Need math problem where 1 = 2 (won't you please, please help me)

[PeteH 0]

I've seen a math problem that has some calculations and it ends in result where 1=2. Didn't find it with google, so if anyone has it, would you post it.

Thanks,
Pedro

[quade 4]

http://mathworld.wolfram.com/1Equals2.html

I dunno man, Wolfram is a pretty smart guy.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[indyz 1]

Taken from Zero by Charles Seife:

a = 1

b = 1

b^2 = ab                     #Equation 1 

a^2 = a^2                    #Equation 2 

a^2 - b^2 = a^2 - ab         #Subract respective sides of Eq 1 from Eq 2

(a+b)(a-b) = a(a-b)          #Factor previous line

(a+b) = a                    #Divide both sides by (a-b)

b = 0                        #Subtract a from both sides

1 = 0                        #Follows from previous since b = 1

2 = 1                        #Add 1 to both sides

[quade 4]

See http://mathworld.wolfram.com/Fallacy.html

You can NOT divide by zero.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[indyz 1]

The chapter of the book that I copied that from ends with the sentence: "Used unwisely, zero has the power to destroy logic."

[PeteH 0]

Thanks! That's exactly what I meant.

You are Fast As A Shark

[quade 4]

My head is going to really hurt when I stop banging it against the wall.

You -do- understand the "proof" is meaningless -- right?

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[indyz 1]

I understood the concept of a fallacy (and even knew the particular reason why the proof I posted what invalid) before I posted to this thread.

[quade 4]

I'm askin' Pete, for Pete's sake!

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[indyz 1]

My fault. I didn't read closely enough.

[PeteH 0]

Of course I understand.

A friend of mine wanted to see that problem, but I didn't remember how it went.

I solved that in high school (took me about 10 minutes = too long to note that dividing by zero)

[quade 4]

OK, cool.

I just didn't want to have somebody think that just because they saw the "proof" it actually meant anything.

Lots of folks have.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[masher 1]

Another "proof" in the same vein as Indyz's...

Proof that 1 = 2


1^1 = 1^2

take the logs of both sides.

log(1^1) = log (1^2)

using log laws, log(a^b) = b*log(a)

1*log(1) = 2*log(1)

take out log(1) as a common factor

1 = 2

--
Arching is overrated - Marlies

[fudd 0]

Reminds me of one of my attempts to find an exact expression or value for pi.
My proof ended up with pi = 0

It's possible it's not correct.

There are only 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand binary, and those who don't.

[masher 1]

considering that there is no exact expression for pi....

--
Arching is overrated - Marlies

[falxori 0]

but actually if pi would be 0, it would make a lot of problems much easier to solve

i vote for pi=0 too, (and 'e' too)

"Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero."

[happythoughts 0]

There is more than one fallacy in this problem.

1. First, a proof using variables is based on the idea that they can represent any number. But during the proof, there is a step where the variables are assumed to be constants.

2. This allows the next flaw, multiplication by zero (a-b). Put any numbers on either side and multiply by zero, now they are equal.

3. Also, any time you multiply variables, you add a factor.

To really understand the concept of zero, stand in line at Disney World next to a screaming small child when the mother has run out of cookies.

[kallend 2,027]

"Strain" is defined as change in length divided by original length.

Take a sample of stretchy material
Original length = 1 unit
stretch until 2 units long
strain = (2-1)/1 = 1, call this strain1
The sample length is now 2 units.
Give it to someone else and ask them to stretch the sample until it's 4 units long: they comply
they give it a strain of (4-2)/2 = 1 = strain2

Sum of strains given = strain1 + strain2 = 1+1 =2

Overall strain from beginning to end of exercise is
(4-1)/1 = 3

Hence 2=3

so 2-1 = 3-1 or 1=2 QED
no division by zero involved.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[kallend 2,027]

Quote

but actually if pi would be 0, it would make a lot of problems much easier to solve

i vote for pi=0 too, (and 'e' too)

According to the Bible, pi = 3

(the pillars of Solomon's temple had circumference 12 and diameter 4 cubits)

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[falxori 0]

Quote

According to the Bible, pi = 3

(the pillars of Solomon's temple had circumference 12 and diameter 4 cubits)

not too bad for a 3000 old estimation...
when most humans were busy beating eachother with clubs...

"Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero."

[kallend 2,027]

Quote

Quote

According to the Bible, pi = 3

(the pillars of Solomon's temple had circumference 12 and diameter 4 cubits)

not too bad for a 3000 old estimation...
when most humans were busy beating eachother with clubs...

The Bible is the revealed word of God. Are you suggesting God, the Grand Geometrician, makes rough approximations?

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[falxori 0]

Quote

The Bible is the revealed word of God. Are you suggesting God, the Grand Geometrician, makes rough approximations

since you've thrown deities into the discussion...
the gods (or nature in this case) simply doesnt work in decimal numbers.
thats why we have strange things like Pi, e, "goldne ratio number" and all kinds of physical constants...
its not God's mistake, its our estimation of nature's perfection...

"Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero."

[vonSanta 0]

So if he uses weird numbers, why is it 3 in the Bible?

His spirit were in the authors and everything.

Oh well, doesn't matter. I need to go see the "four corners" of the world. And jump off the edge - wonder if I'll get some decent freefall time?.

Spirituality is fine. Too bad so many have fallen victim to the control of a minority with absurd claims. I think God is probably a bit miffed about all these people ruling others or telling 'em what to do "in his name". I know *I* would be if I went through the trouble of creating a universe only to have some stupid bipedal carbon based life forms claim outrageous things.

Santa Von GrossenArsch
I only come in one flavour
ohwaitthatcanbemisunderst

[falxori 0]

Quote

So if he uses weird numbers, why is it 3 in the Bible?

because it was written for stupid bipedal carbon based life forms ...

"Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero."

[kallend 2,027]

Quote

Quote

So if he uses weird numbers, why is it 3 in the Bible?

because it was written for stupid bipedal carbon based life forms ...

Well, now that we understand decimals and relativity and quantum mechanics and Fermat's last theorem, maybe a re-write of the Bible is in order to remove all the stuff written specifically for neolithic tribes.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.