What are 100 Different Ways to Represent the Number 4?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter hitscan
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the various ways to represent the number 4, exploring both mathematical and linguistic representations. Participants share different forms, challenge the validity of certain representations, and question the purpose of the exercise.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants list various representations of the number 4, including numerical, word form, and fractions.
  • One participant suggests that there are infinitely many ways to represent numbers, indicating a philosophical perspective on counting representations.
  • A mathematical expression is introduced, seeking the smallest positive integer that satisfies a given equation.
  • Another participant questions the purpose of the exercise, asking if it is merely curiosity or has a deeper intent.
  • A reference to a Chinese story is made, drawing a parallel between linguistic variations and the representation of numbers.
  • One participant proposes a systematic approach to representing 4 with decimal variations, suggesting a formula for generating representations.
  • There is a challenge to the validity of certain representations, such as -1/4, which is argued not to be a valid form of 4.
  • A participant notes that one representation is in base-2, indicating the need for clarity on numeral systems.
  • Concerns are raised about the appropriateness of the thread for the mathematics forums.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the validity of certain representations and the overall purpose of the discussion. There is no consensus on the significance or appropriateness of the topic within the forum context.

Contextual Notes

Some representations may depend on specific numeral systems or definitions, and the discussion includes varying interpretations of what constitutes a valid representation of the number 4.

hitscan
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100 ways to write the same number: 4, ill start

  1. 4
  2. four
  3. 4.00
  4. 100/25
  5. |-4|
  6. 4/1
  7. -1/4
  8. 0100
 
Last edited:
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why? there are as many ways as there are natural numbers and maybe if they can't be counted.
 
smallest positive integer (a) such that (g) is also an integer in

g = (8a - 5)/9
 
hitscan said:
100 ways to write the same number: 4, ill start

  1. 4
  2. four
  3. 4.00
  4. 100/25
  5. |-4|
  6. 4/1
  7. -1/4
  8. 0100

Is there a point to this or are you just curious if it can be done?
 
there's a famous Chinese story called the Ten Stone Lions all written with different characters that are pronounced with the same sound "shur" but all with varying tones in Mandarin chinese.
- ten=shur
- stone=shur
- lion=shur.
 
jedishrfu said:
there's a famous Chinese story called the Ten Stone Lions all written with different characters that are pronounced with the same sound "shur" but all with varying tones in Mandarin chinese.
- ten=shur
- stone=shur
- lion=shur.

Maybe that's how it would sound if it's someone from Beijing doing the talking. =P

As for the OP's topic, if 4.00 is a valid variation, then how about we just do

$$4.\underbrace{0\dots0}_{\mbox{n zeros}}$$
for n = 1 to 100 and call it a day? =P
 
hitscan said:
100 ways to write the same number: 4, ill start

  1. 4
  2. four
  3. 4.00
  4. 100/25
  5. |-4|
  6. 4/1
  7. -1/4
  1. -1/4 isn't one of the ways to write 4.
    hitscan said:
    [*]0100
As for the last one on your list, it needs to be understood that you're writing it in base-2.

Anyway, what's the point of this?
 
This does not meet the guidelines of the mathematics forums.
 

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