Roger Hui <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > The answer should be _. for the same reason that x+_. should be _. . > That is, for all numeric atoms x, _. should be the answer for > > x + _. > x >. _. > x <. _. > _. + x > _. >. x > _. <. x
The rationale behind indefinites is that they represent a value which could theoretically take on any number of different values in the domain, but we have no idea of determining just which one is appropriate. In some cases, however, arithmetic involving _. CAN produce non-indefinite results, when the result is totally independent of the value of the indefinite. For example: 0 = 0 * _. NB. because 0 = 0 * y for all y 0 = _. % _ NB. because 0 = x % _ for all x (except _ and __) By the same rationale, we should also have: _ = _ >. _. NB. because _ = _ >. y for all y 1 = _ >: _. NB. because 1 = _ >: y for all y (and similar for corresponding symmetrical and antisymmetrical cases) -- Mark D. Niemiec <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For information about J forums see http://www.jsoftware.com/forums.htm
