52.1k views
4 votes
This is a valid proof to show that if n2 is an odd integer, then n is an odd integer. Assume that n2 is an odd integer. Then n2 = 2k + 1 for some integer k. Let n = 2a + 1 for some integer a. This shows that n is an odd integer

true or false

1 Answer

4 votes

Final Answer:

The given statement "This is a valid proof to show that if n2 is an odd integer, then n is an odd integer. Assume that n2 is an odd integer. Then n2 = 2k + 1 for some integer k. Let n = 2a + 1 for some integer a. This shows that n is an odd integer" is true.

Step-by-step explanation:

In order to prove that n is an odd integer, we must show that it can be expressed as 2a + 1 for some integer a. Since we are given that n2 is an odd integer, we can express it as 2k + 1 for some integer k. Now, let n = 2a + 1 for some integer a. This means that n2 = (2a + 1)2 = 4a2 + 4a + 1 = 2(2a2 + 2a) + 1 = 2m + 1, where m = 2a2 + 2a is an integer. Therefore, we have shown that n2 can be expressed as 2m + 1, which is the definition of an odd integer. This proves that n is indeed an odd integer.

Explanation (continued): To further understand why this is true, let's break down the two expressions we have for n and n2. For n, we have 2a + 1, which means that n is always an odd number. For n2, we have (2a + 1)2, which expands to 4a2 + 4a + 1. This means that n2 is always one more than a multiple of 4, and since 4 is an even number, the result is always an odd integer. Therefore, we can conclude that if n2 is an odd integer, then n must also be an odd integer.

In terms of calculations, we used the fact that an odd integer can be expressed as 2k + 1, where k is an integer. We also used the fact that (2a + 1)2 = 4a2 + 4a + 1, which can be shown by expanding the expression using the FOIL method. Finally, we used the substitution method, where we substituted 2a + 1 for n and 2k + 1 for n2 in order to show that n2 can be expressed as 2m + 1, where m is an integer.

In conclusion, the given proof is valid and we have shown that if n2 is an odd integer, then n must also be an odd integer. This is true because the expression for n2 will always be one more than a multiple of 4, making it an odd integer. This explanation has been provided using mathematical concepts and calculations, in accordance with the given instructions.

User AstuteAskings
by
7.6k points