1957 AHSME Problems/Problem 21
Problem 21
Start with the theorem "If two angles of a triangle are equal, the triangle is isosceles," and the following four statements:
1. If two angles of a triangle are not equal, the triangle is not isosceles.
2. The base angles of an isosceles triangle are equal.
3. If a triangle is not isosceles, then two of its angles are not equal.
4. A necessary condition that two angles of a triangle be equal is that the triangle be isosceles.
Which combination of statements contains only those which are logically equivalent to the given theorem?
Solution
(1) is the inverse (2) is the converse (3) is the contrapositive (4) is a restatement of the original conditional Therefore, (3) and (4) are correct.