How many proofs of 1=0 are there?

Algebra Level 1

Step 1) Let a , b , c , d a,b,c,d be non-zero numbers that exist in the complex set of numbers. Let these numbers also satisfy the equation a + b = c d a+b=cd

Step 2) We can divide both sides by c c : a + b = c d a + b c = d a+b=cd \Longrightarrow \frac{a+b}{c}=d

Step 3) We can subtract d d from both sides: a + b c = d a + b c d = 0 \frac{a+b}{c}=d \Longrightarrow \frac{a+b}{c}-d=0

Step 4) We can divide both sides by a + b c d \cfrac{a+b}{c}-d : a + b c d = 0 a + b c d a + b c d = 0 a + b c d \frac{a+b}{c}-d=0 \Longrightarrow \frac{\frac{a+b}{c}-d}{\frac{a+b}{c}-d}=\frac{0}{\frac{a+b}{c}-d} Since any number divided by itself is equal to 1 \blue{1} and 0 0 divided by any number is equal to 0 \orange{0} , we can conclude that 1 = 0 \green{ 1 = 0} : a + b c d a + b c d = 0 a + b c d 1 = 0 \frac{\blue{\frac{a+b}{c}-d}}{\blue{\frac{a+b}{c}-d}}=\frac{\orange{0}}{\orange{\frac{a+b}{c}-d}} \Longrightarrow \green{1 = 0} \; \; \; \square

Of course this proof is 100 % 100\% valid, but try to find any flaws. If you find one, what step is it?

1 2 3 4 It is all valid. Of course 1 = 0 1=0 ! I know that this is false but the proof says otherwise. I have been converted!

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4 solutions

James Watson
Aug 21, 2020

The flaw is in step 4 \green{\boxed{4}} . Given that a + b c d = 0 \cfrac{a+b}{c}-d = 0 , we cannot divide by it because division by 0 0 is impossible, so the proof loses any validity.

Technically, a + b c d a + b c d = 0 0 = 0 \frac{\frac{a + b}{c} - d}{\frac{a + b}{c} - d} = \frac{0}{0} = 0 so the proof is valid but it only proves that 0 = 0 0 = 0 .

Lâm Lê - 9 months, 3 weeks ago

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Read this on zero divided by zero . Since it is undefined, it doesn't have a specific answer; it could be 1, it could be 0, it could be \infty . Because of this, it cannot be used in proofs since it is such a controversial topic

James Watson - 9 months, 3 weeks ago

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@James Watson that is something of controversy, I do not think we can include that here till it is clarified.

Shevy Doc - 9 months, 2 weeks ago

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@Shevy Doc that is why it makes the proof invalid

James Watson - 9 months, 2 weeks ago

Reading the "!" as a factorial, the option "Of course 1 = 0!" is a true statement :-)

David Vreken - 9 months, 3 weeks ago

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indeed, but "it is all valid" isn't lol

James Watson - 9 months, 3 weeks ago

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalmost lol :v

If only you didn't add the "it is all valid" :v

Steven Jim - 9 months, 3 weeks ago

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nearly caught there haha

James Watson - 9 months, 3 weeks ago

It’s invalid on step 3. Step 4 is wrong, but step 3 comes first. A = 7 B = 5 C = 4 D = 3 7 + 5 = 12. 12/4 = 3. 2 is good 12/4-3=0 is 0=0. 3 is bad, technically true, but not 1=0 0/0=0/0 is true technically the only x/0 possible, so 4 is okay. Note: I said okay, not good 5 is okay since 3 creates the wrong. Still not good, but okay.

Vincent Draper - 4 months, 3 weeks ago

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division by 0 with any number including 0 is not possible. the correct term is it is indeterminate. for step 3, ending up with a 0=0 situation is valid and doesn't break any mathematical axioms so it wouldn't cause any issues. it is only after we "divide by 0" that we end up with our flawed statement of 1 = 0 1=0

James Watson - 4 months, 3 weeks ago

In step three we found a + b c d = 0 \frac{a+b}{c}-d=0 , in step 4 we went on to divide by that. Although there are two options 'correct' here (I mean 1= 0!).

what is the second option?

James Watson - 9 months, 2 weeks ago

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1=0! is a true statement

A Former Brilliant Member - 9 months, 2 weeks ago

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oh yeah haha!

James Watson - 9 months, 2 weeks ago

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@James Watson It was a great thing to put there

A Former Brilliant Member - 9 months, 2 weeks ago

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@A Former Brilliant Member it wasn't on purpose xd

James Watson - 9 months, 2 weeks ago

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@James Watson Now that's more interesting

A Former Brilliant Member - 9 months, 2 weeks ago

Totally wrong!

PIJUSH DE - 9 months, 2 weeks ago

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Where's the error, if the whole is wrong why's that?

A Former Brilliant Member - 9 months, 2 weeks ago

I disagree. As Devbrat stated, a + b c d = 0 \frac{a+b}{c}-d = 0 and division by 0 0 is not allowed which is what happened on step 4 so the explanation is valid

James Watson - 9 months, 2 weeks ago
Nakshat Pandey
Nov 10, 2020

You've proved that the expression in step 4 evaluates to 0. Hence, you cannot use that expression as a denominator since such an evaluation is undefined.

Of course 1=0!

The 4th step is wrong, because we can't divide by 0.

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