Prove that if a is even & b is any positive integer, then ab is even

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on proving that the product of an even integer and any positive integer is even. The proof begins by expressing the even integer as p = 2m and shows that the product pq can be rewritten as pq = 2(mq), confirming that pq is even since mq is an integer. Participants highlight that it is unnecessary to distinguish between cases where the positive integer is even or odd, as both lead to the same conclusion. Feedback emphasizes the importance of clearly stating that mq is an integer to solidify the proof. Overall, the proof is refined to emphasize key points while maintaining clarity.
sonadoramante
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Proof:
Let a be a even positive integer of the form a=2m & b of the form b=2n (This is where b is a even positive integer)
ab = 2m*2n
= 2(mn)
= Let k = mn
= 2k
Therefore, ab is even.

Let a be a even positive integer a=2m & b be a odd positive integer b = 2n+1
ab = (2m)*(2n+1)
= 4mn + 2m
= 2(mn+m)
= Let k = (mn+m)
= 2k
Hence ab is even.
 
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sonadoramante said:
Proof:
Let a be a even positive integer of the form a=2m & b of the form b=2n (This is where b is a even positive integer)
ab = 2m*2n
= 2(mn)
= Let k = mn
= 2k
Therefore, ab is even.

Let a be a even positive integer a=2m & b be a odd positive integer b = 2n+1
ab = (2m)*(2n+1)
= 4mn + 2m
= 2(mn+m)
= Let k = (mn+m)
= 2k
Hence ab is even.
Okay, but can you improve on that?

PS did the question specify that ##a## is positive?
 
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I moved your threads to our homework section.
sonadoramante said:
2m*2n
= 2(mn)
Check this step.

You can simplify the overall proof quite a bit. Does it matter if b is even or odd?
 
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mfb said:
I moved your threads to our homework section.
Check this step.

You can simplify the overall proof quite a bit. Does it matter if b is even or odd?
It wasn't specified, however, I was trying to prove it for both cases (if b is even or odd positive integer)
 
PeroK said:
Okay, but can you improve on that?

PS did the question specify that a is positive?
No! My bad. It didn't specify in the question that a is positive.
 
Oh sure, you need to prove it for all b, even or odd, but you can do so in a single step. There is no need to distinguish the two cases.
 
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mfb said:
Oh sure, you need to prove it for all b, even or odd, but you can do so in a single step. There is no need to distinguish the two cases.

After feedback.

Let p be a even integer & q be any positive integer.
Given that even number*even number is even
& even number*odd number is even, then..

p=2m
pq= 2mq
pq= 2(mq)
Let k=mq
pq=2k
Hence pq is even. :)
 
sonadoramante said:
After feedback.

Let p be a even integer & q be any positive integer.
Given that even number*even number is even
& even number*odd number is even, then..

p=2m
pq= 2mq
pq= 2(mq)
Let k=mq
pq=2k
Hence pq is even. :)

That's okay, but (in my opinion) you are not emphasisng the key points.

First, as ##p## is even ##p = 2m## for some integer ##m##.

Second, ##pq = 2(mq)##. Now, whether or not you introduce ##k = mq##, the key point is that ##mq## is an integer. Hence ##pq## is even.
 
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sonadoramante said:
Given that even number*even number is even
& even number*odd number is even, then..
That's what you want to prove, you can't take it as given.
 
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PeroK said:
That's okay, but (in my opinion) you are not emphasisng the key points.

First, as ##p## is even ##p = 2m## for some integer ##m##.

Second, ##pq = 2(mq)##. Now, whether or not you introduce ##k = mq##, the key point is that ##mq## is an integer. Hence ##pq## is even.
Thanks a lot.
 
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