In reference to the formula 1 1 2 you posted on my talk page as being proof of addition by subtraction Fine in theory as I have yet to see 1 of anything but I can prove that nothing is gained in your equation Observe A B Multiply both sides by A and you get A2 AB Add A2 to both sides to get A2 A2 A2 AB Using addition we get 2A2 A2 AB Subtract 2AB from both sides 2A2 2AB A2 AB 2AB Thus 2A2 2AB A2 AB Combining terms on the LHS 2 A2 AB A2 AB Divide both sides by A2 AB 2 A2 AB A2 AB A2 AB A2 AB Cancel out like terms and Viola We now see 2 1 So nothing is gained from addition by subtraction fin