Show that the statement “For any real numbers a and b, a2 = b2 implies that a = b” is not true by giving a counter – example.

Let a = – 1 & b = 1


Now,


a2 = (– 1)2 = 1


b2 = (1)2 = 1


Since a2 = b2 = 1


But a ≠ b


⇒ – 1 ≠ 1


Hence the given statement is not true.


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