Final answer:
An indirect proof involves assuming the opposite of the statement you want to prove and showing this assumption leads to a contradiction, thus confirming the statement must be true.
Step-by-step explanation:
An indirect proof, also known as proof by contradiction, begins by assuming the opposite of the statement you want to prove, typically labeled XYZ. The goal is to demonstrate that this assumption leads to a contradiction, thereby confirming that the original statement must be true. To do this effectively, you could utilize a disjunctive syllogism. This logical structure declares that if you have a situation where either X is true or Y is true, and you find out X is false, then Y must necessarily be true.
Here is an example of a valid deductive inference using a logical form:
- If not XYZ, then A is true.
- A leads to contradiction.
- Therefore, XYZ must be true.
The essence of this method is to show that the denial of XYZ results in a situation that cannot possibly be, hence XYZ must be accepted as true.