eli5: Why does there need to be 11 additional dimensions for the string theory to work?
In: 5
If you could listen in on string theorists discussion over the years, you’d get something like this:
“Okay, so I think I have this string theory equation written down properly. It’s complicated, but I think it works”.
“But … no, it won’t work the way you have it written, you’re missing a square root there …”
“Aw nuts. Adding the square root would put everything out of whack. *What if* … hear me out … *what if we just say there are FIVE dimensions* instead of four. Then we don’t have to throw in that square root! If we pretend there are five dimensions, the math works!”
“Not quite, chief. Even with five dimensions, you’re missing *n* to the power of infinity, so the math still won’t work.”
“Grrr! You’re right! Adding that would mess things up again. What if we said there were SIX dimensions, then it would work, right?”
[Ten hours later…](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/0r-pvJ3vfIA/maxresdefault.jpg)
“Would you look at that. It finally works. The math finally freakin’ works! And all we had to do was pretend there are ELEVEN dimensions!”
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