Yes, there is such a thing – I saw someone using this as their signature on a message board, and I found it entertaining. The first time I read it, I was baffled that someone had done something like this – then I saw the error. Can you see it?
a+b=c
4a-3a+4b-3b=4c-3c
4a+4b-4c=3a+3b-3c
4(a+b-c)=3(a+b-c)
4=3
For those who are curious, here’s the answer – highlight it with your mouse to read.
The major problem is that since a+b=c, a+b-c=0. The second-to-last line basically says 4*0=3*0 – and you can’t cancel out zeroes with division in the same way that they cancelled out a+b-c. The problem really says 0=0, which is true.
Yes, I am a Computer Science geek, but I’m also a Math geek (it’s my minor).
There are a few of them. I like:
x = 1
x^2 = x
x^2 – 1 = x – 1
(x+1)(x-1) = x-1
x+1 = 1
x = 0
=> 1=0
It’s December 11!