Article August 18, 1945 Issue

No Error in Truth

J. HUBERT LITTLE

The science of arithmetic includes no study of incorrect methods for proving examples. Textbooks on mathematics teach only correct rules, which never change. This is obvious, but also important because it brings to light a fundamental fact, namely, that there are no errors in the science of mathematics.

If mistakes were a part of arithmetic, an engineer could not be sure that the plans for the bridge he constructs, have been accurately drawn up. Only mathematical facts which can be used with certainty are taught. That which is true must always have been true, and ever must continue to be true. The truth can never change.

Often have we proved that when rules are used correctly, examples work out easily and quickly. It is only when rules are not applied, or are incorrectly applied, that problems become difficulties and unhappiness results. It is evident that errors are completely separate from, wholly unrelated to, and cannot possibly be connected with the truths of arithmetic.

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