Instructions: Show that the conjecture is false by finding a counterexample. Change the value of [tex] n [/tex] below in order to make it a counterexample.

"For every integer [tex] n [/tex], [tex] n^3 [/tex] is positive."

[tex]\[
\begin{array}{l}
n=1 \\
n=-3 \\
n=2 \\
n=5
\end{array}
\][/tex]

[tex]\[
n= \, \_\_\_\_
\][/tex]



Answer :

To address the conjecture "For every integer [tex]\( n \)[/tex], [tex]\( n^3 \)[/tex] is positive," we will explore the values of [tex]\( n \)[/tex] given in the question:

1. [tex]\( n = 1 \)[/tex]
2. [tex]\( n = -3 \)[/tex]
3. [tex]\( n = 2 \)[/tex]
4. [tex]\( n = 5 \)[/tex]

We will calculate [tex]\( n^3 \)[/tex] for each value of [tex]\( n \)[/tex]:

1. For [tex]\( n = 1 \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ 1^3 = 1 \][/tex]
The result is positive.

2. For [tex]\( n = -3 \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ (-3)^3 = -27 \][/tex]
The result is negative.

3. For [tex]\( n = 2 \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ 2^3 = 8 \][/tex]
The result is positive.

4. For [tex]\( n = 5 \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ 5^3 = 125 \][/tex]
The result is positive.

From these calculations, we can see that [tex]\( n = -3 \)[/tex] results in [tex]\( (-3)^3 = -27 \)[/tex], which is a negative number. This serves as a counterexample that disproves the conjecture.

Therefore, we have demonstrated that the conjecture "For every integer [tex]\( n \)[/tex], [tex]\( n^3 \)[/tex] is positive" is false. The specific value of [tex]\( n \)[/tex] that serves as the counterexample is [tex]\( n = -3 \)[/tex].

So, the value of [tex]\( n \)[/tex] that makes the conjecture false is:
[tex]\[ n = -3 \][/tex]