Afterlookingat the table,we mightmakethis conjecture:The valueof is for any wholenumbervalueof.However, if we try othervaluesof , suchas , we haveObviously, our conjectureis wrong.For this conjecture, is calledacounterexample, meaningthat
this valuemakesthe conjecturefalse.(Of course,it was a prettypoor conjectureto beginwith!)
Example 8
Ramonastudiedpositiveevennumbers.She brokesomepositiveevennumbersdownas follows:Whatconjecturemightbe suggestedby Ramona’s results?Ramonamadethis conjecture:“Everypositiveevennumberis the sum of two differentpositiveodd numbers.”Is Ramona’s conjecturecorrect?Can you find a counterexampleto the conjecture?The conjectureis not correct.A counterexampleis. The only way to makea sum of two odd numbersthat is equalto is: , whichis not the sum ofdifferentodd numbers.
Example 9
Arturis makingfiguresfor a graphicart project.He drewpolygonsand someof their diagonals.Basedon theseexamples,Arturmadethis conjecture:If a convexpolygonhas sides,then thereare diagonalsfrom any givenvertexof the polygon.Is Artur’s conjecturecorrect?Can you find a counterexampleto the conjecture?The conjectureappearsto be correct.If Arturdrawsotherpolygons,in everycasehe will be able to draw
diagonalsif the polygonhas sides.