Prove the sum of two odd numbers is even

Discussion in 'Calculator Requests' started by math_celebrity, Jan 22, 2024.

  1. math_celebrity

    math_celebrity Administrator Staff Member

    Take two arbitrary integers, x and y

    We can express the odd integer x as 2a + 1 for some integer a
    We can express the odd integer y as 2b + 1 for some integer b

    x + y = 2a + 1 + 2b + 1
    x + y = 2a + 2b + 2

    Factor out a 2:
    x + y = 2(a + b + 1)

    Since 2 times any integer even or odd is always even, then x + y by definition is even.

     
    Last edited: Jan 22, 2024

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