What's the mistake here?

Hernaner28

What's the mistake here? hehe

AlephZero

##2(a^2-ab) = 1(a^2 - ab)##
Therefore either ##2 = 1## or ##a^2 - ab = 0##
And ##a^2 -ab## is equal to 0, of course.

Mentallic

Say you wanted to solve the quadratic [itex]x^2=x[/itex]. You wouldn't begin by dividing through by x because that assumes [itex]x\neq 0[/itex]. If x=0 then you've just lost that solution.

In short, dividing by zero is bad.

Hernaner28

Hmm I see... it was stupid from me not realising that.. lol :D

Thanks!

I like Serena

Don't try this at home...

Akshay_Anti

In the first line, you say a=b
and therefore a^2=ab. a^2-ab=0.
You are dividing by zero even though it's not defined in mathematics. That's the mistake... :D

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Hernaner28	What's the mistake here? Tweet What's the mistake here? hehe

AlephZero $Math 2012$ Recognitions: Science Advisor	##2(a^2-ab) = 1(a^2 - ab)## Therefore either ##2 = 1## or ##a^2 - ab = 0## And ##a^2 -ab## is equal to 0, of course.

Mentallic Recognitions: Homework Help	Say you wanted to solve the quadratic [itex]x^2=x[/itex]. You wouldn't begin by dividing through by x because that assumes [itex]x\neq 0[/itex]. If x=0 then you've just lost that solution. In short, dividing by zero is bad.

Hernaner28	What's the mistake here? Hmm I see... it was stupid from me not realising that.. lol :D Thanks!

I like Serena Recognitions: Homework Help	Don't try this at home...

Akshay_Anti	In the first line, you say a=b and therefore a^2=ab. a^2-ab=0. You are dividing by zero even though it's not defined in mathematics. That's the mistake... :D