Introduction to Mathematical Thinking
Problem 1: Say whether the following is true or false and support your answer by a proof.
( ∃ m ∈ N ) ( ∃ n ∈ N ) ( 3 m + 5 n = 12 ) (\exists m \in \mathbb{N})(\exists n \in \mathbb{N})(3m+5n=12) (∃m∈N)(∃n∈N)(3m+5n=12)
Proof: If
n
⩾
n \geqslant
n⩾ 2, we have
3
m
=
12
−
5
n
⩽
12
−
5
∗
2
=
2
3m=12-5n \leqslant 12-5*2=2
3m=12−5n⩽12−5∗2=2, which has no natural number solutions. Therefore,
n
n
n must be 1. However, when
n
n
n equals 1, we have
3
m
+
5
=
12
3m+5=12
3m+5=12. As 7 is not divisible by 3, the equation doesn’t have a solution.
Therefore,
(
∃
m
∈
N
)
(
∃
n
∈
N
)
(
3
m
+
5
n
=
12
)
(\exists m \in \mathbb{N})(\exists n \in \mathbb{N})(3m+5n=12)
(∃m∈N)(∃n∈N)(3m+5n=12) is false.