I How can I improve my proof skills with internet resources?

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The discussion focuses on improving proof skills using internet resources, particularly addressing the validity of proofs involving divisibility. Participants emphasize that zero cannot be a divisor, as division by zero is undefined, which is crucial for the integrity of mathematical propositions. Suggestions for improving proof structure include reordering statements for clarity and using direct proof methods. Additionally, resources for learning LaTeX, a typesetting system for mathematical documents, are shared to aid in presenting proofs effectively. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of understanding foundational concepts and utilizing online tools for better proof writing.
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Is this proof even correct?! It places assumption on a and c NOT BEING ZERO.
Thanks in advance. I am new to proofs.
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If a|b, can a be zero?
If c|d, can c be zero?

If not, that case is not relevant for the proposition.
 
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mfb said:
If a|b, can a be zero?
If c|d, can c be zero?

If not, that case is not relevant for the proposition.

No, I think. Nonumber can be divided by zero. Edot: I was confused because it said all are in integers

Any other (creative) way to do this proof? :smile: (using a direct proof method)
 
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Bipolar Demon said:
No, I think. No real number can be divided by zero
No number can be divided by zero. Zero doesn't belong to multiplicative groups by definition of the group properties and zero as the additive neutral element.

The other way around, if multiplication (of all elements including zero) doesn't form a group, one can have ##a\cdot b =0## ##a## and ##b## are then called zero divisors. E.g. the remainders of divisions by a non-prime have zero divisors, ##2\cdot 3 \equiv 0 \mod (6)##.
 
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It looks good to me. Maybe it could use a little word-smithing.
 
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The order of your proof needs work. You say
"Thus ##\frac{bd}{ac} = l, l \in \mathbb{Z}##"
Then you talk some more about ##\frac{bd}{ac}##, which should come before saying, "Thus..."
Here's what I think is a more direct proof:
a | b and c | d
Then b = ka and d = mc, for integers k and m.
So bd = kmac
Hence ac | bd.​
When we say that a number a divides another b, both numbers are assumed to be integers, and a is assumed to be nonzero.
Edit: Fixed some typos caused by switching letters.
In the future, please post your work here directly, rather than as an image. Everything you did can be done using TeX. If you are uncertain how to use this, take a look at our tutorial, under INFO --> Help/How-tos. The LaTeX tutorial is listed there.
 
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Mark44 said:
The order of your proof needs work. You say
"Thus ##\frac{bd}{ac} = l, l \in \mathbb{Z}##"
Then you talk some more about ##\frac{bd}{ac}##, which should come before saying, "Thus..."
Here's what I think is a more direct proof:
a | b and c | d
Then b = ka and d = mc, for integers k and m.
So bd = kmac
Hence ac | bd.​
When we say that a number a divides another b, both numbers are assumed to be integers, and a is assumed to be nonzero.

In the future, please post your work here directly, rather than as an image. Everything you did can be done using TeX. If you are uncertain how to use this, take a look at our tutorial, under INFO --> Help/How-tos. The LaTeX tutorial is listed there.

ok, I will learn it. :-)
 
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  • #10
Bipolar Demon said:
thanks a lot...I am just scared of having to program anything (last time I programmed things didn't go too well). I will ytry it :-)
You can do a lot with just a few tricks:
Fractions: ##\frac{ab}{cd}##
Script: ##\frac{ab}{cd}##

Exponents, subscripts: ##c_1x^2##
Script: ##c_1x^2##

Integrals: ##\int_a^b f(t) dt##
Script: ##\int_a^b f(t) dt##

These are probably the ones I use the most

Matrices: ##\begin{bmatrix} 2 & 3 \\ 0 & 1 \end{bmatrix}##
Script: ##\begin{bmatrix} 2 & 3 \\ 0 & 1 \end{bmatrix}##
 
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  • #11
Bipolar Demon said:
thanks a lot...I am just scared of having to program anything (last time I programmed things didn't go too well). I will ytry it :-)
The best thing is ##\text {## math ##} ## is fast to type.
I even downloaded me a tiny program (AutoHotkey) that allows me to add shortcuts to my keyboard. E.g. I have Alt+f which makes me \frac{}{} for quotients. One just have to ensure not to overload the shortcuts one usually uses, like Ctrl+c. But even then, this little helper can easily be switched on and off.
 
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  • #12
Bipolar Demon said:
thanks a lot...I am just scared of having to program anything (last time I programmed things didn't go too well). I will ytry it :-)
the best way to learn this is That the internet make all the work :biggrin:o_O
https://www.codecogs.com/latex/eqneditor.php
 
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