Module 1 Lesson 1.

1 Meaning of Theorem, Lemma, Corollary and Conjecture

1.1 Meaning of Theorem, Lemma, Corollary and Conjecture

The language of number theory. A mathematician is a skeptic by nature. One cannot accept the validity
of theorem on faith. They want to see why they actually hold. A mathematician always want to see a
“proof”, that is, a precise argument which leaves no doubt about the veracity of the theorem.
Meaning Example
Definition. A precise description and unambiguous An integer n* is even if n=2k for some k, and is odd if
explanation of the meaning of a mathematical term. It n=2k+1 for some k.
characterized the meaning of all the properties and only
Z refers to the set of all integers while a small letter, like n, pertains to an
those properties that must be true. element of an integer.
Axiom. It is a statement that is assumed to be true, based Basic Axiom for Z.
on logic. A self-evident truth. It cannot be proven or
If a, b ∈ Z, then a + b, a – b and ab ∈ Z. (Z is closed
demonstrated. It is the basic building block of
under addition, subtraction and multiplication.)
mathematical statement. They serve as the starting
points of the theorems. Reflective axiom: a number equals to itself (1=1)

Lemma. In mathematics, a "helping theorem" Euclid's lemma — If a prime p divides the

or lemma (plural lemmas or lemmata) is a proven
proposition which is used as a stepping stone to a
larger result rather than as a statement of interest by
itself.
product ab of two integers a and b, then p must
divide at least one of those integers a and b.
For example, if p = 19, a = 133, b = 143,
then ab = 133 × 143 = 19019, and since this is
divisible by 19, the lemma implies that one or both
of 133 or 143 must be as well. In fact, 133 = 19 ×
7.

Theorem. It is a statement that has been proven to be Division Algorithm.

true and can be demonstrated to be true using
mathematical reasoning based on axioms, some set of
logical connectives or other theorems. Theorems can be
derived via principles of deduction. The process of
showing a theorem to be correct is called a proof.
Given integers a and b, with b>0, there exist unique
integers q and r satisfying
a = qb + r 0≤r<b
The integers q and r are called, respectively, the
quotient and remainder in the division of a by b.

A theorem is something that has been proved.

Corollary. It is a result and an immediate consequence of
a theorem. It provides an interesting result, but generally
less important than a theorem. Its short proof relies
heavily on a given theorem. Normally stated as “ This is
Corollary of Theorem A”.
Proof. It is a process of showing why a statement is true.
Its precise argument demonstrates the veracity
mathematical reasoning.
Mathematicians use “□” or // or QED to indicate that you
have completed the proof. QED means “quod erat
demonstratum”, which is Latin for “that which was to be
demonstrated”.
Conjecture. It is a proposition believed to be true. It has
not yet been proven but convincingly favoured by some
serious evidence.
A proposition that has not yet been proven but which is
favoured by some serious evidence. It may be a
significant amount of computational evidence, or a body
of theory and technique that has arisen in the attempt to
settle the conjecture.
Corollary of Division Algorithm Theorem.
If a and b are integers, with b≠0, then there exist
unique integers q and r such that
a = qb + r 0 ≤ r < |b|
Theorem: Any integer c>1 is either a prime or has a
prime factor.
Proof. If c is not a prime then it has a smallest non-
trivial factor* p. Then p is a prime, for if p were
composite, c would have a still smaller factor. //
*Non-trivial factors are factors that are not the original integer or 1.
n
Fermat primes: Fn = 22 + 1
Fermat (1601-1665) firmly believe that all numbers of
this kind were primes but he did not carry his
calculations beyond F4.
F0=3, F1=5, F2=17, F3=257, F4=65537
This conjecture was proved incorrect when Euler showed F5
is not prime.
F5 = 22 + 1
5

F5 = 4294967297 = (641 x 6700417)

A P6-7(3).pdf

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 Module 1 Lesson 1.1 Meaning of Theorem, Lemma, Corollary and Conjecture

Mathematical notation. A system of symbolic Z. It is the mathematical notation for the set of
representation of mathematical objects and ideas. integers. It is the first letter for the German word
“Zahlen” ([‘tsa:lən], “number”).

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