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Article #2717

Magic Math Puzzle

#2717
From: Eleaticus
Date: Wed, 03 Jun 1998 00:00
37 lines
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What is the magical math that makes this true:


In an equation there is one occurence of a 
simple variable we'll call x.

I put this variable in parentheses just for 
the purpose of isolating it, and being able 
to say that which follows.

I replace the simple x with a more complicated
expression based on theory.

Working entirely within the parentheses, and not
importing any other term from outside the paren-
theses, we find that the substitute expression
reduces to the original expression, the simple
x.

However, says George-I'm-so-smart, it doesn't
work that way in certain equations.

q: what is the magical content outside the 
parentheses that prevents the algebraic reduction
from reducing to the original value.

Thanks!


Eleaticus

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From: Thnktank@concentric.net (Eleaticus)
Subject: Magic Math Puzzle
Date: 1998/06/03
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