Mathematical Fallacies

A fallacy is a mathematical statement which leads to a wrong or a contradicting conclusion. In

most cases it is because of using a wrong mathematical technique. In all the proofs presented
below there is a wrong step in each one of them, and the reason why they have all lead to absurd
conclusions. Try to identify them all. Identifying such a step can present better understanding of
the mathematical concepts, and critically evaluating each step as to if its right or wrong can
strengthen your mathematical foundations.
A proof every triangle is isosceles. (An isosceles triangle is a triangle with (at least) two equal
sides)

We will wish to show that

AB AC .

First

AO ),
draw the bisector of A (
. and then
draw the the perpendicular bisector of segment
BC, which bisects BC at a point D
Suppose these two lines meet at a point O.
Draw line OR perpendicular to AB, line OQ
perpendicular to AC
Draw lines OB and OC
By AAS, RAO QAO (ORA = OQA
= 90; RAO = QAO; AO=AO (COMMON
SIDE))
By RHS,[12] ROB QOC
Thus, AR = AQ, RB = QC, and AB = AR +
RB = AQ + QC = AC

(sin ) 2 cos 1
2

4=0?
Therefore clearly

cos

1 (sin ) 2

Taking square roots

cos 1 (sin ) 2

Add 1 to each side

1 cos 1 1 (sin )2

Now square both the sides

1 cos

(1 1 (sin ) 2 )

Now substitute

1 1

1 1 02

Then
0=4

1=1
1= 1
11
11

Now by using the convention i= 1

1=i

1=1

(since by definition

i 2 1

1=0

Let

1
I dx
x

Integrate by parts
1
1
1

1
I 1. dx x x
dx 1 dx 1 I
2
x
x
x

Therefore 1=0
We will break the usual practice and explain the mistake in this particular fallacy, the usual
method of integrating by parts used in high school and elementary calculus is primarily for
definite integral. In this case it is the indefinite integral which is computed. It is areas such as
these where care must be taken to understand everything you learn, mathematics is NOT a bunch
of techniques or formulas, the key is to understand the concepts behind everything you learn then
the chances of being wrong will come down drastically.