The Ways of Paradox and Other Essays

I presented this as a lecture at the University of Akron, November 1961, and again at a Shop Club at Harvard. It was published under the title "Paradox" in Scientific American (Volume 206, 1962).

Frederic, protagonist of The Pirates of Penzance, has reached the age of 21 after passing only five birthdays. Several circumstances conspire to make this possible. Age is reckoned in elapsed time, whereas a birthday has to match the date of birth; and February 29 comes less frequently than once a year.

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