Prove that the square of an odd integer is odd.

Let n be an odd integer. This means that n is 1 more than an even integer. By definition, even integers are multiples of 2 so all even integers can be written in the form 2m where m is an integer. Therefore, n = 1 + 2m.n2 = (1+2m)2 = 1 + 4m + 4m2 = 1 + 2(2m + 2m2)Again, by definition, 2(2m + 2m2) is even. Therefore, n2 is 1 more than an even integer meaning that n2 is also odd.Thus, we have proven what was required.

MO

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

How to differentiate y=x^3+4x+1 when x=3


Integrate ln(e^x)


Solve x^3+2*x^2-5*x-6=0


Integration of ln(x)