One of the oldest math trick

Faraz.Ahmed

Councller (250+ posts)
Just for a change I am posting this math trick. This is just based on simple elementary algebra. Basically this starts with the equation x = x and after applying simple algebraic formula, drive the result x = 2x. Any idea how it is possible?

x = x

x = x

- Subtract x from both sides.

x - x = x - x

- Take x common from left hand side of equation

x ( x - x ) = x - x

- Apply ( a - b ) = ( a - b ) ( a + b ) on right hand side of equation.

x ( x - x ) = ( x - x ) ( x + x)

- Divide both side by ( x - x )

x = ( x + x )

x = 2x

- How?
 
Last edited:

Bunna

Minister (2k+ posts)
You are right.
strictly speaking, divide by zero is undefined (not infinity)

strictly?? really? may be I am not good in math. But check it, 0/0 is undefined. 1/0=>infinit. 1/infinity=0.

88702432634bb5b51f38fea378b039bc.png
, but
aa00c4c0f44c5cb7cad68df40e8f8877.png
is undefined, as is
3f3e50d14169ab171f9389cc3541d30a.png
. Check it.
 
Last edited:

younis123

Citizen
Theformula is (a[SUP]2[/SUP]-b[SUP]2[/SUP]) and not (a[SUP]2[/SUP]-a[SUP]2[/SUP]). You can not apply the formula for same entity as it

equals to zero.
 

Faraz.Ahmed

Councller (250+ posts)
Theformula is (a[SUP]2[/SUP]-b[SUP]2[/SUP]) and not (a[SUP]2[/SUP]-a[SUP]2[/SUP]). You can not apply the formula for same entity as it

equals to zero.

The problem is not the formula. you can have (a[SUP]2[/SUP]-a[SUP]2[/SUP])

x ( x - x ) = ( x - x ) ( x + x) ---> is valid equation.

the problem is next step. you cannot divide by zero.
 

mohammadi

Minister (2k+ posts)
The problem is not the formula. you can have (a[SUP]2[/SUP]-a[SUP]2[/SUP])

x ( x - x ) = ( x - x ) ( x + x) ---> is valid equation.

the problem is next step. you cannot divide by zero.
i never read this formula throughout my studies. can someone explain how come (a[SUP]2[/SUP]-b[SUP]2[/SUP]) and (a[SUP]2[/SUP]-a[SUP]2[/SUP]) can both give the same ans. ?
 

younis123

Citizen
The problem is not the formula. you can have (a[SUP]2[/SUP]-a[SUP]2[/SUP])

x ( x - x ) = ( x - x ) ( x + x) ---> is valid equation.

the problem is next step. you cannot divide by zero.

Brother,you can’t have (a[SUP]2[/SUP]-a[SUP]2[/SUP]), why?

Youget (a[SUP]2[/SUP]-b[SUP]2[/SUP]) when you multiply (a+b) (a-b) = a[SUP]2[/SUP]-ab+ab+b[SUP]2[/SUP](ab-ab=0) so are left with (a[SUP]2[/SUP]-b[SUP]2[/SUP]).

Applythe same logic on other side i.e (a[SUP]2[/SUP]-a[SUP]2[/SUP]) = (a+a)(a-a) = a[SUP]2[/SUP]-a[SUP]2[/SUP]+a[SUP]2[/SUP]-a[SUP]2[/SUP]
Netresult here is “Zero”.

Conclusion: We can’t have (a[SUP]2[/SUP]-a[SUP]2[/SUP]).
 

Irfan Chohan

Politcal Worker (100+ posts)
Both logics are valid.

(a[SUP]2[/SUP]-b[SUP]2[/SUP]) is not same as (a[SUP]2[/SUP]-a[SUP]2[/SUP]). Also (a[SUP]2[/SUP]-a[SUP]2[/SUP]) is not valid bcoz the sum in the parenthesis is Zero.

Anything divided by Zero is
infinity.
 

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