MAT 102 - Tutorial problems (Week 6)
Here are the problems to work on this week in TUT. You should split into groups, and work for about
half the TUT, then spend the other half taking them up with the TA. The TA will visit groups and
answer any question that come up as you work on these problems.
(1) Prove that there are no natural numbers x, y so that x2 → 4y 2 = 7.
(2) Prove that there are no rational numbers x so that x + x3 = 1.
(3) Consider the following statement:
“Let a, b, c ↑ Z. If a|b and b|c, then a|c.
Use two di!erent proof strategies to prove this statement.
(4) For each statement, decide what you think the best proof strategy is likely to be, and why.
(Think about how similar statements were proved.) Discuss with your neighbours.
(a) If x2 → 1 is not divisible by 8, then x is even.
(b) If a natural number is divisible by 3, then the sum of the digits is divisible by 3.
(c) If x3 + 5x = 40, then x < 3.
(d) Show that the equation x3 + x2 = 1 has no rational solutions.
If you finish early, prove these statements using your chosen strategies.
(5) (**) Find proofs of the following statements:
↓
(a) If p is a prime number, then p is irrational.
(b) Prove that if a · b is even, then either a is even or b is even.
(**) - Time permitting.
(1) x
2
-
4y2 = 7
(x 2y)(x + 2y)
-
= 7
xQX + x3 1
(2) lates assure that - - -
=
(3) alb => m=
-z => mb = a E 2
bl => n
= = nc = bez
=> m(n c) .
= at z =
mn =
-z