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Can 2 plus equal 5?

In the traditional sense and under normal mathematical operations, 2 plus 2 does not equal 5. However, in specific contexts or mathematical manipulations, you may encounter scenarios where 2 plus 2 equals 5. Here are a few examples:

1. Modular Arithmetic: In modular arithmetic, numbers "wrap around" after reaching a certain modulus or base value. For instance, in modulo 3 arithmetic, the sum of 2 and 3 is not 5 but 2, because 5 is equivalent to 2 when the remainder of division by 3 is taken.

2. Set Theory: In set theory, the operation of "union" combines two sets into a single set containing all elements from both sets. If two sets have 2 and 3 elements, respectively, their union would have 5 elements.

3. Boolean Algebra: In Boolean algebra, the OR operation combines two binary values. If two binary values represent 2 and 3 (010 and 011), their OR operation results in 011, which represents 5.

4. Mathematical Puzzles and Riddles: Some mathematical puzzles and riddles play on wordplay or misdirection. In these cases, the statement "2 plus 2 equals 5" may be used in a non-literal sense to lead to a surprising or humorous answer.

In general, outside these specific contexts or mathematical manipulations, the statement "2 plus 2 equals 5" is incorrect and does not adhere to the standard rules of arithmetic.

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