So, the formula is really about making any integer with three 2s, but historical... | Hacker News

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		lblume on Feb 23, 2025 \| parent \| context \| favorite \| on: Making any integer with four 2s So, the formula is really about making any integer with three 2s, but historical precedent calls the game with four 2s more interesting, so the (stronger) result is monkey-patched by replacing a 2 with sqrt(2+2).

hinkley on Feb 23, 2025 | [–]

Why not use 3 2’s to make n + 2 or n - 2? That’s a lot easier than making a subscript so complicated.

This is the Curse of Knowledge. OP stared too long into the abyss.

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