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Logical Expressions and Proof Techniques in Discrete Mathematics

snhu MAT 230 EXAM ONE This document is proprietary to Southern New Hampshire University. It and the problems within may not be posted on any non-SNHU website. Isahiah Stone 1 snhu Directions: Type your solutions into this document and be sure to show all steps for arriving at your solution. Just giving a final number may not receive full credit. Problem 1 (a) The domain for all variables in the expressions below is the set of real numbers. Determine whether each statement is true or false. (i) VxBy (x+y ? 0) The statement says that for all values of x, there exist a value of y such that x plus y is greater than or equal to zero. This statement is true because even with a negative x, as long as the y is greater than x, the sum will be higher zero or higher. (ii) 3x Vy (x . y > 0) The statement says that there exist a x value for all values of y such that x times y is greater than zero. This statement is false if y is zero. (b) Translate each of the following English statements into logical expressions. (i) There are two numbers whose ratio is less than 1. Exay(> < 1) (ii) The reciprocal of every positive number is also positive. V x(x > 0 - 1 > 0) snhu Problem 2 Prove the following using the specified technique: (a) Let x and y be two real numbers such that x + y is rational. Prove by contrapositive that if x is irrational, then x - y is irrational. Assume x-y is rational So,x - y = ª for some integers a and b where b# 0 Given that x+y is rational and it is known that the sum of two rational numbers is rational, then y must be rational. So, y"= & for some integers c and d where d # 0 a Plugging in for y, x - a = b x = a +ºc b x = ad+bc bd 01 Therefor x is rational and if x is rational, x-y must be rational. Which proves if x is irrational then x-y is irrational. (b) Prove by contradiction that for any positive two real numbers, x and y, if x. y ? 50, then either x < 8 or y < 8. Assume x ? 8 and y ? 8 Plug 8 into the equation, 8 * 8 < 50 64 < 50 is a contradiction which proves the original statement true.