NOTE: Any item with exactly the same solution as the solution of any of your classmates shall NOT be
given points.
I. Choose three (3) from the following statements and convert (if needed) into the form: “There is(are) an
object(s) with a certain property (CP) such that something happens (SH).” Then, identify the object(s), CP and
SH. (5 points each)
1. If x and y are nonnegative real numbers that satisfy x + y = 0, then x = 0 and y = 0.
Convert: There are nonnegative real numbers x and y with x+y=0 such that x=0 and y=0.
Object (s): nonnegative real numbers x and y
Certain Property: x+y=0
Something Happens: x=0 and y=0
2. If the right triangle RST with sides of lengths r and s and hypotenuse of length t 2rs , then triangle
RST is isosceles.
Convert: There is a right triangle RST with sides r,s, and hypotenuse of length t=√ 2 rs such that
triangle RST is isosceles.
Object (s): right triangle RST
Certain Property: sides r,s of right triangle RST, and the hypotenuse with length t=√ 2 rs
Something Happens: Triangle RST is isosceles
3. If a, b are integers such that b is odd, then 1 are not roots of ax 4 bx c 0 .
4. If a, b, c are real numbers for which a < 0, x*
b
is a maximum of f (x) ax 2 bx c
then 2a
Note: The real number a is a maximum of the function f if and only if for every real
number x, f(x) ≤ f(a).
−b
Convert: There is a real number x* with x*= , such that x* is a maximum of f(x)=ax 2 +bx +c
2a
Object (s): real number x*
−b
Certain Property: x*= , where a,b are real numbers and a<0
2a
Something Happens: x* is a maximum of f(x)=ax 2 +bx +c
II. Determine what (if there is any) is wrong with the proof of the statements that follow. If there is
nothing wrong, write, “The proof is correct.” (17 points each)
1. Statement: If a, b and c are real numbers for which he function f (x) ax 2 bx c
has a rational root, then the function g(x) cx 2 bx has a rational root.
a
Proof: Because the function
2
f (x) ax 2 bx c has a rational root, then there are integers p and q,
p p
with q 0, such that a b c On multiplying through by q2 and dividing by p2, it follows
0.
q q
tha xq is a rational root of g(x) cx 2 bx a .
t
p
q
A condition shall be added on the last part. It should be x= , with p ≠ 0 is a rational root of g(x) cx 2
p
bx a.
2. Statement: If R, S, and T are sets such that R S and S T , then R T .
Proof: Since R S , then there exists an element x R S. Hence, by the definition of
intersection of sets, x R. Likewise, since S T , then there exists an element x S T
and hence x T. Thus, x R T. Therefore, R T .
Since S T is different from R S, and may intersect or not intersect, therefore we cannot use the same
element x that contained in both intersections. Therefore, the proof is wrong. The Venn Diagram below
is a contradiction of the statement and the proof above.
