Proof that 2=1

Proof

1) $a = b$. Given.

2) $a^2 = ab$. Multiply both sides by a.

3) $a^2-b^2 = ab-b^2$. Subtract $b^2$ from both sides.

4) $(a+b)(a-b) = b(a-b)$. Factor both sides.

5) $(a+b) = b$. Divide both sides by $(a-b)$

6) $a+a = a$. Substitute $a$ for $b$.

7) $2a = a$. Addition.

8) $2 = 1$. Divide both sides by $a$.

Error

Usually, if a proof proves a statement that is clearly false, the proof has probably divided by zero in some way.

In this case, the quantity of $a-b$ is $0$ as $a = b$, since one cannot divide by zero, the proof is incorrect from that point on.

Thus, this proof is false.

Note:

If this proof were somehow true all of mathematics would collapse. Simple arithmetic would yield infinite answers. This is why one cannot divide by zero.

Alternate Proof

Consider the continued fraction $3-\frac{2}{3-\frac{2}{3-\frac{2}{3- \cdots}}}.$ If you set this equal to a number $x$, note that $3-\frac{2}{x}=x$ due to the fact that the fraction is infinitely continued. But this equation for $x$ has two solutions, $x=1$ and $x=2.$ Since both $2$ and $1$ are equal to the same continued fraction, we have proved that $2=1.$ QED.

Error

The proof translate the continued fraction into a quadratic, which has multiple solutions. Therefore, $2 \neq 1$.