Question

If a and b are two odd positive integers such that a is greater than b then prove that one of the two numbers (a + b ) /2 and (a-b) / 2 is odd and the other is even

Answer 1

Let us consider that (a+b)/2 and (a-b)/2 are
1)both odd and
2)both even

In the first case, let them be odd.
We know that the sum or difference of two odd numbers is even, hence the sum of the numbers (a+b)/2 and (a-b)/2 must be even.

So,
(a+b)/2 +(a-b)/2=a
Hence 'a' must be even which is not correct as we are given that a is odd positive integer.

(If we take the difference, we will get value equal to b).
This leads to a contradiction. Hence (a+b)/2 +(a-b)/2 cannot be both odd.

In the second case, let the numbers (a+b)/2 +(a-b)/2 are even.
Again, the sum or difference of two even numbers is even.

So,
(a+b)/2 +(a-b)/2 = a
hence 'a' must be even, which is not correct as we are given that a is odd positive integer. (If we take the difference, we will get value equal to b).
This leads to a contradiction.
Hence (a+b)/2 +(a-b)/2 cannot be both even.

So, the two numbers in question cannot be both even or both odd. Hence they have only one possibility left i.e. one is even and the other is odd