We define two numerical operations labeled T and R.
The effect of T is to add 1 to a number. For example, if we apply the operation T to the number 2 three times in a row, we obtain 3, then 4, then 5.
The effect of R is to find the negative reciprocal of a number. For example, if we apply the operation R to 2 we obtain – ½, and if we apply the operation R to -3/2 we obtain 2/3. Note that R can never be applied to the number 0.
The operations T and R can be combined. For example, we can turn 0 into 2/5 by successively applying the operations T, T, T, R, T, T, R, T:
0 ---T ---> 1 ---T---> 2 ---T ---> 3 ---R---> -1/3 ---T ---> 2/3 ---T ---> 5/3 ---R ---> -3/5 ---T ---> 2/5.
Explain how 0 can be turned into any negative integer.
1 answer
start with 0 then add T, one more T, and after that you can do anything you wish, as long as you have an odd number of R operations. Check my thinking.