Re: Lightspeed constant... <--off topic on an off topic thread.

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#353315

From: JW
Date: Thu, 14 Nov 1996 00:00

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tyr...@mail.sgi.net wrote:

> Oh?  Can you prove it?  I can prove 2 = 3 via
> 
> assume x = y,
> then 2(x-y)=3(x-y),
> divide through by (x-y),
> thus 2=3
> 
> We KNOW that's false because, by definition, dividing by 0 (or x-y in
> the example) is undefined.  You really can't prove anything, since any
> proof can contain faulty reasoning or may be based on flawed
> assumptions, not to mention exceptions to the rule, like classical
> physics in subatomic situations.
> 

That is not a proof.  Division by zero is UNDEFINED.  There isn't some
arbitrary faulty reasoning in your proof, it is a precise fault.  Just
saying that all proofs are wrong because they could possibly have a
mistake in them is not valid.  We go about making proofs in a
systematic, correct way, and, with most of these proofs, it can be shown
that they fit in with previous theorems and axioms.  Yours does not, so
why does it matter?

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From: JW <jd_...@uclink4.berkeley.edu>
Subject: Re: Lightspeed constant... <--off topic on an off topic thread.
Date: 1996/11/14
Message-ID: <328BECB9.3677@uclink4.berkeley.edu>
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references: <568aoj$mrr@news.Hawaii.Edu> <328A56BA.45F3@uclink4.berkeley.edu> <328B864D.233D@mail.sgi.net>
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