Stump your math teacher! This proof uses simple algebra to prove all math wrong by proving that 1 equals 2. In fact, since all math is proven wrong with this, then nothing can in fact exist, including you or me! I must be just a figment of your imagination.
There are several different proofs that 1=2, but this is the easiest one to show others because all it uses is basic algebra. Impress or show off to your math teacher, or just frustrate him when he can’t understand how this is possible!
Explanation of each step:
a = b (initial supposition)
ab = b^2 (multiply both sides by b)
ab-a^2 = b^2-a^2 (subtract a^2 from both sides)
a(b-a) = b^2-a^2 (factor out a from the left side using distributive property)
a(b-a) = (b-a)(b+a) (factor the right side using difference of squares)
a = b+a (cancel both b-a terms by dividing both sides by it)
a = a+a (substitute a for b, legal since a=b)
a = 2a (simplify)
1 = 2 (divide both sides by a)
Voila!
