Questions tagged [nonstandard-analysis]

Non-standard ordered fields are fields which have infinitesimals, that is, positive numbers which are smaller than any positive *real* number. Non-standard analysis is analysis done over such fields (e.g. hyperreal fields). Please specify the exact framework for non-standard analysis you are using in your question (e.g., what definition of "hyperreal number" you are using).

A non-zero element $\varepsilon$ of an ordered field is infinitesimal if $|\varepsilon| < \frac{1}{n}$ for all $n \in \mathbb{N}$. Nonstandard analysis is analysis done in fields with infinitesimals.

There are many ordered fields which contain infinitesimals, but the most common is the hyperreal field. Denoted by ${}^*\mathbb{R}$, the hyperreal field has a subfield isomorphic to $\mathbb{R}$ and is therefore the perfect setting for formalising the arguments of Leibniz and Newton (without the need for limits). This came to fruition in the 1960's thanks to the work of Abraham Robinson.

See also .

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Is $\frac{\textrm{d}y}{\textrm{d}x}$ not a ratio?

In Thomas's Calculus (11th edition), it is mentioned (Section 3.8 pg 225) that the derivative $dy/dx$ is not a ratio. Couldn't it be interpreted as a ratio, because according to the formula $dy = f'(x) \, dx$ we are able to plug in values for $dx$…
BBSysDyn
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Is non-standard analysis worth learning?

As a former physics major, I did a lot of (seemingly sloppy) calculus using the notion of infinitesimals. Recently I heard that there is a branch of math called non-standard analysis that provides some formalism to this type of calculus. So, do you…
user13255
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Is $dx\,dy$ really a multiplication of $dx$ and $dy$?

On the answers of the question Is $\frac{\textrm{d}y}{\textrm{d}x}$ not a ratio? it was told that $\frac{dy}{dx}$ cannot be seen as a quotient, even though it looks like a fraction. My question is: does $dxdy$ in the double integral represent a…
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Does "cheap nonstandard analysis" take place in a topos?

Terence Tao's A cheap version of nonstandard analysis describes a way to do analysis halfway between ordinary analysis and nonstandard analysis which, if I'm not mistaken, cashes out to working in the following category $C$ instead of $\text{Set}$.…
Qiaochu Yuan
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Is it a new type of induction? (Infinitesimal induction) Is this even true?

Suppose we want to prove Euler's Formula with induction for all positive real numbers. At first this seems baffling, but an idea struck my mind today. Prove: $$e^{ix}=\cos x+i\sin x \ \ \ \forall \ \ x\geq0$$ For $x=0$, we have $$1=1$$ So the…
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What is the use of hyperreal numbers?

For sometime I have been trying to come to terms with the concept of hyperreal numbers. It appears that they were invented as an alternative to the $\epsilon-\delta$ definitions to put the processes of calculus on a sound footing. From what I have…
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Is the theory of dual numbers strong enough to develop real analysis, and does it resemble Newton's historical method for doing calculus?

I've been interested in non-standard analysis recently. I was reading up on it and noticed the following interesting comment on the Wikipedia page about hyperreal numbers, right after giving an example of a nonstandard differentiation: The use of…
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Is mathematical history written by the victors?

The question is the title of a 2013 publication in the Notices of the American Mathematical Society, by twelve authors (of which I am one). The contention is that traditional history of mathematics is based on the assumption of an inevitable…
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Has anybody ever considered "full derivative"?

When differentiating we usually take a limit and drop the infinitesimal terms. But what if not to drop anything? First, we extend the real numbers with an infinitesimal element $\varepsilon$ which has its own inverse $1/\varepsilon=\omega$. And…
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Are infinitesimals dangerous?

Amir Alexander is a historian of mathematics. His new book is entitled "Infinitesimal: How a Dangerous Mathematical Theory Shaped the Modern World". See here. Two questions: (1) In what sense are these dangerous? (2) The ban on infinitesimals and…
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What is infinity divided by infinity?

This should be a simple question but I just want to make sure. I know $\infty/\infty$ is undefined. However, if we have 2 equal infinities divided by each other, would it be 1? And if we have an infinity divided by another half-as-big infinity,…
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What is the meaning of infinitesimal?

I have read that an infinitesimal is very small, it is unthinkably small but I am not quite comfortable with with its applications. My first question is that is an infinitesimal a stationary value? It cannot be a stationary value because if so then…
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About 0.999... = 1

I've just happened to read this question on MO (that of course has been closed) and some of the answers to a similar question on MSE. I know almost nothing of nonstandard analysis and was asking myself if something like the sentence « $1- 0.999…
Qfwfq
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Can $\sum_{x \in [0,1]} e^x$ be represented as an integral?

In $$\sum_{x \in [0,1]} e^x,$$ $e^x$ is summed over all values in the interval $[0,1]$. Am I right to say that $$\sum_{x \in [0,1]} e^x = \int^{x=1}_{x=0} e^x \, \mathrm dx?$$
Legendre
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What's the difference between hyperreal and surreal numbers?

The Wikipedia article on surreal numbers states that hyperreal numbers are a subfield of the surreals. If I understand correctly, both fields contain: real numbers a hierarchy of infinitesimal numbers like $\epsilon, \epsilon^2, \epsilon^3,…
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