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Proofs help (Proof by Contradiction) (1 Viewer)

O01x

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Need help with part b) from the first question and the other 2 questions.
 

idkkdi

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Need help with part b) from the first question and the other 2 questions.
1. cos(n+1) = 2cos(n)cos(1) - cos(n-1)
Suppose cos 1 is rational.
It follows that cos 1,2,3,4,5.... is rational.
But, there exists cos n such that cos n is irrational, e.g., cos 30.

2. can't work out the question. If a is not a factor of b, it is obviously not factor of b+1 if a>= 2.

3. y^2 = x^2 -1
y^2 = (x+1)(x-1)

by definition, a square number is made up of the product of the same numbers.
 

O01x

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Question 2 was

Prove that if b is an integer and b is not a factor of k for every k (Natural Numbers), then b=0
 

idkkdi

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Question 2 was

Prove that if b is an integer and b is not a factor of k for every k (Natural Numbers), then b=0
if b is an integer, it must be a factor of +- itself, b or -b. If it is not a factor of any natural number, it is an integer that is not a natural number and is thus 0.

this question seems like nonsense tho, maybe im understanding it wrong.
 
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O01x

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More questions (Contradiction) :

Explain why x^3+x+1=0 has no rational roots

Prove that there exists no integer a and b for which 21a+30b=1
 

Qeru

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More questions (Contradiction) :

Explain why x^3+x+1=0 has no rational roots

Prove that there exists no integer a and b for which 21a+30b=1
a) is just rational root theorem. Oh you want by contradicton. Assume (where a and b are non zero integers) is a root. Then: . The parity of the LHS is different to the parity of the RHS so contradiction.

b) Assume a and b are integers. The expression is equivalent to: but the integers are closed under addition so the LHS is an integer and the RHS is a fraction so contradiction.
 

CM_Tutor

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1. Prove that there is no integer that leaves a remainder of 2 on division by 6, and also leaves a remainder of 7 on division by 9.

2. Prove that for any value

3. Prove that no integer has a square that leaves a remainder of 3 on division by 4.

4. Prove that if a right angled triangle has sides of lengths , , and (where is the length of the hypoteneuse), and another right angled triangle has sides of lengths , , and (where is the length of the hypoteneuse), then at least one of , , and is not an integer.

5. Prove that is irrational.

6(a). Suppose that and are positive integers. Find real constants and such that


(b). Hence, or otherwise, show that, if is a positive integer, then


(c). You may use, without proof, the fact that


in order to prove that is irrational.
 
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CM_Tutor

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a) is just rational root theorem. Oh you want by contradicton. Assume (where a and b are non zero integers) is a root. Then: . The parity of the LHS is different to the parity of the RHS so contradiction.
Qeru, just a quick reminder that you need where and are integers that are coprime (have no common factors other than 1) for defining a rational number. The contradiction can often arise by proving they must have a common factor, so this is important to include in setting up a proof by contradiction on rationality.

As it happens, this is necessary for the parity argument that you are making in this case. You are stating that the LHS is odd and the RHS is even, which is true but only because at least one of or is odd for them to be coprime, and thus LHS is odd. Your answer does not prohibit both and being even, in which case parity allows a root as both LHS and RHS are even. What prevents the root is the requirement that be non-zero, forcing LHS to be non-zero.

Further, examiners will not necessarily know what you mean by LHS and RHS have different parity. It would be simpler in this case to note and so , producing the necessary contradiction.
 

Qeru

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Further, examiners will not necessarily know what you mean by LHS and RHS have different parity. It would be simpler in this case to note and so , producing the necessary contradiction.
How does this follow? You could have some combination of a and b which equals zero (since either a or b could be negative).
 

CM_Tutor

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How does this follow? You could have some combination of a and b which equals zero (since either a or b could be negative).
True... an alternative is then that is an integer, so is a factor of and so is a factor of , producing a contradiction. Note this form proves that and must have opposite signs and so any root must satisfy (as indeed the only real root of the equation does).
 

O01x

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1. Prove that there is no integer that leaves a remainder of 2 on division by 6, and also leaves a remainder of 7 on division by 9.

2. Prove that for any value

3. Prove that no integer has a square that leaves a remainder of 3 on division by 4.

4. Prove that if a right angled triangle has sides of lengths , , and (where is the length of the hypoteneuse), and another right angled triangle has sides of lengths , , and (where is the length of the hypoteneuse), then at least one of , , and is not an integer.

5. Prove that is irrational.

6(a). Suppose that and are positive integers. Find real constants and such that


(b). Hence, or otherwise, show that, if is a positive integer, then


(c). You may use, without proof, the fact that


in order to prove that is irrational.
How could we do Question 4)
 

Qeru

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How could we do Question 4)
Assume a,b and c are integers. We know from pythagoras: and











But addition is closed for the integers so the LHS must be an integer but the RHS is clearly not so contradiction. So atleast one of a,b or c is not an integer.
 

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