Math Jokes: 1-1=0, but 2=0? Impossible!

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    Impossible Jokes
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the creation and sharing of math-related jokes, specifically focusing on a joke that leads to the conclusion that 2 equals 0. Participants explore the humor in mathematical absurdities while also addressing the implications of such jokes on mathematical understanding.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a joke based on the equation 1-1=0, leading to the erroneous conclusion that 2=0, and invites others to join in creating math jokes.
  • Another participant critiques the joke, arguing that it is fundamentally flawed due to the misuse of logical statements, specifically the incorrect use of AND instead of OR.
  • A different participant reiterates the critique, emphasizing that the joke does not work because of the logical mistake and suggests that it does not serve as a good example for learning mathematics.
  • One participant defends the joke as a light-hearted pun, indicating that they were not serious about the mathematical accuracy.
  • Another participant shares a magic trick involving numbers, shifting the focus from the original joke to a different type of mathematical amusement.
  • A participant shares links to external sources of math jokes, contrasting their own jokes with those that are more traditionally humorous.
  • A final participant suggests closing the thread to prevent further misunderstandings related to the math jokes discussed.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express disagreement regarding the validity of the original joke, with some critiquing its mathematical soundness while others defend its humorous intent. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the appropriateness of the joke as a learning tool.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the potential negative impact of misleading mathematical jokes on learning, indicating a concern for the educational implications of such humor.

Harsha Avinash Tanti
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I would like share a nonsense math problem which certainly wrong but its fun I would like others to join as well in my endeavor to create jokes by using math. the joke is as follows

As we know,
1-1=0
let,
a = 1 , b = 1
then,
a - b = 0
also,
a^2 - b^2 = 0 as a^2 = 1 and b^2 = 1
thus as per algebra
(a - b)(a + b) = 0
thus,
i.e, a - b = 0 and a + b = 0
i.e, 1 - 1 = 0 and 2 = 0.
:woot::nb):smile::sorry:
 
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Harsha Avinash Tanti said:
I would like share a nonsense math problem which certainly wrong but its fun I would like others to join as well in my endeavor to create jokes by using math. the joke is as follows

As we know,
1-1=0
let,
a = 1 , b = 1
then,
a - b = 0
also,
a^2 - b^2 = 0 as a^2 = 1 and b^2 = 1
thus as per algebra
(a - b)(a + b) = 0
thus,
i.e, a - b = 0 and a + b = 0
i.e, 1 - 1 = 0 and 2 = 0.
:woot::nb):smile::sorry:
This isn't really new: hide zero in a variable and divide by it. What's new is, that you have hidden the division in a multiplication as you used a false logical statement: AND instead of OR. And even OR isn't necessarily true.

I'm not very comfortable with this kind of "joke" because it is simply just wrong on so many levels, that these examples guide the wrong way to seriously learn mathematics. There are better "jokes" where you can actually learn something instead of to learn how to make mistakes. I've seen the above on so many occasions in students' homework or tests, that it is not funny at all. We try to improve mathematical skills, not to damage them.
 
Harsha Avinash Tanti said:
(a - b)(a + b) = 0
thus,
i.e, a - b = 0 and a + b = 0
i.e, 1 - 1 = 0 and 2 = 0.
:woot::nb)[emoji2]:sorry:

Doesn't really work as a joke because, as already pointed out you made a mistake, it's OR not AND.
 
fresh_42 said:
This isn't really new: hide zero in a variable and divide by it. What's new is, that you have hidden the division in a multiplication as you used a false logical statement: AND instead of OR. And even OR isn't necessarily true.

I'm not very comfortable with this kind of "joke" because it is simply just wrong on so many levels, that these examples guide the wrong way to seriously learn mathematics. There are better "jokes" where you can actually learn something instead of to learn how to make mistakes. I've seen the above on so many occasions in students' homework or tests, that it is not funny at all. We try to improve mathematical skills, not to damage them.

I get that but just did that for pun man I am not at all serious about it.

CWatters said:
Doesn't really work as a joke because, as already pointed out you made a mistake, it's OR not AND.
How about this one,
I use this as magic trick to amuse my nephew

I think of any number between 20000 and 30000
say 29547 then I put in an envelop
then
I give a number 9549
then I ask for a random number from my nephew suppose he says 2347
then I say a random number 7652
then I ask for another random number and he says 4587
then I say a random number 5412

then I tell him to add it all up vol-ah you get 29547.

What trick have I used and can you do it for number range 50000 to 60000
 
I think we've run the course of math jokes here. Closing the thread now so as to prevent future readers from making these same mistakes in math.
 

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