The Weird Number - Clip 7



Comments for Clip 7

Text of clip 7 (3:27)

4/6: ...Well, just like me and like all the numbers who live in the dark woods beyond the mountains.

1: But what’s a rational number?”

4/6: Well any number that can change itself and has a natural number on top and a natural number on the bottom is a rational number.

5: Can I do that too?

4/6: Certainly. All natural numbers are also rational numbers. Pick a bottom number.

5: I’ll choose 3.

4/6: Alright. We’ll need 5 cakes. We’ll cut each cake into 3 equal parts. Now, how many pieces will you eat?

5: Well, let’s see.. “… 3.. 6… 9...12… 15. Fifteen pieces.

4/6: So, one of your forms is 15 over 3. Because when you cut each cake into three equal pieces you eat 15 pieces.
 
Narrator: And it was true. For with that 5 changed into 15/3rds and 3 his girlfriend fainted. So he changed right back.

4/6: Well, The sun is going down and I must be on my way. And goodbye, fellow rational numbers.

763: Just a moment. Where’s 2/3rds? He’s wanted for burglary.

4/6: I don’t know since we’re all rational numbers, I'm no more responsible for him than you are.

1: That’s right. Have a safe journey 4/6ths. Remember you’re always welcome to return.

Narrator: Afterward, 9 discovered that he could be 18 over 2.

1: I’m 2 over 2, and 3 over 3, 4 over 4, 5 over 5.

763: Too many. All of us can have many different forms.

Others: That’s right.

763: Then pointing towards the mountains they can have different forms too.
Of course, the others agreed. 

763: Then, 4/6ths can take other forms also.

9: What do you mean?

763: I just have a hunch. Look at this cake. And if we cut it into 6 equal parts our friend 4/6ths would eat four of them.

9: That’s right.

763: So we’ll put four pieces on this tray. Now, how much would 2/3rds eat?

9: Well, he’d cut it into 3 pieces, and…

963 (interrupting): And, eat two of them.

9: But that’s what 4/6ths would eat.

763: Exactly.

9: Then 4/6ths is … is...

763 (finishing 9's sentence): the same as 2/3rds. I’m going after it! Maybe I can still catch the scoundrel.

[Clip ends.]

Teacher: So... what do you think happens next?