2006-07-07 16:25:18 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
Because the Egyptians and Babylonians told us so!
2006-07-07 16:30:05 · answer #1 · answered by mistress_lilas 3 · 4⤊ 2⤋
(In this answer, signs in slashes // refer to signifiers; signs in square brackets [ ] refer to concepts.)
2+2=4 because in order to communicate efficiently and effectively, we all agree that certain signifiers, eg, /2/, /+/, /=/, and /4/ signify certain cohesive and continuous concepts. In this case, these concepts are: certain amounts, addition and equalisation.
No one is bound by any higher force to agree that 2+2=4. You could change the signifiers and say that the signifier /5/ signifies the concept [4]. Then, 2 + 2 would equal 5. Of course, only you and no one else would recognize /5/ as signifying [4] and your communication would break down. It would be very inefficient for you to do so. Which is why most people don't.
(However some people, schizophrenics for example, do change the signifiers, because they are very unwell.)
In any case, arbitrarily changing the signifiers doesn't change what they ultimately represent. In the statement 2+2=5; /2/ /+/ /2/ still equals [4], if /5/ signifies [4].
Consequently, a system of relations determines the fact that 2+2=4. We all agree that a single, discrete object can be represented by /1/. If you have one discrete object in a set and then add another discrete object, we all agree that you then have /2/. And if you add two objects to two other objects then we all agree that these make /4/.
So, 2+2=4 because everyone agrees that it does, and it works nicely that way.
2006-07-08 00:27:28 · answer #2 · answered by duprie37 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, everyone knows that 2+2=4, but in reality, the number 2 with an added 2 beside it is 22, not 4.
2006-07-07 23:38:34 · answer #3 · answered by superbattledroid87 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because 4/2 is 2
2006-07-07 23:33:28 · answer #4 · answered by babycakes_rocks 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
becouse 4/2= 2
2006-07-07 23:28:57 · answer #5 · answered by b_bananaman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
BECAUse GAR LIekes ADIng 2+@2-=24
2006-07-08 03:45:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you add one apple and another apple then another apple followed by another apple you have four apples 1+1+1+1=4. So (1+1) + (1+1) =4
2006-07-07 23:29:58 · answer #7 · answered by Layla 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because if 2+2=5 then we'd have a problem of gigantic, enormous, galaxy crushing proportions hehe. Just because it does I guess lol
2006-07-07 23:28:50 · answer #8 · answered by MzzandtheChuchuBees 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Reality.
2006-07-07 23:28:10 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because George Bush says so.
2006-07-07 23:28:07 · answer #10 · answered by paul c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because Chuck Norris says so. Never question Chuck Norris.
2006-07-08 00:27:22 · answer #11 · answered by PeterGriffinIzMAdPimPiN 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋