The odd-even tale

De, Prithwijit (2018) The odd-even tale. At Right Angles, 7 (2). pp. 126-129. ISSN 2582-1873

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Abstract

We are introduced to the concept of an even number and an odd number in primary school or even earlier. Any natural number divisible by 2 is even; if it is not, it is odd. The definition is extended to integers once we learn the arithmetic of negative whole numbers. Then we make simple observations such as: the sum of two even numbers is even, as is the sum of two odd numbers, and sum of an even number and an odd number is odd. Carrying on, we deduce that the sum of an even number of even numbers or odd numbers is even, and so is the sum of an odd number of even numbers, whereas the sum of an odd number of odd numbers is odd. This article aims at discussing some problems where these simple observations come into play.

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Articles in APF Magazines

Authors:

De, Prithwijit

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