Math Is Fun Forum

Jai Ganesh

Administrator

Registered: 2005-06-28

Posts: 46,327

Proof :- e equal to one

Proof :- e equal to one
Theorem: e=1
Proof:
2*e = f
2^(2*pi*i) x e^(2*pi*i) = f^(2*pi*i)
We know e^(2*pi*i) = 1

Therefore:
2^(2*pi*i) = f^(2*pi*i)
2=f
Thus:
e=1

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It appears to me that if one wants to make progress in mathematics, one should study the masters and not the pupils. - Niels Henrik Abel.

Nothing is better than reading and gaining more and more knowledge - Stephen William Hawking.

Jai Ganesh

Administrator

Registered: 2005-06-28

Posts: 46,327

Re: Proof :- e equal to one

You are right, this was a proof I found in a Mathematics Jokes page.
It is obviously faulty, and you have said where the error lies. I too had figured it out, but left it open for discussion.

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It appears to me that if one wants to make progress in mathematics, one should study the masters and not the pupils. - Niels Henrik Abel.

Nothing is better than reading and gaining more and more knowledge - Stephen William Hawking.

simron

Real Member

Registered: 2006-10-07

Posts: 237

Re: Proof :- e equal to one

a=b
a^2=ab
(a^2)-(b^2)=ab-(b^2)
(a+b)(a-b)=b(a-b)
a+b=b
b+b=b (substitution from equation 1)
1+1=1
2=1!!!

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Linux FTW

JaneFairfax

Member

Registered: 2007-02-23

Posts: 6,868

Re: Proof :- e equal to one

Ew! Division-by-zero fallacy “proofs” are so stale!

Last edited by JaneFairfax (2008-04-04 23:12:58)

John E. Franklin

Member

Registered: 2005-08-29

Posts: 3,588

Re: Proof :- e equal to one

Nice point Jane&Simron.
Should certain algebraic steps bring along
domain baggage when utilizing them?
So dividing by (a-b) means that
if a - b is zero then the results following
that step are bogus?

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