Proof That an Integer is Divisible by 2

In summary: So, in summary, an integer is divisible by ##2## if and only if its units digit is ##0, 2, 4, 6##, or ##8##, and vice versa. This is because ##N## can be expressed as ##10k+x## where ##k## is any integer and ##x## is the units digit, and if ##N## is divisible by ##2##, then ##x## must also be divisible by ##2##.
  • #1
Math100
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Homework Statement
Establish the following divisibility criteria:
An integer is divisible by ## 2 ## if and only if its units digit is ## 0, 2, 4, 6 ##, or ## 8 ##.
Relevant Equations
None.
Proof:

Suppose ## N ## is the integer and ## x ## is the units digit of ## N ##.
Then ## N=10k+x ## for some ## k\in\mathbb{Z} ## where ## x={0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9} ##.
Note that ## 10k\equiv 0\pmod {2}\implies N\equiv x\pmod {2} ##.
Thus ## 2\mid N\implies N\equiv 0\pmod {2}\implies x\equiv 0\pmod {2}\implies x\in{0, 2, 4, 6, 8} ##.
Therefore, an integer is divisible by ## 2 ## if and only if its units digit is ## 0, 2, 4, 6 ##, or ## 8 ##.
 
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  • #2
Math100 said:
Homework Statement:: Establish the following divisibility criteria:
An integer is divisible by ## 2 ## if and only if its units digit is ## 0, 2, 4, 6 ##, or ## 8 ##.
Relevant Equations:: None.

Proof:

Suppose ## N ## is the integer and ## x ## is the units digit of ## N ##.
Then ## N=10k+x ## for some ## k\in\mathbb{Z} ## where ## x={0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9} ##.
Note that ## 10k\equiv 0\pmod {2}\implies N\equiv x\pmod {2} ##.
Thus ## 2\mid N\implies N\equiv 0\pmod {2}\implies x\equiv 0\pmod {2}\implies x\in{0, 2, 4, 6, 8} ##.
Therefore, an integer is divisible by ## 2 ## if and only if its units digit is ## 0, 2, 4, 6 ##, or ## 8 ##.
Where is the other direction? You have shown ##2\,|\,N \Longrightarrow x\in \{0,2,4,6,8\}##. You must also show that all integers that end on an even digit are even themselves. Of course, you simply could replace all ##\Longrightarrow ## by ##\Longleftrightarrow##.
 
  • #3
fresh_42 said:
Where is the other direction? You have shown ##2\,|\,N \Longrightarrow x\in \{0,2,4,6,8\}##. You must also show that all integers that end on an even digit is even itself. Of course you simply could replace all ##\Longrightarrow ## by ##\Longleftrightarrow##.
So should I put "Thus ## 2\mid N\Leftrightarrow N\equiv 0\pmod {2}\Leftrightarrow x\equiv 0\pmod {2}\Leftrightarrow x\in{0, 2, 4, 6, 8} ##.?
 
  • #4
Math100 said:
So should I put "Thus ## 2\mid N\Leftrightarrow N\equiv 0\pmod {2}\Leftrightarrow x\equiv 0\pmod {2}\Leftrightarrow x\in{0, 2, 4, 6, 8} ##.?
Yes, the conclusions work in both directions because ##10k \equiv 0 \pmod 2## as you correctly said.
 
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1. How do you prove that an integer is divisible by 2?

To prove that an integer is divisible by 2, you can use the fact that every even number is divisible by 2. This means that if the integer can be divided by 2 without leaving a remainder, then it is divisible by 2.

2. What is the mathematical notation for proving an integer is divisible by 2?

The mathematical notation for proving an integer is divisible by 2 is: a = 2b, where a is the integer and b is any whole number.

3. Can you use a calculator to determine if an integer is divisible by 2?

Yes, you can use a calculator to determine if an integer is divisible by 2. Simply divide the integer by 2 and if the result is a whole number, then the integer is divisible by 2.

4. Are there any other methods for proving an integer is divisible by 2?

Yes, there are other methods for proving an integer is divisible by 2. One method is to check if the last digit of the integer is even. If it is, then the integer is divisible by 2. Another method is to use the rule that if the sum of the digits of the integer is divisible by 2, then the integer is also divisible by 2.

5. Is proving an integer is divisible by 2 important in mathematics?

Yes, proving an integer is divisible by 2 is important in mathematics because it is a fundamental concept in number theory and is used in many other mathematical concepts and calculations. It also helps in simplifying and solving more complex problems involving integers.

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