The following is a "proof" that one equals zero.
Consider two non-zero numbers (Any number except zero) x and y such that
x = y.
Then x^2 = xy.
Subtract the same thing from both sides:
x^2 - y^2 = xy - y^2.
Dividing by (x-y), obtain
x + y = y.
Since x = y, we see that
2 y = y.
Thus 2 = 1, since we started with y nonzero.
Subtracting 1 from both sides,
1 = 0.
What's wrong with this "proof"?
For you "math majors" out there this should be relatively simple.
How Not to Respond to Suffering
15 hours ago
7 comments:
Tricky...I had to google-cheat to find out. Since I cheated I won't point it out...good luck Julie/Dona/Other mathematically inclined people...
Oh, and if you get bored after that...this one looks like fun too: http://www-math.mit.edu/~tchow/mathstuff/proof.pdf
We did lots of stuff just like this in abstract algebra. It's not any fun if I just blurt out the answer. I'd like to see what people who haven't been tampered by with books come up with.
Dona's gotten it, but she just told me rather than make a post...which is no fun for the rest of blog land. :)
Sheesh..way to go Dona.
Do like Julie and tell the world!
Iknow!!Iknow!!Iknow!!
Is that better? :)
Well...if we ignore the fact that your exlamation points and your "I's" run together visually...I guess it's better.
just *sniff* can't *sniff* please...
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