Proof that 1 = 2!

Proof that 1 = 2


Start with a = b
a = b

Multiply both sides by b.
ab = b²

Subtract a² from each side.
ab - a² = b² - a²

Factor both sides.
a(b - a) = (b + a) (b – a)

Divide both sides by (b – a).
a = b + a

Now, let’s say that a = 1 and b = 1. Plug it into a = b + a.
1 = 1 + 1

1 = 2



What's wrong with this?

division by zero

cannot substitute a=1 and b=1 because you divided by b-a

Yall got it a lot quicker than I got it.

Proof that 1 = 2


Start with a = b
a = b

Multiply both sides by b.
ab = b²

Subtract a² from each side.
ab - a² = b² - a²

Factor both sides.
a(b - a) = (b + a) (b – a)

Divide both sides by (b – a).
a = b + a

Now, let’s say that a = 1 and b = 1. Plug it into a = b + a.
1 = 1 + 1

1 = 2



What's wrong with this?

sad dude...just sad..aside form the fact that ur wrong...that fact that you A) desired to prove this and B) wanted to share it with the L2 forum trolls lmao

thanks for the laugh though :)

I am terrible at math. I could easily be convinced that all this is true. If someone came to me and said 1=2 and then laid out this equation for me I would just agree with them and probably tell my friends that some guy showed me it. So it must be true because he did all the math to prove it. :cool:

cannot substitute a=1 and b=1 because you divided by b-a

Actually, you can construct a commutative ring where a division by zero in such a way is possible and has a definite meaning.

It just doesn't then have much to do with our usual understanding of what a "number" is. Or "division", for that matter.

NAN :p

NAN :p

No. Zero divisor. See also: Cayley-*****on Sedenions.

thanks for the laugh though :)

Why, you're very welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Those of us who aren't professional mathematicians are just going to look at the conclusion.

<font class="small">Code:<hr /><pre> Now, let’s say that a = 1 and b = 1. Plug it into a = b + a.
1 = 1 + 1

1 = 2
</pre><hr />
The problem here is you have the same thing on both sides (a) with an addition to one (b). Now if you want to be my banker and I withdraw $1K and you want to give me $2K then please feel free to do so.

Sure thing, I'll give you 2k, and then you give me 1k and I won't tell anyone.

Your logic is flawed, you are setting a = 2, not 1 = 2. now if you name you could say

one = 1
one = 1 + 1
therefor one = 2.

That would make one actually equal 2.

so basicaly what u are all trying to say is that if i wanted i could say...
1=1+1
a=a cow
b=my bottle of crownroyal
and ll togather they can still =2.....

were going abck and forth over nothing..consider the fact that if u make the variables both one u will come out with some crappy answer that is no where close to what it should be...but by saying that both A and B are 1...your seting the problem to equal 2,or 3, or 4, or what ever you would like...it is all a matter of doing the (waste of) time and figureing it with basic math until u arive atthe answer u are looking for.....so YES!!! 1 can equal 2...just like a freakin 1 can equal 168,256,854,552.025 if u really wanted it to and took the time to make it...its a absic equation when u ahve two variable that are the same..all u have to do is play with it and it will begin to add up....

also lets look at the origonal post...

"a = 1 and b = 1. Plug it into a = b + a"
now look at the begining...
"Start with a = b
a = b"

so..if a=b..that means that A is the same as B..and if A=B+A..then B=B+A..which makes them both 2 if you plug in the origonal a=1 and b=1...this means that both A and B are actualy 2 acording to the origonal formula...thusly throwing off the entire equation...


i win

also lets look at the origonal post...

"a = 1 and b = 1. Plug it into a = b + a"
now look at the begining...
"Start with a = b
a = b"

so..if a=b..that means that A is the same as B..and if A=B+A..then B=B+A..which makes them both 2 if you plug in the origonal a=1 and b=1...this means that both A and B are actualy 2 acording to the origonal formula...thusly throwing off the entire equation...


i win

You're joking right? I sure hope so. A=B+A is not a valid equation. The only way you can make sense of it is if both A and B variable equals Zero.

The correct answer was you cannot divide by zero, which is exactly what happens when you divide (b-a) from the equation.

if u see the previous post i made i mentioned my bottle of crown royal..i was pretty drunk so it made sense at the time :D

Awesome!! Pass the bottle buddy. :D

I started the night where my finger is ^^ gooooooood night lol (http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h230/gren71/0410071342.jpg)

You're joking right? I sure hope so. A=B+A is not a valid equation. The only way you can make sense of it is if both A and B variable equals Zero.

Actually, just B needs to be an identity element ("Zero") of the abelian group (R, +) here.

The correct answer was you cannot divide by zero, which is exactly what happens when you divide (b-a) from the equation.

The correct answer is: You can, but the ring you're operating in needs to have a zero divisor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero_divisor), which for example integers don't have.

but you're trying to make it into an N dim. system. It's a zero order tensors so there is no zero divisor.

but you're trying to make it into an N dim. system. It's a zero order tensors so there is no zero divisor.

I'm not trying to "make" it into anything, I'm just describing the general theory. :)

Now what about the fact that any number is an equivilant to infinity XD

man!!! just let is stop!!!....

im not drunk so no actualy thaughtful answers today... :confused:

Now what about the fact that any number is an equivilant to infinity XD

Which "infinity"? There are several different kinds of it.