Prove All Numbers Equal: No 0 Needed!

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The discussion centers around a mathematical proof claiming that all numbers are equal without using zero. The proof involves manipulating equations and taking square roots, ultimately leading to the conclusion that \( a = b \). Participants debate the validity of the proof, highlighting errors in the reasoning, particularly regarding the addition of terms and the implications of square roots. The consensus is that the proof is flawed due to misinterpretations of algebraic principles.

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amits
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All numbers are equal :D

heres the latest proof and it doesn't involve 0 anywhere. no term like (a-b) is involved unlike other similar proofs

-ab = -ab
=> a^2 - a^2 - ab = b^2 - b^2 - ab
=> a^2 - a(a+b) = b^2 - b(a+b)
=> a^2 - a(a+b) + (a+b)^2/4 = b^2 - b(a+b) + (a+b)^2/4

as (x-y)^2 = x^2 - 2xy + y^2,

[a - (a+b)/2]^2 = [b - (a+b)/2]^2

taking square roots,

a - (a+b)/2 = b - (a+b)/2
a = b

hence proved :D

now with all numbers having been proved equal without involving "0" anywhere, what's the need to study anything :D

just noticed, this is my 1st post here after 7 years :o
 
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You can't take square roots. x^2 = y^2 does not imply x = y
If it did, this would have been your 7th post after 1 year.
 


Your second line contains an error. You added a^2 - a^2 to one side of the equation, but b^2 - b^2 to the other side. The only way for this to leave the equality unchanged is for a to equal b... so it's no surprise that you find out later that a = b.

- Warren
 


amits said:
=> a^2 - a^2 - ab = b^2 - b^2 - ab

This is the same as
a^2 + b^2 - ab = b^2 + a^2 - ab , which don't think should create any problems.
 


amits said:
[a - (a+b)/2]^2 = [b - (a+b)/2]^2

taking square roots,

a - (a+b)/2 = b - (a+b)/2
This is your error. Taking square roots leads to

a-(a+b)/2=b-(a+b)/2
or
a-(a+b)/2=-(b-(a+b)/2)

The former yields a=b. The latter yields a+b=a+b.
 


chroot said:
Your second line contains an error. You added a^2 - a^2 to one side of the equation, but b^2 - b^2 to the other side. The only way for this to leave the equality unchanged is for a to equal b... so it's no surprise that you find out later that a = b.

- Warren
That step is correct. It's just adding zero to each side.
 


chroot said:
Your second line contains an error. You added a^2 - a^2 to one side of the equation, but b^2 - b^2 to the other side. The only way for this to leave the equality unchanged is for a to equal b... so it's no surprise that you find out later that a = b.

- Warren

it isn't an error. i added a^2 + b^2 to both sides

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

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

also a^2 - a^2 = 0 & b^2 - b^2 = 0, so adding that doesn't make a difference
 


Jimmy Snyder said:
You can't take square roots. x^2 = y^2 does not imply x = y
If it did, this would have been your 7th post after 1 year.

yes, you are right. a number always has 2 square roots, 1 positive & 1 negative
 
Last edited by a moderator:


You got it wrong.
2^2 = (-2)^2
when you have sqr root you have to have either + or - sign. you only considered + sign. Consider - sign and you will get a+b = a+b
 

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