Ask Question
24 May, 12:19

Find the error in the following proof that 2 = 1. Consider the equation a = b. Multiply both sides by a to obtain a 2 = ab. Subtract b 2 from both sides to get a 2 - b 2 = ab - b 2. Now factor each side, (a + b) (a - b) = b (a - b), and divide each side by (a - b) to get a + b = b. Finally, let a and b equal 1, which shows that 2 = 1.

+1
Answers (1)
  1. 24 May, 15:56
    0
    You can't divide by zero

    Explanation:

    The error appears when you divide each side by (a - b). If a = b, then (a - b) = 0 and you can't divide each side by 0. Moreover, the equation before division, that is, (a + b) (a - b) = b (a - b) is true after replacing (a - b) = 0 because it gives 0 = 0.
Know the Answer?
Not Sure About the Answer?
Find an answer to your question ✅ “Find the error in the following proof that 2 = 1. Consider the equation a = b. Multiply both sides by a to obtain a 2 = ab. Subtract b 2 ...” in 📘 Engineering if you're in doubt about the correctness of the answers or there's no answer, then try to use the smart search and find answers to the similar questions.
Search for Other Answers