We use mathematics every second of our life, consciously or sub-consciously. Yet most people find mathematics hard and are extremely disinterested in the subject. My theory is that it depends on one's teacher and the mutual interest of student and teacher in the subject. Math is fun and exciting if 'earning marks' is not the goal. Unfortunately that's not the case with most people who end up finding math "dull and boring".
However, worry not, as I am here to answer some of the very basic questions that people in schools have generally asked and to show why math is fun when done right! This is the first of the series "Fun Math"
Why 0! is 1?
Factorial of a number (x), is generally described using an exclamation mark next to the number (x!). This represents the product of every natural number preceding x, for eg. 5!=5x4x3x2x1 or 4!=4x3x2x1, etc. However, what people don't seem to understand is why 0! is equal to 1. There is a very simple explanation for this.
Let's take out our calculators (allowed here, unlike your schools) and do some multiplication.
1!=1
2!=2x1=2
3!=3x2x1=6
4!=4x3x2x1=24
5!=5x4x3x2x1=120
Now if we start from the back of the pack...
5!=5x4x3x2x1=120, here since 120 is the factorial of 5, so we divide 120 by 5. the answer is 24, which is equal to factorial of 4. 24, when divided by 4, gives out 6 which in turn is equal to the factorial of 3. and 6 divided by 3 gives 2 which is equal to 2!. and 2 divided by 2 is 1.
Now when it comes to 0! there is no reason for us to believe that this series is broken or flawed so we continue with the same logic and therefore 1 divided by 1 which yields 0! value which is equal to 1.
A simple logical explanation exists for everything in math and that's what makes it fun. While people call it 'derivations', I prefer calling them ass logic. Logic behind the formulas that you're memorizing.
Stay tuned for more such content!
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