Though not completely scientific, it's still somewhat mathematical and kinda fun to see various responses to this.

Let's suppose for a minute for the sake of this thread that two plus two actually equaled five. If that would be the case, what would two minus two equal?

2+2=5, soooo, 2-2=???

Any takers????

Well, if 2+2=5, then 2=2.5.
So 2.5-2.5=0.
Any positive number minus itself
will always be 0, n'est-ce pas?

Kudos to you!

you wouldnt believe how many people want to say -1

Assuming that you're maintaining an internal consistency wherein a number must always equal itself, then 2-2 would still end up as zero. As addition is a reciprocal operation and subtraction is not, the only way 2-2 would not equal zero is if you alter the initial condition of numerical consistency. But if the value of each 2 is equivalent, then the subtraction would result in a zero.

On the other hand, if you start with a system in which the same numerical symbols can have different values, you're not going to be able to construct a valid mathematics with any true practical utility.

whoa, thats some deep **** man LOL very true

but alas, she is not many people, wise, wise woman right there!

agreed

"Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader"..
is just waiting for me..

I'll be rootin for ya!

I know you are just saying that because when
I rule the world you want the mingle franchise..

It will take more than rooting, those wee
fookers are smart!!

yes, that they can be

But if 2+2=5 then 2-2=-1 and a bonk on the noggin for even being that drunk in the first place!

Salut!

"Wherein it is given" ...

All I can reckon is that it all works as it "given" ...

... Given, accepted, installed, foundational fiction ... One World Language ...

ALL my math professors got so animated when I'd ponder out loud:

"Who in the hell had a right to give it and what happens when we all disagree in protest and give it back?"

Math Professors just LOVE that topic premise ...

... Ever taken Math Logic???


Kinda like "The Emperor's New Clothes" ...


... Talk about Antimatter ...

but....butt....buttt.....he's nakey!!!!

And either well hung or swollen w/ ... Ego ... Yeah, that's it, ego ...

Pops in, looks around, realizes its math.

Chit!!! Run...

Oh, I was taught that sometimes 1+1 can equal 3, but only if you aren't careful!

2-2 = BEER

6 + 6 = Eggroll, and not a baker's dozen ...

... And sometimes a team sport ...