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This step is not the source of the fallacy.

This step is using the identification sqrt(-1) = i.

Strictly speaking, this depends upon exactly what one means by the square root symbol, which really is only defined for positive numbers.

However, there's nothing to stop one saying that, in this proof, what will be meant by the square root symbol when applied to a negative number is one of its two complex square roots, namely, the one that's a positive multiple of i. So, for example, one could say that what one means by sqrt(-4) is 2i, what one means by sqrt(-9) is 3i, etc. Once one has said that, establishing exactly what the notation means, then this part of the proof is perfectly valid.

In summary: you've found a slight mistake in the proof (the fact that it was never specified exactly what the square root symbols is supposed to mean in this context), but it's an easily correctable mistake and not the source of the fallacy.

In fact, this mistake did not originate with this step in the proof, but crept in earlier. See if you can figure out where, as well as figuring out the step where the fallacy lies!


Why don't you go back to the list of steps in the proof and see if you can identify which one is wrong, now that you know it isn't this one?
This page last updated: May 26, 1998
Original Web Site Creator / Mathematical Content Developer: Philip Spencer
Current Network Coordinator and Contact Person: Joel Chan - mathnet@math.toronto.edu

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