Gross Savage
05/24/2024 · High School

A Calculus proof shows that \( 1=2 \). Here is the argument. By definition, \( \begin{array}{l}2+2=2^{2} \\ 3+3+3=3^{2} \\ 4+4+4+4=4^{2} \text {, and so on. } \\ \text { In general, } x+x+\ldots+x=x^{2} \text {, with } x \\ \text { number of } x^{\prime} \text { s on the left side of the } \\ \text { equation. Differentiating both sides of } \\ \text { the equation, } 1+1+\ldots+1=2 x \text {. } \\ \text { Since there are } x \text { number of } 1 \text { 's on the } \\ \text { left side of the equation, } x=2 x \text {. } \\ \text { Dividing by } x \text { on each side, } 1=2 \text {. } \\ \text { Which is the erroneous step? Explain. }\end{array} \).

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The mistake is dividing both sides of \( x = 2x \) by \( x \), which assumes \( x \) is not zero. If \( x = 0 \), this leads to an incorrect conclusion.

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