3 ms·
Right. The best thing you can do is say the numbers are an element of the set of tuples {(x, 6-x) : x \in R}. And that's only if you restrict to reals. Consider
by robertk 15y ago
Right. The best thing you can do is say the numbers are an element of the set of tuples {(x, 6-x) : x \in R}. And that's only if you restrict to reals. Consider the fact that the "average" of i and 6-i is also 3. In general, you replace R by k, where k is your field (or even any unital ring where 2 = 1+1 is invertible). Thus, in the finite field F_5, the possible numbers are (0,1), (1,0), (2,4), (4,2), (3,3). More cleanly, you can take the k-points on the variety x + y - 6 = 0.