Discrete Mathematics
This is a preserved file from cs2102 Fall 2016. An updated version may exist at https://uvacs2102.github.io/

Chicken vs. Egg Challenge


The chicken/egg challenge:

Challenge 3. (From Class 8) Apparently, people were not entirely convinced by my proof sketch in class that the egg came before the chicken. So, we’ll make it a challenge problem to write the best proof that answers the question of “which came first, the chicken or the egg?” (That is, you can either prove the egg came first, or prove the chicken came first). A convincing proof would need to include clear definitions of “chicken” and “egg”, and use inference rules, as well as axioms based on biological assumptions (clearly stated), to make an irrefutable argument supporting your position.

The challenge remains a conundrum, but several promising answers have been received:

All of these are interesting answers, worthy of some bonus credit, but none completely close the debate. (I’ll provide my alternative proof in Class 11.)