →
• The universe may stretch to infinity. tree →
• There are an infinity of possible stories. tree →

Note

Usually uncountable. Adjective: infinite. Trap: infinity is not a number you can reach; infinity + 1 is still infinity. Some infinities are bigger than others (a mathematician called Cantor showed this).

In Jewish tradition

In maths lessons, there is no biggest number: whatever number you say, you can add 1, so numbers go on to infinity. Infinity is not a normal number, so you cannot really do sums like infinity minus infinity. In space science, people wonder if the universe goes on to infinity. In stories, «to infinity and beyond» is a famous line from Toy Story. In religion, Christians believe God is infinite.

Examples

• of an infinity of combinations and arrangements, sufficient to (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914)) tree →
• "Infinity is not the aflSrmation ol space but its disappearance" (H. (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914)) tree →
• But according to the author of the Sefer Yetzira and the P}'thagoreans even infinity (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914)) tree →

Note

Usually uncountable. Adjective: infinite. Trap: infinity is not a number you can reach; infinity + 1 is still infinity. Some infinities are bigger than others (a mathematician called Cantor showed this).

Meaning