[Psycho_Bunny]

So, if the left side of the equation has the same number of digits and operators as the Earth has atoms - a number that is never static - and all you know is “8”, you have some way of determining “Probably ( = 4 )”?

Right. Good luck with that.

[papertyger]

You are thinking too simplistically. For example....if you are multiplying by a negative, for a give set of values the other side must be negative, for another it must be positive. Add to that, a knowledge that the negative set precludes what you know exists, you know it must be positive.

Then again, if what you're talking about is the common variation of "the gambler's fallacy" which it sounds like you might be, given you're treating earth's atoms as a set of variables, then your presentation of the problem is fundamentally flawed from the outset.