Post #4355847
2026-08-03 11:47 UTC
@SmartmanApps@dotnet.social you say that arithmetic is ‘literally proven’, which I do agree with to some extent. For example, the Principia Mathematica by Whitehead and Russell proves much of the foundations of modern mathematics, but it does use some axioms to begin with. That is, it doesn't just prove these things out of nowhere, but builds up each proposition from some basic *assumed* facts. My question then is, are you suggesting that you can prove mathematical truths without any axioms? If so, could you provide an example of such a proof?
Replies (1)
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@SmartmanApps@dotnet.social 2026-08-03 11:51
@bemmesr@mathstodon.xyz "If so, could you provide an example of such a proof?" - yep, just grab some Cuisenaire Rods and prove it the same way it's proven to young kids