Help me find the words to express my self?

[omegafattyacid]

I understand that the proof of 1 + 1 = 2 is complex. I am not looking the proof.
What I need are the words one might use to challenge my assumption that 1 + 1 is 2 and not some arbitrary number.

If my assumption is ( 1 + 1 = 2 )

One might argue against me that my assumption is not necessarily true and therefore they could say ( 1 + 1 = 18) is an equally valid assumption.

Other then (proving that 1 + 1 = 2) or (proving that 1 + 1 = 18 is not true)

How can one express the concept that either assumption might be true?

 

[Deleted member 4993]

I understand that the proof of 1 + 1 = 2 is complex. I am not looking the proof.
What I need are the words one might use to challenge my assumption that 1 + 1 is 2 and not some arbitrary number.

If my assumption is ( 1 + 1 = 2 )

One might argue against me that my assumption is not necessarily true and therefore they could say ( 1 + 1 = 18) is an equally valid assumption.

Other then (proving that 1 + 1 = 2) or (proving that 1 + 1 = 18 is not true)

How can one express the concept that either assumption might be true?

Well you should start with "definition of 2"?

In binary system, 2 does not exist - so there 1+1 = 10.

 

[omegafattyacid]

If I say,

Let us picture in our minds the image of an apple, and from this day forth this image will be represented by the symbol '1'

Let us also picture in our minds the image of an apple upon an apple, and from this day forth this image will be represented by the symbol '2'

Finally let us picture in our minds a moving image of 'the placing of an apple upon an apple' and from this day forth the act that is demonstrated in this picture will be represented by the symbol '+'

thus I assume that 1 + 1 makes 2

Could someone legitimately state that my assumption may not be true, and if so, how could they demonstrate or express this idea in words that might be convincing to others?

 

[mmm4444bot]

The wind might topple the apples, in which case, 1 + 1 no longer equals 2.

 

[Denis]

Could someone legitimately state that my assumption may not be true, and if so, how could they demonstrate or express this idea in words that might be convincing to others?

Got too much free time on your hands?

 

[mmm4444bot]

thus I assume that 1 + 1 makes 2

I didn't mean to be flippant, in my first response.

(Which, in case you're not from the United States or have never watched C-Span, apparently means — in general — that I actually did want to be flippant then, but that I do not want to be up-front in confessing this now, since I find myself communicating with you again.)

Okay, so I'm ready to be more serious, for the moment.[sup:1fdomudh][1][/sup:1fdomudh]

You started this discussion asking about an equation.

1 + 1 = 2

Then you made the statement above. I wonder whether or not your choice of the word "makes" is intentional.

My question is: Did you neglect to consider a statement similar to the following?

Let us picture in our minds the concept of equality with respect to the size of a collected stack of '1' and '1', and from this day forth this concept will be represented by the symbol 'makes'.

Do you "see" where I'm going?



[1] There is a history of people posting similar questions that begin innocently, but eventually decay into philosophical or metaphysical nonsense (or worse). I've been drawn into some of these discussions; at the end of the day, they waste my time. Please rest assured that I do not currently recognize anything heteroclitical or mental in this thread; just the same, I'm watching.

 

[Deleted member 4993]

If I say,

Let us picture in our minds the image of an apple, and from this day forth this image will be represented by the symbol '1'

Let us also picture in our minds the image of an apple upon an apple, and from this day forth this image will be represented by the symbol '2'

Finally let us picture in our minds a moving image of 'the placing of an apple upon an apple' and from this day forth the act that is demonstrated in this picture will be represented by the symbol '+'

thus I assume that 1 + 1 makes 2

Could someone legitimately state that my assumption may not be true, and if so, how could they demonstrate or express this idea in words that might be convincing to others?

If you are trying to define addition - instead of defining 2 - then it has been done through foundation of mathematics earlier.

I would like for you to look up that definition - in any foundation of mathematics where the operations are defined - and tell us what "similarities" and dissimilarities" you find there.

By the way, assuming your picture of " 1 + 1 = 2" is consistent - how do you propose "1 + 1 = 18" (with the accepted definition of 1, 2, 18 and your picture of "equality" and "addition".

 

[galactus]

Google Peano's Postulate. This is often used to prove 1+1=2.