Question

Please prove by contradiction.
Suppose a and b are positive integers. If a 13 years ago

Answer 1

Did you mean b=1? Because, as it is, you can't prove it because it's not true. If a=1, then b couldn't be anything.

Answer 2

Or did you mean a<b?

Answer 3

sorrrrryyyyyyyy my mistake

Answer 4

Ok...so to use proof by contradiction, you have to assume that the opposite is true and show that there's no way that could happen. So if a isn't 1, it has to be 2 or more. Why doesn't that make sense?

Answer 5

it does like i know how to prove it but then when i write it down it doesnt come out nicely. Like it doesnt flow

Answer 6

Show me what you have and I'll tell you how to improve it.

Answer 7

ummmm lets say a=0 is that possible or its only all numbers

Answer 8

all natural numbers*

Answer 9

It says a and b are positive integers. So a and b can only be 1,2,3,4,5,etc.

Answer 10

okkkkk

Answer 11

a and b are positive integers
so a>0 and b>0

a>b>0

if
a is not equal to 1
i.e.
a>1,

ab<3
a<3/b
1<a<3/b
1<3/b
b<3

a>1 and b<3

when a>3, a >b
which contrdicts b>a

So, a=1

Answer 12

Let a and b be positive integers. Suppose a<b and ab<3 and a>1 and a<1 or a>1. Since a is a positive number a cant be less than 1 so a>1

Answer 13

b<3 and b>0 and it is +ve integer
so
b can only be 2,1
a>1
so
a can only be 1,2,3,4,5......
for a>2
a=3,4,5,6,....

b <a
so it is contradiction

Answer 14

umm like i didnt follow his proof kinda