Can Every Integer Be Decomposed into an Odd Integer and a Power of 2?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on whether every natural number can be expressed as a product of an odd integer and a non-negative integer power of 2. The scope includes mathematical reasoning and proof techniques.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that for any odd integer n, it can be expressed as n = n * 2^0.
  • For even integers, it is proposed that they can be expressed as n = 2^1 * k, where k is an integer.
  • One participant challenges that the reasoning provided is insufficient to prove the claim that every n can be decomposed in the stated manner.
  • Another participant raises a concern regarding powers of 2, noting that 2^k has no odd factors unless 1 is included.
  • A later reply suggests that including 1 as an odd integer allows for the expression 2^k = 1 * 2^k, satisfying the problem's requirements.
  • It is mentioned that a proof could be constructed using strong induction, although specifics are not provided.
  • There is a suggestion for the original poster to engage with the discussion and clarify the educational purpose of the problem.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the sufficiency of the arguments presented, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved regarding the completeness of the proof for the claim.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the definitions of odd integers and powers of 2 are implicit in the discussion. The completeness of the proof and the application of strong induction are not fully explored.

KOO
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Prove that every n E N can be written as a product of odd integer and a non-negative integer power of 2.

For instance: 36 = 22 * 9
 
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KOO said:
Prove that every n E N can be written as a product of odd integer and a non-negative integer power of 2.

For instance: 36 = 22 * 9

If n is odd, we can write it as \displaystyle \begin{align*} n = n \cdot 2^0 \end{align*}.

If n is even (including 0), it must have a factor of 2, so we can write it as \displaystyle \begin{align*} n = 2^1 k \end{align*}.

Q.E.D.
 
Prove It said:
If n is odd, we can write it as \displaystyle \begin{align*} n = n \cdot 2^0 \end{align*}.

If n is even (including 0), it must have a factor of 2, so we can write it as \displaystyle \begin{align*} n = 2^1 k \end{align*}.
This is not enough to prove the required claim.
 
KOO said:
Prove that every n E N can be written as a product of odd integer and a non-negative integer power of 2.

For instance: 36 = 22 * 9
What about powers of 2? 2^k (k being a positive integer) has no odd factors, unless you want to include 1.

-Dan
 
topsquark said:
What about powers of 2? 2^k (k being a positive integer) has no odd factors, unless you want to include 1.
Well, we want to include 1. Thus, if $k$ is a nonnegative integer, then $2^k=1\cdot2^k$: here 1 is an odd integer and $2^k$ is a non-negative integer power of 2, so this factorization satisfies the problem statement.

Obviously, a proof of this fact uses repeated division by 2. It can be made precise using strong induction.

There was https://driven2services.com/staging/mh/index.php?posts/33828/ here about MathStackExchange (MSE), and the format that encourages dialogue was mentioned as a feature that distinguishes this forum from MSE. So I suggest that the OP write his/her reaction to what has been said so far and also the topic that this problem is supposed to teach (such as strong induction, direct proofs, or divisibility).
 

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