How does Euler's identity prove God's existence?

[Bohm_Bawerk]

If I remember correctly, Euler remarked that his equation was proof of God’s existence:
e^(iπ) + 1 = 0.

Are there any professional or amateur mathematicians here?

 

[empther]

It doesn’t prove the existence of God.

The formula contains the imaginery number i *** which is defiined as the square root of minus one. Well of course there is no such thing as the square root of minus one, since any squared number must result in a positive number, but i*** is still useful in the branch of mathematics called ‘imaginary numbers’ to predict real world events.

Another definition in mathematics is that anything divided by zero equals one. Of course this is not true, but it makes certain equations work.

This has nothing to do with God’s exsitence.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I am trying to remember something I heard from one of my mathematics professors some 50+ years ago; so don’t expect great accuracy.

Two notable mathematicians met before the czar of Russia; I don’t remember the names. At the time mathematicians were divided between those who relied on graphs and those who relied on algebra. The one who used only graphs challenged the one who used equations to prove there is a God. The proof used some elaborate derivation which ended with e to the power* pi i* equals the square root of minus 1. The symbols pi, i and the number* square root of minus one* all seemed mystical to those who didn’t know algebra; therefore an equation which combined them was strong magic. The other mathematician faced with this mystical equation, and having no idea what it meant, conceded the case.

 

[Bohm_Bawerk]

Thanks Joe Kelley,

Your explanation is probably the closest. I searched it on Google and it seems to be that because the equation combines the most important numbers in mathematics, whilst at the same time holding to be true, there is a certain mystical element of it that is proof of God’s existence.

 

[empther]

Another definition in mathematics is that anything divided by zero equals one. Of course this is not true, but it makes certain equations work.

All right. I had a brain fart.
It’s ‘zero factorial’ that’s defined as 1

0! = 1

Dividing by zero is undefined, not possible.

 

[depthcharge623]

Empthr,

I’m really glad you corrected yourself there because I cringed hard when I read your first post ha.

 

[rossum]

It doesn’t prove the existence of God.

The formula contains the imaginery number i *** which is defiined as the square root of minus one. Well of course there is no such thing as the square root of minus one, since any squared number must result in a positive number, but i*** is still useful in the branch of mathematics called ‘imaginary numbers’ to predict real world events.

Also in the same equation, both e and π are transcendental numbers (as well as both being irrational of course).

The interesting thing about the equation is that we can combine three rather unusual mathematical objects, an imaginary number and two transcendental numbers, and get a very simple mathematical object as a result.

e[sup]iπ[/sup] = -1

rossum