Snake eats four golf balls

[AnimeSpirit]

Originally Posted by joepole

That snake actually ate three golf balls:
http://www.futilitycloset.com/2007/0...at-4-equals-3/

I know you meant this as a joke, but let me clarify it anyway.

This equation was not properly calculated. In step 3, the author chose to shift the numbers around and factor them by reversing the distributive property. Combining like terms would've been the proper means of solving the equation. If he had properly combined like terms, he would've ended up right back at "a+b=c". Therefore, step 3 was pretty much pulled out of nowhere, invalidating the rest of the equation.

BUT, let's say he didn't screw up in step 3. Given the answer that the author received, the answer to this equation would be expressed as "4≠3," making the statement true and the equation solved.

I hate college algebra, but I've seen quite a bit of it this past year.