3 ms·
A "file" on a computer is just a number. When you compress a file, you are representing a big number with a small number. There are more big numbers than ther
by phaemon 6y ago
A "file" on a computer is just a number.
When you compress a file, you are representing a big number with a small number.
There are more big numbers than there are small numbers.
- Dylan16807 6y agoYou've just expressed part of the problem with numbers, you haven't tied them into averages and minimums/maximums.
- phaemon 6y agoWhy is that required?
- Dylan16807 6y agoThe prompt you were responding to was "I have no idea what that explanation would look like in terms of maxes and averages, and I have to believe it would be much more difficult to understand." Specifically, they were looking for how you write the can't-always-compress proof using formulation (1)
- phaemon 6y agoOh right. I read it as "how else could you explain it simply". I always thought the pigeon hole principal was a needless metaphor.