If I cut something into 3 equal pieces, there are 3 defined pieces. But, 1÷3= .333333~. Why is the math a nonstop repeating decimal when existence allows 3 pieces? Is the assumption that it’s physically impossible to cut something into 3 perfectly even pieces?

Question

If I cut something into 3 equal pieces, there are 3 defined pieces. But, 1÷3= .333333~. Why is the math a nonstop repeating decimal when existence allows 3 pieces? Is the assumption that it’s physically impossible to cut something into 3 perfectly even pieces?

In: Mathematics

Answer 1

I think even the best explanations so far aren’t quite getting to the level of a 5 year old. So here goes:

Think of the thing you are cutting as being 3 feet long. You then cut it into 3 equal pieces, each are 1 foot long. If you then cut one of the 1 foot bits into 3 equal pieces it would still be equal, we just don’t have a number to represent that length.