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It depends on what temperature is. A simple statistical argument could go like this.

  • the multiplicity of two systems is the product of their multiplicities
  • in thermodynamic equilibrium the multiplicity is at its maximum
  • the fractional change of multiplicity with internal energies ($\beta = \frac{1}{\Omega} \frac{d\Omega}{dE}$) is equal for both systems.
  • identify $\beta = 1/kT$

If this is the case for systems A and B and for B and C, the fractional change of multiplicity with energy ($\beta$) should also be the same for A and C.

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