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Apur-phy.238 net.math utcsrgv!utzoo!decvax!pur-ee!purdue!pur-phy!rb Mon Mar 8 09:58:47 1982 log0 query Unfortunately, this can't be answered simply by forbidding log(0), because logarithmic singularities actually do occur quite frequently in theoretical physics. Each time it occurs, you have to try to find a way to handle it consistant with the rest of your problem. (This is not always possible). In your problem, it is easy to say

Lim log(b) - log(b) = Lim log(b/b) = Lim log(1) = 0. b->0 b->0 b->0

Sometimes you can actually define a single point at infinity and let log(0) be it. Other times, you just ignore the problem and consider the area under the curve (finite). In each case, it's safest to think that you are not defining log(0) so much as you are defining a scheme for getting around log(0).

As for the vitality of net.math: I don't really expect it to become a really active group, since few of the active readers of netnews are interested in the more esoteric features of the subject.

Ross Bogue

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