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by captn3m0 2229 days ago
I grew up counting the segments on each hand, twice. But the 2 segments of the thumb are also included (you use the index to point at the thumb).

Total comes up to a much-shorter 14x2 = 28 though.

1 comments

Sum types versus product types.

You’re doing

     data Number = Left Segment | Right Segment
but

     data Number = BothHands Segment Segment
is possible.
I just love how this illustrates the names sum and product types.

    permutations(sum of Segment) == permutations(Segment) + permutations(Segment) 
vs.

    permutations(product of Segment) == permutations(Segment) * permutations(Segment)
(Edit: permutations is the wrong term, it should be cardinality or a non-mathematical concept like some colloquial concept of “variations” )
I don't think "permutations" is the right word. You probably want "cardinality".
You are right, I was thinking more from a programmers practical perspective and started with the word «varations» and changed it to «permutations» without thinking it through.

Thanks for the correction!