[tomvbussel]

Ask a random person if 1 and 0.999999... are the same number and most people will tell you they aren't the same number. Yet: 1 = 3 * (1/3) = 3 * 0.33333... = 0.99999... (they're also epsilon close for every epsilon larger than zero). So yes, this kind of stuff is surprising for a lot of people.

[partisan]

I'd like to have everyone in the world give me their money and I will promptly return that money times 0.99999... They are the same number, after all.

[mikeash]

Aside from the obvious problems trustworthiness and transaction costs, what would be wrong with that?

[qu4z-2]

I'd like to have everyone in the world give me their money and I will return that money times 1.0000000001 about a week later, after making bank off the interest. Sadly there seems to be no general enthusiasm for this plan. :)

Also: Tell you what... you give me your account details, and I'll send you (1 - 0.9999...) times my money. Deal?