2010-03-12, 02:36 PM
Let me rewrite it.
x = 1 + 2 + 4 + 8 + 16 + 32 + ...
2x = 2 + 4 + 8 + 16 + 32 + 64 + ...
x = 1 + (2 + 4 + 8 + 16 + 32 + 64 + ...) = 1 + 2x
x - 1 = 2x
-1 = x
1 + 4 + 8 + 16 + 32 + ... = -1?
But yes, you're right; the proof is fallacious because divergent series can't be algebraically manipulated like that.
x = 1 + 2 + 4 + 8 + 16 + 32 + ...
2x = 2 + 4 + 8 + 16 + 32 + 64 + ...
x = 1 + (2 + 4 + 8 + 16 + 32 + 64 + ...) = 1 + 2x
x - 1 = 2x
-1 = x
1 + 4 + 8 + 16 + 32 + ... = -1?
But yes, you're right; the proof is fallacious because divergent series can't be algebraically manipulated like that.

