How do you prove 2 equals 1?

Answer 1

It can if you divide by zero.

1. Let a and b be equal non-zero quantities

a = b

2. Multiply both sides by a

a^2 = ab

3. Subtract b^2

a^2 - b^2 = ab - b^2

4. Factor both sides

(a - b)(a + b) = b(a - b)

5. Divide out (a - b)

a + b = b

6. Since a = b ...

b + b = b

7. Combine like terms on the left

2b = b

8. Divide by the non-zero b

2 = 1