1516: Win by Induction

2015-04-24T13:03:20Z

Ostomachion: /* Explanation */ Removing items form the "incomplete" tag that have been explained.

{{comic
| number = 1516
| date = April 24, 2015
| title = Win by Induction
| image = win by induction.png
| titletext = This would be bad enough, but every 30th or 40th pokéball has TWO of them inside.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Does the "induction" have any relevance to the fact that Pikachu are "Electric-type" Pokémon?}}

{{w|Pikachu}} is a type of {{w|Pokémon}} from the cartoon series Pokémon. In the show, characters frequently 'battle' each other. This involves both characters choosing a Pokémon, who will then attack each other. Choosing a Pokémon is done by saying "- Name of the Pokémon - I choose you!", and throwing a Pokéball to the ground. That Pokémon then appears from the Pokéball.

This comic suggests that a Pokémon chosen at some point was a Pikachu which does not intend to engage in the battle himself: carrying a Pokéball instead, Pikachu chooses another Pikachu to fight for him. This process then repeats itself. Behind the Pikachu with the Pokéball is a long line of other Pikachu, suggesting that this process has been going on for a while.

Nearby stand Cueball, holding a closed Pokéball, and Megan, looking at her watch. This suggests that Cueball intends to have his own Pokémon fight the Pikachu, but is waiting for the battle to actually begin (waiting in vain, if the above described process repeats indefinitely), while Megan (who may have chosen the original Pikachu) is growing impatient with the delay.

The joke in this comic comes from analogy with the mathematical {{w|proof by induction}}, which is a proof with a base case, followed by a never ending sequence of steps, in which each step leads to the next, thus proving something for all cases. This title seems to suggest that the process of Pikachu choosing Pikachu will not end, effectively postponing the battle until the opponent gives up.

If there were a single Pikachu in each ball, this would spawn an unlimited number of Pikachu forming a single line. If, as title text suggests, there's occasionally two of them in a Pokéball, this would lead to exponential rather than linear growth, quickly forming a huge mob.

==Transcript==
:[There's a long queue of Pikachu extending out of the frame to the left. They are all just out from their ball, at least the last eight Pikachu's open balls lie in two parts on the ground at their feet. They are standing in front of Megan and Cueball. Cueball is holding a closed pokéball while Megan checks the time on her watch. The front most Pikachu, holding a closed pokéball, speaks.]

:Pikachu at the front: Pikachu, I choose ''you!''

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Pokémon‏‎]]

1516: Win by Induction

2015-04-24T13:00:53Z

Ostomachion: /* Explanation */ Grammar proofreading.

{{comic
| number = 1516
| date = April 24, 2015
| title = Win by Induction
| image = win by induction.png
| titletext = This would be bad enough, but every 30th or 40th pokéball has TWO of them inside.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|There is no explain of why Megan looks at her watch. Also who is fighting whom? Why does Cueball have a closed Pokéball in his hand? Is it Megan's Pikachu row then? Does the "induction" have any relevance to the fact that Pikachu are "Electric-type" Pokémon?}}

{{w|Pikachu}} is a type of {{w|Pokémon}} from the cartoon series Pokémon. In the show, characters frequently 'battle' each other. This involves both characters choosing a Pokémon, who will then attack each other. Choosing a Pokémon is done by saying "- Name of the Pokémon - I choose you!", and throwing a Pokéball to the ground. That Pokémon then appears from the Pokéball.

This comic suggests that a Pokémon chosen at some point was a Pikachu which does not intend to engage in the battle himself: carrying a Pokéball instead, Pikachu chooses another Pikachu to fight for him. This process then repeats itself. Behind the Pikachu with the Pokéball is a long line of other Pikachu, suggesting that this process has been going on for a while.

Nearby stand Cueball, holding a closed Pokéball, and Megan, looking at her watch. This suggests that Cueball intends to have his own Pokémon fight the Pikachu, but is waiting for the battle to actually begin (waiting in vain, if the above described process repeats indefinitely), while Megan (who may have chosen the original Pikachu) is growing impatient with the delay.

The joke in this comic comes from analogy with the mathematical {{w|proof by induction}}, which is a proof with a base case, followed by a never ending sequence of steps, in which each step leads to the next, thus proving something for all cases. This title seems to suggest that the process of Pikachu choosing Pikachu will not end, effectively postponing the battle until the opponent gives up.

If there were a single Pikachu in each ball, this would spawn an unlimited number of Pikachu forming a single line. If, as title text suggests, there's occasionally two of them in a Pokéball, this would lead to exponential rather than linear growth, quickly forming a huge mob.

==Transcript==
:[There's a long queue of Pikachu extending out of the frame to the left. They are all just out from their ball, at least the last eight Pikachu's open balls lie in two parts on the ground at their feet. They are standing in front of Megan and Cueball. Cueball is holding a closed pokéball while Megan checks the time on her watch. The front most Pikachu, holding a closed pokéball, speaks.]

:Pikachu at the front: Pikachu, I choose ''you!''

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Pokémon‏‎]]

explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

1516: Win by Induction

1516: Win by Induction