Famous Maths Riddle

I can prove why 1 = 2

* Lets say y = x
* Multiply through by x xy = x2
* Subtract y2 from each side xy - y2 = x2 - y2
* Factor each side y(x-y) = (x+y)(x-y)
* Divide both sides by (x-y) y = x+y
* Divide both sides by y y/y = x/y + y/y
* And so... 1 = x/y + 1
* Since x=y, x/y = 1 1 = 1 + 1
* And so... 1 = 2

How is this possible?




Similar Riddles

There is a basket full of hats. Three are white and two are black. Three men, Tom, Tim, and Jim, each take a hat out of the basket and put it on their heads without seeing the hat they selected or the hats the other men selected. The men arrange themselves so Tom can see Tim and Jim’s hats, Tim can see Jim’s hat, and Jim can’t see anyone’s hat. Tom is asked what color his hat is and he says he doesn’t know. Tim is asked the same question, and he also doesn’t know. Finally, Jim is asked the question, and he does know. What colour is his hat?

Asked by Neha on 06 Jun 2025


On the occasion of Diwali, online seller companies in India are offering a big discount on Iphone14 as below.

: Flipkart offers a Flat 65% discount
: Amazon offers a 10% discount over and over again.
: Shopclues offers RS.45,000 off.

If the original cost of the iPhone is Rs.70,000 Which is the best offer for you?

Asked by Neha on 01 Sep 2024

It is a 5 letter word if you take away first letter it is something you get from sun, if you remove second letter you will get something to eat, if you remove third letter you get a word you use in pointing at and if you remove the fourth letter you get something to drink. What is it?

Asked by Neha on 17 May 2021


You see a boat filled with people, yet there isn’t a single person on board. How is that possible?

Asked by Neha on 16 May 2022

There is a certain crime, that if it is attempted, is punishable, but if it is committed, is not punishable. What is the crime?

Asked by Neha on 19 Jun 2026

A shepherd had 18 sheep, out of which, all but ten died.

Can you tell us how many sheep was he left with?

Asked by Neha on 10 Mar 2024


A cat, a dog and a monkey were stolen. 3 suspects got caught: Harish, Manoj and Tarun. All we know is each person stole one animal, but we do not know who stole which. Here are the investigation statements. Harish said: Tarun stole the cat. Manoj said: Tarun stole the dog. Tarun said: They both were lying. I did not steal the cat or the dog. Later on, the police found out the man who stole the monkey told a lie. The man who stole the cat told the truth. Can you find out who stole which?

Asked by Neha on 05 Nov 2023

In the city of Brain Teasers, 5% of people do not list their phone numbers. Now if we select random 100 people from the phone directory, then how many people selected will have unlisted phone numbers?

Asked by Neha on 30 Oct 2023

I can write cow in 13 letters.

Can You?

Asked by Neha on 03 Oct 2024


A guard is positioned at the one side of the bridge saying ‘A’. His task is to shoot all those who try to leave from ‘A’ to the other side and say ‘B’. He also need to welcome the person who comes from another side ‘B’ to his side ‘A’. The guard comes out of his post every 1 hour and looks down the bridge for any people trying to leave. You are at side ‘A’ and wish to go to another side ‘B’. you also know that it would take 1:45 hr to cross the bridge. How will you cross the bridge?

Asked by Neha on 23 Apr 2024

Hot Articles

Amazing Facts

Crossword

The day before the 1996 U.S. presidential election, the NYT Crossword contained the clue “Lead story in tomorrow’s newspaper,” the puzzle was built so that both electoral outcomes were correct answers, requiring 7 other clues to have dual responses.