can anybody prove to me that 1=0?

Question

proof to me that 1=0?

Answer 1

this is a common "proof" that is often bandied about, even though it's wrong.



Let a=b.



multiply by a:

a^2 = ab



subtract b^2:

a^2 - b^2 = ab - b^2



factor both sides:

(a+b)(a-b) = (a-b)b



cancel (a-b)

(a+b) = b



substitute a=b from the first step:

2b = b



divide by b:

2=1



subtract 1 from both sides

1=0





fortunately sanity is saved when you realize that the step where you cancel (b-a) from both sides is actually dividing by zero, since you specify beforehand that b=a. this is not so much a proof as a mathematical fallacy. see the link below for another, more complicated version of the same thing.

Answer 2

I asked the same thing, and the best answer I got was:

1 = sqrt(1) = sqrt(-1*-1) = sqrt(-1)*sqrt(-1)=i*i = i^2 = -1

So 1=-1; just add 1 and divide by 2 and you get 1=0

Answer 3

No they can't, because 1 does not equal 0.

Answer 4

it does not

Answer 5

I can't, but they can.