The function f(x) = 1/x has a singularity at which value of x?
Answer0
Dividing by zero is undefined, so 1/x blows up and has a singularity at x = 0.
Science · Facts & stats
Singularity facts & stats
7 fact-checked facts about singularities in math and physics, each with the reason behind it. 5 more are in today's round and join this page after it closes.
The basics
Which scientific theory predicts black holes?
AnswerEinstein's general relativity
General relativity describes gravity as curved spacetime and predicts regions so dense light cannot escape.
Going deeper
The radius of a non-rotating black hole's event horizon is named after whom?
AnswerKarl Schwarzschild
In 1916 Karl Schwarzschild found the solution to Einstein's equations that gives this radius.
The first image of a black hole's shadow, released in 2019, showed one in which galaxy?
AnswerM87
The Event Horizon Telescope released an image of the black hole in galaxy M87 in 2019.
What does "spaghettification" describe?
AnswerObjects stretched by extreme tidal forces near a black hole
Near a black hole, gravity pulls much harder on the nearer end of an object, stretching it thin.
Expert level
The function tan(x) has a singularity at which angle?
Answer90 degrees
tan(x) = sin(x)/cos(x), and cos(90°) = 0, so tan blows up at 90 degrees.
The theoretical radiation emitted by black holes is named after which physicist?
AnswerStephen Hawking
In 1974 Stephen Hawking showed quantum effects should make black holes emit faint thermal radiation.
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