Chapter 6: Problem 2

How many consistent observations does it take to prove a conjecture? How many inconsistent observations does it take to disprove a conjecture?

Short Answer

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Question: Explain the role of consistent and inconsistent observations in proving or disproving a conjecture. Answer: Consistent observations support a conjecture and do not contradict it, making the conjecture more plausible, but they do not offer definitive proof. In contrast, inconsistent observations contradict a conjecture, and finding just one counterexample where the conjecture does not hold is enough to disprove it.

Step by step solution

Definition of Conjecture

A conjecture is a statement or proposition that is unproven but appears to be true based on available evidence or logical reasoning. Conjectures play a vital role in the advancement of mathematical knowledge as they encourage research to either prove or disprove an idea.

Proving a Conjecture with Consistent Observations

Consistent observations are those that support a conjecture and do not contradict it. However, the existence of such observations is not enough to prove a conjecture. No matter how many consistent observations we collect, we can never be 100% certain that a conjecture is true. This is due to the nature of mathematical proofs, which require rigorous logical reasoning and formal argumentation. In other words, while consistent observations may make a conjecture more plausible, they do not prove it.

Disproving a Conjecture with Inconsistent Observations

Inconsistent observations are those that contradict a conjecture. In general, it takes just one inconsistent observation to disprove a conjecture. If a conjecture claims that something is true for all cases (universally), finding a single counterexample or an observation where the conjecture does not hold would show that the claim is false. This is based on the principle of counterexample, which states that a conjecture is deemed false if there exists at least one case where it does not hold. In summary, it is impossible to prove a conjecture solely based on the number of consistent observations, but it takes only one inconsistent observation to disprove a conjecture.

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How many consistent observations does it take to prove a conjecture? How many inconsistent observations does it take to disprove a conjecture?

Short Answer

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Definition of Conjecture

Proving a Conjecture with Consistent Observations

Disproving a Conjecture with Inconsistent Observations

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