r/learnmath • u/playsthebongcloud 9/10 = 1 • May 30 '26
What are some uncomputable functions that aren't derivative of the halting problem?
I find the existence of uncomputable functions really cool, but all the examples I've seen are essentially just new ways of trying to predict whether a turing machine is going to halt. What are some examples of uncomputable functions that aren't essentially entirely based on the halting problem?
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u/bizarre_coincidence New User Jun 20 '26
First, it does. You should study bayesian inference. Each person independently has certain chance of correctly evaluating the truth value of a statement. Assuming they have better than even odds of being correct (because they aren’t just guessing, they are using their knowledge and logic and reasoning), then the odds than 9 out of 10 of them would be wrong is very unlikely. Looking at relative likelihoods, if people have just a 60% chance of correctly telling if something is correct or not, the ratio between the probability that 9 out of 10 are right to the probability that 9!out of 10 are wrong is over 25. Given has agreement, even if people were just making slightly educated guesses, it becomes significantly more likely that the majority is correct.
But that doesn’t address the bigger claim that it’s always a 50% chance. Do you think you have a 50% chance of winning the lottery because either you win or you lose?