Shameless on 23 June 2008
superchunk said: Proof that 2 = 1 Let a and b be equal non-zero quantities a = b Multiply through by a a^2 = ab Subtract b^2 a^2 - b^2 = ab - b^2 Factor both sides (a - b)(a + b) = b(a - b) Divide out (a - b) a + b = b Observing that a = b b + b = b Combine like terms on the left 2b = b Divide by the non-zero b 2 = 1 Q.E.D. |
Wrong.
If a = b then a - b = 0. You have divided by (a - b) which is dividing by 0.