First we must ask how many states are there in the current state. We know there are 50 states in the Union, therefore 50 current states. How many states were there in the past state? The past state is defined by the number of present states, since all states in the present have their origin (or original state) in the past state. Therefore, there were at least 50 states in the past state before the present state. Now, how about the future state? Clearly, there needs to be at least 50 states in the future state, since there are 50 states in the present state. However, it is possible for the number of future states to increase , but not decrease, since all future states are dependent on the present state. Since the Future state is dependent on the present state, and the prsent state is dependent on the past state, it stands to reason that the future state is also dependent on the past state. This is simple stuff, dad... please try to focus.