Proof by Contradiction to Prove Theorem that is not True
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Based on the following incorrect Theorem, why is this proof by contradiction not valid?
Theorem
If $x+y=10$
Then $xneq 3 text{ and } yneq 8$
Proof
Assume:
$x+y=10$
$x=3$ or $y=8$
Let $x=3$ and $y=8$
Since $x+y=3+8=11neq 10$ we have a contradiction based on the assumptions.
Based on this haven't we just proven the above theorem which we know to be incorrect. The steps I have been taught for proving something using proof by contradiction is to assume $Pland lnot Q$ which I believe that I have done correctly. Then you simply want to derive something that is not true, which I also feel that I have done ($x+yneq 10$).
So, my question is, where have I gone wrong/what is it that I am not understanding correctly?
discrete-mathematics
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Based on the following incorrect Theorem, why is this proof by contradiction not valid?
Theorem
If $x+y=10$
Then $xneq 3 text{ and } yneq 8$
Proof
Assume:
$x+y=10$
$x=3$ or $y=8$
Let $x=3$ and $y=8$
Since $x+y=3+8=11neq 10$ we have a contradiction based on the assumptions.
Based on this haven't we just proven the above theorem which we know to be incorrect. The steps I have been taught for proving something using proof by contradiction is to assume $Pland lnot Q$ which I believe that I have done correctly. Then you simply want to derive something that is not true, which I also feel that I have done ($x+yneq 10$).
So, my question is, where have I gone wrong/what is it that I am not understanding correctly?
discrete-mathematics
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Based on the following incorrect Theorem, why is this proof by contradiction not valid?
Theorem
If $x+y=10$
Then $xneq 3 text{ and } yneq 8$
Proof
Assume:
$x+y=10$
$x=3$ or $y=8$
Let $x=3$ and $y=8$
Since $x+y=3+8=11neq 10$ we have a contradiction based on the assumptions.
Based on this haven't we just proven the above theorem which we know to be incorrect. The steps I have been taught for proving something using proof by contradiction is to assume $Pland lnot Q$ which I believe that I have done correctly. Then you simply want to derive something that is not true, which I also feel that I have done ($x+yneq 10$).
So, my question is, where have I gone wrong/what is it that I am not understanding correctly?
discrete-mathematics
$endgroup$
Based on the following incorrect Theorem, why is this proof by contradiction not valid?
Theorem
If $x+y=10$
Then $xneq 3 text{ and } yneq 8$
Proof
Assume:
$x+y=10$
$x=3$ or $y=8$
Let $x=3$ and $y=8$
Since $x+y=3+8=11neq 10$ we have a contradiction based on the assumptions.
Based on this haven't we just proven the above theorem which we know to be incorrect. The steps I have been taught for proving something using proof by contradiction is to assume $Pland lnot Q$ which I believe that I have done correctly. Then you simply want to derive something that is not true, which I also feel that I have done ($x+yneq 10$).
So, my question is, where have I gone wrong/what is it that I am not understanding correctly?
discrete-mathematics
discrete-mathematics
asked Dec 16 '18 at 0:06
Jac FrallJac Frall
174
174
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2 Answers
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oldest
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Yes, you have set up things correctly: Assume $x+y=10$, and then, to start the proof by Contradiction, you (correctly) assumed that it is not true that $x neq 3$ and $y neq 8$. And the latter means that $x=3$ or $y=8$. But from that, you cannot infer that $x=3$ and $y=8$, which is what you need in order to get to $x+y=11$ and thus to your contradiction.
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$begingroup$
I cannot see why that is the case. It seems to me that the truth value for $x=3lor y=8$ would be true when both $x=3$ and $ y=8$?
$endgroup$
– Jac Frall
Dec 16 '18 at 0:19
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@JacFrall True, from $x=3 land y=8$ you can indeed infer $x=3 lor y=8$. But in order for your proof to work, you need to go the other way around: Your Proof by Contradiction goes like this: $neg (x neq 3 land y neq 8) Rightarrow (x =3 lor y=8) Rightarrow x = 3 land y=8 Rightarrow x+y=11$.
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– Bram28
Dec 16 '18 at 0:24
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Look at your proof. You assume $x=3$ or $y=8$ ... and yet on the very next line you say 'Let $x=3$ and $y=8$' ... wait! Where does that come from? Certainly not from your assumption, because from $x=3$ or $y=8$ you cannot infer $x=3$ and $y=8$. And so is this a new assumption? A second assumption? But then when that second assumption runs into a contradiction, all you u have shown is that it cannot be trrue that $x=3$ and $y=8$ ... the first assumption does not get discharged, and hence you have not shown that it cannot be true that $x=3$ or $y=8$
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– Bram28
Dec 16 '18 at 0:33
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Yes that makes much more sense now. Thank you for helping me see that it is a stronger statement and thus you cannot assume more than the initial $Pland lnot Q$
$endgroup$
– Jac Frall
Dec 16 '18 at 0:44
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@JacFrall Cool, glad I could help! :)
$endgroup$
– Bram28
Dec 16 '18 at 0:45
add a comment |
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this theorem is wrong
$P: bigg[x+y=10implies (xne 3land yne 8)bigg]iff bigg[(x=3 lor y=8)implies x+yne 10bigg]$
Suppose $x=3$, you take $y:=7$ so $x+y=10$ contradiction so your theorem is wrong
by contradiction :
$lnot P :quad x+y=10 land (x= 3lor y= 8)$
$x+y=10$ and $x=3$ we take $y:=7$, so the proposition $lnot P$ is right.
I remind you $P:(simplies t)iff (lnot slor t)$ so $lnot P :sland lnot t$
To avoid any confusion you have to add quantifier so the proposition becomes
$ P :forall (x,y)in mathbb{N}^2,bigg[x+y=10implies (xne 3land yne 8)bigg]$
So the negative is :
$lnot P : exists (x,y)in mathbb{N}^2,quad (x+y=10) land (x= 3lor y= 8)$
We only need to find one 2-tuple that satisfies the proposition, so $(x,y)=(3,7)$ fits. We conclude $lnot P$ is right thus $P$ is wrong
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Yes, I understand that the Theorem is not True. This is why I was confused. I was showing that some obviously false theorem was true using proof by contradiction, asking for clarification.
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– Jac Frall
Dec 16 '18 at 0:41
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I added a proof by contradiction
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– Stu
Dec 16 '18 at 0:49
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I see. What confused me was I thought you could let $x=3 $ and $y=8$ in the proof by contradiction since this seems to satisfy the $x=3 lor y=8$ part of $lnot P$.
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– Jac Frall
Dec 16 '18 at 0:54
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what do you mean?
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– Stu
Dec 16 '18 at 1:43
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$forall cdots P$ and $existscdots lnot P$
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– Stu
Dec 16 '18 at 1:47
|
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2 Answers
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2 Answers
2
active
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$begingroup$
Yes, you have set up things correctly: Assume $x+y=10$, and then, to start the proof by Contradiction, you (correctly) assumed that it is not true that $x neq 3$ and $y neq 8$. And the latter means that $x=3$ or $y=8$. But from that, you cannot infer that $x=3$ and $y=8$, which is what you need in order to get to $x+y=11$ and thus to your contradiction.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
I cannot see why that is the case. It seems to me that the truth value for $x=3lor y=8$ would be true when both $x=3$ and $ y=8$?
$endgroup$
– Jac Frall
Dec 16 '18 at 0:19
$begingroup$
@JacFrall True, from $x=3 land y=8$ you can indeed infer $x=3 lor y=8$. But in order for your proof to work, you need to go the other way around: Your Proof by Contradiction goes like this: $neg (x neq 3 land y neq 8) Rightarrow (x =3 lor y=8) Rightarrow x = 3 land y=8 Rightarrow x+y=11$.
$endgroup$
– Bram28
Dec 16 '18 at 0:24
$begingroup$
Look at your proof. You assume $x=3$ or $y=8$ ... and yet on the very next line you say 'Let $x=3$ and $y=8$' ... wait! Where does that come from? Certainly not from your assumption, because from $x=3$ or $y=8$ you cannot infer $x=3$ and $y=8$. And so is this a new assumption? A second assumption? But then when that second assumption runs into a contradiction, all you u have shown is that it cannot be trrue that $x=3$ and $y=8$ ... the first assumption does not get discharged, and hence you have not shown that it cannot be true that $x=3$ or $y=8$
$endgroup$
– Bram28
Dec 16 '18 at 0:33
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Yes that makes much more sense now. Thank you for helping me see that it is a stronger statement and thus you cannot assume more than the initial $Pland lnot Q$
$endgroup$
– Jac Frall
Dec 16 '18 at 0:44
$begingroup$
@JacFrall Cool, glad I could help! :)
$endgroup$
– Bram28
Dec 16 '18 at 0:45
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Yes, you have set up things correctly: Assume $x+y=10$, and then, to start the proof by Contradiction, you (correctly) assumed that it is not true that $x neq 3$ and $y neq 8$. And the latter means that $x=3$ or $y=8$. But from that, you cannot infer that $x=3$ and $y=8$, which is what you need in order to get to $x+y=11$ and thus to your contradiction.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
I cannot see why that is the case. It seems to me that the truth value for $x=3lor y=8$ would be true when both $x=3$ and $ y=8$?
$endgroup$
– Jac Frall
Dec 16 '18 at 0:19
$begingroup$
@JacFrall True, from $x=3 land y=8$ you can indeed infer $x=3 lor y=8$. But in order for your proof to work, you need to go the other way around: Your Proof by Contradiction goes like this: $neg (x neq 3 land y neq 8) Rightarrow (x =3 lor y=8) Rightarrow x = 3 land y=8 Rightarrow x+y=11$.
$endgroup$
– Bram28
Dec 16 '18 at 0:24
$begingroup$
Look at your proof. You assume $x=3$ or $y=8$ ... and yet on the very next line you say 'Let $x=3$ and $y=8$' ... wait! Where does that come from? Certainly not from your assumption, because from $x=3$ or $y=8$ you cannot infer $x=3$ and $y=8$. And so is this a new assumption? A second assumption? But then when that second assumption runs into a contradiction, all you u have shown is that it cannot be trrue that $x=3$ and $y=8$ ... the first assumption does not get discharged, and hence you have not shown that it cannot be true that $x=3$ or $y=8$
$endgroup$
– Bram28
Dec 16 '18 at 0:33
$begingroup$
Yes that makes much more sense now. Thank you for helping me see that it is a stronger statement and thus you cannot assume more than the initial $Pland lnot Q$
$endgroup$
– Jac Frall
Dec 16 '18 at 0:44
$begingroup$
@JacFrall Cool, glad I could help! :)
$endgroup$
– Bram28
Dec 16 '18 at 0:45
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Yes, you have set up things correctly: Assume $x+y=10$, and then, to start the proof by Contradiction, you (correctly) assumed that it is not true that $x neq 3$ and $y neq 8$. And the latter means that $x=3$ or $y=8$. But from that, you cannot infer that $x=3$ and $y=8$, which is what you need in order to get to $x+y=11$ and thus to your contradiction.
$endgroup$
Yes, you have set up things correctly: Assume $x+y=10$, and then, to start the proof by Contradiction, you (correctly) assumed that it is not true that $x neq 3$ and $y neq 8$. And the latter means that $x=3$ or $y=8$. But from that, you cannot infer that $x=3$ and $y=8$, which is what you need in order to get to $x+y=11$ and thus to your contradiction.
edited Dec 16 '18 at 0:29
answered Dec 16 '18 at 0:13
Bram28Bram28
63.1k44793
63.1k44793
$begingroup$
I cannot see why that is the case. It seems to me that the truth value for $x=3lor y=8$ would be true when both $x=3$ and $ y=8$?
$endgroup$
– Jac Frall
Dec 16 '18 at 0:19
$begingroup$
@JacFrall True, from $x=3 land y=8$ you can indeed infer $x=3 lor y=8$. But in order for your proof to work, you need to go the other way around: Your Proof by Contradiction goes like this: $neg (x neq 3 land y neq 8) Rightarrow (x =3 lor y=8) Rightarrow x = 3 land y=8 Rightarrow x+y=11$.
$endgroup$
– Bram28
Dec 16 '18 at 0:24
$begingroup$
Look at your proof. You assume $x=3$ or $y=8$ ... and yet on the very next line you say 'Let $x=3$ and $y=8$' ... wait! Where does that come from? Certainly not from your assumption, because from $x=3$ or $y=8$ you cannot infer $x=3$ and $y=8$. And so is this a new assumption? A second assumption? But then when that second assumption runs into a contradiction, all you u have shown is that it cannot be trrue that $x=3$ and $y=8$ ... the first assumption does not get discharged, and hence you have not shown that it cannot be true that $x=3$ or $y=8$
$endgroup$
– Bram28
Dec 16 '18 at 0:33
$begingroup$
Yes that makes much more sense now. Thank you for helping me see that it is a stronger statement and thus you cannot assume more than the initial $Pland lnot Q$
$endgroup$
– Jac Frall
Dec 16 '18 at 0:44
$begingroup$
@JacFrall Cool, glad I could help! :)
$endgroup$
– Bram28
Dec 16 '18 at 0:45
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I cannot see why that is the case. It seems to me that the truth value for $x=3lor y=8$ would be true when both $x=3$ and $ y=8$?
$endgroup$
– Jac Frall
Dec 16 '18 at 0:19
$begingroup$
@JacFrall True, from $x=3 land y=8$ you can indeed infer $x=3 lor y=8$. But in order for your proof to work, you need to go the other way around: Your Proof by Contradiction goes like this: $neg (x neq 3 land y neq 8) Rightarrow (x =3 lor y=8) Rightarrow x = 3 land y=8 Rightarrow x+y=11$.
$endgroup$
– Bram28
Dec 16 '18 at 0:24
$begingroup$
Look at your proof. You assume $x=3$ or $y=8$ ... and yet on the very next line you say 'Let $x=3$ and $y=8$' ... wait! Where does that come from? Certainly not from your assumption, because from $x=3$ or $y=8$ you cannot infer $x=3$ and $y=8$. And so is this a new assumption? A second assumption? But then when that second assumption runs into a contradiction, all you u have shown is that it cannot be trrue that $x=3$ and $y=8$ ... the first assumption does not get discharged, and hence you have not shown that it cannot be true that $x=3$ or $y=8$
$endgroup$
– Bram28
Dec 16 '18 at 0:33
$begingroup$
Yes that makes much more sense now. Thank you for helping me see that it is a stronger statement and thus you cannot assume more than the initial $Pland lnot Q$
$endgroup$
– Jac Frall
Dec 16 '18 at 0:44
$begingroup$
@JacFrall Cool, glad I could help! :)
$endgroup$
– Bram28
Dec 16 '18 at 0:45
$begingroup$
I cannot see why that is the case. It seems to me that the truth value for $x=3lor y=8$ would be true when both $x=3$ and $ y=8$?
$endgroup$
– Jac Frall
Dec 16 '18 at 0:19
$begingroup$
I cannot see why that is the case. It seems to me that the truth value for $x=3lor y=8$ would be true when both $x=3$ and $ y=8$?
$endgroup$
– Jac Frall
Dec 16 '18 at 0:19
$begingroup$
@JacFrall True, from $x=3 land y=8$ you can indeed infer $x=3 lor y=8$. But in order for your proof to work, you need to go the other way around: Your Proof by Contradiction goes like this: $neg (x neq 3 land y neq 8) Rightarrow (x =3 lor y=8) Rightarrow x = 3 land y=8 Rightarrow x+y=11$.
$endgroup$
– Bram28
Dec 16 '18 at 0:24
$begingroup$
@JacFrall True, from $x=3 land y=8$ you can indeed infer $x=3 lor y=8$. But in order for your proof to work, you need to go the other way around: Your Proof by Contradiction goes like this: $neg (x neq 3 land y neq 8) Rightarrow (x =3 lor y=8) Rightarrow x = 3 land y=8 Rightarrow x+y=11$.
$endgroup$
– Bram28
Dec 16 '18 at 0:24
$begingroup$
Look at your proof. You assume $x=3$ or $y=8$ ... and yet on the very next line you say 'Let $x=3$ and $y=8$' ... wait! Where does that come from? Certainly not from your assumption, because from $x=3$ or $y=8$ you cannot infer $x=3$ and $y=8$. And so is this a new assumption? A second assumption? But then when that second assumption runs into a contradiction, all you u have shown is that it cannot be trrue that $x=3$ and $y=8$ ... the first assumption does not get discharged, and hence you have not shown that it cannot be true that $x=3$ or $y=8$
$endgroup$
– Bram28
Dec 16 '18 at 0:33
$begingroup$
Look at your proof. You assume $x=3$ or $y=8$ ... and yet on the very next line you say 'Let $x=3$ and $y=8$' ... wait! Where does that come from? Certainly not from your assumption, because from $x=3$ or $y=8$ you cannot infer $x=3$ and $y=8$. And so is this a new assumption? A second assumption? But then when that second assumption runs into a contradiction, all you u have shown is that it cannot be trrue that $x=3$ and $y=8$ ... the first assumption does not get discharged, and hence you have not shown that it cannot be true that $x=3$ or $y=8$
$endgroup$
– Bram28
Dec 16 '18 at 0:33
$begingroup$
Yes that makes much more sense now. Thank you for helping me see that it is a stronger statement and thus you cannot assume more than the initial $Pland lnot Q$
$endgroup$
– Jac Frall
Dec 16 '18 at 0:44
$begingroup$
Yes that makes much more sense now. Thank you for helping me see that it is a stronger statement and thus you cannot assume more than the initial $Pland lnot Q$
$endgroup$
– Jac Frall
Dec 16 '18 at 0:44
$begingroup$
@JacFrall Cool, glad I could help! :)
$endgroup$
– Bram28
Dec 16 '18 at 0:45
$begingroup$
@JacFrall Cool, glad I could help! :)
$endgroup$
– Bram28
Dec 16 '18 at 0:45
add a comment |
$begingroup$
this theorem is wrong
$P: bigg[x+y=10implies (xne 3land yne 8)bigg]iff bigg[(x=3 lor y=8)implies x+yne 10bigg]$
Suppose $x=3$, you take $y:=7$ so $x+y=10$ contradiction so your theorem is wrong
by contradiction :
$lnot P :quad x+y=10 land (x= 3lor y= 8)$
$x+y=10$ and $x=3$ we take $y:=7$, so the proposition $lnot P$ is right.
I remind you $P:(simplies t)iff (lnot slor t)$ so $lnot P :sland lnot t$
To avoid any confusion you have to add quantifier so the proposition becomes
$ P :forall (x,y)in mathbb{N}^2,bigg[x+y=10implies (xne 3land yne 8)bigg]$
So the negative is :
$lnot P : exists (x,y)in mathbb{N}^2,quad (x+y=10) land (x= 3lor y= 8)$
We only need to find one 2-tuple that satisfies the proposition, so $(x,y)=(3,7)$ fits. We conclude $lnot P$ is right thus $P$ is wrong
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Yes, I understand that the Theorem is not True. This is why I was confused. I was showing that some obviously false theorem was true using proof by contradiction, asking for clarification.
$endgroup$
– Jac Frall
Dec 16 '18 at 0:41
$begingroup$
I added a proof by contradiction
$endgroup$
– Stu
Dec 16 '18 at 0:49
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I see. What confused me was I thought you could let $x=3 $ and $y=8$ in the proof by contradiction since this seems to satisfy the $x=3 lor y=8$ part of $lnot P$.
$endgroup$
– Jac Frall
Dec 16 '18 at 0:54
$begingroup$
what do you mean?
$endgroup$
– Stu
Dec 16 '18 at 1:43
$begingroup$
$forall cdots P$ and $existscdots lnot P$
$endgroup$
– Stu
Dec 16 '18 at 1:47
|
show 3 more comments
$begingroup$
this theorem is wrong
$P: bigg[x+y=10implies (xne 3land yne 8)bigg]iff bigg[(x=3 lor y=8)implies x+yne 10bigg]$
Suppose $x=3$, you take $y:=7$ so $x+y=10$ contradiction so your theorem is wrong
by contradiction :
$lnot P :quad x+y=10 land (x= 3lor y= 8)$
$x+y=10$ and $x=3$ we take $y:=7$, so the proposition $lnot P$ is right.
I remind you $P:(simplies t)iff (lnot slor t)$ so $lnot P :sland lnot t$
To avoid any confusion you have to add quantifier so the proposition becomes
$ P :forall (x,y)in mathbb{N}^2,bigg[x+y=10implies (xne 3land yne 8)bigg]$
So the negative is :
$lnot P : exists (x,y)in mathbb{N}^2,quad (x+y=10) land (x= 3lor y= 8)$
We only need to find one 2-tuple that satisfies the proposition, so $(x,y)=(3,7)$ fits. We conclude $lnot P$ is right thus $P$ is wrong
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Yes, I understand that the Theorem is not True. This is why I was confused. I was showing that some obviously false theorem was true using proof by contradiction, asking for clarification.
$endgroup$
– Jac Frall
Dec 16 '18 at 0:41
$begingroup$
I added a proof by contradiction
$endgroup$
– Stu
Dec 16 '18 at 0:49
$begingroup$
I see. What confused me was I thought you could let $x=3 $ and $y=8$ in the proof by contradiction since this seems to satisfy the $x=3 lor y=8$ part of $lnot P$.
$endgroup$
– Jac Frall
Dec 16 '18 at 0:54
$begingroup$
what do you mean?
$endgroup$
– Stu
Dec 16 '18 at 1:43
$begingroup$
$forall cdots P$ and $existscdots lnot P$
$endgroup$
– Stu
Dec 16 '18 at 1:47
|
show 3 more comments
$begingroup$
this theorem is wrong
$P: bigg[x+y=10implies (xne 3land yne 8)bigg]iff bigg[(x=3 lor y=8)implies x+yne 10bigg]$
Suppose $x=3$, you take $y:=7$ so $x+y=10$ contradiction so your theorem is wrong
by contradiction :
$lnot P :quad x+y=10 land (x= 3lor y= 8)$
$x+y=10$ and $x=3$ we take $y:=7$, so the proposition $lnot P$ is right.
I remind you $P:(simplies t)iff (lnot slor t)$ so $lnot P :sland lnot t$
To avoid any confusion you have to add quantifier so the proposition becomes
$ P :forall (x,y)in mathbb{N}^2,bigg[x+y=10implies (xne 3land yne 8)bigg]$
So the negative is :
$lnot P : exists (x,y)in mathbb{N}^2,quad (x+y=10) land (x= 3lor y= 8)$
We only need to find one 2-tuple that satisfies the proposition, so $(x,y)=(3,7)$ fits. We conclude $lnot P$ is right thus $P$ is wrong
$endgroup$
this theorem is wrong
$P: bigg[x+y=10implies (xne 3land yne 8)bigg]iff bigg[(x=3 lor y=8)implies x+yne 10bigg]$
Suppose $x=3$, you take $y:=7$ so $x+y=10$ contradiction so your theorem is wrong
by contradiction :
$lnot P :quad x+y=10 land (x= 3lor y= 8)$
$x+y=10$ and $x=3$ we take $y:=7$, so the proposition $lnot P$ is right.
I remind you $P:(simplies t)iff (lnot slor t)$ so $lnot P :sland lnot t$
To avoid any confusion you have to add quantifier so the proposition becomes
$ P :forall (x,y)in mathbb{N}^2,bigg[x+y=10implies (xne 3land yne 8)bigg]$
So the negative is :
$lnot P : exists (x,y)in mathbb{N}^2,quad (x+y=10) land (x= 3lor y= 8)$
We only need to find one 2-tuple that satisfies the proposition, so $(x,y)=(3,7)$ fits. We conclude $lnot P$ is right thus $P$ is wrong
edited Dec 16 '18 at 8:33
answered Dec 16 '18 at 0:39
StuStu
1,1881414
1,1881414
$begingroup$
Yes, I understand that the Theorem is not True. This is why I was confused. I was showing that some obviously false theorem was true using proof by contradiction, asking for clarification.
$endgroup$
– Jac Frall
Dec 16 '18 at 0:41
$begingroup$
I added a proof by contradiction
$endgroup$
– Stu
Dec 16 '18 at 0:49
$begingroup$
I see. What confused me was I thought you could let $x=3 $ and $y=8$ in the proof by contradiction since this seems to satisfy the $x=3 lor y=8$ part of $lnot P$.
$endgroup$
– Jac Frall
Dec 16 '18 at 0:54
$begingroup$
what do you mean?
$endgroup$
– Stu
Dec 16 '18 at 1:43
$begingroup$
$forall cdots P$ and $existscdots lnot P$
$endgroup$
– Stu
Dec 16 '18 at 1:47
|
show 3 more comments
$begingroup$
Yes, I understand that the Theorem is not True. This is why I was confused. I was showing that some obviously false theorem was true using proof by contradiction, asking for clarification.
$endgroup$
– Jac Frall
Dec 16 '18 at 0:41
$begingroup$
I added a proof by contradiction
$endgroup$
– Stu
Dec 16 '18 at 0:49
$begingroup$
I see. What confused me was I thought you could let $x=3 $ and $y=8$ in the proof by contradiction since this seems to satisfy the $x=3 lor y=8$ part of $lnot P$.
$endgroup$
– Jac Frall
Dec 16 '18 at 0:54
$begingroup$
what do you mean?
$endgroup$
– Stu
Dec 16 '18 at 1:43
$begingroup$
$forall cdots P$ and $existscdots lnot P$
$endgroup$
– Stu
Dec 16 '18 at 1:47
$begingroup$
Yes, I understand that the Theorem is not True. This is why I was confused. I was showing that some obviously false theorem was true using proof by contradiction, asking for clarification.
$endgroup$
– Jac Frall
Dec 16 '18 at 0:41
$begingroup$
Yes, I understand that the Theorem is not True. This is why I was confused. I was showing that some obviously false theorem was true using proof by contradiction, asking for clarification.
$endgroup$
– Jac Frall
Dec 16 '18 at 0:41
$begingroup$
I added a proof by contradiction
$endgroup$
– Stu
Dec 16 '18 at 0:49
$begingroup$
I added a proof by contradiction
$endgroup$
– Stu
Dec 16 '18 at 0:49
$begingroup$
I see. What confused me was I thought you could let $x=3 $ and $y=8$ in the proof by contradiction since this seems to satisfy the $x=3 lor y=8$ part of $lnot P$.
$endgroup$
– Jac Frall
Dec 16 '18 at 0:54
$begingroup$
I see. What confused me was I thought you could let $x=3 $ and $y=8$ in the proof by contradiction since this seems to satisfy the $x=3 lor y=8$ part of $lnot P$.
$endgroup$
– Jac Frall
Dec 16 '18 at 0:54
$begingroup$
what do you mean?
$endgroup$
– Stu
Dec 16 '18 at 1:43
$begingroup$
what do you mean?
$endgroup$
– Stu
Dec 16 '18 at 1:43
$begingroup$
$forall cdots P$ and $existscdots lnot P$
$endgroup$
– Stu
Dec 16 '18 at 1:47
$begingroup$
$forall cdots P$ and $existscdots lnot P$
$endgroup$
– Stu
Dec 16 '18 at 1:47
|
show 3 more comments
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