Methods of Proofs
Methods of Proofs
What is A theorem?
A direct proof shows that a conditional statement p → q is true by showing that if p is true,
then q must also be true, so that the combination p true and q false never occurs. In a
direct proof, we assume that p is true and use axioms, definitions, and previously proven
theorems, together with rules of inference, to show that q must also be true.
More problems on direct proof
1. Use a direct proof to show that the sum of two odd integers is even.
solution in class
2. Show that the square of an even number is an even number using a direct proof.
solution in class
3. Use a direct proof to show that the product of two odd numbers is odd.
Solution in class
Show that
=1
Proof by Contraposition (indirect proof)
Proofs by contraposition make use of the fact that the conditional statement p → q is
equivalent to its contrapositive, ¬q →¬p. This means that the conditional statement p → q
can be proved by showing that its contrapositive, ¬q →¬p, is true. In a proof by
contraposition of p → q, we take ¬q as a premise, and using axioms, definitions, and
previously proven theorems, together with rules of inference, we show that ¬p must follow
Examples of Contrapositive
What to do next???
So we get STUCK again???
Try In Direct Proof – by Contraposition
● We can check one by one all perfect powers less than 100.
● Proof
● We have 3 cases:
I. , is positive.
II.
III. . is negative. (because is negative number.)
Proof by Counter Example: