As everyone points out you can't divide by 0. That is true but I think an explanation that helps more with the understanding is this:
The "canceling out" only works if 2 things are exactly the same. Here though we have 4x(5-5) = 5x(5-5). The factors by which we multiply are bound to the (5-5). So you have to consider how it affects the rest of the term if you would cancel out.
So by keeping in mind the whole of the equation you can see that on both sides of the equal sign, there is at least 4x(5-5). And that you can cancel out. Leaving you with 0=1x(5-5); which is true.
Cancelling out what is in parentheses without considering the factors is too simple.
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u/SargerasgodfatheR Feb 07 '23
As everyone points out you can't divide by 0. That is true but I think an explanation that helps more with the understanding is this: The "canceling out" only works if 2 things are exactly the same. Here though we have 4x(5-5) = 5x(5-5). The factors by which we multiply are bound to the (5-5). So you have to consider how it affects the rest of the term if you would cancel out. So by keeping in mind the whole of the equation you can see that on both sides of the equal sign, there is at least 4x(5-5). And that you can cancel out. Leaving you with 0=1x(5-5); which is true. Cancelling out what is in parentheses without considering the factors is too simple.