Math Is Fun Forum

Zach

Member

Registered: 2005-03-23

Posts: 2,075

0 = 1

You know, I needed to post.

It's an addiction.

0! = 1.

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mathsyperson

Moderator

Registered: 2005-06-22

Posts: 4,900

Re: 0 = 1

0! was defined during the following conference between the world's finest mathematicans:

Seriously though, the best argument for this is that 3! = 3 x 2!, 2! = 2 x 1!, so 1! = 1 x 0!, meaning 1=1 x 0!, meaning 0! = 1.

Last edited by mathsyperson (2005-11-22 04:08:26)

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Why did the vector cross the road?
It wanted to be normal.

MathsIsFun

Administrator

Registered: 2005-01-21

Posts: 7,713

Re: 0 = 1

3! = 3 x 2!, 2! = 2 x 1!, so 1! = 1 x 0!, so 0! = 0 x (-1)! ????

Negative factorials are undefined, but then some of the greatest advances in math have occurred when people have thought, "yes, but what if it was possible?" ... for example imaginary numbers, and fractals (fractional dimensions).

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"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..."  - Leon M. Lederman

mathsyperson

Moderator

Registered: 2005-06-22

Posts: 4,900

Re: 0 = 1

If 0! = 0 x (-1)!, then (-1)! would be 0! / 0, which is indeed undefined. The pattern still works!

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Why did the vector cross the road?
It wanted to be normal.

wcy

Member

Registered: 2005-08-04

Posts: 117

Re: 0 = 1

it is essential that 0!=1 in combinatorics, otherwise a lot of things won't work

martian

Member

Registered: 2005-11-21

Posts: 14

Re: 0 = 1

0 = 1

and I can prove it and thus destroy mathematics for eternity ..... mauh hah ha ha ha ha

watch little kiddies as your perfect maths fails horribly

1 = -1 x -1              (I think we get that)
√1  = √(-1 x -1)      (square root both sides)
      = √(-1) x √(-1)  (square root distribution rule)
      = i x i                ("  http://www.google.com.au/search?q=square+root+of+-1  ")
      = -1                  ("  http://www.google.com.au/search?q=i+multiplied+by+i  ")
  1  = -1                  (√1 = 1)
1+1= -1 + 1
   2 = 0
2/2 = 0/2
   1 = 0

and there you have it!!! MATH IS DESTROYED MAUH HA HA HA H AH

mathsyperson

Moderator

Registered: 2005-06-22

Posts: 4,900

Re: 0 = 1

Very good. I think the flaw is something to do with square roots needing a ± stuck to them, but still, it's a nice 'proof'.

Last edited by mathsyperson (2005-11-22 04:10:46)

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Why did the vector cross the road?
It wanted to be normal.

martian

Member

Registered: 2005-11-21

Posts: 14

Re: 0 = 1

Yes, I am indeed. lol

Well done. heheh

I did know that my (deliberate) error is the (square root distribution rule) line.

Roraborealis

Member

Registered: 2005-03-17

Posts: 1,594

Re: 0 = 1

Oh, wow! That is so cool.

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