Comments on: Spot the math errors!

By: Math errors | Alleycats

Math errors | Alleycats — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 18:48:44 +0000

[...] Spot the math errors! | Skulls in the Stars66 Responses to Spot the math errors! … NOOOOO!!!!!! Not math!!! Although solving proofs was one of the few things I enjoyed when I was taking high school math, … This is very interesting. Spotting math errors come into handy in my own work, which questions mainstream assumptions, both in science and mathematics. [...]

By: ramsharan Aryal

ramsharan Aryal — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 07:07:47 +0000

Thanks way and suggestions.
i am happy with this solution.

By: swaraj paul

swaraj paul — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 22:58:51 +0000

x^2=x+x+….+x(x times)
after differentiating
2x=1+1+……+1 not x times hence x is variable

By: skullsinthestars

skullsinthestars — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:11:09 +0000

Very nice example! It arises from the fact that the logarithm function is multivalued in the complex plane, and in fact has an infinite number of possible values, just as the function sqrt(x) has two possible values.

It is a strange fallacy, and arises from the fact that the logarithm is a very strange function, especially with complex values!

By: Ed

Ed — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 07:14:59 +0000

I’d love to point out yet another math fallacy, that to me is kinda strange.

log (base i) x = 3; and log (base i) x = 7. Always assume i=square root of negative one.

Solve for x in each case.

Then: i^3 = x and i^7 = x.

Then: x = -i, and x = -i.
Therefore: 3 = 7.

By: Erica

Erica — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:13:11 +0000

John:

The point of the first one is that you have divided by (a-b), which is, of course, a faulty step in the proof. If a did not equal b, this would be a perfectly feasible mathematical operation.

Secondly, pi + 3 times pi – 3 DOES give you pi^2 – 9. It’s called FOIL. Ever heard of it? Most people learn it in Algebra I. If you’re over the age of 15 and have never heard of it, have fun working at McDonald’s.

By: Krzysztof z Londynu

Krzysztof z Londynu — Thu, 21 May 2009 00:19:50 +0000

Hi, my name is Krzysztof.
but seriously, I think my calc prof needs to read these dumb fuckin mistakes cuz he does that stuff all the time. there is truth in the fact that more educated people overlook sinple mitakes….

By: Tyler Hartley

Tyler Hartley — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 02:09:26 +0000

Wow. Great example here of leaping before you look. This feels like a YouTube comment thread now. You’ll notice though i too thought i’d found a problem, i didn’t tell people they were stupid and insult them; i asked. Take a chill pill, don’t call people you’ve never met “fucked in the head”, and realize that everyone on the internet is not dumber than you.

And have a good day.

By: skullsinthestars

skullsinthestars — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 02:02:35 +0000

Um, yes, step 1 in solving any math problem: READ THE INSTRUCTIONS!

By: john winters

john winters — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 22:31:20 +0000

o shit, my bad I didn’t read the rest of the instructions, I didn’t know they were intentionally wrong. my bad.