Is it true?
Number Theory
Level
1
I can prove why 1 = 2
- Lets say y = x
- Multiply through by x xy = x2
- Subtract y2 from each side xy - y2 = x2 - y2
- Factor each side y(x-y) = (x+y)(x-y)
- Divide both sides by (x-y) y = x+y
- Divide both sides by y y/y = x/y + y/y
- And so... 1 = x/y + 1
- Since x=y, x/y = 1 1 = 1 + 1
- And so... 1 = 2
How is this possible ?
Its impossible : Step 3 is invalid
Its possible : All steps are valid
Its impossible : Step 5 is invalid
Its possible : It has to be
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Step 5 is invalid, because we are dividing by (x-y), and since x=y, we are thus dividing by 0. This is an invalid mathematical operation (division by 0), and so by not following basic mathematical rules