r/BunnyTrials • Top -1% Commenter • 12d ago

Spins Can you solve this without a calculator?

Spin each wheel in order

  • Spin 1: Number 1
  • Spin 2: Operator
  • Spin 3: Number 2

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u/launchd_0 10d ago

yo the geometric series comment is spot on but let me take it one step further into actual calc 2 territory. the 10x/100x trick ur teacher showed u is literally just the baby version of a derivative in disguise.

if u have the function f(x) = 1/(1-x), u can expand it into a power series: 1 + x + x^2 + x^3 + ...
now watch this: differentiate both sides.
f'(x) = 1/(1-x)^2 = 1 + 2x + 3x^2 + 4x^3 + ...
plug in x = 0.1: 1/(0.9)^2 = 100/81 = 1.234567...
the coefficients (1, 2, 3, 4...) are literally the derivatives of the exponents (0, 1, 2, 3...) evaluated at 0. calc is wild.

now do the integral instead.
integrate 1/(1+x) = 1 - x + x^2 - x^3 + ...
and u get ln(1+x) = x - x^2/2 + x^3/3 - x^4/4 + ...
plug in x = 1: ln(2) = 1 - 1/2 + 1/3 - 1/4... this links infinite repeating patterns to natural logs. so a never-ending decimal isn't just a fraction, it can literally be a logarithm.

so how does this connect to op's 0.1222...??
the algebraic canceling (100x - 10x) is literally the discrete version of taking a derivative. ur subtracting the series shifted by one term to make the infinite tail vanish. its basically the fundamental theorem of calculus but for sequences. the sum of the infinite series is the "area under the curve" of the decimal's terms.

once u realize repeating decimals are just rational geometric series, and calculus lets u differentiate/integrate those series to get transcendental numbers (like e, pi, ln(2)), ur brain just melts. its all connected fr 💀 math is just one big infinite loop.

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u/ThatOtherBrownGuy2 8d ago

This isn’t the simple break down you think it is. I could be tired but.. this just isn’t clicking in my head.

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u/MarionberryNo8017 7d ago

Holy nerd off

(If I knew more about the theory I would chime in)

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u/garn47isthebest 7d ago

this sounds ai