A proof using the contrapositive

proof-writing

I am trying to prove the following conjecture:

Prove that if $m$ and $n$ are integers and $mn$ is even, then $m$
is even or $n$ is even.

Proof by contraposition:

Assume $m$ and $n$ are odd. Then $m = 2k + 1$ and $n = 2l + 1$. So
$$mn = (2k + 1)(2l + 1) = 4kl + 2k + 2l + 1 = 2(2kl + k + l) + 1$$
QED

Is there anything else I need to do in order to prove this conjecture? Thank you!

Best Answer

You did very well: you got to the "meat" of the proof.

I'll simply add "a side dish":

I would simply add, after demonstrating that, given $m$ and $n$ are both odd, and hence, as odd, there is an integer k such that $m= 2k+1$, and an integer $l$ such that $n = 2l+1$. Thus it follows that $$mn= 2(2kl + k + l) + 1 $$ by concluding that $$mn= 2(2kl + k + l) + 1 \,\text{ is odd. }$$

Hence, by the equivalence of the contrapositive, we have proven: "If $mn$ is even, then either $m$ or $n$ (or both) is even."