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Sunday, 8 June 2014

A Mathematical Paradox


Look carefully at the argument below.
Let
a
=
b
Multiply both sides by a:
a2
=
ab
Add a2 - 2ab:
a2 + a2 - 2ab
=
ab + a2 - 2ab
Simplify:
2(a2 - ab)
=
a2 - ab
Divide by a2 - ab:
2
=
1

Oops!

What went wrong? It's the line which tells you to divide by a2 - ab
                                                   Since
                                                    a = b
 you have divided by zero, and this leads to the final incorrect statement.


You cannot divide by zero. In Mathematics, you need to watch out for this. It can lead to odd results!


- Renu Ma'am

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