We all know that 0 can never be equal to 1, and 1 can never be equal to 2. But using some tricky ways we can prove 0=1 and 1=2. And of course, there must be some mistakes in the proofs. Let’s find out below.
Table of Contents
0=1 Proof
First Proof of 0=1: To conclude 1=2, we will use an infinite series. See the below steps. You need to spot the mistakes in the proof.
Step 1: We have
0=0+0+0+…
Step 2: Write each zero on the right-hand side as 0=1-1. So we get that
0=(1-1)+(1-1)+(1-1)+…
Step 3: Rearrange the parentheses in the following way:
0=1+(-1+1)+(-1+1)+(-1+1)+…
Step 4: Put -1+1=0
0=1+0+0+0+…
So finally we get that
0=1
[Second Proof of 0=1]
Step 1: We have
0=0
Step 2: Rewriting it we obtain that
12-12=16-16
⇒ 3.4-3.4 = 4.4-4.4
Step 3: Taking commons we have
3(4-4)=4(4-4)
Step 4: Cancelling 4-4 from both sides, we get that
Thus, we have
0=1
[Third Proof of 0=1]
Step 1: We have
-20=-20
Step 2: Rewriting -20 of both sides we have
16-36=25-45
⇒ 42-4.9 = 52-5.9
Step 3: Adding 81/4 to both sides, we obtain
Step 4: Taking square roots on both sides, we have
Step 5: Cancelling 9/2 from both sides, we have
It follows that
0=1
1=2 Proof
First Proof of 1=2: In the first method, we will use algebra. We will follow the following steps to conclude 1=2. But this is not true. So there must be a mistake in the proof. You have to find them.
Step 1: Let a=b
Step 2: Multiplying both sides by a, we get
a2=ab
Step 3: Subtract b2 from both sides.
a2-b2=ab-b2
Step 4: Factorise both sides. Doing that we get
(a-b)(a+b)=b(a-b)
Step 5: Cancelling a-b from both sides, we have
a+b=b
Step 6: Put b in the place of a as we have a=b.
b+b=b
⇒ 2b=b
⇒ 2=1
Second Proof of 1=2: To prove 1=2, we will now use the theory of calculus. First, observe the following patterns:
22=2+2 (2 times)
32=3+3+3 (3 times)
42=4+4+4+4 (4 times)
Differentiating both sides with respect to x, we get
This article is written by Dr. T, an expert in Mathematics (PhD). On Mathstoon.com you will find Maths from very basic level to advanced level. Thanks for visiting.