Equivalent is not the same as being equal to

5x4=5+5+5+5

Logically the sum of this equation appears to be correct but it is in fact wrong — 5x4 is equivalent to 20 not 5+5+5+5.

To come up with the wrong answer required the application of simple logic — question (before the equal sign) and therefore the answer is (after the equal sign). Except it isn’t. The brain probably worked too fast because it already calculated the sum of 5+5+5+5 and presented 20 as the answer even though that particular calculation is not the question being asked. To derive the correct answer one must begin by looking at semantics. Yes, Right and Wrong really does boil down to splitting hairs over the definition of certain words. Equal is defined as, “being the same in quantity, size, degree, or value.” Whereas equivalent is defined as, “equal in value, amount, function, or meaning.”

So, the meaning of 5 copies of 4 may well result in 20 sheets of paper but is not equivalent to 5 + 5 + 5 + 5. However, 4 copies of 5 different pages will also result in 20 sheets of paper which appears to be the same but in reality probably represents something completely different. For example, 4 bunches of 5 bananas is different from 5 bunches of 4 bananas even though they total to the same number.

Liars tirelessly argue the slightest difference in the meaning of words, cloaking the bigger picture by tying us up in detail, using the minutiae of semantics as the basis for legitimising their version of reality. Most sane people know that the remorseless drip, drip, drip of semantics can only lead straight up the backside of a nervous breakdown.