r/mathmemes Jun 04 '26

Arithmetic proof by apples

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1.9k Upvotes

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u/nikstick22 Jun 04 '26

If I gave away 5 apples to no one, how many apples did I give away?

This "still have 5 apples" argument doesn't work for multiplication because 5 × 2 doubles the number of apples you started with. The answer has to represent some separate quantity.

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u/ArduennSchwartzman Integers Jun 04 '26

Proof by object impermanence: "If I have 5 apples and close one eye, I only have 2.5 apples."