.999... indicates an infinite number of terms in the series and yes the as the number of terms approaches infinity, .999... converges to 1.0, but this is not the same thing as stating .999... = 1.0 This does not occur over time. There is no "approaching" here. If we were talking of a series such as .9, .99, .999, .99999999999999999999, .99999999999999999999999999999999999999999999, you would be correct, but .999... represents those 9s extending into infinity, in the present, right now, forever. Thus equaling 1, by your own admission.