3 ms·
Here is one proof. I don't know if this can be attributed to Ramanujan. Let a, b be equal integers a = b a^2 = ab // multiply by a a^2 + a^
by niyazpk 16y ago
Here is one proof. I don't know if this can be attributed to Ramanujan.
Let a, b be equal integers
a = b
a^2 = ab // multiply by a
a^2 + a^2 - 2ab = ab + a^2 - 2ab // subtract a^2 - 2ab
2(a^2 - ab) = a^2 - ab
2 = 1
From p319, Fermat's Last Theorem by Simon Singh
- sgk284 16y agoJust for those who don't see the error: 2(a^2 - ab) = a^2 - ab On this line, a^2 - ab is 0 (look at line 2). You wind up dividing both sides by 0, thus resulting in the false proof.
- mitko 16y agodivision by zero ?
- tjarratt 16y agoA contradiction implies all falsehoods are true.
- spicyj 16y agoI'm guessing this isn't the proof that jchonphoenix referenced, because it has a fairly obvious error and most mathematicians would see it quite quickly.