given the equation: 2+2 = x, what is x?

Nediam1234 --

There are multiple answers:

In base10 math it is 4.
In base3, it is 11.
In base4, it is 10.

Please pick the one that you like.
 
Best regards,

Omnivorous-GA

---

Clarification of Answer by omnivorous-ga on 16 Oct 2006 06:28 PDT

Nediam --

There's no "2" in base 2 -- that's 10 in binary.  Base2 (or binary) is
used extensively in computing, as is hexadecimal (base16). The
Babylonians used a number base of 60:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Number_base

But I don't know of any use of base3 or base4.

You can stretch the answer to this question lots of ways.  Even
Pinkfreud is right: 2.4 would be rounded to 2, if one were using only
one significant digit.
So, 2 + 2 could equal five.  On the other hand it could also equal 3,
using that interpretation.

Best regards,

Omnivorous-GA

Thank you, I was (of course) looking for the base10 answers since I
would have stated if I would have needed another base..

(tip: Since you where given the answers in many bases, I would not
have skipped base2. (that is of course 100) . since thats actually
used.. don't know where base3 and 4 are  used in "real life"?!)

Again, thank you fer letting me pay for this question. I just made $20
from a bet... better share something with you ;) thanks thanks thanks
:)

it is 4 ...

Is this grade1 math??????

Steph53

This is 4

please answer the question in answers.. not comment.. I want to pay
someone for the answer.. I will even tip!

thanks

Google doesn't admit new researchers so I can't answer but can
comment: x is the right side of the equation. You could also say that
x is the unknown. Is that enough or you want also the value of x?

In base10 math it is 4.
In base3, it is 11.
In base4, it is 10.

Hey Nediam,
There is a suspicion in the G-A community that persons who post this
kind of question are just testing the validity of stolen credit cards.
Of course (!) you're not, are you?
Myoarin

Myoarin, Of course I'm not!!
(then I would not need anyone to answer my question... since I'm
charged $0.5 just for posting the question.. which would be enough for
validation of a credit card)

I was not gonna say it here.. since it spoils my fun a bit...
but...the reason...  I want to be the guy how payed for knowing what
2+2 is... could be a word record or something!! :p
But if nobody wants my money I can close this question.

I believe you!  Sorry, I should have checked for your other questions.

Omnivorous-ga is the only commenter till now who is a G-A Researcher,
who could post an official answer.  He has also demonstrated greater
depth in his approach.

I keep thinking there must be a potential joke at the expense of the
present US adminstration that could be based on your question.

Cheers, Myoarin

Actually, x is the sum.

I am reminded of an old, old joke. I first saw this scrawled as a
graffito in the ladies' room of the math & science building of a
university:

2 + 2 = 5 (for large enough values of 2)

I hate to disagree with the answer, but there is only *one* result, and that
is 4 (or 4<base-10> if you want to be pedantic), since

x = 4<base-10> = 11<base-3> = 10<base-4> = 4<base-n> for any n>=5 (where digit 4 
                                                                   is valid)

That is, the *result* does not change only the *representation* of the result 
changes if you switch the number system. All representations though are equal, 
and all refer to the same number.

Regarding usage of these bases apparently base-3 (called ternary) has some
use in Islam, while base-4 (called quaternary) seems to have no practical use,
although it has some interesing connections with binary (like octal and 
hexadecimal do, which motivates the use of these systems)

For details check

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ternary_numeral_system

and

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quaternary_numeral_system

... and all that coming out of the question of how much is 2+2!

One could argue that 2 + 2 written as ((2^.5)^2) + ((2^.5)^2) <=
3.9999 etc using the rules of BEDMAS we first solve 2^.5 which is
irrational.  If we square this irrational number we will never get
back to 2, in fact we will only get 1.9999 etc.

Of course this is just a mathematical abstraction.