Blizzard Entertainment Announces .999~ = 1

[FanIn80]

Here's a blast from the past...

I was reading a press release about SC2 breaking the sales records for fastest selling strategy game of all time, and then I noticed this gem listed on the right-hand side. It's from April 1st, 2004. I never did see this "announcement" but I do remember the thread it refers to.

Blizzard Entertainment® Announces .999~ (Repeating) = 1

IRVINE, Calif. - APRIL 1, 2004 - At a press conference earlier today, Blizzard Entertainment® announced that .999~ does in fact equal 1. For seven and a half years, enthusiastic forum-goers have fervently debated the issue on the Battle.net® forums. Does .999~ equal 1? Does .999~ not equal 1? The popular forum topic reached its epic conclusion today, as Blizzard revealed the proof that finally brought an end to the discussion and thus resolved the conundrum that has plagued visitors to the forums for so long.

"We are very excited to close the book on this subject once and for all," stated Mike Morhaime, Blizzard Entertainment president and co-founder. "We've witnessed the heartache and concern over whether .999~ does or does not equal 1, and we're proud that the following proof finally and conclusively addresses the issue for our customers."

Consider:

    Proof:
    lim(m --> ∞) sum(n = 1)^m (9)/(10^n) = 1 
    0.9999... = 1
    Thus:
      x = 0.9999...  
    10x = 9.9999... 
    10x - x = 9.9999... - 0.9999... 
     9x = 9 
      x = 1.

Elaborate and yet crafted with deceptive simplicity and elegance, Blizzard's proof that .999~ = 1 is a true wonder of modern mathematics. More information on how the proof was derived will be revealed in the months ahead. Please stay tuned to http://www.blizzard.com for further announcements regarding this and other upcoming proofs from Blizzard Entertainment.

http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company...es.html?040401

Edit: I should add that Blizz routinely has some of the best April 1st gags on the net.

[photon]

That's a pretty good troll of their userbase too, every time this comes up people go crazy so setting fire to it is great.

Not Valve caliber trolling, but not bad.

[Traditional_Ale]

Seeing as math isn't my strong suit, what is the practical application of this?

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by photon

That's a pretty good troll of their userbase too, every time this comes up people go crazy so setting fire to it is great.

Not Valve caliber trolling, but not bad.

Haha, yeah. That thread was pretty insane. I don't know how I missed this announcement. It's a shame I never got to see any of the repercussions.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

Seeing as math isn't my strong suit, what is the practical application of this?

The only practical application I am aware of is that it can be made into a featured article on Wikipedia.

[FanIn80]

I have a buddy with a math degree from USC. He used to drive me nuts with this thing.

[kirant]

Well, at least somebody put an end to all those debates.

[Flames0910]

I remember when this happened

Thanks for the blast from the past.

[Hack&Lube]

In other news, Blizzard has just announced that they have invented the ability to print money.

[Coys1882]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

In other news, Blizzard has just announced that they have invented the ability to print money.

Any bets on when WoW gold becomes the universal currency?