4 ms·
A counter argument to you approach: If I multiply two positive integers by one another is the result always greater than either integer? Turns out there is one
by wcarey 6y ago
A counter argument to you approach: If I multiply two positive integers by one another is the result always greater than either integer? Turns out there is one exception to that rule. Does it serve a purpose? How do you know?
- tromp 6y agoNote that your rule already has a condition of positive inputs. It's not surprising that for inputs satisfying an inequality, the result also satisfies one. A simpler example is: If I subtract 1 from a positive integer, is the result always positive? That also has an exception. That's all due to 1 being an exceptional (the smallest possible) positive integer. Similar to how 0 is an exceptional natural number.
- wcarey 6y agoRight - I was aiming for something analogous to your rule, which has the condition of even inputs. I do prefer your simpler example. Either way, I'm not sure your rhetorical strategy would be persuasive to someone who was unsure of the parity of zero (because, as you say, zero is an exceptional number).