102k views
1 vote
What is wrong with this “proof”? “Theorem” For every positive integer n, if x and y are positive integers with max(x, y) = n, then x = y. Basis Step: Suppose that n = 1. If max(x, y) = 1 and x and y are positive integers, we have x = 1 and y = 1. Inductive Step: Let k be a positive integer. Assume that whenever max(x, y) = k and x and y are positive integers, then x = y. Now let max(x, y) = k +1, where x and y are positive integers. Then max(x – 1, y – 1) = k, so by the inductive hypothesis, x – 1 = y – 1. It follows that x = y, completing the inductive step. Online Discussion Guidelines: Post your logical argument on the discussion forum. Read the logical argument of your peers. Reply the results posted by at least two of your peers.

User Mvanveen
by
8.5k points

1 Answer

1 vote

The assumption of the inductive step is not correct. If
\mathrm{max}(x,y)=2, for instance, it's entirely possible that
x=1 and
y=2.

User Cutter
by
8.2k points

No related questions found