Proof that shows Math is Fun

(-infinity,infinity) · 2012-10-11 16:35:08

Hi,

I am currently in Alg 2 and was thinking if there was a logical way, preferably in proof format, that would prove that math is indeed fun. It would be great to show my classmates and teachers, but I haven't been able to come up with anything.

Any method of proofs would work, and I am thinking an indirect proof or proof by contradiction would work the best.

Thanks

bobbym · 2012-10-11 16:37:57

Hi (-infinity,infinity);

Welcome to the forum! A proof that math is fun, hmmmm....

zetafunc. · 2012-10-11 18:02:03

Interesting idea with the proof by contradiction. "Let's assume that maths isn't fun..."

Bob · 2012-10-11 19:11:48

hi (-infinity,infinity)

Welcome to the forum.

All proofs require a set of axioms and rules for how elements may be combined.

Here's a simple example.

axiom 1. All 4 lettered words are fun.

rules of propositional calculus apply.

normal counting rules apply.

proof. math has 4 letters (by counting rule)

math is fun (by axiom 1)

Now I'm not seriously offering this as a useful mathematical theory. I have two main objections:

(i) the proof breaks down in the UK where the spelling is 'maths'

http://www.mathsisfun.com/

note the extra 's' in the address.

(ii) There are a lot of 4 lettered words that you wouldn't want to be proved to be fun!

So clearly more work is needed on the axioms, but it will give you the idea.

btw. proof by contradiction still uses the axiom system and rules of logic.

Bob

Bob · 2012-10-11 19:31:05

OK. I have a better one.

Words have meanings. Dictionaries define those meanings.

So I chased around the definitions thus:

fun: bringing pleasure

doing something for pleasure: something you do because you want to rather than because you have to.

Now the proof.

We all know that 2 + 2 = 4

Only a mathematician would do the following:

axiom 1. 2 = 1 + 1
axiom 2. 3 = 2 + 1
axiom 3. 4 = 3 + 1

rules of substitution apply
associativity applies

proof:

2 + 2 = 2 + (1 + 1) (by substitution and axiom 1)
= (2 + 1) + 1 (associativity)
= 3 + 1 (substitution and axiom 2)
= 4 (substitution and axiom 4)

therefore 2 + 2 = 4

Only a mathematician would do this because they want to (clearly you don't have to do this)

Therefore math(s) is fun.

QED.

Bob

(-infinity,infinity) · 2012-10-12 02:09:57

Great thinking guys! I never thought of using the actual meaning of fun in the proof.

The warm welcome was also well appreciated.

I'll see if there are any other ideas, but bob bundy's looks like the best one so far.

Bob · 2012-10-12 06:33:05

hi (-infinity,infinity)

I'm surprised that you didn't think the meaning of a word was important.

Just to keep my suggestion in 'best' position I have improved it a little.

definition:

Let x = {devising the following proof}

axiom 1. 2 = 1 + 1
axiom 2. 3 = 2 + 1
axiom 3. 4 = 3 + 1

rules of substitution apply
associativity applies

proof:

2 + 2 = 2 + (1 + 1) (by substitution and axiom 1)
= (2 + 1) + 1 (associativity)
= 3 + 1 (substitution and axiom 2)
= 4 (substitution and axiom 4)

therefore 2 + 2 = 4

It is self evident that

Hope you like this.

Bob

anonimnystefy · 2012-10-12 06:35:51

Hi Bob

That's cool. Another contribution to our real world mathematics formulas. I think Real's friends will like it.

Bob · 2012-10-12 06:38:17

hi

Just adding some more. Go back to post 7

B

Bob · 2012-10-12 06:42:13

Ok I'm done for now. See post 7.

I see you have given (-infinity,infinity) a nickname.

B

anonimnystefy · 2012-10-12 07:52:58

bob bundy wrote:

It is self evident that

And why is that?

bob bundy wrote:

I see you have given (-infinity,infinity) a nickname.

Yup!

Last edited by anonimnystefy (2012-10-12 07:54:13)

(-infinity,infinity) · 2012-10-12 10:51:06

I see anonimnystefy has caught onto the interval notation.

anonimnystefy · 2012-10-12 10:57:14

Hi Real

It would be hard not to!

Bob · 2012-10-12 19:00:47

It is self evident that

I have gone to some length to prove that 2 + 2 = 4

Ask any 4 year old and they will tell you it was not necessary to prove this ... "Don't be silly; everyone knows this!"

Therefore I must have been doing something that is "an activity not in {compulsory activities}"

It follows that it must be in {pleasurable activities}.

Bob

Agnishom · 2012-10-12 23:33:36

Hmm... Funny Posts ... Great

Bob · 2012-10-13 00:12:43

Hmm... Funny Posts ... Great

Which is further supportive evidence of the proposition that .....

Bob

(-infinity,infinity) · 2012-10-13 12:26:19

Bob, you have inspired me to get back to proofs. Thank you so much!

I removed that last part for privacy reason.

Last edited by (-infinity,infinity) (2012-10-14 15:21:25)

Bob · 2012-10-13 19:22:29

OK. Good luck with that.

For years mathematicians have found it difficult to get law courts to understand Bayes theorem and use it properly in assessing evidence where probability plays a part so you may have even more trouble pursuading them to accept your stalker proof.

Bob

Math Is Fun Forum

#1 2012-10-11 16:35:08

Proof that shows Math is Fun

#2 2012-10-11 16:37:57

Re: Proof that shows Math is Fun

#3 2012-10-11 18:02:03

Re: Proof that shows Math is Fun

#4 2012-10-11 19:11:48

Re: Proof that shows Math is Fun

#5 2012-10-11 19:31:05

Re: Proof that shows Math is Fun

#6 2012-10-12 02:09:57

Re: Proof that shows Math is Fun

#7 2012-10-12 06:33:05

Re: Proof that shows Math is Fun

#8 2012-10-12 06:35:51

Re: Proof that shows Math is Fun

#9 2012-10-12 06:38:17

Re: Proof that shows Math is Fun

#10 2012-10-12 06:42:13

Re: Proof that shows Math is Fun

#11 2012-10-12 07:52:58

Re: Proof that shows Math is Fun

#12 2012-10-12 10:51:06

Re: Proof that shows Math is Fun

#13 2012-10-12 10:57:14

Re: Proof that shows Math is Fun

#14 2012-10-12 19:00:47

Re: Proof that shows Math is Fun

#15 2012-10-12 23:33:36

Re: Proof that shows Math is Fun

#16 2012-10-13 00:12:43

Re: Proof that shows Math is Fun

#17 2012-10-13 12:26:19

Re: Proof that shows Math is Fun

#18 2012-10-13 19:22:29

Re: Proof that shows Math is Fun

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