How Much is Two and Two?

A mathematician is someone who pauses when asked “How much is two and two?”

Indeed, the answer might be:

  • 0 — modulo 4.
  • 1 — in characteristic 3.
  • 2 — if AND is considered as a logical operation.
  • 4 ± ε — for approximate values of 2.
  • 4 — (almost forgot this case).
  • 10 — in base 4.
  • 11 — in base 3.
  • 22 — for string concatenations.
  • MSC — (this one is your homework).
Share:Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

4 Comments

  1. Geneal:

    A space counts as a letter?

  2. Simon:

    replace letters by numbers, i.e. A=0, B=1, …, O=14, T=19, W=22, and then add modulo 26
    T W O
    +T W O
    —————–
    19 22 14 mod 26
    +19 22 14 mod 26
    —————–
    12 18 2 = MSC

  3. Mr. Briggs:

    You forgot 100, although I suppose that there’s no “2” in base 2.

  4. Axel Hobson:

    “How much is two and two?” How much what?

    I’m confused.

Leave a comment