[Math] Proof exercise: finding hypothesis and conclusion in a statement

proof-verificationproof-writing

I am starting learn mathematical proofs and I was doing some exercise that needed to identify the hypothesis and the conclusion in a given statement. And I'm having trouble trying to figure it out in the following statement:

The sum of the first $n$ positive integers is $n(n+1)/2$

what I could come up with is:

  • hypothesis : Sum of first $n$ items is $n(n+1)/2$
  • conclusion : $n$ items are positive integers

I get the feeling that this might be wrong so can a math wizard point me to the correct answer?
Thanks.

Best Answer

Hypothesis: "$n$ is a positive integer"

Conclusion: "the sum $1+2+\cdots+n$ equals $\frac{n(n+1)}{2}$"

and the given statement is: if hypothesis then conclusion.