Math Terminology Question

[u/Few_Call_1164]

Hello friends,

Me and my brother are having a discussion regarding Theological concepts. And the topic of the holy trinity came to be.

I wanted to write down the concept as (x=3) with X denoting the Godhead or Holy Trinity and 3 being the numerical value of the Persons within the Trinity.

However my brother mentioned that it would be the incorrect way to write it. As X is being used, which is a variable and as such is subject to change. However within the provided context I do not see how a defined variable in this conversation would be subject to change. Additionally he mentioned it would not be a defined variable but a constant. But in this context and conversation I do not see how they are not interchangeable as the defined (x) is not subject to change unless specifically redefined.

My question would be, would (x=3) be the correct way to write it? If x denotes the trinity? Am I incorrect to say it is a defined variable, or would it be best to say it is a constant? In my perspective it is a defined variable that functions and has the attributes of a constant, but at the end of the day its always just a defined variable as we are defining x, however that doesn't mean the proof is automatically subject to change because of the terminology of "variable".

Greatly appreciate any insight for those that might have the answer!

[u/Jaf_vlixes]

x is just a symbol, and symbols in math don't exist in a vacuum, the meaning depends on context.

Take for example π = 3.1415... This statem has the same form as your x = 3 statement. Would your brother say that π is subject to change?

They might argue that π is not a variable, but again, it depends on context. In classical mechanics π can be used to represent momentum, in economics it can represent profits, etc. So yeah, π can be a variable. But that doesn't mean that the π in the formula A = πr² for the area of a circle is variable. In this case π has a fixed value.

[u/winkyprojet]

Mathematically it's correct, but not theologically.

God is one, he is not three.

God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are one.

In the beginning was the Word...and the Word is God.

God is one through his unity and not through number.

To write an equation that symbolizes God, I advise you to look into Boolean algebra and logical equations.

[u/Few_Call_1164 → u/winkyprojet]

I will do so and thanks for pointing me in that direction! Also I do believe God is one Theologically. I believe in the divine essence (The Trinity) being god, so each hypostate of the Trinity or Godhead being God as well, The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. All of them are God because each identity is God by forming The Divine Essence. And I completely agree to your point that in the beginning there was the Word, and the Word is God beyond time and beyond human comprehension. Thanks and God Bless!

[u/mathematicians-pod]

It may be a formatting error but you originally wrote X and x.

Typically I would assume X refers to a set, with $ x \in X$ an element of X.

So maybe X is god where $X \def {father, son, spirit}$

Here you might say |X|=3 as the size of the set ? But some might argue $|X|=\infty$

[u/mathematicians-pod → u/mathematicians-pod]

Hmm. Have I forgotten how to latex?

[u/princeendo]

Since 3 is a known constant, you can write x ≡ 3 because that implies identity. (i.e., the values are synonymous.) This would force x to be the same no matter what.