Re: JSH: ?

On Jun 28, 3:43 pm, Mark Murray <w.h.o...@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
JSH wrote:
Well yeah, with polynomial factorizations it's hard to disagree.  The
critical point here is that when the mathematics has an infinity of
possibilities, like when you multiply times some constant, then it
cannot just pick one out of infinity.

I don't follow. In fact, I'm sure that you clearly showed that there

If there are an infinite number of equally valid possibilities then
mathematically there is no single choice that is required as if there
were then you'd have a direct contradiction. I gave explaining
examples so your claim that you don't follow is of interest.

For example, if you multiply x^2 + 3x + 2 = (x+1)(x+2) by 7, there is
no mathematically determined way, for instance:

7(x^2 + 3x + 2) = (7x+7)(x+2)

is one of an infinity of ways to do so as is:

7(x^2 + 3x + 2) = (x+1)(7x+14)

is an infinity of choices with no way of preferring a particular one?

So

7(x^2 + 3x + 2) = (7x + 7)(x + 2)

is a reflection of human choice as there are an *infinity* of
alternative ways to multiply by factors of 7, like

 7(x^2 + 3x + 2) = (sqrt(7)x + sqrt(7))(sqrt(7)x +2sqrt(7)).

If mathematicians accepted that result as inviolate they would not
have destroyed SWJPAM and would not still be teaching flawed
mathematics.

I'm still not with you. Is it not the case that if the above were

You're not?

In mathematics if you have an infinity of equally valid possibilities
then one particular one is not mathematically determined.

true, then you just showed that there is a major fault in mathematical
belief. But what is NOT clear is what that fault is.

If mathematicians accepted what I'm saying here as inviolate then they
would not have destroyed SWJPAM and would not still be teaching flawed
mathematics.

However, it's one thing to agree with a trivial example and another to
accept a basic mathematical principle when you know what's on the
other side of that agreement.

What is on the other side of the agreement?

M

The "core" error.


James Harris
.

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