SOLUTION: Proof of 2=1 a = b a2 = ab a2 - b2 = ab - b2 (a-b)(a+b) = b(a-b) a+b = b b+b = b 2b = b 2 = 1 Can you put these statements in order and give the reasons?

Algebra ->  Geometry-proofs -> SOLUTION: Proof of 2=1 a = b a2 = ab a2 - b2 = ab - b2 (a-b)(a+b) = b(a-b) a+b = b b+b = b 2b = b 2 = 1 Can you put these statements in order and give the reasons?      Log On


   



Question 992569: Proof of 2=1

a = b
a2 = ab
a2 - b2 = ab - b2
(a-b)(a+b) = b(a-b)
a+b = b
b+b = b
2b = b
2 = 1
Can you put these statements in order and give the reasons?

Found 2 solutions by Edwin McCravy, ikleyn:
Answer by Edwin McCravy(20056) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
a = b               <--a and b can stand for the same quantity. 
aČ = ab             <--we can multiply both sides by a.  
aČ - bČ = ab - b2   <--we can subtract bČ from both sides.
(a-b)(a+b) = b(a-b) <--we factor both sides of the equation.
a+b = b             <--we divide both side by (a-b)
b+b = b             <--since a = b, we can substitute b for a
2b = b              <--combine like terms b+b and get 2b
2 = 1               <--we divide both sides by b 
                 

The fallacy is in the step colored red. Since a=b, (a-b)=0 and
we may never divide by 0, even when it's camouflaged as (a-b).

Edwin

Answer by ikleyn(52790) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.
a = b
a2 = ab
a2 - b2 = ab - b2
(a-b)(a+b) = b(a-b)
a+b = b
b+b = b
2b = b
2 = 1
Can you put these statements in order and give the reasons?
--------------------------------------------------------------------
a = b
a%5E2 = ab
a%5E2 - b%5E2 = ab - b%5E2
(a-b)(a+b) = b(a-b)     <<< You can not cancel the term (a-b), because it is zero due to a = b (see very first line). You can not divide by zero!!! Here is the key! 
                            The rest of the proof is just not relevant.  It is very old math joke.
a+b = b
b+b = b
2b = b
2 = 1