Von Neumann's Dessert Theory

Von Neumann's Dessert Theory
math-memes, set-theory-memes, von-neumann-memes, ordinals-memes, mathematics-memes | ScienceHumor.io

The ultimate mathematical flex! In Von Neumann's ordinal construction, the empty set represents zero, and then each subsequent number contains all previous numbers. So the second panel shows Von Neumann himself excitedly pointing out that he has TWO desserts - not just by counting them, but because in his notation system, the number 2 is literally represented as {∅, {∅}}. Meanwhile, the regular person is jealous because their ordinal (just a plain empty set) is "way better than mine." Nothing says mathematical dominance like having your dessert and eating it too... while simultaneously proving it's cardinality with set theory.

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