Mathematician Pulled Over For Speeding Claims He Thought Speed Limit Was “Greatest Lower Bound”
-New Haven, CT (AIP)
When stopped for speeding on New England Interstate Route 10 Tuesday evening, Yale University mathematics professor Gary Newman claimed he thought the posted speed limit was in fact an “infimum”, or greatest lower bound to the allowable driving speed.
According to a report filed by Connecticut State Policeman Charles Gunther—who pulled Newman over—when told that he was going nearly 55 miles per hour in a 25 mile per hour zone, Newman replied, “So? That’s an infimum, right?” In response to the puzzled look on Trooper Gunther’s face, Newman continued, “You know, like a greatest lower bound? I mean, 25 is slowest I can drive, right? As long as go faster than that, I’m okay.”
Newman was then informed that it was not in fact okay, and was detained for resisting arrest. He was freed later that evening after posting bail.
When approached for comment, Newman replied, “Geez, he didn’t need to arrest me. I mean he could have just told me the speed limit was a supremum.”
Added Newman: “At least I didn’t mention the Dichotomy Paradox with regards to slowing down. I guess that would have really gotten me in trouble.”
