Where's the mistake?

[Panda]

Here's a funny little mathematical proof. Based on the conclusion from it you'll see that there must be a mistake somewhere. Where is that mistake?

We are given:
a = b

Multiply both sides by a
a^2 = ab

add (a^2 - 2ab) to both sides
a^2 + (a^2 - 2ab) = ab + (a^2 - 2ab)

Simplify
2a^2 - 2ab = a^2 - ab

Factor out a 2 on the left side
2(a^2 - ab) = a^2 - ab

Divide both sides by a^2 - ab
2(a^2 - ab) / (a^2 - ab) = (a^2 - ab) / (a^2 - ab)

Cancel, and you are left with
2 = 1


Where's the error in my calcuations???

[IsZi]

You screwed up in the simplify part... It'll just take me a bit to find where.

[ByteMe97]

Simplify:

(a^2 - 2ab) is a unit by itself and can't be simplified as shown.

Not positive but I think that's how it works... been a few since Alg and Trig

[IsZi]

No, that's not it... because for any situation where a + b + c = d, (a+b)+c=d, and a+(b+c)=d. No matter how you swap addition around, it'll still come out the same.

[-=DoW=- JBDiamonds]

cannot divide by zero

[Panda]

JB, you might be on the right track. But can you specify where?

[KaJuN]

Divide both sides by a^2 - ab

if a=b then a^2 - ab will always give you 0...and you cant divide by zero

[Stryker[v³]]

I know the answer, the answer is Panada you got too much time and brains for me... So I respectfully give up my right to think... I have no idea what you speak of nor understand half the things your intellectual brain thinks up... sir I say sir... Your a nerd... :mrgreen:

I know I know :stick: :stick: :stick: :stick: :stick: :stick:

[.Psycho]

i hate math .................................................. .. :?

[Panda]

Yup, you guys got it. That was actually something that was found in the notebooks of the Indian mathematician Ramanujan.

Oh, and Xpendable, "Panada" might be the nerd, but "Panda" isn't. :mrgreen:

[-=DoW=- SSgt Hunt]

Oh, and Xpendable, "Panada" might be the nerd, but "Panda" isn't.



I disagree :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

U make my brain throb