document.write( "Question 128145This question is from textbook Discrete Mathematics And Its Applications
\n" ); document.write( ": Please assist me in arriving to the answer of this problem.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "The problem as stated from the book:
\n" ); document.write( "Show that if you pick three socks from a drawer containing just blue socks and black socks, you must get either a pair of blue socks or a pair of black socks.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Given hint by professor:
\n" ); document.write( "Either use contradiction or better yet try proof by cases.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "I do not understand how to use proofs by contradiction. \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #93881 by ozymandias(9) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Proof by contradiction is assuming that something assumed false CAN in fact be done and then show that this leads to a ridiculuous (paradoxical) outcome.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Assume it is possible to take 3 socks out of the drawer and NOT have a pair.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Then all three socks would be different colours.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "But there are only two colours of socks in the drawer.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "That's a contradiction.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Therefore the original assumpttion must be bogus. \n" ); document.write( "

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