Originally Posted by pondering_it_all
Quote
PI (3.14159265359....) is an infinitely complex arrangement of digits,
each, in the long run, no more likely to turn up than any other digit.
Yet PI can be completely defined by :
PI/4 = 1 - 1/3 + 1/5 - 1/7 + 1/9 - 1/11 + ······
An infinite object expressed by a finite number of symbols.
A small finite number of symbols, but an infinite number of terms.
But the point is, you don't need an infinite number of terms !!!

Instead of the dots at the end, you can say, "and so on."

Or you can write, "the sum of the reciprocals of the odd numbers, alternating positive and negative terms, starting with plus one."

Where the questions of logic become really interesting is when you write something like :

"The largest number which can be expressed in eleven words."

[hint: the sentence above has ten words] · · [Linked Image from t0.gstatic.com]