What's wrong with these equations?

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SUMMARY

The discussion addresses the erroneous equations claiming that 1 equals 2 and -1 equals 1. The first example demonstrates a division by zero error in the manipulation of the equation 1*(1-1)/(1-1) = 2*(1-1)/(1-1), leading to an invalid conclusion. The second example incorrectly applies the identity √(a/b) = √a/√b, which is only valid for a, b > 0, resulting in the false assertion that -1 equals 1. The errors highlight fundamental mathematical principles regarding division by zero and the conditions for square root identities.

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kacete
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1=2? -1=1?

First:
Code:
1-1=0
2-2=0

1-1=2-2

1*(1-1)=2*(1-1)

[1*(1-1)]/(1-1)=[2*(1-1)]/(1-1)

[I]1=2[/I]

Second:
Code:
-1=-1

1/-1=-1/1

sqrt(1/-1)=sqrt(-1/1)

sqrt(1)/sqrt(-1)=sqrt(-1)/sqrt(1)

1/i=i/1 note: i=sqrt(-1) complex number

i/(i^2)=i note: i/(i^2) equals 1/i as in 3/9 equals 1/3

i/-1=i note: i^2=-1 complex number

-i=i

i*(-i)=i*(i) note: preserved equality of equation

[I]-1=1[/I]
 
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Last edited by a moderator:
Now that was simple, thank you. I saw this around and it was messing with me. Guess math can't be tricked. Never would have guessed something similar was already on wikipedia. Thank you!
 

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