> On 12 Jun 2020, at 11:55, Telmo Menezes <[email protected]> wrote: > > Hello all, > > I've been reading here often the claim that physics is about the "real stuff" > and math is a human construction that helps us make sense of the real stuff, > but it is just an approximation of reality. So here's a thought experiment on > this topic. > > Let us imagine I program a digital computer to keep iterating through all > possible integer values greater than 2 of the variables a, b, c and n. If the > following condition is satisfied: > > a^n + b^n = c^n > > then the computer turns on a light. I let it run for one year. Will the light > turn on during that year? > > So my questions are: > > (1) Can you use theoretical physics to make a correct prediction?
Yes, by using the idea (in theoretical physics) that the physical reality cannot contradict elementary arithmetic. > (2) Can you use math to make a correct prediction? Yes, by assuming that the physical reality will not contradict Wiles’ proof of Fermat. > > Notice that I am asking a question that is as hard-nosed as it can be. No > metaphysics, just a question about an observable event in a physical system > during a well-defined time period. Will the light turn on? > > What gives? I have done the experience, and the light turned on during that year. My prediction was false, and I thought that an experiment suggest something went wrong in Wiles proof. Then I woke up :) Bruno > > Best, > Telmo > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Everything List" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected] > <mailto:[email protected]>. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/everything-list/fb819e76-2fdd-468c-b21a-96971764d8ab%40www.fastmail.com > > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/everything-list/fb819e76-2fdd-468c-b21a-96971764d8ab%40www.fastmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Everything List" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/everything-list/7B3D9F80-F164-4A5E-9EB7-0159A0ACDEE4%40ulb.ac.be.
