MA.912.LT.4.8

Construct proofs, including proofs by contradiction.

Clarifications

Clarification 1: Within the Geometry course, proofs are limited to geometric statements within the course.
General Information
Subject Area: Mathematics (B.E.S.T.)
Grade: 912
Strand: Logic and Discrete Theory
Status: State Board Approved

Benchmark Instructional Guide

Connecting Benchmarks/Horizontal Alignment

 

Terms from the K-12 Glossary

 

Vertical Alignment

Previous Benchmarks

Next Benchmarks

 

Purpose and Instructional Strategies

In grades 7 and 8, students explored the reasons why some geometric statements concerning angles and polygons are true or false. In Geometry, students learn and construct proofs for many of the geometric facts that they encounter. The content of this benchmark is to be used throughout this course. In later courses, students continue to learn and construct proofs in many different areas. 
  • Instruction includes the student understanding that proofs and proofs by contradiction can be represented in various ways. Students should have practice with each type of proof, understanding when one may be a more effective way to present information. (MTR.2.1) 
    • Two-column proofs
      Organize the reasoning in two columns: statements and reasons. Each statement has a corresponding reason, and the proof usually starts with the given information.
      For example, given the perpendicular bisector of AB, l, prove: AP = BP

      Table
      Table
    • Pictorial proofs
      Visual way to express the proof in its entirety. The picture can be accompanied by an explanation to provide background information or indicate the reasoning depicted by the picture. For example, the proof of the Pythagorean Theorem can be expressed as shown below.
      Square shaped boxes
      Both squares have the same side length, a + b, so they have the same area. The white region in each square consists of four right triangles (I, II, III and IV), therefore the area of the white region in both squares is the same. Students can conclude the area of the grey region in each square is also the same showing that a2 + b2 = c2.
    • Paragraph and narrative proofs
      Consists of a logical argument written as a paragraph, giving evidence and detailed reasons to draw a conclusion. Paragraph proofs can be seen as a twocolumn proof written in sentences. 
    • Flow chart proofs
      A way to organize statements and reasons needed in a structured way to indicate the logical order. Statements are placed in boxes, reasons are placed under the box, and arrows are used to represent the flow or progression of the argument.
      For example, the proof that vertical angles are congruent is shown below.
      arrow marks crossing each other

    • Informal proofs
      A way to provide convincing evidence to show that something is true. Informal proofs include the use of manipulatives, drawings and geometric software. 
  • Instruction includes the understanding that when a proof cannot be proved directly, it may be able to be proved by contradiction. A proof by contradiction assumes that the statement to be proved is not true and then uses a logical argument to deduce a contradiction. The logical argument can be represented in any form of a proof: twocolumn, pictorial, paragraph and flow chart. 
    • For example, if students want to prove by contradiction that BC NEITHER APPROXIMATELY NOR ACTUALLY EQUAL TO Symbol ST given two triangles ABC and RST, with ACRT, ABRS and ∠A NEITHER APPROXIMATELY NOR ACTUALLY EQUAL TO SymbolR, they can start by assuming that BCST. Under this assumption, ΔABC ≅ ΔRST by Side-Side-Side since ACRT and ABRS were given. Since the two triangles are congruent and corresponding parts of congruent triangles are congruent (CPCTC), then students can conclude that ∠A ≅ ∠R. Students should realize that this contradicts the given information, ∠A NEITHER APPROXIMATELY NOR ACTUALLY EQUAL TO SymbolR. Therefore, this contradiction shows that the statement BCST is false, proving that BC NEITHER APPROXIMATELY NOR ACTUALLY EQUAL TO Symbol ST is true.

 

Common Misconceptions or Errors

  • Students may determine the statement of contradiction incorrectly. 
    • For example, when completing a proof by contradiction, a student may create the statement of contradiction from one of the given pieces of information rather than what is to be proven.

 

Instructional Tasks

Instructional Task 1 (MTR.2.1, MTR.4.1)
  • A pair of parallel lines is cut by a transversal as shown.
    A pair of parallel lines is cut by a transversal
    • Part A. Using the Linear Pair Postulate and postulates involving parallel lines, prove that angle 1 is congruent to angle 8.
    • Part B. Compare your proof with a partner.

Instructional Task 2 (MTR.3.1)
  • Order the following statements to prove by contradiction that a triangle can only have one right angle. 
    1. The measure of angle K is 90°. 
    2. The measure of an angle in a triangle cannot equal 0°. 
    3. In triangle JKL, only one of the angles can be a right angle. 
    4. mJ + mK + mL = 180° 
    5. Assume triangle JKL has two right angles, angle J and angle K
    6. The measure of angle J is 90°. 
    7. 90° + 90° + mL = 180° 
    8. A triangle cannot have more than one right angle. 
    9. mL = 0° 
    10. The sum of the measures of the angles in a triangle is 180°.

 

Instructional Items

Instructional Item 1
  • Use a proof by contradiction to prove the following statement.
    An equilateral triangle cannot also be a right triangle.

 


*The strategies, tasks and items included in the B1G-M are examples and should not be considered comprehensive.

Related Courses

This benchmark is part of these courses.
1206320: Geometry Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
1212300: Discrete Mathematics Honors (Specifically in versions: 2022 and beyond (current))

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