Lev Okun gave this problem to Andrei Sakharov to pass the time while they were being

[BumbleBeeMouth]

Originally Posted by bardy

uh no that is the solution

there are a few ways to get to it but that is the right answer

I dont think you understand what i was asking. of course its the solution, but i was asking if it was a solution based on a technicality that wouldnt occur in practice.

[BumbleBeeMouth]

Or perhaps you do understand and i havent noticed.

[BumbleBeeMouth]

I just dont know anything anymore...

[Crunchy Black]

i solved it during analytical chemistry

[Crunchy Black]

Originally Posted by BumbleBeeMouth

1. a = b + 1 1. Given
2. (a-b)a = (a-b)(b***) 2. Multiplication Prop. of =
3. a2 - ab = ab + a - b2 - b 3. Distributive Propoerty
4. a2 - ab -a = ab + a -a - b2 - b 4. Subtraction Prop. of =
5. a(a - b - 1) = b(a - b - 1) 5. Distributive Propoerty
6. a = b 6. Division Property of =
7. b + 1 = b 7. Transitive Property of = (Steps 1, 7)
8. Therefore, 1 = 0 8. Subtraction Prop. of =

this would be one of those idiot traps that do their best to divide by zero without your noticing it around step 6.


my problem was a real problem so naturally noone on netphoria who would purport to having ever taken a math course came anywhere near the thread

[yo soy el mejor]

*pats crunchy black on the back*