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> Is it not remarkable that 6 sheep plus 7 sheep make 13 sheep; that 6 stones plus 7 stones make 13 stones? Personally, I find it rather remarkable that a patt
by Arun2009 16y ago
> Is it not remarkable that 6 sheep plus 7 sheep make 13 sheep; that 6 stones plus 7 stones make 13 stones?
Personally, I find it rather remarkable that a pattern observed from pebbles, sheep or apples (i.e., 6 + 7 = 13) should hold for any set of discrete objects anywhere in the universe. It could well have been that, say, 1 apple + 1 apple = 2.5 apples, but 1 kitten + 1 kitten = 1.5 kittens.
- michael_dorfman 16y agoNot really, because having one something plus one something equal two somethings is pretty much the definition of discrete object.
- tome 16y agoYes, I agree and think this is a very smart observation. It doesn't hold for jugs of water, say, if you're allowed to pour water between the jugs.
- dhimes 16y agoNor for sheep if you mix the sexes and leave them alone for a bit. Cool article, though.
- sesqu 16y agoIt doesn't hold for loads of things. 1 heap + 1 heap = 1 heap. 1 bunny + 1 bunny = 12 bunnies, depending on how fast you are with your observing. 1 dl of ethanol + 10 dl of water < 11 dl of diluted alcohol.
- michael_dorfman 16y agoBut "heaps" and "dl of fluid" are not discrete objects, which was precisely my point.