Author Topic: Hey, look, I divided by zero!  (Read 4767 times)

I added it to both sides, so it's still an equivalent statement. What's the issue there?
You can't take a=4b and add 2 to both sides at random.  It has to at least be a-2=4b before you add 2 to both sides.

The only time you CAN pull stuff out of no where is Halfing, squaring, and put-it-over-there-ing.

There's a wikipedia article that explains this a LOT better.

Here goes...
Assume that a=b
Therefore, a+a=a+b
Which can be simplified to 2a=a+b
Subtract 2b from both sides, like this: 2a-2b=a+b-2b
Redistribute the left and subtract the right and yield 2(a-b)=a-b
Divide by (a-b), which is zero in this equation, and the result is...

2=1

What now, an earthquake?
Ok so basically you start out with a=b, correct? Well let's assign a value to both variables here:
a=1
b=2

Now the equation is 1=2, the first problem. However if you set them equal to eachother:
a=1
b=1

Then you would get 1=1, a completely legal equation. But next you say a+a=a+b

Now, this with the 2nd pair of variables is completely true, 1+1=1+1. This is kinda strange, but what the hell. Next you simplify apparently to 1(2)=1+1. Then this is the irrational part.

You pull 2b out of your ass and then start flinging it around everywhere.
1(2)-2(1)=(1+1)-2(1)

This equation is now:
0=0

I have no idea what you did for that second to last part, and then the last part is rendered useless. But congrats, you just stated that zero equals zero.

You can do it, guys. Take this for example:
a = 4
So I add two to both sides. Now:
a + 2 = 6
Anyone that knows pre-algebra knows that "a" still equals four.

2x0=0
The entire point of the mathematical law that states "Dividing by zero is impossible" is only there as a way of actually making math possible. Zero is an incredibly mathematically unsound number, so it requires special rules to keep it in check. For instance, is 0 an even or odd number?

I'm just proving this point.

You can't take a=4b and add 2 to both sides at random.  It has to at least be a-2=4b before you add 2 to both sides.

The only time you CAN pull stuff out of no where is Halfing, squaring, and put-it-over-there-ing.
If I can add things there, why not here? It is still just as correct.

There's a wikipedia article that explains this a LOT better.
Seriously? Damn.

Ok so basically you start out with a=b, correct? Well let's assign a value to both variables here:
a=1
b=2

Now the equation is 1=2, the first problem. However if you set them equal to eachother:
a=1
b=1

Then you would get 1=1, a completely legal equation. But next you say a+a=a+b

Now, this with the 2nd pair of variables is completely true, 1+1=1+1. This is kinda strange, but what the hell. Next you simplify apparently to 1(2)=1+1. Then this is the irrational part.

You pull 2b out of your ass and then start flinging it around everywhere.
1(2)-2(1)=(1+1)-2(1)

This equation is now:
0=0

I have no idea what you did for that second to last part, and then the last part is rendered useless. But congrats, you just stated that zero equals zero.
I just don't understand why you guys have such an aversion to adding things as a method of changing the values of either side of an equation if the values remain the same. I'm entirely aware that this isn't mathimatically correct, it's just an interesting way of proving that the rules of math are there for a very specific reason. Jesus, calm down.

You can do it, guys. Take this for example:
a = 4
So I add two to both sides. Now:
a + 2 = 6
Anyone that knows pre-algebra knows that "a" still equals four.
If you put it that way, then it's still going to be a "legal" equation.  However, for Kaptain's statement to be true, then a=/=b. (both points supported by Oasis's post.)

I just don't understand why you guys have such an aversion to adding things as a method of changing the values of either side of an equation if the values ramin the same. I'm entirely aware that this isn't mathimatically correct, it's just an interesting way of proving that the rules of math are there for a very specific reason. Jesus, calm down.
No, you thought you were "discovering" something that the rest of the community didn't know, then we proved you wrong, so now you are butthurt and looking for an excuse.

If you put it that way, then it's still going to be a "legal" equation.  However, for Kaptain's statement to be true, then a=/=b. (both points supported by Oasis's post.)
Yes, but don't say that one cannot pull "2b" "out of your ass." He had it on both sides, so it can count.

Yes, but don't say that one cannot pull "2b" "out of your ass." He had it on both sides, so it can count.
Yes, I take that back.

No, you thought you were "discovering" something that the rest of the community didn't know, then we proved you wrong, so now you are butthurt and looking for an excuse.
For once, I agree with you entirely lol


No, you thought you were "discovering" something that the rest of the community didn't know, then we proved you wrong, so now you are butthurt and looking for an excuse.
No bro, not quite. I did think you guys were unaware of this, but my goal wasn't to break math or anything like that.

Yes, but don't say that one cannot pull "2b" "out of your ass." He had it on both sides, so it can count.
Thank you.

With the following assumptions:
0 x 1 = 0
0 x 2 = 0
The following must be true:
0 x 1 = 0 x 2
 
Dividing by zero gives:
0 x 1 =0 x 2
00

Simplified, yields:
1 = 2

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Division_by_zero#Fallacies_based_on_division_by_zero