Stage 16 · Quadrilaterals & Polygons

16.6.1 The Idea of Proof by Contradiction

16.6 Proof by Contradiction and Reasoning in Geometry

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16.6.1 The Idea of Proof by Contradiction

Core idea

To prove something true, first pretend it's false and corner yourself into a dead end (a contradiction), which forces it to be true

Module goal. Build on all the earlier proofs to distill a new tool of argument, proof by contradiction, and close out this stage with it, laying groundwork for the trickier reasoning in similarity
eastmath.com · 16.6 Proof by Contradiction and Reasoning in Geometry · 16.6.1 The Idea of Proof by Contradiction