A question about the number 1?

Question

I question the whole notion of mathematics, the beginnings of numbers. Is one plus one really two or is one and one seperate entities that should not be prepared but as homosapiens we like order and logic in our world. What do you think?

1+1= 2
1+1= 1+1

Answer 1

If you put an apple in a basket (which was previously empty except for air, dust, etc) how many apples are in the basket (hint: 1)?

Now, if you put another apple in the basket, how many apples in the basket (hint: 2)?

er go, 1+1=2. Isn't there a philosophy section around here somewhere that you can pollute?

Answer 2

One of the models for the natural numbers is based on set theory:
{} is called "0" (just a short-hand name, nothing realy intersting)
For each x, the succesor of x is called {x}.
So succ(0)={{}}, this is also called "1" (just a shorthand...)
succ(1)={{{}}}, this is also called "2" (just .....)

Now we introduce the "+" operator. We want to assign meaning to any expression of the form x+y, and we start by defining
x+1 = succ(1)

So now it's allready clear that
1+1=2

It turns out that for all these definitions to make sense, certain assumption (axioms) must be made. There is the induction axiom which ensures that all natural numbers can be constructed by putting some finite number of curly braces around {}, and the infinity axiom which ensures that there is no such thing as a biggest natural number. But all this is irellevant to your question. Since 1+1=2 follows directly from the definitions which would allways hold.

Answer 3

Numbers are merely concepts; they are quantities given names by us, homo sapeins, so as to understand the differences between the infinite number of quantities in the universe... and from what can be fabricated in the mind. I'll explain:

The expression, "1+1" by all grounds of mathematically computation, is equivilent to the number "2" as by what we conclude and understand to be the definition of the number 2 with respect to only the number 1. "1+1" does equal "1+1" because anything which is set against itself equals itself (this is not only true in mathematics, but in the world and universe as a whole.)

Firstly to take apart what you're trying to ask and further, understand, you must understand the meaning of what a single number represents. The number, 1, stands for all quantities in the singular form; "1 of something" means only that something, and nothing added to it. When you take something and add it to itself (the meaning of "1+1,") it isn't necessarily correct to say that quantity resulting from the addition of "1+1" would equal "two" if one refuses to take in the universal meaning of the value of "two" under the name of "t-w-o." The name "two" is given to the quantity which must not be denied when referencing another way of expressing "1+1." If one were to say that "1+1 = 3," and in doing so, would still understand the notion that in his mental state, the name "three" was given to mean the same quantity as would otherwise be named "two," he would be correct. Understand however, that in this respect, the QUANTITY of the number "two" (whether that be "two" or "three" in this example) remains the same. The name of that quantity merely changes.

Rather complicated answer, but I do hope you understand.

Answer 4

1+1=2 because you're adding the two together to get an answer. For example, if hold 1 finger up, and say," 1+1" how many fingers are you holding up in front of you? 2.

Answer 5

It is just a matter of convention and simplicity in writing 1+1 as 2

Answer 6

2 is really shorthand for 1+1, 4-1-1, etc or any other aggregation that results in 2.

Answer 7

1 + 1 really is 2, the whole reason math was created was to numerically represent the physical universe, thats the whole point. we do like order, adn thats why we created the language of numbers, to explain our world

Answer 8

1 is the multiplicative identity.
1+1=1+1,1+1=2-both are equally right.
If you are considering number only,then it is a mathematics.no absolute magic or logic.
YOU HAVE ONE BROTHER ,YOU CAN SAY WE ARE ONE PLUS ONE OR WE ARE TWO.
REALITY!

Answer 9

1+1 = 2 by definition in mathematics.

http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/51551.html

You're free to invent an alternate system of math.

Answer 10

You can add them only f they are the same kind