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Good point. A paradox is something that produces an unexpected contradiction. It must be unexpected, otherwise any trivial false statement such as 2+2=5 would a
by cuspycode 6y ago
Good point. A paradox is something that produces an unexpected contradiction. It must be unexpected, otherwise any trivial false statement such as 2+2=5 would also be a paradox. Russell's paradox is a good example since no one expected a contradiction. The birthday paradox on the other hand does not produce any contradiction, so it's just a case of sloppy labeling.
- Izkata 6y agoBy that description, the birthday paradox is a paradox for anyone who doesn't already know it. The instinctive answer is generally 1/2 the total.
- cuspycode 6y agoIt's still not a contradiction, unless you first postulate that 1/2 is the answer, for no particular reason at all.
- ordu 6y ago> the birthday paradox is a paradox for anyone who doesn't already know it It is a fate of any solved paradox. A paradox is a confusing paradox only to a point when you learn where the contradiction comes from, and how it does it, and how to avoid it.