Free TMUA sample
Identifying Errors in Proofs
Topic practice · Paper 2 · Foundation
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A student attempts to prove: If is even, then is even.
Argument:
- If is even, then is even. Therefore, when is even, must be even.
- Suppose for some integer . Dividing by gives , so is even because the right-hand side has a factor of .
- By definition, an integer is even if it is a multiple of . Hence is even.
Consider the following claims about the argument above:
I. Line 1 confuses a necessary condition with a sufficient one: from "if is even then is even" it infers is even when is even (affirming the consequent).
II. Line 2 misuses algebra and the definition of even: from it concludes is even by "seeing a factor 2", but need not be an integer.
III. Line 3 misstates the definition of even: being a multiple of is sufficient for being even but is not the definition.
Which of I–III correctly identify errors concerning necessary/sufficient conditions or related definitions?