Sum of two whole numbers is always less than their product.
Why the statement is false
The word always means it must be true for every pair of whole numbers. To show it is false, we only need one counterexample.
Counterexample 1 (small whole numbers):
Take \(1\) and \(2\).
Sum: \(1+2=3\).
Product: \(1\times 2=2\).
Compare: \(3>2\). So the sum is not less than the product here.
Counterexample 2 (using zero):
Take \(0\) and \(5\).
Sum: \(0+5=5\).
Product: \(0\times 5=0\).
Compare: \(5>0\). Again, the sum is not less than the product.
Note: For some pairs (like \(3\) and \(4\)), product is bigger: \(3+4=7\), \(3\times 4=12\). But the claim said always. Since we found examples where the sum is greater, the statement is false.