Is 2 = 1?

Algebra Level 1

What is wrong with the following "proof"?

Let a = b = 1 a = b=1 , then a + b = b . a+b=b.

  • Step 1: a 2 = a b a^2 = ab
  • Step 2: a 2 b 2 = a b b 2 a^2 - b^2 = ab - b^2
  • Step 3: ( a + b ) ( a b ) = b ( a b ) (a+b)(a-b) = b(a-b)
  • Step 4: a + b = b ( a b ) a b a+b= \dfrac{b(a-b)}{a-b}
  • Step 5: a + b = b a+b = b

Conclusion: By substituting in a = b = 1 , a = b = 1, we have 1 + 1 = 1 2 = 1. 1+1 = 1 \implies 2 = 1.

Incorrect factoring Multiplying unknown variables False substitution Introducing b 2 -b^2 Dividing by zero

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3 solutions

Anish Harsha
Mar 7, 2016

From Step 4, the problem is wrong because , as we know that, a = b = 1 a = b = 1 , then a b = 0 a - b = 0 .

In the step, a + b = b ( a b ) a b a+b=\dfrac{b(a-b)}{a-b} , substituting, a b a-b as 0, then the value would go undefined .

So, we can't divide it by ( a b ) (a-b) and the fourth step is wrong.

I said "dividing by zero" and I got it wrong...

Alex Best - 3 years, 1 month ago

I chose the option "dividing by zero" and I got it wrong!

Ginoy George - 2 years, 10 months ago

If a=b=1 How is a+b=b

AYIBO ROBERTS - 1 year, 11 months ago

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Yeah, I really don't know

Anaya A - 6 months ago

The best learners allow themselves to make mistakes! In which case I am the BEST of the best.

Steve Barker - 8 months, 3 weeks ago
Satyabrata Dash
Mar 20, 2016

a - b = 1 - 1 = 0

now division by "a-b" or "0" will lead to undefined value.

since, 0/0 is undefined . Thus,we see that the 4th step is incorrect.

Ajay Prasad
Jan 30, 2019

This is somthing, that in LIMIT we do.

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