Lesson 1 Write A Proof: (Direct and Indirect)

EXPECTATION FROM THIS LESSON

At the end of this lesson, it is expected that you can write direct and indirect proof using your
preferred method: a) Paragraph Form; b) Two-Column Form; c) Flow Chart.
YOU SHOULD REMEMBER THIS
Vocabulary
Proof
 Is an organized set of statements and reasons to establish the truth of specific statement.
Two-column Form
 Logical statements are written on the left side and its corresponding reasons on the right
side.
Paragraph Form
 Logical statements are presented using complete sentence back up by reason.
Flow Chart Form
 A series of statements are organized in logical order using boxes and arrows.
Postulate
 Is a statement that is accepted without proof.
Theorem
 Is a statement accepted after it is proved deductively.

STUDY THIS
DIRECT PROOF
Suppose you are given a premise p and you want to prove that a conclusion q is true. The
direct proof would assume that p is true, then use in the context of geometry, properties,
postulates, definition, and theorems to show q is true.

WRITING DIRECT PROOF

1. State the given. These statements are considered facts, therefore true.
2. State what to prove.
3. Draw figure, which can serve as a guide in establishing the proof.
4. Present the proof using a preferred method. (Paragraph Form, Two-column Form, Flow Chart)

Example 1

Given: M is the midpoint of AB • • •

A M B
Prove: AM ≅ BM
Using Paragraph Form
Given that M is the midpoint of line segment AB, then AM = BM by the definition of a
midpoint. Since AM = BM, then by the definition of congruent segments, we can say that line
segment AM is congruent to line segment BM or AM ≅ BM.

Using Two-Column Form

Given: M is the midpoint of AB •A M

• •
B
Prove: AM ≅ BM

Statement Reason
M is the midpoint of AB Given
AM = BM Definition of a Midpoint
AM ≅ BM Definition of Congruent Segment

Using Flow Chart

Given: M is the midpoint of AB •A M

• •
B
Prove: AM ≅ BM

AM ≅ BM
M is the midpoint of AB AM = BM Definition of Congruent
Given Definition of a Midpoint Segment

INDIRECT PROOF
Given a premise p and a conclusion q, an indirect proof would assume that q is false. You
would then use the same properties, postulates, definition, and theorems to show that p would
also be false by arriving at a contradiction.

WRITING INDIRECT PROOF

1. Accept the given statement is true.
2. Assume the opposite of the statement to be proved.
3. State the reason directly until there is a contradiction of the given or the other statement.
4. State that the assumption of the opposite statement to be proved must be false.
5. Draw figure, which can serve as a guide in establishing the proof.
6. Present the proof using a preferred method. (Paragraph Form, Two-column Form, Flow Chart)
Example 1

Given: M is not the midpoint of AB • • •

A M B
Prove: AM ≠ BM
Using Paragraph Form
Assume temporarily that AM = BM, then M is the midpoint of AB by the definition of a
midpoint. However it contradicts the given, therefore AM ≠ BM.
Using Two-Column Form

Given: M is the midpoint of AB •A M

• •
B
Prove: AM ≠ BM

Statement Reason
M is not the midpoint of AB Given
AM = BM Assumption
M is the midpoint of AB Definition of a midpoint
AM ≠ BM Contradiction in the statement

Using Flow Chart

Given: M is not the midpoint of AB •A •

M
•
B
Prove: AM ≠ BM

M is not the midpoint of

AB
Given AM ≠ BM
M is the midpoint of AB Contradiction in the
Definition of a midpoint statement
AM = BM
Assumption
PRACTICE YOUR NEW SKILL

Activity 1

DIRECTIONS: Write a direct and indirect proof of the given problem below. Use your
preferred method (Paragraph, Two-column or Flow Chart Form).

Direct Proof
B
Given: AB ≅ AD

BC = DC
A C
Prove: AC bisects <BAD

Indirect Proof B

Given: AB ≅ AD

BC ≠ DC A C

Prove: AC does not bisect <BAD

Key Answer:

Direct Proof:

Paragraph Form

Given that AB ≅ AD, and BC = DC, by reflexive property AC = AC. We can say that
∆BAC ≅ ∆DAC by CPCTC (Congruent parts of a congruent triangles are congruent). Since
the two triangles are congruent, then <BAC ≅ <DAC. Therefore, AC bisects <BAD by the
definition of Angle Bisector.
Two-Column Form

Statement Reason
AB ≅ AD Given
BC ≠ DC Given
AC = AC Reflexive Property
Definition of CPCTC (Congruent parts of a
∆BAC ≅ ∆DAC
congruent triangles are congruent)
Definition of CPCTC (Congruent parts of a
<BAC ≅ <DAC
congruent triangles are congruent)
AC bisects <BAD Definition of Angle Bisector

Flow Chart Form

AB ≅ AD
Given ∆BAC ≅ ∆DAC <BAC ≅ <DAC
Definition of Definition of AC bisects
CPCTC CPCTC <BAD
BC ≠ DC (Congruent (Congruent Definition
Given parts of a parts of a of Angle
congruent congruent Bisector
triangles are triangles are
congruent) congruent)
AC = AC
Reflexive Property

Indirect Proof:

Paragraph Form

Assume Temporarily that AC does bisect <BAD, then <BAC ≅ <DAC by the
definition of angle bisector. AC = AC by reflexive property. Then ∆BAC ≅ ∆DAC, since the
two angle are congruent therefore BC = DC by CPCTC. However this contradicts the
given, therefore AC must bisect <BAD.
Two-Column Form

Statement Reason
AB ≅ AD Given
BC ≠ DC Given
AC bisects <BAD Assumption
Definition of CPCTC (Congruent parts of a
<BAC ≅ <DAC
congruent triangles are congruent)
AC = AC Reflexive Property
 Definition of CPCTC (Congruent parts of a
∆BAC ≅ ∆DAC
congruent triangles are congruent)
AC does not bisects <BAD Contradiction in the statement

Flow Chart Form

AB ≅ AD
Given <BAC ≅ <DAC ∆BAC ≅ ∆DAC
Definition of Definition of AC does not
CPCTC CPCTC bisects
BC ≠ DC (Congruent (Congruent <BAD
Given parts of a parts of a Definition
congruent congruent of Angle
triangles are triangles are Bisector
AC bisects <BAD congruent) congruent)
Assumption

Reference:

Baccay, A. (n.d.). Geometry for Secondary Schools. Philippines: Phoenix Publishing House

Jurgensen, R.C.,R.J. Brown, and J.W. Jurgensen (1990). Mathematics 2 An Integrated

Approach. Quezon City: Abiva Publishing House, Inc.

Cuer, K. (2007, July 19). Geometry 5.6 Indirect Proof and Inequalities in Two Triangles.
Retrieved November 21, 2012, from http://mcuer.blogspot.com/2007/07/geometry-56-
indirect-and.html

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