this was an exam question.
2007-03-01 03:37:32 · 3 answers · asked by jljimenezs30 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
Not sure how deep you have to go with the proof, but one approach is what is known as the equivalence relation.
The = sign satisfies the equivalence relation, and there are three properties: for some operator ~:
* Reflexivity: a ~ a
* Symmetry: if a ~ b then b ~ a
* Transitivity: if a ~ b and b ~ c then a ~ c
5 = 5 because of the first property (Reflexivity).
2007-03-01 03:46:12 · answer #1 · answered by Puggy 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
n=n is one of the axioms of number theory. It has been postulated to be true for any n. You cannot prove an axiom.
This is a reflexive relation. The > relation is not reflexive, because n>n is not true
Th
2007-03-01 13:01:03 · answer #2 · answered by Thermo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Who taught you this silly idea? See here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invalid_proof#Proof_that_4_equals_5
2007-03-01 11:44:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋