Jimmy Snyder
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The set of numbers is a set.Sorry! said:I think what you mean to say is all numbers within the sets are the same. Not all numbers are the same.
The discussion revolves around a mathematical fallacy involving the manipulation of equations to conclude that all numbers are the same. Participants analyze the steps taken in the proof, particularly focusing on the implications of taking square roots and the conditions under which the equations hold true.
Participants generally disagree on the validity of the proof and the implications of the mathematical manipulations. There is no consensus on whether the original argument is sound, as multiple viewpoints and interpretations of the steps are presented.
Limitations include the potential misunderstanding of square root properties and the assumptions made about the values of a, b, and t. The discussion highlights the importance of careful mathematical reasoning and the conditions under which certain equations hold.
This discussion may be of interest to those studying mathematics, particularly in understanding common fallacies and the importance of rigor in mathematical proofs.
The set of numbers is a set.Sorry! said:I think what you mean to say is all numbers within the sets are the same. Not all numbers are the same.
jimmysnyder said:The set of numbers is a set.
I did not say that A has the same numbers as B. For instance, in the example I gave, A had 4 elements and B had 3. What I did say is that if you assume ... Hey wait a minute. You do know what mathematical induction is right? I am doing induction on the number of elements in the set. Do you understand what that means? Can you do an inductive proof that the sum of the first n positive integers is equal to n(n + 1) /2?Sorry! said:Yes but saying that set A has the same numbers as set B is far different from saying the numbers contained within the sets are the same. 1 is not the same as 2, however the set A {1,2} is the numbers as set B {2,1}
Sorry! said:We are not taking the square root of any negative numbers here.
jimmysnyder said:I did not say that A has the same numbers as B. For instance, in the example I gave, A had 4 elements and B had 3. What I did say is that if you assume ... Hey wait a minute. You do know what mathematical induction is right? I am doing induction on the number of elements in the set. Do you understand what that means? Can you do an inductive proof that the sum of the first n positive integers is equal to n(n + 1) /2?
mugaliens said:In order to go from:
(a - t/2)^2 = (b - t/2)^2
To:
a - t/2 = b - t/2
Where a, b, and t are variables for all real numbers, then yes, you are...
Well, you're excluding have the input set, the half where either a-t/2 is negative, or b-t/2 is negative.
jimmysnyder said:Where in the OP did it say real number? If a is i (imaginary) and t is 0, then a - t/2 is i and its square is -1. When you take the square root you will be taking the square root of a negative number. But that is not the flaw in the proof.
ndrstdSorry! said:jkz
jimmysnyder said:By the way, if you quote this post, it will show you how to extend the line of the square root symbol
\sqrt{(-3)^2}=<br /> \sqrt{(9)}=\pm3