– How can some infinites be bigger than others?

Question

I have just come across the concept that there are different types of infinite numbers (whole integers, irrational numbers etc.) and the concept that for example, the amount of irrational numbers between 0 and 1 is higher than the amount of whole numbers from 1 to infinity.

I guess I just don’t understand how an infinite amount of something can be bigger/smaller than an infinite amount of something else…

Please un-f**k my brain 😀

In: 4

Answer 1

One of the best ways I had it described (year ago) was

* you have a fish tank with 5 fish in it
* Now, you have an infinite number of fish tanks, each with 5 fish in it
* Fish infinity > fish tank infinity