What is anything divided by zero?

@dawnald (85146)
Shingle Springs, California
July 30, 2009 2:41pm CST
Funny story from my last job... I worked with this Analyst and programmer who sometimes got on each other's nerves. Well she asked him a question and instead of answering it, he just kept saying over and over again, "what is ANYTHING divided by zero" and she kept saying "just answer the question." Well I believe what he was saying was that the answer was obvious. Obviously it wasn't obvious to her. Do you hate people who play guessing games with you instead of just telling you straight out?
5 people like this
27 responses
@j92mike (54)
• United States
30 Jul 09
To me if you ask a stupid question you're going to get a stupid answer, especially if you work with me, cause working with idiots kills.
2 people like this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
30 Jul 09
That's the other side of it. It can be really aggravating dealing with people who can't figure out the silliest little details.
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
30 Jul 09
Stupid is relative, I guess...
1 person likes this
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
30 Jul 09
Funny thing, I've always heard there are NO stupid questions. Or was that no wrong answers?
1 person likes this
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
31 Jul 09
That's as annoying as the chicken or the egg question. I can never get that each time.. but anything divided by zero? I'll go crazy, LOL .. especially if being uttered at repeatedly.
1 person likes this
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
1 Aug 09
I agree, Dawn.. I'm guessing the chicken too ..
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
31 Jul 09
Yeah clearly he thought it was a dumb question and he wasn't going to dignify it with an answer, but it wasn't very nice either...
1 person likes this
• Philippines
31 Jul 09
Actually there is an answer for that chicken or egg... But I totally forget it... I'm sorry, I cant really remember it... But it is fun... I guess the answer is chicken if we base on biblical and the other is egg... hehe
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160696)
• United States
31 Jul 09
You cannot divide by zero, so it is not really obvious. It is obnoxious, though. It must have been very uncomfortable to work with the two of them being so childish. I hate it when people do not answer the question or answer a question with another question.
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
31 Jul 09
yeah he could be obnoxious when you got him going, usually a nice guy though...
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
3 Aug 09
@urbandekay (18278)
30 Jul 09
I think he is telling her there is no answer all the best urban
1 person likes this
@urbandekay (18278)
31 Jul 09
Yes, I know that mathematically the answer is infinity but as both zero and infinity are abstract concepts there is a different level of communication here; indirect communication. The speaker is saying that when matters get too speculative and abstract no definitive answer can be given. That clearly went right over the head of the other party. all the best urban
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
30 Jul 09
Yeah but he could have come straight out and said so.
@jonakyl (493)
• United States
30 Jul 09
There is an answer, it's infinity.
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63594)
• United States
31 Jul 09
I hate that, and I hate being asked a question when the person only wants to hear what they think is the correct answer, they don't want to hear a different opinion
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63594)
• United States
31 Jul 09
absolutely, trying to convince you that their opinion is the only correct answer, whereas, an opinion is just that, only an opinion, not a right or wrong answer
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
31 Jul 09
Ah yes and then they start arguing with you, right? VERY annoying!!!
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
3 Aug 09
NO you're wrong!!! Just kidding... Yeah, best not to talk to people like that if you don't have to.
1 person likes this
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
30 Jul 09
I dislike any type of mind games designed to make one person appear or feel superior to another. It accomplishes NOTHING but bad feelings.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
30 Jul 09
Yeah and it's annoying too!
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
12 Oct 09
I'm beginning to blush....but thanks again!
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
12 Oct 09
oh hey I passed these out ages ago, not all at once!
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
31 Jul 09
Oh GOD yes! I also can't stand it when people make comments that are borderline insulting and think that you don't even realise it. I constantly have to deal with people that will talk in circles rather than answere a question directly and it drives me insane. I'm not shy though and will straight out tell them that they didn't actually answer my question!
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
31 Jul 09
• India
31 Jul 09
Interesting story.... But, I don't like playing mind games and I aint a good judge as well, so that I can decide what the other peron wants to convey. All I want is that he/she should be straight forward and express themselves to me directly instead of letting me guess them. So no question or guessing games included in my list....
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
31 Jul 09
Yes I"m with you!!!
30 Jul 09
Hi dawnald, Oh I would hate that, I like people to just come straight out with it, my hubby always ask how long? meaning how long for dinner when I'm cooking and I always answer back with how long is a piece of string? Tamara
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
31 Jul 09
My annoying thing is somebody asks me a question that doesn't have a yes/no answer and I say yes.
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
3 Aug 09
there's some awful pun there about stringing people along...
@sanju9t (146)
• India
31 Jul 09
hi in computers language anything divide by zero is an exception raised by computer. normally we can say that this is not possible to divide or not possible to drive out any result from that.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
31 Jul 09
that was his point, no doubt
• Singapore
31 Jul 09
I really hate it when people play guessing game and beat around the bush instead of deliver the message they want to say straight across to the other party. I have never been able to understand what were they thinking and thus, always ended up with a fight because of misunderstanding and communication problems with people who plays guessing games.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
31 Jul 09
That's what ended up happening with these two. Nothing was resolved and they both went away angry.
@jonakyl (493)
• United States
30 Jul 09
The answer to your original question is infinity.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
30 Jul 09
lol thanks
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
1 Aug 09
To infinity and beyond... to find out you'd just have to buzz off...
• India
30 Jul 09
well...its really fun to have such characters around...but the thing is sometimes it gets on to u..when im serious and in a hurry and a guy like him wants to give extra work for my tyired brain,i wont be able to tolerate it..it all depends on situation..but when my nerves are calm,im humourous too n ud reply what makes hi-skool kids to be hired here....
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
30 Jul 09
It's one thing to do it once in a while for fun. But when it's business? Or all the time? No, annoying!
• India
31 Jul 09
yeah..u r right..in buisness u cant manage to blow up ur anger..u ll hav to control n give a forced smile..but after same days we get used to such people n their around approach..
1 person likes this
@ruzzel016 (241)
• Philippines
31 Jul 09
It depends... If I'm in a good mood, maybe yes... But if I'm not and my day is bad maybe it makes me feel bad... But sometimes I love playing guessing games with my friends... cause it is fun and enjoy because you make your mind work and work until you guess the right answer...
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
31 Jul 09
And it's OK when it's a game and both of you want to do it, but when you're doing it to somebody who wants you to tell them straight out, it can be just mean.
• United States
31 Jul 09
yea,i used to work for a bunch of people who'd never give me a straight answer what they wanted done.they'd say "whatever". so,i did do whatever(though still pertaining to the job). ..and that was wrong too.oh well,you said whatever,that's what i did.next time,specify
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
31 Jul 09
If I do that, it's pretty clear that I don't want to answer...
@mzz663 (2772)
• United States
31 Jul 09
It drives me crazy when someone does that....anything divided by zero is an obvious answer, but sometimes I get the person that asks a riddle instead and I could come up with 10 different answers and they still don't want to tell what the answer is. I end up just walking away if I can't get a straight answer and ask someone that don't waste my time or look up the answer myself.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
31 Jul 09
Yeah that drives me bonkers. Ok sometimes I ask dumb questions and if I think it through I'll figure it out, but generally if I ask, I don't know. Don't play stupid games with me!
@308369666 (111)
• China
31 Jul 09
Such people really unbearable,I have a friend who is also the general asked me this question,for example,he asked me a few No.Today is a day he asked me 5times,I'm crazy.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
31 Jul 09
5 times is about 4 too many, don't you think?
• United States
31 Jul 09
Duh. Anything divided by zero has to be zero. :-) I love playing guessing games because generally they add some mystery to a conversation and a little bit of humor. The only thing I HATE about guessing games is if they keep on making you guess for a prolonged period. Otherwise I love doing guessing games on people and having it done unto me.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
31 Jul 09
Yeah, that was his point of course. I like guessing games too but not when I'm seriously trying to get some important information from somebody!
• Philippines
31 Jul 09
i love that guessing games.. when i think its difficult, i tend to be happy because it challenges me, and be more happy at the end when i got the answer without having the help of others to solve or answer it..hihi, it not just made me alert and awake but it enhances my brain, to solve puzzles, questions and the like..haha
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
31 Jul 09
I like puzzles and certain types of guessing games but not when a person is withholding information that way.
• India
31 Jul 09
Hi dawnald,well i am very interested in these kinds of puzzles and guessing questions.I enjoying answering them and thinking the solution to that question.Whether i get the solution or not it keeps me engaged.But i feel annoyed if the person who ask the question don't tell its solution.I will be very eager to know its answer.And queries like this anything divided by zero often comes when doing programming.Even its not defined in computer terminology.I will enjoy taking up these kinds of questions.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
31 Jul 09
sure but there's a difference between a puzzle and doing that to be rude