Introduction to Proof

A theorem is a statement that can be shown to be true. Normally, a theorem consists

of hypothesis and conclusion. If we are given a theorem in the form of p q , then
p is the hypothesis and q is the conclusion. We demonstrate that a theorem is true
with a proof. We will introduce three methods of proving theorem:
i)

Direct Proofs.

ii)

Contraposition.

iii)

Contradiction.
Table 1.7: Summary of Proof Techniques

Direct Proofs
Assumption Hypothesis is true
( p is true).

Contraposition
Conclusion is false
( q is false @ q is

Goal

true).
false.
Hypothesis is false
A contradiction.
( p is false @ p is

Conclusion is true
( q is true).

Contradiction
Hypothesis is true
and conclusion is

true).

Direct Proofs

Assume hypothesis (p) is true, and then show conclusion (q) is true.
Example 1.15
Give a direct proof of the following theorem: If x is an odd integer and y is an even
integer, then x y is odd.

Definition 1.6: Even and odd integer

The integer n is even if there exists an integer k such that n 2k . The integer n
is odd if there exists an integer k such that n 2k 1 .

Solution:

Proof by Contraposition

Assume conclusion (q) is false [or q is true], and then show hypothesis (p) is
false [or p is true].
Example 1.16
Prove that if n is an integer and 3n 2 is odd, then n is odd.
Solution:

Proof by Contradiction
Assume hypothesis (p) is true and conclusion (q) is false [or q is true], and then
show a contradiction.
Example 1.17
Give a proof by contradiction of the theorem If 3n 2 is odd, then

n is odd.

Solution:

Exercises

1. Give a direct proof of the following: If x is an odd integer and y is an even

integer, then x y is odd.
2. Give a proof by contradiction of the following: If n is an odd integer, then n2
is odd.
3. Consider the following theorem: if x and y are odd integers, then x y is
even. Give a direct proof of this theorem.
4. Consider the following theorem: if x and y are odd integers, then x y is
even. Give a proof by contradiction of this theorem.
5. Give a proof by contradiction of the following: If x and y are even integers,
then xy is even.
6. Consider the following theorem: If x is an odd integer, then x 2 is odd.
Give a direct proof of this theorem
7. Consider the following theorem: If x is an odd integer, then x 2 is odd.
Give a proof by contraposition of this theorem.
8. Consider the following theorem: If x is an odd integer, then x 2 is odd.
Give a proof by contradiction of this theorem.
9. Consider the following theorem: If n is an even integer, then n 1 is odd.
Give a direct proof of this theorem.
10. Consider the following theorem: If n is an even integer, then n 1 is odd.
Give a proof by contraposition of this theorem.
11. Consider the following theorem: If n is an even integer, then n 1 is odd.
Give a proof by contradiction of this theorem.