Scribd
Upload
11 views

Proof

A mathematical proof is a deductive argument that demonstrates the truth of a statement based on axioms and logical reasoning. Various methods of proof exist, including direct proof and indirect proof (proof by contradiction), each serving to establish mathematical facts. Proofs are essential in mathematics as they provide logical certainty and verification of theorems.

Uploaded by

Rhainiel L. Quiazon
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
11 views

Proof

A mathematical proof is a deductive argument that demonstrates the truth of a statement based on axioms and logical reasoning. Various methods of proof exist, including direct proof and indirect proof (proof by contradiction), each serving to establish mathematical facts. Proofs are essential in mathematics as they provide logical certainty and verification of theorems.

Uploaded by

Rhainiel L. Quiazon
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 13

Mathematics In The Modern World

LESSON:
PROOF

- Trisha Estrada BSED English 1A


A mathematical proof is
a deductive argument for a mathematical statement,
showing that the stated
assumptions logically guarantee the conclusion. The
argument may use other previously established
statements, such as theorems; but every proof can, in
principle, be constructed using only certain basic or
original assumptions known as axioms, along with the
accepted rules of inference. Proofs are examples of
exhaustive deductive reasoning which establish
logical certainty, to be distinguished
from empirical arguments or non-
exhaustive inductive reasoning which establish
"reasonable expectation".
In mathematics, a proof is a series of
logical statements that explains why a
statement is true. Proofs are important
because they allow mathematicians to
demonstrate that a statement is a
fact, and without them, mathematical
statements would be hypothetical.
A theorem is a mathematical statement that is true
and can be verified as true.
A proof of a theorem is written verification that shows
that the theorem is definitely true.
-Should be understandable
-Should be convincing to anyone who has the
requisite background and knowledge
Methods of Proof:
1. Direct Proof
2. Indirect Proof ( Proof by Contradiction)
3. Proof by Contrapositive
4. Proof by Induction
5. Proof by Construction
6. Proof by Exhaustion
7. Existence proofs ( Constructive, Non-Constructive)
8. Proof by Counterexample
The most common methods of proof
used in mathematics and logic are:

1. Direct Proof
2. Indirect Proof ( Proof by
Contradiction)
Direct Proof

A direct proof is a method of proving a statement


by starting with known facts, definitions, or axioms
and using logical steps to derive the statement to be
proven. It involves a straightforward chain of
reasoning where each step logically follows from the
previous one. The goal is to show that if the premises
(assumptions) are true, then the conclusion must also
be true. Direct proofs are often used for statements of
the form "if P, then Q," where you begin with P and
logically deduce Q.
Example:
Statement: Prove that the sum of two even integers is always even.

Proof:
1.By definition, an even integer can be expressed as 2k where k is an integer.
2. Let a and b be two even integers. So, a=2m and b=2n for some integers m and n.

3. The sum of a and b is:


a + b = 2m+ 2n
4. This can be factored as:
a + b= 2(m + n)
5. Since m + n is an integer, 2(m + n) is an even number by definition.
6. Therefore, a + b is even.

Conclusion: The sum of two even integers is even. This completes the direct proof.
Indirect Proof (Proof by
Contradiction)
In an indirect proof, you assume the
negation of the statement you want to
prove. By logically following this
assumption, if you reach a contradiction—
something that is impossible or
inconsistent with known facts—then the
original statement must be true.
Example:
Statement: Prove that is irrational.

Indirect Proof:
1. Assume the Opposite: Assume that is rational. This means it can be
expressed as a fraction where p and q are integers with no common factors
(in simplest form), and q
2. Set Up the Equation: If , then:

3. Analyze the Implication:


- Since is even (because it equals 2 times an integer).
- If is even, then p must also be even (only even numbers squared
result in an even number). So, let p for some integer k.
4. Substitute and Simplify:

Substitute this into the equation :

5. Conclude:
This implies is also even, which means q must be even.
Now we have shown that both p and q are even, which contradicts the
initial assumption that is in simplest form (they have no common factors).

Contradiction: Since assuming that is rational leads to the conclusion that both p
and q are even (which violates our assumption of being in simplest from), the
assumption must be false.

Conclusion: is irrational. This completes the indirect proof.

You might also like