1=2 (fwd)


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1=2 (fwd)



I'm amazed to see as much traffic as there has been on this proof of 0=1.
It doesn't have anything to do with graphing calculators, and any high
schooler can tell you you can't divide by zero, as the result is
indeterminate (rather than undefined) so your proof is worthless.  In fact
most fourth graders would probably pick up on the fact that 0/0 should not
equal 1, most would think it's zero.

However, if you really want to mess with someone's head (like some
freshman in high school) try this proof that 0 = -2.


Assume that
        x = 0
Add one to each side
        x + 1 = 1
Square both sides
        (x + 1)^2 = 1^2
Distributing you get
        x^2 + 2x + 1 = 1
Subtract 1
        x^2 + 2x  = 0
Divide both sides by x
        x + 2 = 0
Subract 2
        x = -2

Therefore by the transitive property of equality, 0 = -2

The proof also incorporates division by zero, but is much more subtle in
it's usage.

As for the poor soul who believed that 0/0 = 1, I wonder what you believe
0^0 power is :-}

        -- J. Big Dog



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---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 17 Dec 1996 23:54:01 EST
From: Benjamin D Kohler-Crowe <benkc@juno.com>
To: CALC-TI@LISTS.PPP.TI.COM
Subject: 1=2

Hey all!  I can prove 1=2  (or anything, for that matter)

Okay, 0=0, correct?
therefore                               0=0+0
div all by 0                    0/0=0/0+0/0
any # over itself=1, therefore:         1=1+1
                                1=2
Of course, this is exactly why all the algebra books say a/b=1 of a=b and
b<>0.

ttyl
    ___     _____
   /      \    /               /\       /          Klien Bottle for rent;
inquire within.
  /___/   /____     /  \     /           Smoke a cigarette.  Slit your
throat.  Same concept.
 /       \   /              /    \   /             Nothing but Net!
/____/ /_____  /       \/              benkc@juno.com


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