Well, if you think about it, you kind of already have the solution because right from the beginning you already know that X=Y or that 1=1.
There's many different theories on this. Its possible to get 1 by cancelling parts out but also like Will and Lorn said, technically an answer like that is considered a "No solution" problem and therefore not a real answer to the problem. You're not supposed to get 1 through all of that, and its really just one big bug in the system if you get my drift. However, as Will clearly stated it's a "No solution" problem. This topic can be ended by taking a very valid point from Will..2=1 is incorrect because you are technically dividing by zero, which is an impossible function in the world of math. Considering all of this its safe to say that this whole equation is incorrect due to the fact that 2 cannot equal 1. It's literally a textbook problem as reading back on my Algebra book, there was a whole section on this very confusing issue in Algebra. Basically, 1 cannot equal 1 now that I think about it because as Will said, you are dividing by zero, and that's impossible.
Hey... wasn't I the one who said you can't divide by zero, not Will? And I don't understand where you're coming from when you say 1 doesn't equal 1.
Hey... wasn't I the one who said you can't divide by zero, not Will? And I don't understand where you're coming from when you say 1 doesn't equal 1. [/b][/quote] Because I thought I was right, but then you and Will proved me wrong. You both said you cant divide by zero, and that's absolutely correct.
Hold me, I'm scared! What's even scarier is that I can actually see what was wrong with the original solution...
I'm too lazy to read the whole thread so excuse me if this has been posted before. I think I've solved that mystery Look at this line: (x-y)(x+y) = y(x-y) ...than you divide it by (x-y). But if x=y, you'd divide it with 0. But for some reason, you CANNOT divide anything with 0. So the equation loses its sense. I mean... X CANNOT equal Y. I hope it's clear to you now... I've asked my math teacher and he agreed with me.
I'm not sure about the 'divide by zero thing'. Its true that you can't divide by zero however in this problem the divide by zero error is actually a removable discontinuity of the graph of the function. This means that there is a value of F(x) at x=1 (it is 1 as shown in the function) but that value does not conform with the continuity of the curve F(x). Correct me if I'm wrong, which I very well may be but that's what I think. Sorry if my terminology went over some of your alls heads, damn calculus will do that to you. Edit: Basically you always simplify a function before you plug in values. I think I'm wrong here though so whatever.