We should define this more formally. Twenty-six letters case-insensitive plus space, commas, and periods. Then we should start from 0 and find a many example as we can.
"Smallest natural number that cannot be defined by n characters [a-z ,.]"
0:1
1:1
2:1
3:3
4:3
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Replies (2)
Not following the bottom line, but sure. I think getting worried over the details misses the point. I think you'd like this version better:
Let A be the set of all positive integers that can be defined in under 100 words. Since there are only finitely many of these, there must be a smallest positive integer n that does not belong to A. But haven't I just defined n in under 100 words?
No, I understand the paradox. I just want to know the answer once you remove the paradox. If I change 100 to 10 then the paradox goes away and there is some number that meets the criteria. I want to know what it is!