SB257426
Very Important User
I am just wondering if anyone can have a look at my solution to the following proof question:
Question: "Prove by contradiction that there exists no 'n' that is an element of the natural numbers, such that n^2 + 2 is divsible by 4"
My Solution:
By way of contradiction assume their exists 'n', such that n^2 + 2 is divisible by 4.
When n is even, such that n = 2p,
(2p)^2 + 2
= 4p^2 + 2
= 4k+ 2 which is not divisible by 4 (due to the remainder of 2)
When n is odd such that n = 2p+1
(2p+1)^2 + 2
= 4p^2 + 4p + 3
= 4(p^2+p) +3
4k+3, which is not divisible by 4 (due to the remainder of 3)
Therefore, this contradicts the original statement.
Hence, there exists no 'n' such that n^2 + 2 is divisible by 4
I am fairly new to the topic of proof so am not too confident yet. That's why I am asking if there are any flaws in my proof
Cheers
Question: "Prove by contradiction that there exists no 'n' that is an element of the natural numbers, such that n^2 + 2 is divsible by 4"
My Solution:
By way of contradiction assume their exists 'n', such that n^2 + 2 is divisible by 4.
When n is even, such that n = 2p,
(2p)^2 + 2
= 4p^2 + 2
= 4k+ 2 which is not divisible by 4 (due to the remainder of 2)
When n is odd such that n = 2p+1
(2p+1)^2 + 2
= 4p^2 + 4p + 3
= 4(p^2+p) +3
4k+3, which is not divisible by 4 (due to the remainder of 3)
Therefore, this contradicts the original statement.
Hence, there exists no 'n' such that n^2 + 2 is divisible by 4
I am fairly new to the topic of proof so am not too confident yet. That's why I am asking if there are any flaws in my proof
Cheers