Repeated addition is multiplication, right?

Algebra Level 3

True or False?

2 + 2 + 2 + + 2 x times = 2 x \underbrace{2+2+2+\cdots+2}_{x \text{ times}} = 2x

for all real values of x x


Inspiration .

False True

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2 solutions

Hung Woei Neoh
Jul 3, 2016

Note that 2 + 2 + 2 + + 2 x times \underbrace{2+2+2+\ldots+2}_{x \text{ times}} is only defined for non-negative integers x x . Negative numbers, decimals, fractions and irrational numbers all will cause this expression to be undefined.

You simply cannot write 2 + 2 + 2 + + 2 2+2+2+\ldots+2 for 10.5 10.5 times, 10 -10 times, 7 3 4 7\dfrac{3}{4} times or π \pi times. It's simply not possible.

If you still do not get it, consider this:

If x = 10.5 , 2 x = 21 x=10.5, 2x=21

2 + 2 + 2 + + 2 = 21 2+2+2+\ldots+2 = 21 is simply not possible, no matter how many or how few 2 2 's you write.

Therefore,

2 + 2 + 2 + + 2 x times = 2 x \underbrace{2+2+2+\ldots+2}_{x \text{ times}}=2x

for all non-negative integers x x . The answer is False \boxed{\text{False}}

Isn't it also defined for 0 0 i.e for all non negative integers since adding 2 2 zero times simply implies no addition at all i.e 0 which us equal to 2 ( 0 ) = 0 2(0)=0 .

Rishabh Jain - 4 years, 11 months ago

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Ah, you're right! I made a mistake. Lemme change it now. Thanks!

Hung Woei Neoh - 4 years, 11 months ago

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Nice ... (+1)

Rishabh Jain - 4 years, 11 months ago
Prince Loomba
Jul 10, 2016

Actually the LHS is incorrect. x times mean x is whole number. So this is true for whole numbers only. Other method, differentiate both the sides wrt x, you will get 0+0+0+0...+0=2. This is obviously not true. This happens because equation defined for set of whole numbers is not differentiable.

Your solution is incomplete. It is only defined for non-negative whole numbers. You don't add a number 5 -5 times

Hung Woei Neoh - 4 years, 11 months ago

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Integers are negative, not whole numbers

Prince Loomba - 4 years, 11 months ago

I mentioned whole numbers

Prince Loomba - 4 years, 11 months ago

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Oh...ah ah. Whole numbers! My bad, I made a mistake. Sorry

Hung Woei Neoh - 4 years, 11 months ago

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