[SOLVED] Here's a fun question! If you've seen it before, please don't spoil the fun of every one else.

Simplify the expression $$(x-a)(x-b)(x-c)...(x-z)$$

Question

[SOLVED] Here's a fun question! If you've seen it before, please don't spoil the fun of every one else.

Simplify the expression $$(x-a)(x-b)(x-c)...(x-z)$$

anonymous · Answer

I assume the letter x and the x we're subtracting from aren't the same? Because if they are, it works out to zero.

kinggeorge · Answer

Precisely. Eventually we get to the term $(x-x)=0$ so everything is just 0.

anonymous · Answer

Wow, what a gimmick for a question. ಠ_ಠ

kinggeorge · Answer

It was the very first question asked in my Discrete Math textbook. When I figured out the answer, I felt stupid for not seeing it.

anonymous · Answer

That's... not a clever question, I'll be honest. It's like, "Teehee, I'm going to make a question sound clever, but be reliant on a gimmick to solve."

kinggeorge · Answer

I enjoyed it. It was a good introduction to how I should start thinking about some problems.

anonymous · Answer

Rely on linguistic coincidences? :(

anonymous · Answer

I think I should now start using Arabic lettering for variables.

kinggeorge · Answer

You should do it. I would love to see some proof using Arabic letters as variables.