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Welcome to the foolmath repository!

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What is foolmath?

If you are a math enthusiast or aficionado, have you ever encountered mathematical foolish proofs like $1=2$ or $2+5=8$ or even evaluating $\infty$? Those seem so strange, queer, quirky and absurd. Many of them are foolish, while some of them are backed by impeccable logic. I intend this repository to be a treasure trove or collection of mind-bending demonstrations that challenge your concepts about numbers, algebra, trigonometry, logarithm, calculus and more. They will leave you scratching your head dissecting each equation to find errors, incorrectness or oversights in each proof. I also include some valid proofs and strange mathematical properties, which are considered interesting and worth reading. That's what foolmath is all about!

Notes:

  1. Almost all mathematical proofs here are foolish, unless explicitly noted as valid.
  2. Plain-text LaTeX .tex code is in src/.
  3. Best to view foolmath on GitHub.com using Firefox web browser on any devices, GitHub app on mobile devices or GitHub.io doesn't render LaTeX or MathJax. GitHub.com itself is also updated every now and then. Sometimes it appears to have rendered incorrectly on other web browsers.
  4. There are many pages in the repository. Other than README.md in the root directory of the repository, GitHub will show the left pane displaying the source tree when viewing the other files. For the best viewing experience, you can simply close such left pane, in order to see the contents in full screen.

Proofs speak louder than words. Let's start!

Table of Contents

Ramanujan summation

We firstly start from the well-known Ramanujan Summation, which is known to most mathematicians.

$\qquad1+2+3+4+5+6+...\quad=\quad?$

$$\begin{alignat*}{5} &\,&S\quad&=\quad&&1+2+3+4+5+6+...\\\ &\small\text{Let}&S_1\quad&=&&1-1+1-1+...\\\ &\,&1-S_1\quad&=&&1-(1+1-1+1-...)\\\ &\,&\,&=&&1-1+1-1+...\\\ &\,&\,&=&& S_1\\\ &\,&2S_1\quad&=&&1\\\ &\,&S_1\quad&=&&\frac{1}{2}\\\ &\small\text{Let}&S_2\quad&=&&1-2+3-4+5-6+...\\\ &\,&2S_2\quad&=&&1-2+3-4+5-6+...\\\ &\,&\,&\,&&\quad+1-1+3-4+5-6\\\ &\,&\,&=&&1-1+1-1+...\\\ &\,&2S_2\quad&=&& S_1\\\ &\,&S_2\quad&=&&\frac{S_1}{2}\\\ &\,&S_2\quad&=&&\frac{1}{4}\\\ &\,&S-S_2\quad&=&&1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+...\\\ &\,&\,&\,&&\,\,\,-(1-2+3-4+5-6+7-...)\\\ &\,&\,&=&&4+8+12+16+...\\\ &\,&\,&=&&4(1+2+3+4+...)\\\ &\,&S-S_2\quad&=&&4S\\\ &\,&3S\quad&=&&-S_2\\\ &\,&S\quad&=&&-\frac{S_2}{3}\\\ &\,&\,&=&&-\frac{1}{3*4}\\\ &\small\text{Thus}&S\quad&=&&-\frac{1}{12} \end{alignat*}$$

source code: rama_sum.tex | Go to top | TOC

There are still a few Ramanujan alternatives.

Ramanujan alternative 1

$$\begin{alignat*}{5} &\,&S\quad&=\quad&&1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10+...\\\ &\,&\,&=&&1+(2+3+4)+(5+6+7)+(8+9+10)+...\\\ &\,&\,&=&&1+(9+18+27+...)\\\ &\,&\,&=&&1+9(1+2+3+...)\\\ &\,&S\quad&=&&1+9S\\\ &\,&8S\quad&=&&-1\\\ &\small\text{Thus}&\qquad S\quad&=&&-\frac{1}{8} \end{alignat*}$$

source code: rama_alt_1.tex | Go to top | TOC

Hold on! There is still another alternative.

Ramanujan alternative 2

$$\begin{alignat*}{5} &\,&S\quad&=\quad&&1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+...\\\ &\,&\,&=&&(2+4+6+8+10+12+14+...)+\\\ &\,&\,&\,&&(1+3+5+7+9+11+13+...)\\\ &\,&\,&=&&2(1+2+3+4+5+6+7+...)+\\\ &\,&\,&\,&&~\,(1+(3+5)+(7+9)+(11+13)+...)\\\ &\,&\,&=&&2S+(1+8+16+24+32+...)\\\ &\,&\,&=&&2S+(1+8(1+2+3+4+...))\\\ &\,&\,&=&&2S+(1+8S)\\\ &\,&S\quad&=&&10S+1\\\ &\small\text{Thus}\normalsize\qquad&S\quad&=&&-\frac{1}{9} \end{alignat*}$$

source code: rama_alt_2.tex | Go to top | TOC

Oops, was Ramanujan wrong?

What if summing the power of two?

$$\begin{alignat*}{5} &\small\text{Let}&S\quad&=\quad&&\sum_{n=0}^\infty 2^n\\\ &\,&\,&=&&1+2+4+8+16+32+...\\\ &\,&\,&=&&1+2(1+2+4+8+16+...)\\\ &\,&S\quad&=&&1+2S\\\ &\small\text{Thus}\normalsize\qquad&S\quad&=&&-1 \end{alignat*}$$

source code: sum_power_of_2.tex | Go to top | TOC

Negative! once again.

What if summing all natural odd numbers?

$$\begin{alignat*}{5} &\,&S\quad&=\quad&&1+3+5+7+9+...\\\ &\,&-\frac{1}{12}\quad&=&&1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10+...\\\ &\,&\,&=&&(1+3+5+7+9+...)+(2+4+6+8+10+...)\\\ &\,&\,&=&&(1+3+5+7+9+...)+2(1+2+3+4+5+...)\\\ &\,&\,&=&&(1+3+5+7+9+...)+2\left(-\frac{1}{12}\right)\\\ &\,&-\frac{1}{12}\quad&=&&(1+3+5+7+9+...)-\frac{2}{12}\\\ &\,&\frac{2}{12}-\frac{1}{12}\quad&=&&1+3+5+7+9+...\\\ &\small\text{Thus}&\frac{1}{12}\quad&=&&1+3+5+7+9+... \end{alignat*}$$

source code: sum_of_odd.tex | Go to top | TOC

Wow! this time the summation is positive.

Trying summing all natural even numbers

Solution 1

$$\begin{alignat*}{5} &\,&S\quad&=\quad&&2+4+6+8+10+...\\\ &\,&-\frac{1}{12}\quad&=&&1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10+...\\\ &\,&\,&=&&(1+3+5+7+9+...)+(2+4+6+8+10+...)\\\ &\,&\,&=&&\frac{1}{12}+(2+4+6+8+10+...)\\\ &\,&-\frac{1}{12}\quad&=&&\frac{1}{12}+S\\\ &\small\text{Thus}\normalsize\qquad&S\quad&=&&-\frac{1}{6} \end{alignat*}$$

source code: sum_of_even_0.tex | Go to top | TOC

Why is it negative again, who know? Probably something wrong.
Try the next proof, which is simpler.

Solution 2

$$\begin{alignat*}{5} &\,&S\quad&=\quad&&2+4+6+8+10+...\\\ &\,&\,&=&&2(1+2+3+4+5+...)\\\ &\,&\,&=&&2\left(-\frac{1}{12}\right)\\\ &\small\text{Thus}\normalsize\qquad&S\quad&=&&-\frac{1}{6} \end{alignat*}$$

source code: sum_of_even_1.tex | Go to top | TOC

Same result, do you start to believe?

Why is $0=1$?

Here come the most foolish proof!

Proof 1

$$\begin{alignat*}{5} &\,&0\quad&=\quad&&0+0+0+0+...\\\ &\,&\,&=&&(1-1)+(1-1)+(1-1)+(1-1)+...\\\ &\,&\,&=&&1+(-1+1)+(-1+1)+(-1+1)+...\\\ &\,&\,&=&&1+0+0+0+0+...\\\ &\small\text{Thus}\normalsize\qquad&0\quad&=&&1 \end{alignat*}$$

source code: 0eq1_0.tex | Go to top | TOC

What about the second most foolish proof?

Proof 2

$$\begin{alignat*}{5} &\small\text{Let}\normalsize\qquad&S\quad&=\quad&&1+1+1+1++1...\\\ &\,&\,&=&&1+(1+1+1+1+...)\\\ &\,&\cancel{S}\quad&=&&1+\cancel{S}\\\ &\small\text{Thus}\normalsize\qquad&0\quad&=&&1 \end{alignat*}$$

source code: 0eq1_1.tex | Go to top | TOC

Is there any proof looking more advanced than these?

Proof 3

$$\begin{alignat*}{5} &\,&\int u\,dv\quad&=\quad&&uv-\int v\,du\\\ &\,&\int\frac{1}{x}\,dx\quad&=&&\cancel{x}\frac{1}{\cancel{x}}-\int x\,d\left(\frac{1}{x}\right)\\\ &\,&\,&=&&1-\int x\,d(x^{-1})\\\ &\,&\,&=&&1-\int x\,(-1x^{-2})\,dx\\\ &\,&\,&=&&1+\int x.x^{-2}\,dx\\\ &\,&\cancel{\int\frac{1}{x}\,dx}\quad&=&&1+\cancel{\int\frac{1}{x}\,dx}\\\ &\small\text{Thus}\normalsize\qquad&0\quad&=&&1 \end{alignat*}$$

source code: 0eq1_2.tex | Go to top | TOC

Can you find an error? Hmm, binary no longer exists.

Why is $1=2$?

Here, the proof I learnt in junior high school.

Proof 1

$$\begin{alignat*}{5} &\,&\small\text{Let}\normalsize\qquad a\quad&=\quad&&b\\\ &\times b\small\text{ both sides}\quad&a*b\quad&=&&b*b\\\ &\,&a*b\quad&=&&b^2\\\ &-a^2\small\text{ both sides}\quad&a*b-a^2\quad&=&&b*b-a^2\\\ &\,&a(b-a)\quad&=&&b^2-a^2\\\ &\,&a\cancel{(b-a)}\quad&=&&\cancel{(b-a)}(b+a)\\\ &\small\text{since }b=a&a\quad&=&&a+a\\\ &\,&\cancel{a}\quad&=&&2\cancel{a}\\\ &\,&\small\text{Thus}\normalsize\qquad1\quad&=&&2 \end{alignat*}$$

source code: 1eq2_0.tex | Go to top | TOC

Nah, there is another proof in high school using trigonometry.

Proof 2

$$\begin{alignat*}{5} &\small\text{where }x=\frac{\pi}{4}~or~\frac{5\pi}{4}&\cos{x}\quad&=\quad&&\sin{x}\\\ &\,&\cos{2x}\quad&=&&\sin{2x}\\\ &\,&1-2\sin^2{x}\quad&=&&2\sin{x}\cos{x}\\\ &\small\text{as }\sin{x}=\cos{x}&\,&=&&2\cos{x}\cos{x}\\\ &\,&1-2\sin^2{x}\quad&=&&2\cos^2{x}\\\ &\,&1\quad&=&&2\sin^2{x}+2\cos^2{x}\\\ &\,&\,&=&&2\cancelto{1}{(\sin^2{x+\cos^2{x}})}\\\ &\,&\small\text{Thus}\normalsize\qquad1\quad&=&&2 \end{alignat*}$$

source code: 1eq2_1.tex | Go to top | TOC

Yet, there is another proof using calculus.

Proof 3

$$\begin{alignat*}{5} &\,&\underbrace{x+x+x+...+x}_{x\text{ terms}}\quad&=\quad&&x*x\\\ &\,&\,&=&&x^2\\ \\\ &\small\text{diff both sides }&\underbrace{1+1+1+...+1}_{x\text{ terms}}\quad&=&&2x\\\ &\,&\cancel{x}\quad&=&&2\cancel{x}\\ \\\ &\,&\small\text{Thus}\normalsize\qquad1\quad&=&&2 \end{alignat*}$$

source code: 1eq2_2.tex | Go to top | TOC

Do you find any clues?

Let's see a little higher numbers, $4=5$.

$$\begin{alignat*}{5} &\,&-20\quad&=\quad&&-20\\\ &\,&16-36\quad&=&&25-45\\\ &\,&4^2-4*9\quad&=&&5^2-5*9\\\ &\small+\frac{81}{4}\text{both sides }&4^2-4*9+\frac{81}{4}\quad&=&&5^2-5*9+\frac{81}{4}\\\ &\,&4^2-2*4*\frac{9}{2}+\left(\frac{9}{2}\right)^2\quad&=&&5^2-2*5*\frac{9}{2}+ \left(\frac{9}{2}\right)^2\\\ &\,&\left(4-\frac{9}{2}\right)^2\quad&=&&\left(5-\frac{9}{2}\right)^2\\\ &\small\sqrt{}~\text{both sides }&4-\cancel{\frac{9}{2}}\quad&=&&5-\cancel{\frac{9}{2}}\\\ &\,&\small\text{Thus}\normalsize\qquad4\quad&=&&5 \end{alignat*}$$

source code: 4eq5_0.tex | Go to top | TOC

Hey, what? How come, $4=5$?

Wait, there are something more.

Are all intergers equal?

$$\begin{alignat*}{5} &\,&\frac{-1}{1}\quad&=\quad&&\frac{1}{-1}&(1)\\\ &\,&\sqrt{\frac{-1}{1}}\quad&=&&\sqrt{\frac{1}{-1}}&(2)\\\ &\,&\frac{\sqrt{-1}}{\sqrt{1}}\quad&=&&\frac{\sqrt{1}}{\sqrt{-1}}&(3)\\\ &\,&\frac{i}{1}\quad&=&&\frac{1}{i}&(4)\\\ &\small\times\frac{1}{2}&\frac{i}{2}\quad&=&&\frac{1}{2i}&(5)\\\ &\small+\frac{3}{2i}&\frac{i}{2}+\frac{3}{2i}\quad&=&&\frac{1}{2i}+\frac{3}{2i}&(6)\\\ &\times i&i\left(\frac{i}{2}+\frac{3}{2i}\right)\quad&=&&i\left(\frac{1}{2i}+\frac{3}{2i}\right)\qquad&(7)\\\ &\,&\frac{i^2}{2}+\frac{3\cancel{i}}{2\cancel{i}}\quad&=&&\frac{\cancel{i}}{2\cancel{i}}+\frac{3\cancel{i}}{2\cancel{i}}&(8)\\\ &\,&-\frac{1}{2}+\frac{3}{2}\quad&=&&\frac{1}{2}+\frac{3}{2}&(9)\\\ &\,&\frac{-1+3}{2}\quad&=&&\frac{1+3}{2}&(10)\\\ &\,&\frac{\cancel{2}}{\cancel{2}}\quad&=&&\cancelto{2}{\frac{4}{2}}&(11)\\\ &\,&1\quad&=&&2&(12)\\\ &\small\text{from (9)}&-\frac{1}{2}+\cancel{\frac{3}{2}}\quad&=&&\frac{1}{2}+\cancel{\frac{3}{2}}&(13)\\\ % line (14): Can't add `\cancel` inside `\frac`, MathJax bug? &\,&-\frac{1}{2}\quad&=&&\frac{1}{2}&(14)\\\ &\,&-1\quad&=&&1&(15)\\\ &\small+1&-1+1\quad&=&&1+1&(16)\\\ &\,&0\quad&=&&2&(17)\\\ &\small\text{from (12), (15), (17)}&-1~=~0\quad&=&&1~=~2&(18) \end{alignat*}$$

source code: all_int_eq.tex | Go to top | TOC

It is very articulate, indeed.

There is one more simple equation. Have a look.

Was I wrongly taught? Why is $2+5=8$?

$$\begin{alignat*}{5} &\,&2+5\quad&=\quad&&4+3\\\ &\,&\,&=&&4-\frac{9}{2}+\frac{9}{2}+3\\\ &\,&\,&=&&\sqrt{\left(4-\frac{9}{2}\right)^2}+\frac{9}{2}+3\\\ &\,&\,&=&&\sqrt{16-2.4.\frac{9}{2}+\left(\frac{9}{2}\right)^2}+\frac{9}{2}+3\\\ &\,&\,&=&&\sqrt{16-36+\left(\frac{9}{2}\right)^2}+\frac{9}{2}+3\\\ &\,&\,&=&&\sqrt{-20+\left(\frac{9}{2}\right)^2}+\frac{9}{2}+3\\\ &\,&\,&=&&\sqrt{25-45+\left(\frac{9}{2}\right)^2}+\frac{9}{2}+3\\\ &\,&\,&=&&\sqrt{25-2.5.\frac{9}{2}+\left(\frac{9}{2}\right)^2}+\frac{9}{2}+3\\\ &\,&\,&=&&\sqrt{5^2-2.5.\frac{9}{2}+\left(\frac{9}{2}\right)^2}+\frac{9}{2}+3\\\ &\,&\,&=&&\sqrt{\left(5-\frac{9}{2}\right)^2}+\frac{9}{2}+3\\\ &\,&\,&=&&5-\cancel{\frac{9}{2}}+\cancel{\frac{9}{2}}+3\\\ &\small\text{Thus}\normalsize\qquad&2+5\quad&=&&8 \end{alignat*}$$

source code: 2plus5eq8_0.tex | Go to top | TOC

There is one more, it is tricky.

Just another freak, $9=17$.

$$\begin{alignat*}{5} &\small\text{Let}&x\quad&=\quad&&9\\\ &\,&x^2-26x+169\quad&=&&9^2-26(9)+169\\\ &\,&\,&=&&16\\\ &\,&x^2-2(13)x+13^2\quad&=&&16\\\ &\,&(x-13)^2\quad&=&&16\\\ &\,&x-13\quad&=&&4\\\ &\,&x\quad&=&&17\\\ &\small\text{Thus}&9\quad&=&&17 \end{alignat*}$$

source code: 9eq17_0.tex | Go to top | TOC

Square of negative numbers really does the trick.

Who said $0$ couldn't be a denominator? See the following foolish proofs.

Very silly solutions to find $\frac{0}{0}$.

Let's see the first fool.

$$\begin{alignat*}{5} &\,&\small\text{Let}\normalsize\qquad\frac{2}{0}\quad&=\quad&&\frac{x}{1}\\\ &\times\small\text{0 both sides}&\frac{2*0}{0}\quad&=&&\frac{x*0}{1}\\\ &\,\small &divide\text{ 2 both sides}&\frac{\cancel{2}*0}{0*\cancel{2}}\quad&=&&\cancelto{0}{\frac{x*0}{1*2}}\\\ &\,&\small\text{Thus}\normalsize\qquad\frac{0}{0}\quad&=&&0 \end{alignat*}$$

source code: 0by0_0.tex | Go to top | TOC

Here, the second fool, which is very silly.

$$\begin{alignat*}{5} &\,&\frac{0}{0}\quad&=\quad&&\frac{100-100}{100-100}\\\ &\,&\,&=&&\frac{10*10-10*10}{10*10-10*10}\\\ &\,&\,&=&&\frac{10^2-10^2}{10(10-10)}\\\ &\,&\,&=&&\frac{(10+10)\cancel{(10-10)}}{10\cancel{(10-10)}}\\\ &\,&\,&=&&\frac{20}{10}\\\ &\small\text{Thus}\normalsize\qquad&\frac{0}{0}\quad&=&&2 \end{alignat*}$$

source code: 0by0_1.tex | Go to top | TOC

Bruh, how can you divide $(10-10)$ with $(10-10)$?

Who said $i$ is imaginary, why is $i=1$, then?

$$\begin{alignat*}{5} &\,&i\quad&=\quad&&\sqrt{-1}\\\ &\,&i^2\quad&=&&\sqrt{-1}.\sqrt{-1}\\\ &\,&\,&=&&\sqrt{(-1)(-1)}\\\ &\,&\,&=&&\sqrt{1}\\\ &\,&i^2\quad&=&&1\\\ &\small\text{Thus}\normalsize\qquad&i\quad&=&&1 \end{alignat*}$$

source code: ieq1_0.tex | Go to top | TOC

Let's talk more about $i$.

This is the valid proof of $\frac{1}{i}$.

$$\begin{alignat*}{5} &\,&-1\quad&=\quad&&i^2\\\ &\small &divide(-i)\text{ both sides}&\frac{-1}{-i}\quad&=&&\frac{i^2}{-i}\\\ &\,&\small\text{Thus}\normalsize\qquad\frac{1}{i}\quad&=&&-i\qquad\small\text{(valid proof)} \end{alignat*}$$

source code: inv_i_valid.tex | Go to top | TOC

Nah, there is another $\frac{1}{i}$, but it is foolish.

This is the foolish proof of $\frac{1}{i}$.

$$\begin{alignat*}{5} &\,&\frac{1}{i}\quad&=\quad&&i^{-1}\\\ &\,&\,&=&&\sqrt{-1}^{-1}\\\ &\,&\,&=&&\left((-1)^\frac{1}{2}\right)^{-1}\\\ &\,&\,&=&&\left((-1)^{-1}\right)^\frac{1}{2}\\\ &\,&\,&=&&\left(\frac{1}{-1}\right)^\frac{1}{2}\\\ &\,&\,&=&&-1^\frac{1}{2}\\\ &\,&\,&=&&\sqrt{-1}\\\ &\small\text{Thus}\normalsize\qquad&\frac{1}{i}\quad&=&& i\qquad\small\text{(foolish proof)} \end{alignat*}$$

source code: inv_i_fool.tex | Go to top | TOC

Which one will you believe?

This is the foolish proof of $-i$.

$$\begin{alignat*}{5} &\,&i\quad&=\quad&&\sqrt{-1}\\\ &\,&-i\quad&=&&-\sqrt{-1}\\\ &\,&\,&=&&(-1)(-1)^\frac{1}{2}\\\ &\,&\,&=&&(-1)^{1+\frac{1}{2}}\\\ &\,&\,&=&&(-1)^\frac{3}{2}\\\ &\,&\,&=&&\sqrt{-1^3}\\\ &\,&\,&=&&\sqrt{-1}\\\ &\small\text{Thus}\normalsize\qquad&-i\quad&=&&i&\small\text{(foolish proof)} \end{alignat*}$$

source code: i_eq-i.tex | Go to top | TOC

It is exactly imaginary.

$i=\pm1$, isn't it?

$$\begin{alignat*}{5} &\,&i^2\quad&=\quad&&-1\\\ &\,&i*i\quad&=&&-1\\\ &\,&i\quad&=&&\frac{-1}{i}\\\ &\rlap{i=\frac{-1}{i}=\frac{-1}{\frac{-1}{i}}=\frac{-1}{\frac{-1}{\frac{-1}{i}}}=...}\\\ &\,&i\quad&=&&(-1)^\infty\\\ &\,&\small\text{Thus}\normalsize\qquad i\quad&=&&\pm1 \end{alignat*}$$

source code: i_eq_pm1.tex | Go to top | TOC

Hold on! $i$ is probably something else.

$i=0$, probably

$$\begin{alignat*}{5} &\,&0\quad&=\quad&&i-i\\\ &\,&\,&=&&i-\sqrt{-1}\\\ &\,&\,&=&&i-\sqrt{(-1)(1)}\\\ &\,&\,&=&&i-\sqrt{(-1)(-1)^2}\\\ &\,&\,&=&&i-\sqrt{-1}\sqrt{(-1)^2}\\\ &\,&\,&=&&i-(i)(-1)\\\ &\,&\,&=&&i+i\\\ &\,&0\quad&=&&2i\\\ &\small\text{Thus}\normalsize\qquad&i\quad&=&&0\\\ \end{alignat*}$$

source code: i0.tex | Go to top | TOC

Whatever it is, it is not imaginary anyway.

How much is $\infty$?

Solution 1

$$\begin{alignat*}{5} &\,&-\frac{1}{12}\quad&=\quad&&1+2+3+...+\infty\\\ &\,&\,&=&&\frac{\infty(\infty+1)}{2}\\\ &\,&-1\quad&=&&6\infty(\infty+1)\\\ &\,&0\quad&=&&6\infty^2+6\infty+1\\\ &\,&\infty\quad&=&&\frac{-6\pm\sqrt{6^2-4(6)(1)}}{2(6)}\\\ &\,&\,&=&&\frac{-6\pm\sqrt{36-24}}{12}\\\ &\,&\,&=&&\frac{-6\pm\sqrt{12}}{12}\\\ &\,&\,&=&&\frac{-6\pm\sqrt{2^2*3}}{12}\\\ &\,&\,&=&&\frac{-6\pm2\sqrt{3}}{12}\\\ &\small\text{Thus}&\infty\quad&=&&\frac{-3\pm\sqrt{3}}{6} \end{alignat*}$$

source code: infty_0.tex | Go to top | TOC

Hold on, $\infty$ is probably something else.

Solution 2

$$\begin{alignat*}{5} &\,&x\quad&=\quad&&\bar{9}&&\small\text{(1)}\\\ &\,&x\quad&=&&\infty&&\small\text{(2)}\\\ &\small10*\text{(1)}&10x\quad&=&&\bar{9}0\\\ &\small+9\text{ both sides}\qquad&10x+9\quad&=&&\bar{9}\\\ &\small\text{from (1)}&10x+9\quad&=&&x\\\ &\,&9x\quad&=&&-9\\\ &\,&x\quad&=&&-1\qquad&&\small\text{(3)}\\\ &\small\text{(2)=(3)}&\infty\quad&=&&-1&&\small\text{(4)}\\\ &\small1&divide\text{(4)}&\frac{1}{\infty}\quad&=&&\frac{1}{-1}\\\ &\,&0\quad&=&&-1\\\ &\small\text{from (3)}&x\quad&=&&0&&\small\text{(5)}\\\ &\small\text{Thus (2)=(3)=(5)}&\infty\quad&=&&-1\quad=\quad0 \end{alignat*}$$

source code: infty_1.tex | Go to top | TOC

Here, $\infty$ is so small, you see?

Solution 3

$$\begin{alignat*}{5} &\,&\infty\quad&=\quad&&1+1+1+1+...\\\ &\small\text{regroup in multiple of 2}&\,&=&&2+4+6+8+...\\\ &\,&\,&=&&2(1+2+3+4+...)\\\ &\,&\,&=&&2\left(-\frac{1}{12}\right)\\\ &\qquad\qquad\small\text{Thus}&\infty\quad&=&&-\frac{1}{6}\\\ &\small\text{or regroup in multiple of 3}&\,&=&&3+6+9+12+...\\\ &\,&\,&=&&3(1+2+3+4+...)\\\ &\,&\,&=&&3\left(-\frac{1}{12}\right)\\\ &\qquad\qquad\small\text{Thus}&\infty\quad&=&&-\frac{1}{4}\\\ &\small\text{or regroup in multiple of 96}\normalsize\qquad&\,&=&&96+192+288+384+...\\\ &\,&\,&=&&96(1+2+3+4+...)\\\ &\,&\,&=&&96\left(-\frac{1}{12}\right)\\\ &\qquad\qquad\small\text{Thus}&\infty\quad&=&&-8\\\ \end{alignat*}$$

source code: infty_2.tex | Go to top | TOC

Well, $\infty$ can be anything negative.

How much is $0.\infty$?

$$\begin{alignat*}{5} &\,&S\quad&=\quad&&1+1+1+1+1+1+...\\\ &\,&\,&=&&(1+1)+(1+1)+(1+1)+...\\\ &\,&\,&=&&2+2+2+...\\\ &\,&\,&=&&2(1+1+1+...)\\\ &\,&S\quad&=&&2S\\\ &\,&S\quad&=&&0\qquad&\small\text{(1)}\\\ &\,&2S\quad&=&&1+1+1+1+1+1+...\\\ &\,&\,&\,&&\quad~~~1+1+1+1+1+...\\\ &\,&2S\quad&=&&1+2+2+2+2+2+...\\\ &\,&3S\quad&=&&1+1+1+1+1+1+...\\\ &\,&\,&\,&&\quad~~~1+1+1+1+1+...\\\ &\,&\,&\,&&\qquad\quad~~1+1+1+1+...\\\ &\,&3S\quad&=&&1+2+3+3+3+3+...\\\ &\,&\,&\,&&...\\\ &\,&\infty S\quad&=\quad&&1+2+3+4+5+6+...\\\ &\small\text{from (1) }S=0\normalsize\quad&\infty0\quad&=&&1+2+3+4+5+6+...\\\ &\qquad\small\text{Thus}&0\infty\quad&=&&-\frac{1}{12} \end{alignat*}$$

source code: 0infty.tex | Go to top | TOC

Hmm, I will never believe.

Is $0$ an even number?

This proof is believed to be valid.

$$\begin{alignat*}{5} &\,&0\quad&=\quad&&0\\\ &\,&\,&=&&1-1\\\ &\,&\,&=&&1^2-1^2\\\ &\,&\,&=&&(1+1)(1-1)\\\ &\,&\,&=&&(1+1)(1^2-1^2)\\\ &\,&\,&=&&(1+1)(1+1)(1-1)\\\ &\small\text{repeat the last term}&\,&=&&(1+1)(1+1)(1+1)...(1-1)\\\ &\,&0\quad&=&&(1+1)^\infty*(1-1)\\\ &\qquad\qquad\small\text{Thus}\normalsize\qquad&0\quad&=&&2^\infty*0\qquad\small\text{(valid proof)}\\\ &\rlap{\qquad\qquad\small\text{Any number being a multiple of 2 is always even.}} \end{alignat*}$$

source code: 0_even.tex | Go to top | TOC

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