Proof by Course Instructor:

P4
CONTRADICTION SADIA ALAM

1. Show that 3n+3 is not always multiple of 6 N=1, 6

N=2, 9

2. If x > y, disproof x/y > 1

4>3 4/3 >1
4> -3 4/-3
-4/3 < 1

3. 3n + 4 is always positive for all values of n. Disproof this statement.

3(5)+4 = 19
3(-10)+4 = -26
 Proof by Course Instructor:
SADIA ALAM
CONTRADICTION

4. Prove that √𝟐 is irrational. RATIONAL---- RATIO

Proof by contradiction. ------ SIMPLEST FORM
5/6 10/12

Assume that is rational and can be defined as

𝑎
√2 =
𝑏
an irreducible fraction, where 𝑎, 𝑏 ∈ ℤ.

Squaring both sides gives

LEFT = EVEN
𝑎2 RT=LFT =EVEN
2= 2
𝑏
2𝑏2 = 𝑎2
The LHS is an even number, this means that the RHS must also be an even number. Thus,
both a and b are even.
𝑎
Contradiction. We originally stated that 𝑏 was irreducible, however if the integers were

both even it would be reducible, by dividing by 2.

5. Prove that √3 is irrational.

Proof by contradiction.
Assumption: 3 is a rational number.
a
Then 3 = for some integers a and b.
b
Further assume that this fraction is in its simplest terms:
there are no common factors between a and b.
a2
So 3 = 2 or a2 = 3b2 Right--- multiple of 3
b left = right= multiple of 3
Therefore a2 must be a multiple of 3.
this means a must also be a multiple of 3.
Write a = 3c, which means a2 = (3c)2 = 9c2.
Now 9c2 = 3b2, or 3c2 = b2.
Therefore b2 must be a multiple of 3, which means b is also a multiple of 3.

If a and b are both multiples of 3, this contradicts the statement that there are no
common factors between a and b.
Therefore, 3 is an irrational number.
 Proof by Course Instructor:
CONTRADICTION SADIA ALAM

6) If 𝐚, 𝐛 ∈ ℤ, then 𝐚𝟐 − 𝟒𝐛 − 𝟑 ≠ 𝟎.
Proof by contradiction. a= 2n even
Assume the quadratic = zero. a= 2n+1 e+1=0
𝑎2 − 4𝑏 − 3 = 0
⇒ 𝑎2 = 4𝑏 + 3
The RHS here is odd, therefore, the LHS 𝑎2 and ultimately 𝑎 is odd. We can define 𝑎 as
𝑎 = 2𝑛 + 1

Substituting (2) back into (1) gives

(2𝑛 + 1)2 = 4𝑏 + 3
4𝑛2 + 4𝑛 + 1 = 4𝑏 + 3
4 (𝑛 2 + 𝑛 − 𝑏 ) = 2
2
(𝑛 2 + 𝑛 − 𝑏 ) =
4
Contradiction, on the LHS we have integers and on the RHS we have a fraction. Therefore,
the assumption that the quadratic equals zero is incorrect.

7) Using proof by contradiction show that there are no positive integer solutions to the
equation 𝒙 𝟐 − 𝒚𝟐 = 𝟏

Assume positive integer solutions.

Spot solution is difference of two squares.
1x1
(𝑥 + 𝑦)(𝑥 − 𝑦) = 1 -1 x -1
𝑥 + 𝑦 = 1, 𝑥 − 𝑦 = 1
𝑥 + 𝑦 = −1, 𝑥 − 𝑦 = −1
Solving (1), by adding, gives:
𝑥 = 2, 𝑦 = 0

This is a contradiction as x and y should be positive.

Solving (2), by adding, gives: 𝑥 = −1, 𝑦 = 0

Again, this is a contradiction as x and y should be positive.
 Proof by Course Instructor:
CONTRADICTION SADIA ALAM

8) a2 is even, then a is even. 5x5=25 4x4=16 exe=e oxo=o

Proof by contradiction.

a= 2n+1 exh + ded

Suppose 𝑎 is not even, then we can define it as
contradiction
𝑎2 = (2𝑛 + 1)
𝑎2 = 4𝑛2 + 4𝑛 + 1
𝑎2 = 2(2𝑛2 + 2) + 1
which is an odd number. even +1
odd

This means 𝑎2 is an odd number, if 𝑎 is an even number, this makes 𝑎 an even number too.
How can 𝑎2 be both even and odd. It cannot.

9) Prove that triangle ABC can have no more than one right angle.
Proof by contradiction.
∠𝐴 + ∠𝐵 + ∠𝐶 = 180𝑜

∠𝐴 = 900 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ∠𝐵 = 90𝑜

then
90𝑜 + 90𝑜 + ∠𝐶 = 180𝑜
∠𝐶 = 0𝑜

Contradiction. Triangles must have three angles, one cannot equal 0.