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    Indirect Proof

    AKA Proof by contradiction

    Indirect proof is synonymous with proof by contradiction. A keyword signalling that you should consider indirect proof is the word 'not'. Usually, when you are asked to prove that a given statement is NOT true, you can use indirect proof by assuming the statement is true and arriving at a contridiction.The idea behind the indirect method is that if what you assumed creates a contradiction, the opposite of your initial assumption is the truth.

    Example of an Indirect Proof



    Prove that BDA is not a straight angle.
    Statement Reason
    1) BDA is a straight angle 1) (Assumpe opposite \)
    2) mBDA = 180° 2) Definition of a striaght angle
    3)ADBC 3) Given
    4) BDA is a right angle 4) definition of perpendicular lines
    5) m BDA = 90° 5) definition of a right angle
    6) m BDA is not a straight angle contradiction of steps 2 and 5
    7 BDA is not a straight angle due to the contradiction between 2 and 5, we know that the assumption that WE INTRODUCED in the first step (bda is a straight angle) is false. Therefore, the opposite must be true: is not a straight angle
    See this indirect proof all by itself(opens up new window, makign it easier to see entirity of proof below)


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