1+1=11

Though it goes against everything I’ve been brought up to understand there’s still a little part of me that continues to argue the equation of 1+1= 2. This equation is common sense to (arguably) most people and can usually be finished with a chorus of the same answer if said out loud in a large group:

“One plus one equals…?” says the speaker.

“Two,” the crowd shamelessly resounds.

However, when I was a child I confidently went against the crowd of my first grade peers and stated, “Eleven!” …And, then proceeded to feel infinitely stupid. I immediately went silent and began to fill with anger, no doubt grounded in confusion. To this day these same emotions surface every time I come across the equation; while I mutter the answer of eleven every opportunity I get.

Here’s the deal. I understand that one represents a quantity of an object, but it’s also a symbol and can stand on its own as a picture or a word. And plus, means addition and/or the act of combining (among other things depending on context). To expand your understanding of this “+” look at it on bumper stickers that encourage heterosexual marriage (attached image).

The plus sign here means a union, it doesn’t mean man + woman = one body composed of man and a woman (though that is a hilarious and ironic concept considering the intention of the bumper sticker…). What I’m trying to say is 1+1= 11, or one plus one equals eleven which equals oneone.

I thought of this experience and internal argument I have with myself every time I encounter numbers while researching articles on arguments. I also came across this hilarious manual on “How to argue effectively” which I suggest you check out for a good laugh and/or some weekend fun (just watch out because there is potential to loose some friends if the advice is followed).