ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

oneness (mathematics)

Oneness in mathematics means that there is only one unique solution or answer to a problem. It's like when you have a puzzle and there is only one piece that fits in a certain spot. That piece is the unique solution.

In math, when we solve equations or problems, we always want to find the solution that works for all the numbers involved. It's like finding the one missing piece of the puzzle that makes everything fit together perfectly.

For example, think about the problem 2 + x = 5. We want to find the value of x that makes the equation true. If we add 3 to both sides of the equation, we get: 2 + x + 3 = 5 + 3. Simplifying, we get x + 3 = 8.

Now we want to find the value of x that makes this equation true. If we subtract 3 from both sides of the equation, we get: x + 3 - 3 = 8 - 3. Simplifying, we get x = 5. So the solution to this equation is oneness because there is only one value of x that makes the equation true: x = 5.

Oneness is important in math because it helps us know if we have found the correct solution to a problem. If there is more than one solution, we need to keep searching until we find the one that works for all the numbers involved.