in lambda calculus (λ x. λ y. λ s. λ z. x s (y s z)) is used for addition of two Church numerals how can we explain this, is there any good resource the lambda calculus for functional programming ? your help is much appreciated
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in lambda calculus (λ x. λ y. λ s. λ z. x s (y s z)) is used for addition of two Church numerals how can we explain this, is there any good resource the lambda calculus for functional programming ? your help is much appreciated
Actually λ f1. λ f2. λ s. λ z. (f1 s (f2 s z)) computes addition because it is in effect substituting (f2 s z), the number represented by f2, to the “zero” inside (f1 s z).
Example: Let’s take two for f2,
s s zin expanded form. f1 is one:s z. Replace that lastzby f2 and you gets s s z, the expanded form for three.This would be easier with a blackboard and hand-waving, sorry.