When 9-13 < 1

The astute mathematicians in the readership might be wondering, “When doesn’t it?” but rest assured it does.  For example:

9-13<1 when T≥0

But

9-13>1 when T≤ 0

Huh?

It all depends on the frame of reference you read from.  First, read the statement again. Did you read nine minus 13 is less than 1 when T is greater or equal to zero? If so you may have read correctly but again maybe not. The statement could also be read nine to thirteen is less than one when T is greater or equal to zero.  If you know T is temperature in degrees Celsius and 9-13 is inches of snow predicted, a new picture starts to take shape. In other words if a bunch of snow is predicted but then the temperature stays above the freezing point there will be very little snow (<1 inch for example).

Looking at the scenario laid out in a table can make the example even clearer. 

Predicted Snowfall	Actual Snowfall	Temperature
9-13 inches	<1 inch	>0⁰ Celsius
9-13 inches	>1 inch	<0⁰ Celsius

I recently read an article by Isaac Asimov titled The Relativity of Wrong.  Through the essay Asimov describes how our frame of reference including the data and tools we have available impact how right we can be at a particular time in history.  In The Evolution of Adam Peter Enns describes a similar scenario in terms of the frame of reference, and ability to be right scientifically, of the ancient Hebrew culture that produced the book of Genesis. 

When asked, “Is the world flat?” Asimov reminds us, yes it is (practically) and if we don’t have a frame of reference or tools to tell us otherwise are we really that wrong?

When asked, “Was there a global flood?” Enns reminds us, yes there was when the boundaries of the known world were covered and the limits of the flood were beyond perception.

It might seem like our understanding and ability for understanding is as clear as it has been throughout history.  However each passing day, each passing year, each passing generation brings us farther away from the past we have emerged from.  Because of this there are some things we have to work at understanding. We have to be intentional about not thinking from our frame of reference. We have to see through the eyes of the past to understand what is not always clear in the present.