Fallacious proof/2equals1

Revision as of 15:04, 21 July 2009 by JBL (talk | contribs)

The following proofs are examples of fallacious proofs, namely that $2 = 1$.

Proof 1

Let $a=b$.

Then we have

$a^2 = ab$ (since $a=b$)

$2a^2 - 2ab = a^2 - ab$ (adding $a^2-2ab$ to both sides)

$2(a^2 - ab) = a^2 - ab$ (factoring out a 2 on the LHS)

$2 = 1$ (dividing by $a^2-ab$)

Explanation

The trick in this argument is when we divide by $a^{2}-ab$. Since $a=b$, $a^2-ab = 0$, and dividing by zero is illegal.

Proof 2

$1 + 1 - 1 + 1 - 1 \ldots = 1 + 1 - 1 + 1 - 1 \ldots$

$(1 + 1) + (-1 + 1) + (-1 + 1) \ldots = 1 + (1 - 1) + (1 - 1) \ldots$

$2 + 0 + 0 \ldots = 1 + 0 + 0 \ldots$

$2 = 1$

Explanation

The given series does not converge. Therefore, manipulations such as grouping terms before adding are invalid.


Back to main article