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Algebra Level 1

Study the following steps. All of the statements below are correct except for one (or more). Which one is the first fallacious step? Indicate your answer with the number of the statement you think is errorneous.

If x = y 0 x=y \ne 0

1 ) \LARGE 1) x 2 = x y x^2 = xy

2 ) \LARGE 2) x 2 y 2 = x y y 2 x^{2} - y^2 = xy - y^2

3 ) \LARGE 3) ( x + y ) ( x y ) = y ( x y ) (x+y)(x-y) = y(x-y)

4 ) \LARGE 4) x + y = y x + y = y

5 ) \LARGE 5) x + x = x x + x = x , since x = y x=y

6 ) \LARGE 6) x + x = x x + x = x

7 ) \LARGE 7) 2 x = x 2x = x

8 ) \LARGE 8) 2 = 1 2=1 , since x x is non-zero.


The answer is 4.

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2 solutions

Tarun Singh
Mar 4, 2015

Everything is ok till step 3.

In step 3, we have
(x+y)(x-y)=y(x-y)

or we can say,
(x+y)( 0 ) = y ( 0 )

thus both the sides become zero ( 0 )

After this , we can see both the sides are 0, so error is in step 4

In that case can we not say that since x^2=yx should instantly change into x^2 = x^2. Thus making 1=1

Alex Williams - 5 years, 2 months ago
Viki Zeta
Jul 2, 2016

Acc to math fallacy example in this wiki It's step no 4.

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