# Proof with even numbers and divison

gmmstr827

## Homework Statement

Prove that the product of two even integers is divisible by four.

## The Attempt at a Solution

If a·b where (a^b)ЄZ+, then 4|(a·b)
If 2|a ^ 2|b, then (a^b)≥2 v (a·b)=0

If 2|(2·n) then 4|[2·(2·n)] for nЄZ

∴ 4|(a·b) where (a^b)ЄZ+
[X]

Is my proof correct? Is my notation for a positive integer correct (Z+), or should I not use the + and instead state that a,b≥0 a,bЄK? I'm not sure if that really proves it or not, but it's the best I have at the moment.

I was given much shorter proofs after I constructed this, and am aware it can be much shorter, but I mainly want to know if this is CORRECT or not.

Thank you!

Homework Helper

## Homework Statement

Prove that the product of two even integers is divisible by four.

## The Attempt at a Solution

If a·b where (a^b)ЄZ+, then 4|(a·b)

What do you mean by "If a.b"? And your notation is invalid. You cannot say that a, and b are positive integers by writing (a^b)ЄZ+.

The symbol ^ is used to connect 2 statements. a, and b are 2 integers, not statements, so, you cannot write like that.

If 2|a ^ 2|b, then (a^b)≥2 v (a·b)=0

If 2|(2·n) then 4|[2·(2·n)] for nЄZ

n seems to be jumping out of nowhere. When writing a formal proof, everything must be defined. What is n doing there? What's the relation between n, and the existing variable(s)?

∴ 4|(a·b) where (a^b)ЄZ+
[X]

And what's the connection between n, and a, b?

gmmstr827
I was told ^ simply means "and" so I thought it would be appropriate.
a·b is a common way to say "a multiplied by b." Even calculators use the notation of a centered dot to represent multiplication.
I first showed that a and b are both divisible by 2 since they are even.
I used n as an integer separate from the positive number definition to show that any even number is divisible by 2 and therefore the multiplication of two even numbers is divisible by 4.

Homework Helper
I was told ^ simply means "and" so I thought it would be appropriate.
a·b is a common way to say "a multiplied by b." Even calculators use the notation of a centered dot to represent multiplication.

Well, yes, I know it's multiplication sign, but why are you putting 'If' in front of a.b? It doesn't make much sense.

I first showed that a and b are both divisible by 2 since they are even.

No, you don't need to show that, it's how even numbers are defined to be.

Even integers are integers that are divisible by 2. So if a, and b are even integers, then they are divisible by 2. You don't need to prove it.

I used n as an integer separate from the positive number definition to show that any even number is divisible by 2 and therefore the multiplication of two even numbers is divisible by 4.

You must introduce the appearance of n, like this:

$$a \mbox{ is an even integer } \Rightarrow \exists n \in \mathbb{Z} : a = 2n$$
$$b \mbox{ is an even integer } \Rightarrow \exists m \in \mathbb{Z} : b = 2m$$

":" stands for 'such that'
$$\exists$$ means 'there exists'.

One important thing you should note is that, in a formal proof, you should always defined/introduce every single variable. How they are defined, where they come from, blah blah blah. You cannot just throw them out of nowhere.

gmmstr827
The first line I used to state mathematically what the problem said, which is why I said if, because it has to exist. However, now I believe ∃ would probably be a better way to start it. So, how does this look?

The following is simply how I restate the problem, saying it exists, that they are integers, and that they are even. I believe the ^ is appropriate here since those are statements?
∃ 4|(a·b) and 2|a ^ 2|b : a,bЄZ

Now I introduce n and m. Since I defined a and b as even in the last step, I believe it would be unnecessary here?
a → ∃n Є Z : a = 2·n
b → ∃m Є Z : b = 2·m

I show that 4|[(2·n)(2·m)] relates to 4|(a·b):
4|[(2·n)(2·m)]
4|(4·n·m) → 4|(a·b)

Therefore;
∴ 4|(a·b)
[X]

Is anything wrong with this proof?
Is the notation ЄZ+ correct for positive integers? (I at first read the question wrong and thought it said POSITIVE even integers, which is why I tried incorporating that, but I'm curious if it's correct for future use).
Apologies if it seems I'm making obvious mistakes, I'm new to writing proofs and this is the hardest one I've yet to write since the class pretty much just started. I'm not yet familiar with the notation of things.

Homework Helper
The first line I used to state mathematically what the problem said, which is why I said if, because it has to exist. However, now I believe ∃ would probably be a better way to start it. So, how does this look?

The following is simply how I restate the problem, saying it exists, that they are integers, and that they are even. I believe the ^ is appropriate here since those are statements?
∃ 4|(a·b) and 2|a ^ 2|b : a,bЄZ

No, that's not how you would use 'exists'. 'exists' ($$\exists$$), and 'for all' ($$\forall$$) only goes with variables. 4|(a.b) is a statement (4 divides a.b).

Here's some ways you can use 'exists', and 'for all' in making statements.

• $$a \vdots 3 \Rightarrow \exists k \in \mathbb{Z} : a = 3k$$
• $$x \ge 0, \forall x \in \mathbb{N}$$
• $$\exists x \in \mathbb{Z} : x + 3 = 0$$

-------------------------------------

If you want to write down what your problem asks Mathematically, I'd write like this:
$$\left. \begin{array}{l} a \mbox{ is even} \\ b \mbox{ is even} \end{array} \right\} \Rightarrow 4|(a.b)$$

Now I introduce n and m. Since I defined a and b as even in the last step, I believe it would be unnecessary here?
a → ∃n Є Z : a = 2·n
b → ∃m Є Z : b = 2·m

I show that 4|[(2·n)(2·m)] relates to 4|(a·b):
4|[(2·n)(2·m)]
4|(4·n·m) → 4|(a·b)

You can write it a little bit reverse. We always go from what we know to be true, to what we need to prove. Like this:

We have:
$$4|(4.m.n)$$ (this is because there's a factor 4 in 4.m.n, hence 4 divides 4.m.n)
$$\Rightarrow 4|((2.m).(2.n))$$
$$\Rightarrow 4|(a.b)$$

Is the notation ЄZ+ correct for positive integers? (I at first read the question wrong and thought it said POSITIVE even integers, which is why I tried incorporating that, but I'm curious if it's correct for future use).

Yup, $$\mathbb{Z} ^ {+}$$ stands for the set of positive integers.

Apologies if it seems I'm making obvious mistakes, I'm new to writing proofs and this is the hardest one I've yet to write since the class pretty much just started. I'm not yet familiar with the notation of things.

Everything is hard in the beginning, but I assure you it'll get easier as you practice more and more. Don't worry. Just try our best, and you'll get what you want. :)