Article January 6, 2003 Issue

Does the Bible contradict itself?

By Verta Driver

To most of us, the statement 1+1=10 appears to be a mistake. We know for certain that 1+1=2, probably having learned it from childhood—and that any other statement about the sum of 1+1 must therefore be wrong.

But people familiar with a certain branch of mathematics and computers find no conflict between these two equations. They know that 1+1=2 is expressed in a decimal system, while 1+1=10 is expressed in the binary system used for electronic computers. Both statements represent an accurate fact, although they are expressed differently.

To someone without this knowledge, even a math book that included both the statement 1+1=2 and 1+1=10 would appear contradictory. But to a mathematician, understanding the basis on which each statement is made, there would be no conflict at all.