tobk2000 Posted March 21, 2004 Share Posted March 21, 2004 my friend and I made a proof which says that 1=-1... this leads to all sorts of problems (0=4 etc) which i could prove if you want. For those of you who know your math, please tell me whats wrong with this. i= imaginary number, -1^.5 k= any integer i^(4k+2) = i^4k * i^2 = (i^4)^k * i^2 = 1^k *-1 = 1*-1 = -1 reasonable answer, yes? heres the strange one i^(4k+2) = (i^4)^(k + 2/4) = 1^(k+1/2) = 1^k * 1^ 1/2 = 1*1 = 1 So you see, because i^(4k+2) = 1 and = -1, then 1= -1 please: i like math, but i think i disproved it, unless there is something wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peach_cube Posted March 21, 2004 Share Posted March 21, 2004 Here is another one: given a=b a^2= ab (a^2)-(b^2)= ab-(b^2) (a+b)(a-b)= b(a-b) (a+b)=b substitute in a for b (a+a) = a 2a = a 2=1 ????????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobk2000 Posted March 21, 2004 Author Share Posted March 21, 2004 nope that doesn't work your dividing by zero.... if a = b, you are dividing both sides (a+b)(a-b) = b(a-b) by a -b, wich is the same as a - a which = zero Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobk2000 Posted March 21, 2004 Author Share Posted March 21, 2004 but mine doesn't divide by zero anywhere.... i wanna see where the problem in mine is, cuz i'm worried iv'e killed amth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPeter Posted March 21, 2004 Share Posted March 21, 2004 you have killed math? good, i hate math and it needs to die.... lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peach_cube Posted March 21, 2004 Share Posted March 21, 2004 Imaginary numbers are not my strong point.....I think I will need some paper and pencil for this one.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peach_cube Posted March 21, 2004 Share Posted March 21, 2004 Hint: your problem is similar to a calculation made by the great Euler when the theory of complex numbers was still young. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobk2000 Posted March 21, 2004 Author Share Posted March 21, 2004 imaginary numbers are weird... and someone tried to tell me that it was wrong because i was did some exponent rule illegal to imaginary numbers, but i didn't i don't think. interesting problem though, because you can get 0 = 4 1+1+1+1 =4 1=-1 (previous proof) substitute -1 in for 1 1+1-1-1 = 4 calculate 1+1-1-1 = 0 4 = 1+1-1-1 = 0 a =b b =c a = c 4=0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobk2000 Posted March 21, 2004 Author Share Posted March 21, 2004 [quote name='peach_cube' date='Mar 20 2004, 11:50 PM'] Hint: your problem is similar to a calculation made by the great Euler when the theory of complex numbers was still young. [/quote] what was this? and what was wrong with his, if anything?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peach_cube Posted March 21, 2004 Share Posted March 21, 2004 I believe a simplified version of his problem is 1 = sqrt(1) = sqrt {(-1)(-1)} = sqrt (-1) sqrt (-1) = i * i = -1 so 1= -1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrndveritatis Posted March 21, 2004 Share Posted March 21, 2004 [quote]my friend and I made a proof which says that 1=-1... this leads to all sorts of problems (0=4 etc) which i could prove if you want. For those of you who know your math, please tell me whats wrong with this. i= imaginary number, -1^.5 k= any integer i^(4k+2) = i^4k * i^2 = (i^4)^k * i^2 = 1^k *-1 = 1*-1 = -1 reasonable answer, yes? heres the strange one i^(4k+2) = (i^4)^(k + 2/4) = 1^(k+1/2) = 1^k * 1^ 1/2 = 1*1 = 1 So you see, because i^(4k+2) = 1 and = -1, then 1= -1 please: i like math, but i think i disproved it, unless there is something wrong. [/quote] WOW. I can't see what's wrong and I stared at it for ten minutes. It all makes sense to me (besides the conclusion). I feel really stupid because I am an engineering student and I can't see what is wrong. It has to wrong, or math has some serious problems and you will be extremely famous. Please post again when you find out. Ask your professor, I am really interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrndveritatis Posted March 21, 2004 Share Posted March 21, 2004 It is true that imaginary numbers only work in certain circumstances and there are lots of exceptions which I don't know. They are imaginary after all. Also, if the proof were valid it would not result in 1=-1 when you used all real numbers. It would just prove an exception to imaginary numbers systems, which are very important especially in electrical engineering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littleflower+JMJ Posted March 21, 2004 Share Posted March 21, 2004 jared and jake (and marielpin) are genuises in math.. anyone got their home number? they would know! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jericho923 Posted March 21, 2004 Share Posted March 21, 2004 all i know is 1 God = 3 persons 1 Fiat = 1 Savior 1 cross + 3 nails + 1 crown + 1 empty tomb = infinite Allelu... 1 bread + 1 cup of wine + 1 priest + 1 Holy Spirit = 1 Way, Truth and Life Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
immaculata Posted March 21, 2004 Share Posted March 21, 2004 GAAAHHH!!! NUMBERS!!! RUN AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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