Suppose x = 1

Then x2 = x

x2 - 1 = x - 1

(x - 1) (x + 1) = x - 1

(x + 1) = 1

x = 0

So 1 = 0.

Is this possible? What led to this ridiculous conclusion?

Question

Mathematics

Mike Reese

14 January, 08:51

Suppose x = 1

Then x2 = x

x2 - 1 = x - 1

(x - 1) (x + 1) = x - 1

(x + 1) = 1

x = 0

So 1 = 0.

Is this possible? What led to this ridiculous conclusion?

+1

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Alana Morton · Answer 1

No! Never divide by 0!

Step-by-step explanation:

Ah, the famous 1 = 0 proof.

There is just one error: you can never divide by 0!

We're starting off by assuming x = 1, but in this step:

(x - 1) (x + 1) = x - 1

(x + 1) = 1

we end up dividing by x - 1, which equals 1 - 1 = 0.

Whenever you start dividing by zero, funny business starts happening. This isn't possible.

Suppose x = 1Then x2 = xx2 - 1 = x - 1(x - 1) (x + 1) = x - 1(x + 1) = 1x = 0So 1 = 0.Is this possible? What led to this ridiculous conclusion?

Suppose x = 1

Then x2 = x

x2 - 1 = x - 1

(x - 1) (x + 1) = x - 1

(x + 1) = 1

x = 0

So 1 = 0.

Is this possible? What led to this ridiculous conclusion?