Counterexamples | Lesson (article) | Lessons | Khan Academy (2024)

What is a counterexample?

A mathematical statement is a sentence that is either true or false.

True statement:

  • All even numbers are divisible by 2.

False statement:

  • All odd numbers are multiples of 3 or 5.

A mathematical statement has two parts: a condition and a conclusion.

If an odd number and an even number are added, the sum is odd.

  • Condition: is the sum of an odd number and an even number
  • Conclusion: is odd

Showing that a mathematical statement is true requires a formal proof.

However, showing that a mathematical statement is false only requires finding one example where the statement isn't true. Such an example is called a counterexample because it's an example that counters, or goes against, the statement's conclusion.

What skills are tested?

• Identifying a counterexample to a mathematical statement

How can we identify counterexamples?

When identifying a counterexample, follow these steps:

  1. Identify the condition and conclusion of the statement.
  2. Eliminate choices that don't satisfy the statement's condition.
  3. For the remaining choices, counterexamples are those where the statement's conclusion isn't true.

Consider the statement, "All even numbers are multiples of 4." What are two counterexamples that show that the statement is false?

We need to find two numbers that satisfy the condition of the statement, but not its conclusion.

  • Condition: is an even number
  • Conclusion: is a multiple of 4

Let's consider some example numbers that satisfy the condition: 2, 4, 6, and 8.

Next, let's check to see if any aren't multiples of 4:

  • 2÷4=0.5
  • 4÷4=1

  • 6÷4=1.5

  • 8÷4=2

2 and 6 are counterexamples that show the statement is false.

Your turn!

TRY: IDENTIFYING A COUNTEREXAMPLE

The square of an integer is always an even number.

Which of the following numbers provides a counterexample showing that the statement above is false?

Choose 1 answer:

Choose 1 answer:

  • 4

  • 2

  • 1

  • 2

  • 4

TRY: IDENTIFYING A COUNTEREXAMPLE

Which of the following expressions can be used to show that the sum of two numbers is

not

always greater than both numbers?

Choose all answers that apply:

Choose all answers that apply:

  • 32+12

  • 0+4

  • 2+1

TRY: IDENTIFYING COUNTEREXAMPLES

Bart claims that all numbers that are multiples of 5 are also multiples of 10. Which of the following numbers can be used to show that Bart's statement is

not

true?

Choose 1 answer:

Choose 1 answer:

  • 40

  • 36

  • 21

  • 15

  • 10

TRY: IDENTIFYING A COUNTEREXAMPLE

A student claims that when any two even numbers are multiplied, all of the digits in the product are even. Which of the following shows that the student is wrong?

Choose 1 answer:

Choose 1 answer:

  • 8×8

  • 10×8

  • 11×8

  • 12×8

  • 13×8

Things to remember

A counterexample to a mathematical statement is an example that satisfies the statement's condition(s) but does not lead to the statement's conclusion.

Identifying counterexamples is a way to show that a mathematical statement is false.

When identifying a counterexample,

  1. Identify the condition and conclusion of the statement.
  2. Eliminate choices that don't satisfy the statement's condition.
  3. For the remaining choices, counterexamples are those where the statement's conclusion isn't true.
Counterexamples | Lesson (article) | Lessons | Khan Academy (2024)
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