June 10^th, 2004

On April 12^th I said this:

... I've seen the mathematical proof that 1=0, and nothing is wrong with each step ...

And then I got an email today asking me what it was. So, here it is:

Start with this precondition: Let X = Y

Operation	Equation
Given	X = Y
Multiply X and Y by X	X2 = XY
Subtract Y2 from both sides of the equation	X2 - Y2 = XY - Y2
Factor each side of the equation	(X+Y)(X-Y) = Y(X-Y)
Cancel the common factor (X-Y)	(X+Y) = Y
Substitute Y for X (it is a given that X = Y)	Y+Y = Y
Collect common factors	2Y = Y
Divide each side of the equation by Y	2 = 1
Finally, subtract one from each side	1 = 0

Q.E.D.

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