Is 2+2 Really Equal to 5? The Surprising Answer Inside!

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Erdem
  • Start date Start date
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the statement "2+2=5," exploring its validity and cultural references. Participants engage with the mathematical claim, its humorous interpretations, and its appearances in popular culture, including literature and music.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the validity of "2+2=5," suggesting it is incorrect.
  • Another participant humorously suggests that "2+2=5" could be true for extremely large values of 2.
  • References to humorous websites are made, with one participant noting that the links provided are jokes.
  • Several participants mention the cultural significance of "2+2=5," referencing George Orwell's novel "1984" and a Radiohead album.
  • A participant expresses enthusiasm for Radiohead, describing their experience at a concert and linking the band's work to the equation.
  • There is a light-hearted exchange about the meaning of "humor" in German, indicating a playful tone in the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on the validity of the statement "2+2=5," with some asserting it is incorrect while others engage with it humorously or culturally. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the mathematical claim.

Contextual Notes

Some statements rely on cultural references and humor, which may not align with traditional mathematical definitions. The discussion includes playful interpretations and does not reach a consensus on the mathematical validity of "2+2=5."

Erdem
[SOLVED] 2+2=5 really?

i saw this somewhere.
is it correct
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
Of course not.

- Warren
 
Sometimes the obvious is true. 2+2=4, not 5.
 
check it then

http://www.kfunigraz.ac.at/imawww/pages/humor/twoandtwo.html

http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts/coder/60f5/
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Okay, when a website's title is "Humor in der Mathematik," you can be pretty sure it's not real. Both links you provided are jokes.

- Warren
 
Originally posted by Erdem
check it then

http://www.kfunigraz.ac.at/imawww/pages/humor/twoandtwo.html

http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts/coder/60f5/

2+2=5
For extremely large values of 2.

LOL, those are some funny links, Erdem, thanks!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Do you mean that "Houston Euler" is not a real mathematician?
 
Back in High School we used to say "Euler's number" = five quarts.
 
I first heard of the equation when reading 1984 . . .
 
  • #10
Does anybody ever keep up with pop culture?

You probably saw the

2 + 2 = 5

equation on the back of the new Radiohead album called "Hail To The Thief."

I think they relesed the single in the UK last week so you can go buy it if you want!
 
  • #11
The radiohead single was an obvious allusion to the Orwellian novel
 
  • #12
Originally posted by Shahil


Does anybody ever keep up with pop culture?

You probably saw the

2 + 2 = 5

equation on the back of the new Radiohead album called "Hail To The Thief."

I think they relesed the single in the UK last week so you can go buy it if you want!
a great song by a great preapocolyptic math rock band. finally got to see them live this summer. it was a euphoric experience.
 
  • #13
Originally posted by chroot
Okay, when a website's title is "Humor in der Mathematik," you can be pretty sure it's not real. Both links you provided are jokes.

- Warren
I don't speak German. What does "humor" mean?
 
  • #14
Good question russ_watters. Last time I checked, I think it was some sort of body fluid.
 

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