Proof techniques #2: Proof by Oddity.
SAMPLE: To prove that horses have an infinite number of legs.
(1) Horses have an even number of legs.
(2) They have two legs in back and fore legs in front.
(3) This makes a total of six legs, which certainly is an odd number of
legs for a horse.
(4) But the only number that is both odd and even is infinity.
(5) Therefore, horses must have an infinite number of legs.
Topics is be covered in future issues include proof by:
Intimidation
Gesticulation (handwaving)
"Try it; it works"
Constipation (I was just sitting there and ...)
Blatant assertion
Changing all the 2's to _n's
Mutual consent
Lack of a counterexample, and
"It stands to reason"
SAMPLE: To prove that horses have an infinite number of legs.
(1) Horses have an even number of legs.
(2) They have two legs in back and fore legs in front.
(3) This makes a total of six legs, which certainly is an odd number of
legs for a horse.
(4) But the only number that is both odd and even is infinity.
(5) Therefore, horses must have an infinite number of legs.
Topics is be covered in future issues include proof by:
Intimidation
Gesticulation (handwaving)
"Try it; it works"
Constipation (I was just sitting there and ...)
Blatant assertion
Changing all the 2's to _n's
Mutual consent
Lack of a counterexample, and
"It stands to reason"
Related:
- Proof techniques #2: Proof by Oddity.
SAMPLE: To prove that horses have an infinite number of legs.
(1) Horses have an even number of legs. (2) They have... - Proof techniques #2: Proof by Oddity.
SAMPLE: To prove that horses have an infinite number of legs.
[1] Horses have an even number of legs. [2] They have... - Every Horse has an Infinite Number of Legs (proof by intimidation):
Horses have an even number of legs. Behind they have... - Lemma: All horses are the same color.
Proof (by induction):
Case n = 1: In a set with only one horse, it is obvious... - Theorem: Every horse has an infinite number of legs
Horses have an even number of legs.
Behind they have two legs, and in front they have... - 1] Alexander the Great was a great general.
[2] Great generals are forewarned.
[3] Forewarned is forearmed. [4] Four is an even number... - 1) Alexander the Great was a great general.
(2) Great generals are forewarned.
(3) Forewarned is forearmed. (4) Four is an even number...
From the same category:
- I was a less than serious student in college. If I had it to do over again,
I would be far more serious. I did play a lot of golf... - Reporter (to Mahatma Gandhi): Mr Gandhi, what do you think of Western
Civilization?
Gandhi: I think it would be a good idea... - If it taste good, spit it out,
it's bad for you... - Your resume will be used on the "Tonight Show"
monologue... - Behavior is a mirror in which every one displays his image.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749...
