Subscribe to the   RSS Feed or by Email and receive free daily updates

Given that a and b are integers such that a = b + 1,
Prove: 1 = 0

1. a = b + 1  (Given)

2. (a-b)a = (a-b)(b+1)  (Multiplication Prop. of =)

3. a² - ab = ab + a - b² - b (Distributive Property)

4. a² - ab -a = ab + a -a - b² - b (Subtraction Prop. of =)

5. a(a - b - 1) = b(a - b - 1)  (Distributive Property)

6. a = b (Division Property of = )

7. b + 1 = b (Transitive Property of = (Steps 1, 7) )

8. Therefore, 1 = 0 (Subtraction Prop. of =)

 

The flaw is in going from step 5 to 6, where you divide by 0

Source: Here

Technorati Tags: mathematical proof, 1=0, one=zero, tech joke, humor

Related Posts