division by zero
Undefined arithmetic operation
Division by zero is the mathematically undefined operation of dividing any number by zero.
Because division asks "how many times does the divisor fit into the dividend," and zero fits into anything either infinitely many times or not at all, the operation has no meaningful answer.
Calculators display an error; computers may crash.
The phrase extends figuratively to any logical impossibility or operation that breaks a system: Asking him to be on time is like division by zero.
- undefinedNot clearly delineated
- infinityUnlimited extent or quantity
- errorFault in communication
- runtime errorFault during program execution
- crashSudden violent impact
indeterminate · singularity · limit · asymptote · forbidden · impossible · paradox · calculator · NaN · overflow · exception · mathematics · number theory · math class · denominator · fraction · illegal · black hole
- calculation errorsmiscalculation, math error, counting error, miscount, miscounting
- Computer Errorserror message, crash, warning, internal error, fatal error
- code bugsbugs, errors, crashes, glitches, syntax error
- code errorssyntax error, type error, escape sequence, conversion error, missing file
- digital errorsdata loss, packet loss, network error, buffer overflow, runtime error
- software bugsbug, error, glitch, defect, fault
division, divide, divided, dividing, divider, dividers, divisible, divisibility, indivisible