Whenever it can't be proved, there is a reason it can't be, and that can be proved.
]]>I agreeee...
]]>Just to be clear, I'm not certain what exactly must be assumed, what must be shown, what must be proved or defined. But my basic instinct tells me: If you can prove, why the heck not?
]]>I dunno...I guess I might have assumed too much...
I was just thinking that since he bothered to ask the question by mentioning that a,b were integers, we ought to be able to use that fact in order to define the numbers and their properties, right?
I think that by stating that a,b∈ Z, we can know for certain that
(-a)(b) = -(ab)
But why can we know for certain? What makes you think that?
(-1)(-1)=1 since we have that 1 is the multiplicative identity and we know that no integer squared has a negative value...
And why does no integer squared have a negative value?
]]>These proofs assume two things. First, that multiplication distributes over addition. Second, that if a = b, then ac = bc and a + c = b + c.
Just a note before it gets started. -a is just the symbol for "The inverse of a". It's how we choose to write inverses. The definition of an inverse is a + -a = 0 and -a + a = 0. Just making clear that this is not an assumption, but rather a definition.
This will be a proof of three things:
a0 = 0a = 0
(-a)b = -(ab)
(-a)(-b) = ab
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Show that a0 = 0a = 0
0 + 0 = 0. This is because 0 is the additive identity.
Applying a to the left side of each part: a(0 + 0) = a0
Distribute: a0 + a0 = a0
Apply -a0 to each side: a0 + a0 + -(a0) = a0 + -(a0)
Then since a0 + -(a0) = 0 because -(a0) is the inverse of a0, a0 = 0
As you can see, we can do the same thing by applying a to the right side, and come up with 0a = 0.
So that shows a0 = 0a = 0. This will be important in the future.
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Show that (-a)b = -(ab)
Consider: (-a)b + ab
By distribution: b(-a + a)
-a + a = 0, so: b(0)
By the first proof: 0
So (-a)b + ab = 0
Applying -(ab) to each side: (-a)b + ab + -(ab) = -(ab)
But ab + -(ab) = 0: (-a)b = -(ab)
And we're done.
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Show that (-a)(-b) = ab
Consider (-a)(-b) - (ab)
As shown above, -(ab) = (-a)b, so: (-a)(-b) + (-a)b
Distribution: -a(-b + b)
-b + b = 0: -a(0)
By the first proof: 0
So (-a)(-b) - (ab) = 0
Apply (ab) to both sides: (-a)(-b) - (ab) + (ab) = (ab)
But -(ab) + (ab) = 0, so (-a)(-b) = (ab)
And we're done.
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Then ab = (-1)gb = -(1g)b = -(gb)
You assume that (-a)(b) = -(ab). Prove it.
(-1)(-1)gh=(1)gh=gh
You assume that a negative times a negative is a positive. Prove it.
ab>0 [obviously positive]
Same. Positive times a positive is positive.
This is just what I meant by believing in multiplication. I agree with all your proofs, but I think I can prove the first two assumptions you make. Not so sure about the third one.
]]>Let a,b∈ Z and suppose that:
case 1: a<0 and b>0...
Then a=(-1)g ( g=abs(a) )
Then ab = (-1)gb = -(1g)b = -(gb) [negative]
case 2: a<0, b<0
Then a=(-1)g and b=(-1)h ( g=abs(a) h=abs(b) )
Then ab=(-1)g(-1)h=(-1)(-1)gh=(1)gh=gh [positive]
case 3: a>0, b>0
then ab>0 [obviously positive]
Assume a < b and c < d. Since a < b, We want something with a + c. So take a < b, and add c to both sides. a + c < b + c. But we also know that c < d. So c + b < d + b. Thus, a + c < b + c < b + d. And there you have it!
For the second one, how much do you believe about multiplication? Do you believe -a * -b = ab? Do you believe ab where a and b are positive is positive?
]]>a) Let a, b, c, d ∈ Z. Prove that if a < b and c < d then a+c<b+d.
b) Suppose that ab > 0. Prove that either a > 0 and b > 0 or a < 0 and b < 0.
These are both obviously true, and yet its so simple to just look at I can't think of how to "prove" it.. Any help?
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