Can you scientifically prove to me that 2+2= 4?

[NJ5]

Soleron said:

NJ5 said:

Soleron said:
No. You can't.

All mathematics is based on fundamental, self-evident properties called "axioms". All theorems must be proven using these axioms or other theorems, but the axioms themselves can never be proved.

Look at Godel's theorems if you're interested in some consequences of that.

But "2 + 2 = 4" is not an axiom (at least not in most mathematical systems), it's a theorem. Therefore, it can be proven.

 

 

...yes, you're right. Nice proof. Proving  a+(b+c) = (a+b)+c is impossible though.

Not necessarily impossible, depending on which axioms your mathematical system has.

I think I get your point though... Axioms are always needed in a mathematical system. However, every science relies on something it does not prove. Another way of putting it is as I said above "nothing can be proven from nothing".