NAME:_________________________________________________CLASS:____________
PROOF : DIRECT PROOF
Definition
Definition 1 An integer n is even if n 2a for some integer a .
Definition 2 An integer n is odd if n 2a 1 for some integer a .
Definition 3 Two integers have the same parity if they are both even or they are both
odd. Otherwise they have opposite parity.
Definition 4 A natural number n is prime if it has exactly two positive
divisors, 1 and n .
Outline for Direct Proof
Outline Explanation
Proposition If P , then Q . The setup for direct proof is remarkably simple.
Proof. Suppose P . The first line of the proof is the sentence “Suppose P .”
The last line is the sentence “Therefore Q .”
. Between the first and last line we use logic, definitions and
. standard math facts to transform the statement P to the
. statement Q .
It is common to use the word “Proof” to indicate the
Therefore Q . beginning of a proof, and the symbol to indicate the end.
Answer the following.
1. Prove that if x is an odd then x 2 is odd.
STEP 1 Proposition Prove that if x is an odd then x 2 is
odd.
The first step in the proof is to fill in
the outline for direct proof.
Proof. Suppose x is odd.
We leave some space between the first .
and last line of the proof. .
.
The following series of frames .
indicates the steps you might take to .
fill in this space with a logical chain of
reasoning.
Therefore x 2 is odd.
STEP 2 Proposition Prove that if x is an odd then x 2 is
odd.
Now that we have written the first and
last lines, we need to fill in the space
with a chain of reasoning that shows Proof. Suppose x is odd.
that x being odd forces x 2 to be odd. Then x 2a 1 for some a , by definition of an
odd number.
In doing this it’s always advisable to .
use any definitions that apply. .
.
The first line says x is odd, and by .
Definition it must be that x 2a 1 .
for some a , so we write this in as
our second line. Therefore x 2 is odd, by definition of an odd
number.
STEP 3 Proposition Prove that if x is an odd then x 2 is
odd.
Now jump down to the last line, which
says x 2 is odd.
Think about what the line immediately Proof. Suppose x is odd.
above it would have to be in order for
us to conclude that x 2 is odd. Then x 2a 1 for some a , by definition of an
By the definition of an odd number, odd number.
we would have to have x 2 2a 1 for .
some a . .
However, the symbol a now appears .
earlier in the proof in a different
Thus x 2 2b 1 for an integer b .
context, so we should use a different
symbol, say b . Therefore x 2 is odd, by definition of an odd
number.
STEP 4 Proposition Prove that if x is an odd then x 2 is
odd.
We are almost there. We can bridge
the gap as follows.
Proof. Suppose x is odd.
Then x 2a 1 for some a , by definition of an
odd number.
Thus x 2 (2a 1)2 4a 2 4a 1 2(2a 2 2a) 1
So x 2 2b 1 where b is the integer b 2a 2 2a .
Thus x 2 2b 1 for an integer b .
Therefore x 2 is odd, by definition of an odd
number.
Proposition Prove that if x is an odd then x 2 is
STEP 5 odd.
Finally, we may wish to clean up our Proof. Suppose x is odd. Then x 2a 1 for some
work and write the proof in paragraph a , by definition of an odd number. Thus
form. Here is our final version. x 2 (2a 1)2 4a 2 4a 1 2(2a 2 2a) 1 . So
x 2 2b 1 where b is the integer b 2a 2 2a .
Thus x 2 2b 1 for an integer b .Therefore x 2 is
odd, by definition of an odd number.
2. Prove that if x is an even integer then x 2 6 x 5 is odd.
3. Prove that if x is an even then x 2 is even.
4. Prove that if x is an odd integer, then x 3 is odd.
5. Prove that if a is an odd integer, then a 2 3a 5 is odd.
6. Use the method of direct proof to prove the following statement.
Suppose x, y . If x and y are odd, then xy is odd.
7. Use the method of direct proof to prove the following statement.
Suppose x, y .If x is even, then xy is even.
8. Prove that the sum of any even integer and any odd integer is odd.
9. Prove that if n , then n 2 3n 4 is even.
10. Use the method of direct proof to prove the following statement.
Suppose x, y . If x 2 5 y y 2 5x , then x y or x y 5
HOT AND SPICY SECTION (OPTIONAL)
11. Use the method of direct proof to prove the following statement.
Let x and y be positive numbers. If x y , then x y.
12. Prove that if x and y are positive real numbers, then 2 xy x y .
