Today, of all days, anything is possible. The laws of man and god are subverted by that of Murphy. This day is made doubly potent by its placement before the geek's darkest day of the year: Valentine's Day. And during this day on which anything that can go wrong will go wrong, it seems that even the cold truth of mathematics itself has failed. Specifically, two equals one. Damn. You shoulda been more consistent with the salt, garlic and Haitian door totems.

Today, of all days, anything is possible. The laws of man and god are subverted by that of Murphy. This day is made doubly potent by its placement before the geek's darkest day of the year: Valentine's Day. And during this day on which anything that can go wrong will go wrong, it seems that even the cold truth of mathematics itself has failed. Specifically, two equals one. Damn. You shoulda been more consistent with the salt, garlic and Haitian door totems.

But does two actually equal one? Does the following proof demonstrate the failing of math as a rational science and thus the end reason, logic, the New York Times Sunday delivery, and an ordered society? Or is there a trick? Save us, dear geek! Find the trick and restore order to the universe! And do it without Googling, you slackers.

“Proof” That 2 = 1

a = b
a2 = ab
a2 – b2 = ab-b2
(a-b)(a+b) = b(a-b)
a+b = b
b+b = b
2b = b
2 = 1

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Garth Sundem

Garth Sundem is a Science, Math and general Geek Culture writer, TED speaker, and author of books including Brain Trust: 93 Top Scientists Dish the Lab-Tested Secrets of Surfing, Dating, Dieting, Gambling, Growing Man-Eating Plants and More (Three Rivers Press, March 2012). He's been featured on Good Morning America, the CBS Early Show, the Science Channel, BBC, PRI, CBC and has written for the New York Times, Esquire, Wired, Maxim, Congressional Quarterly, Publisher's Weekly and many, many others. He lives with his wife, two small kids, one large Labrador and one small Labrador in Boulder… Read more