need help on this one, if u know the answer tell me

I don't think it's possible to do by "shifting" one digit in the literal sense.

If you think of "1" as being "+1" (positive one) then you can move "+1" to the left side. This leaves nothing (zero) on the right hand side.

101+1 - 202 = 0

its a neat idea, i dont think thats the answer though, im pretty sure its something more lateral. the only hint i was given is "stare at it for a while"

Shift the 2 upwards a little bit so it reads

101 - 10 squared =1

I can't see how to do a superscripted 2 on here so I wrote it like that. I didn't think it up myself, I reckoned it's likely to be a standard school type question so i typed "101 - 102 = 1" into Google, and somebody had solved it at msps.tp.edu wherever that is.

does this work?

Contrex,

If you don't mind, may I ask how can I post the code or script of an expression on the forum?

What program or software does it require?

Press the code button when you post, or type

[ code ] ddd [/ code ]