# Absurdity?

zamba
Posers and Puzzles 17 Jun '03 00:33
1. 17 Jun '03 00:33
Given:
a = b

Multiply with a on both sides:
a^2 = ab
a^2 + (a^2 - 2ab) = ab + (a^2 - 2ab)
2a^2 - 2ab = a^2 - ab
2(a^2 - ab) = 1(a^2 - ab)
2 = 1

How is this possible? Anything wrong somewhere?
2. royalchicken
CHAOS GHOST!!!
17 Jun '03 00:38
Since a=b, a^2=ab, so a^2-ab=0. Thus in the final step you divided by 0.
3. 17 Jun '03 00:42
I'm impressed of your quick problem-solving. ðŸ™‚

I really like that problem. Still, I was hoping that at least _one_ person would answer wrong... *sob*

ðŸ˜›
4. royalchicken
CHAOS GHOST!!!
17 Jun '03 00:441 edit
Thanks. No problem then. WHen you post a problem, I'll give it at least half an hour before I post ðŸ˜›.
5. 17 Jun '03 00:54
Hehehe. Don't worry about it. From now on, I'm only posting new problems when you are asleep. ðŸ™‚

However, if you've got a problem, please feel free to make a new thread ... ðŸ˜›

*sits down, waiting for a new problem to pop up*
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