If we call the numbers a and - b where b>0, we can write the conjecture mathematically as an inequality.
See solution.
Practice makes perfect
Let's call the positive number a and the negative number - b, where b>0. With this, we can write the conjecture mathematically as an inequality.
a+(- b)>0Let's isolate a in this inequality.
As long as a is greater than |b|, the inequality holds true. Therefore, by setting |b|>a we will have found a counterexample.
3+(- 4)=- 1
Since - 1 is not a positive number, we have found a counterexample which proves the conjecture false.
