Tree/forest Question...(was Re: Can God...)

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You:
> Saying "is/are" in a *mathematical* statement (grammar aside) means the
> same thing as saying "equals", just like "less" means "minus" and "times"
> means "multiplied by".
> 
> Ex.
> Two plus two IS four.
> 
> Two and two ARE four.
> 
> You still use a form of the verb.
> At least that's what I was always taught, even up through
> college (I go to Xavier University).

Me:
Actually, when one says "two plus two IS four", they are using slang.  This
is as you say very widely accepted 'informally' but is mathmatically
incorrect. (at least according to my college math teacher ;-).  If you put
a statement like "x-y IS 56.3" in a proof, you will have that one counted
WRONG.

You:
> May I ask where you found this puzzle?

Me:
I made it up to keep my daughter occupied when she was three (she's 16 now,
pray for her).

While we're on the subject, I realize that what you wrote was a joke Sister
Donna and you should know by now that that 'stale, stern, DRY' response of
mine is my idea of 'wry' humor. ;-)  Can I help it you guys don't have a
'wry' sense of humor? <said in 'mock' severity> ;-)  Why do you think ALL
my smilies are *winking*?  It's because I haven't figured out how to put a
tongue in their cheeks YET...

Just to let you know how I 'operate', when my daughter hit that "why"
stage, after I had patiently endured three days worth and explained why the
sky was blue, why the sky was in the air and the grass was on the ground,
why the ground was hard in places and soft in others, why there were
places, why there was time... WHY, WHY, WHY,... I looked my daughter in the
eye and asked HER "Well, Krystal.  WHY NOT!"

Timothy (will never forget that 'calculating' look) Litteral
brotim@gte.net Luke 6:26
I have chat by appointment only
http://members.tripod.com/~trlitteral/