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paradox (Definition)

A paradox is an assertion that is apparently self-contradictory, though based on a valid deduction from acceptable premises.

Paradoxes typically lead to a reevaluation of the axioms of mathematics. Even after axioms are assumed so that the paradox is averted, the statement is still usually referred to as a paradox.

Occasionally, one may refer to a surprising result as a paradox. Such is the case in the birthday paradox, which is not apparently self-contradictory.

Examples of paradoxes include:



"paradox" is owned by Wkbj79.
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Other names:  paradoxical, paradoxically, dilemma
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Cross-references: Zeno's paradox, Simpson's paradox, Russell's paradox, Hausdorff paradox, Cantor's paradox, Burali-Forti paradox, binary tree paradox, Banach-Tarski paradox, birthday paradox, axioms, premises
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This is version 11 of paradox, born on 2006-07-30, modified 2007-05-14.
Object id is 8201, canonical name is Paradox.
Accessed 3516 times total.

Classification:
AMS MSC03B99 (Mathematical logic and foundations :: General logic :: Miscellaneous)
 03A05 (Mathematical logic and foundations :: Philosophical and critical)

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