– 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

To begin with, infinity is not a number. It’s a concept that allows a lot of complex math to work. Similar to zero. You can’t have zero of something, and you can’t have infinity of something.

The different inifinites are for calculating different types of math. An infinite negative number has to be different than an infinite positive number, but neither of those “exist”.