2+2=5

[Rashiir]

Here's a simple mathematical proof that 2+2=5...

Let a+b=c where a, b, c are real numbers.

a + b = c

Multiply by (5 - 2 - 2):

a(5 - 2 - 2) + b(5 - 2 - 2) = c(5 - 2 - 2)

Distribute:

5a - 2a - 2a + 5b - 2b - 2b = 5c - 2c - 2c

Rearranged, that is:

2a + 2b - 2c + 2a + 2b - 2c = 5a + 5b - 5c

Factor:

2(a+b-c) + 2(a+b-c) = 5(a+b-c)

Divide by (a+b-c):

2 + 2 = 5

There you go. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Is there an error? If you spot one, don't spoil it for everyone else!

[TheMelodyMaker]

I had to look twice, but I found the error.

[DanekJovax]

I must confess, this is rather clever, but in the end, frought with foundational errors.

I'll stay quiet though. :2)

I think a better coorelation for the "Sum is greater than its parts" can be mathematically noted as thus:

A^B^C > A + B + C

Of course, this only works when A, B, and C are all whole numbers and are greater than 1.

Kind of implies that all must go the extra mile together for the result to be greater than the sum of their efforts.

Just my 3 yen. ;2)

[Mithrandir]

That was funny. Something in the back of my head set off a warning bell when I got to... Uh... That point. That's kinda clever!

[Technomancer]

Reminds me of a "proof" that was in our highschool math textbooks for the part where they taught induction. It was something similar, like 1+1=3, although it involved series calculations.

[Master Kenzo]

I FOUND THE ERROR! ITS *Rashiir sticks hand on mouth* mmf-mf-mf!!

[uc pseudonym]

Haven't seen that before. Somewhat clever, though as usual, there is an error hidden within. I wonder if the person who created it slippd the error in intentionally, or if they honestly figured that up?

Reminds me of another "logic" problem. Suppose you have a rabbit and a turtle on a football field, racing to one endzone. The turtle starts on the fifty yard line, and the rabbit on the opposite endzone. Both begin running at the same moment, and the rabbit moves twice as quickly as the turtle. Yet, when the rabbit has reached the 50 yard line, the turtle will have moved on. And when the rabbit reaches the point where the turtle had been, the turtle has moved again! So, therefore, the turtle wins!

Okay, so the instrinsic error is relatively obvious, but I still find it interesting.

[Rashiir]

Yah, but basically you can "prove" any sum with that proof, depending on what you multiply by.