Hi,

I have a general maths question, it's probably grade 8 level but I can't remember the answer to it.

If you have an equation like:

1(a - b) = 2(a - b)

and a = b, when you perform the operation in hte brackets on both sides of the equation, do you need to keep the remaining 0 from a - b on both sides to end up with:

1 x 0 = 2 x 0?


This is a stupid thing I came across on another forum, and my answer is that the equation is flawed because you have to assume that 1 = 2 for it to be correct, however if a = b, you can do it because 1 x 0 = 2 x 0 both sides = 0. I just am not sure on whether you have to keep the 0 factor or not. I assume you do?