Paradoxes are brain-twisters

A paradox is anything that appears to be false, but is actually true - or - which appears to be true, but is actually false - or - which is simple self-contractictory. Of all the problems in mathematics, paradoxes are among the most appealing and instructive.

• The appeal of a paradox is generated by the contradiction that comes as a complete surprise in what we usually think of as the only 'exact' science.

• Paradoxes are instructive forcing us to unravel the line of reasoning while closely examining the fundamental principles involved.

There are paradoxes for everyone. Some examples -

2 fathers and 2 sons leave town. This reduces the population of the town by 3. False? No, true - provided the trio consists of father, son, and grandson.

A man says "I'm lying." Is his statement true? If so, then he's lying, and his statement is false. Is his statement false? If so, then he's lying, and his statement is true. Contact us!