Mathematical Equivalence

Authors

Dmitri A. Borgmann

Abstract

One way of testing words and names to determine whether or not they are really the same despite superficial, outward differences - differences in length, meaning, spelling, and pronunciation, for example - is to score them arithmetically. By assigning numerical values to the letters of the alphabet (A = 1, B = 2, etc.) and adding the values of the letters constituting a word, name, or phrase, we arrive at a single mathematical value for the term of interest to us. That value makes possible a simple, straightforward comparison between different terms. Those with the same numerical total are mathematically equivalent - really the same, that is - despite superficial, distracting differences of the sort mentioned above.

Recommended Citation

Borgmann, Dmitri A. (1986) "Mathematical Equivalence," Word Ways: Vol. 19 : Iss. 1 , Article 5.
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.butler.edu/wordways/vol19/iss1/5