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To: MineralMan
Without defining the number system you are using, such statements are false.

Not true. When expressing the equation as 2 + 2 = 4, then it is implied that we are working in a base for which the symbol 4 is defined, which would be base 5 or higher. In any of these defined systems 2 + 2 = 4. To say that 2 + 2 = 4 is false is never logically consistent, because for the systems in which this is so the symbol 4 is undefined, therefore the statement is not provable.

69 posted on 11/08/2005 9:53:10 AM PST by ozidar
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To: ozidar

"Not true. When expressing the equation as 2 + 2 = 4, then it is implied that we are working in a base for which the symbol 4 is defined, which would be base 5 or higher. In any of these defined systems 2 + 2 = 4. To say that 2 + 2 = 4 is false is never logically consistent, because for the systems in which this is so the symbol 4 is undefined, therefore the statement is not provable."

Hah! You make a good point. Just as I can definitively say that 2+2=11 means that I'm using base 3, 2+2=4 means I must be using base 5 or higher. You win!


75 posted on 11/08/2005 9:55:37 AM PST by MineralMan (godless atheist)
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