1380.31 – Find the falsehood
Suppose , and are integers and . Which of these statements is false?
- ,
- ,
- ,
- .
Solution
Solution. We are given that and four statements. We could simply pick negative values for , , and and check the four statements. But, if we like, we can use fancy reasoning. Have a look:
(a) ,
Let’s cancel , which we are allowed to do because is not zero. But is negative, so the cancellation switches the direction of the inequality. We get . This we were given. This one is true.
(b) ,
Again let’s cancel the common factor () and switch the direction of the inequality. We get . Whoa Nellie! We were given . This must be the false one.
(c) ,
Here we may subtract the common addend (). This does not require we switch the direction of the inequality. We get which we were given. This one is true.
(d) .
Add to both sides and we get , which we were given. This one is true.