From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!npoiv!hou5f!hou5b!hou5c!hou5e!ijk
Newsgroups: net.math
Title: Re: .999... = 1
Article-I.D.: hou5e.216
Posted: Wed Jan 26 09:38:28 1983
Received: Fri Jan 28 07:05:27 1983

I just couldn't resist adding my 1.999... cents worth.  This proof comes
from 11th grade math class - a long time ago. 

	Let x = .999... (remember that ... stands for '9' ad infinitum)
	then 10 * x = 9.999...

subtract first line from second and we get simply:
	9x = 9. (!exactly)
	or x = 1.

IT is true.  As people have pointed out, it takes an understanding of limits
to really see what is going on, but it is not necessary for the proof.  Just
another example of the mysteries of infinity (what has more points in it:
a line an inch long or a line a mile long?? Ans: they have the same).