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by rezonant 829 days ago
It might predate HN but you are looking at the XY problem, not the YX problem. In this case, they are not commutative.
2 comments

It seems that the YX problem is a derivative of the XY problem. In both cases we solve for X.
> seems

If you're actually unsure, then be sure. It's a derivative.

It's a play on words.
Can you explain it? I don't get it.

I mean, I see how "derivative" could be wordplay, but I don't see how "seems" is wordplay.

Yes the YX problem has a YX problem.