text: how is this possible.2+2=5? i herd from someone that this is the right anewer to this proble is this true. this phrase is used in business, not in math.  it is used to illustrate good mergers.  when a peanut butter company and a jelly company combine you could get a 2 + 2 = 5 situtation.  the combination is logical and useful to each other.  but if the peanut butter company and a bullet manufacturer combined it would only be 2 + 2 = 4.  there is no mutual benefit.