Math problems too big for our brains

Ottawa Citizen via The Windsor Star ^ | November 8 2005

[Camel Joe]

Well then... let us bring forth the microchips and let the Borg(unization) of humanity begin. I'm just a little afraid that it will actually happen in some socialist parts of the world. Cloning and Cyborgs, ah the 21st century will be interesting indeed.

[CommandoFrank]

I wanted to impress my grandpa with my math skills so I told him the formula Pi-r-square.

He laughed at me and said "No, boy. Pie are round. Cornbread are square!"

[slobie]

2+2 = 11? only if you redefine = or + or 2 or is...

[MineralMan]

"2+2 = 11? only if you redefine = or + or 2 or is..."

Nope. Base 3.

[al baby]

This Kind ?

[Vicomte13]

How can the article say "Four Colors"?

Russia touches at least 10 other countries. If you only used four colors, you would have to have the same color touching at least thrice.

I suppose if you just limited the scope to "map of Europe", but even then, you'd have to leave out the Balkans to use just four colors.

If a computer can "prove" that only four colors are needed, then the computer is clearly in error.

[al baby]

redefine is ? The stainmaker tried to do that

[DuncanWaring]

Try it in a "Base-3" number system.

[andy58-in-nh]

Really? I can prove that 2 + 2 = 11.

Yes, in Base 3.

[D-fendr]

This writer and perhaps his subject need a course in logic. Deductive reasoning can prove truth statements - not only mathematics.

And much of what the articles gives as examples are inferences, inductive reasoning which are not considered proof.

His point about computers is ok, but the rest of this article..

[r9etb]

Pie are round. Cornbread are square!

That was my science teacher's favorite bad joke. Wonder if we're talking about the same guy....

[MineralMan]

Yup. That always gets 'em. It also makes the statement in the article false.

And for those who think there's no point in using math in anything other than base 10, I give you the computer you're typing on right now.

[smokinleroy]

Never forget:

There are 10 types of people: Those who understand binary math, and those who don't.

[MineralMan]

Very good.

[Sofa King]

Then that's redefining what the 11 is.

[CommandoFrank]

That was my science teacher's favorite bad joke. Wonder if we're talking about the same guy....

I think we're giving away our age...

[andy58-in-nh]

And for those who think there's no point in using math in anything other than base 10, I give you the computer you're typing on right now.

Binary dittoes!

[smokinleroy]

Remember when big fat Rosie O'Doughnut said that nobody needs to learn math any more - we have computers. What a retard.

[1L]

The computer has to be programmed, does it not?

[Our man in washington]

Think again.

You could use the same color for Finland, Poland and China, as they don't border each other.