Discrete Mathematics with Applications 4th Edition

Published by Cengage Learning
ISBN 10: 0-49539-132-8
ISBN 13: 978-0-49539-132-6

Chapter 4 - Elementary Number Theory and Methods of Proof - Exercise Set 4.1 - Page 162: 44

Answer

$-a$ is a odd number, because $a$ can be write as $2k+1$, substituting in the expression $-a$, we obtain that $-a = 2(-k - 1) + 1$, that is a odd number.

Work Step by Step

Let $a$ be a odd integer. $a$ can be write as: $a = 2 k + 1$ (with $k$ being one integer number) $k \in \mathbb{Z}$ Now, let's see what happens with $-a$: $\begin{split} -a & = -(2k + 1) \\ & = -2k -1 \\ & = -2k -2 + 1 \\ & = 2(-k - 1) + 1 \\ \end{split}$ Since $-k - 1$ is an integer, then $2(-k - 1) + 1$ is an odd number, by the definition of odd numbers.
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