SUBJECT>An Algebra puzzle for your amusement. POSTER>Grand Zero EMAIL>zero@your.service.com DATE>March 24, 1997 at 06:43:21 EMAILNOTICES>no PREVIOUS> NEXT>1405 LINKNAME> LINKURL>

OK all you MARSupials, dig out those 8th grade algebra books.
What is wrong with this solution?

1) A = B

2) A^2 = AB (multiply through by A)

3) A^2 - B^2 = AB - B^2 (subtract B^2 from both sides)

4) (A+B)(A-B) = B(A-B) (factored both sides)
(note: recall your algebra (A+B)(A-B) = A^2 - B^2)

5) A + B = B (cancelled the A-B term out of both sides)

6) If A = 1 and B = 1 (from step 1)

7) 1 + 1 = 1

8) 2 = 1

OK, where did I go wrong???

I'll provide the answer after you've had time to try, if nobody get it.

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Zero
0=o