Ask A Scientist© Mathematics Archive

Name   Christopher S.
status          Student
age             30's

Here is a "proof" that I have found.  I am only using the term "proof" in
a vague
sort of tongue-in-cheek kind of way.

1)     x = y
2)     x^2 = xy      (multiply both sides by x)
3)     x^2 - y^2 = xy - y^2  (subtract y^2 from each side)
4)     (x + y)(x - y) = y(x - y)     (factor)
5)     x + y = y     (divide out (x - y))
6)     2y = y      (substitute y for x from #1)
7)     2 = 1      (What do you think of that?!)

Now, here is my philosophical quandary:  I had taken algebra to be a means of
considering numerical relationships regardless of concrete values.  But if
the "proof" (i.e., with the divide by zero) is not valid because we
have to watch our values, then doesn't this imply that algebra
(specifically) and other branches of mathematics are really not thoroughly
abstract?  I.e., must we not always "watch our values" in any branch of
mathematics?  And how does this reflect on the assertion of antinomies and
incompletenesses in the various formal mathematical systems?


As I see it, one does not need to watch the values if algebraic operations
involve definite values. Dividing two sides of an equation by zero is the 
same as
multiplying both sides by infinity - an undetermined value. Any results hence
derived are invalid, as your example shows.

AK

--
Ali Khounsary, Ph.D.
Advanced Photon Source
Argonne National Laboratory
=========================================================
This is not really a mathematical crisis. It follows quite naturally from
the definition of the  of the operation we call multiplication, or put
another way, the definition we give to the symbol "1".

To keep things simple consider the integers, although that is not really
necessary. The operation of multiplication is a shorthand form of addition.
So by the operation of multiplication of 'X' times 'Y' which we write as:
X*Y we mean X+X+X ... Y-times. So, X*1 = X. When we write 'X' times '0', or
in the usual notation, X*0 we mean X+X+X zero times. Written in the
conventional way X*0=0. Or the other way around: 0+0+0... X-times is still
'0'.

Now division is not an operation separate from multiplication, it is the
inverse of the operation of multiplication, by which we mean: 'X' times
'Xinverse' = 1. But using our long handed definition that 'X' times 'Y'
means X+X+X... Y times. Then 'X' times 'Xinverse' means X+X+X... 'Xinverse'
times =1. But if we say 'Xinverse' is '0' then we mean:
X+X+X... zero times =1 or X*0=1 and we have infected the operations with a
contradiction because X*0=0 and X*0=1 cannot coexist in the same logical
construction.

This detailed line or argument is summarized by saying, "Division by zero is
not defined."

If someone wanted to redefine the arithmetic operations in an alternative
way so that,
"Division by zero IS defined." That would be OK provided no internal
contradications were introduced. But THAT ALGEBRA would not be the one we
associate with numbers as we know them.

There are cases where seemingly weird definitions do exist:

The factorial operation, usually written: n! = 1*2*3*4...*n, but 0!=1 BY
DEFINITION.

There is also a function called the Dirac delta function, let's call it
DDF(x) for short, that occurs in quantum mechanics. It is defined as
follows: DDF(x)=0 for x not equal zero, and
DDF(0)=1. And the integral under the "curve" of the DDF(x) from negative
infinity to positive infinity =1.

Vince Calder
=========================================================
Christopher,

In such mathematics, the only thing you have to watch is division by zero.
This is because division is not defined whne the divisor equals zero.  If
you do not want to watch such things, don't divide.  One way "out of it" is
to stop at factoring:
         (x+y)(x-y) = y(x-y)             subtract y(x-y)
         (x+y - y)(x-y)=0                        simplify
         x(x-y)=0
         Either x=0 or x-y=0

You can multiply, add, or subtract anything.  Division is not defined for
ALL real numbers, so it can not be used as freely.

Dr. Ken Mellendorf
=========================================================
Yes, you must "watch your values".  Mathematics is a set of ideas built up from
fundamental postulates.  One of these is for algebra that you cannot divide by
zero and get anything meaningful.  The math is only as good as the person
following the rules.

Steve Ross
=========================================================