Mark scheme Pure Mathematics Year 2 Unit Test 1: Proof

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1a Makes an attempt to substitute k = 1, k = 2 and k = 4 into M1 1.1b 5th

ak  2k  1, k …1 Understand
disproof by
A1 1.1b
Shows that a1 =3 , a2 =5 and a4  17 and these are prime
counter example.
numbers.

(2)

1b Substitutes a value of k that does not yield a prime number. A1 1.1b 5th
Understand
For example, a3 =9 or a5 =33 disproof by
counter example.
Concludes that their number is not prime. B1 2.4
For example, states that 9 = 3 × 3, so 9 is not prime.

(2)

(4 marks)

Notes

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 Mark scheme Pure Mathematics Year 2 Unit Test 1: Proof

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2 Makes an attempt to substitute any of n = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 into M1 1.1b 5th

n(n  1) Complete proofs
2 by exhaustion.

n(n+1) A1 1.1b
Successfully substitutes n = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 into 2
(1)(2)
1=
2
(2)(3)
1+ 2 =
2
(3)(4)
1+ 2 + 3 =
2
(4)(5)
1+ 2 + 3+ 4 =
2
(5)(6)
1+ 2 + 3+ 4 + 5 =
2
(6)(7)
1+ 2 + 3+ 4 + 5 + 6 =
2

Draws the conclusion that as the statement is true for all B1 2.4
numbers from 1 to 6 inclusive, it has been proved by
exhaustion.

(3 marks)

Notes

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 Mark scheme Pure Mathematics Year 2 Unit Test 1: Proof

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3 Begins the proof by assuming the opposite is true. B1 3.1 7th

‘Assumption: there exists a product of two odd numbers that is Complete proofs
even.’ using proof by
contradiction.
Defines two odd numbers. Can choose any two different B1 2.2a
variables.
‘Let 2m + 1 and 2n + 1 be our two odd numbers.’

Successfully multiplies the two odd numbers together: M1 1.1b

(2m+1)(2n+1) º 4mn+ 2m+ 2n+1

Factors the expression and concludes that this number must be M1 1.1b
odd.
4mn+ 2m+ 2n+1 º 2(2mn+ m+ n) +1
2(2mn+ m+ n) is even, so 2(2mn+ m+ n) +1 must be odd.

Makes a valid conclusion. B1 2.4

This contradicts the assumption that the product of two odd
numbers is even, therefore the product of two odd numbers is
odd.

(5 marks)

Notes
Alternative method
Assume the opposite is true: there exists a product of two odd numbers that is even. (B1)
If the product is even then 2 is a factor. (B1)
So 2 is a factor of at least one of the two numbers. (M1)
So at least one of the two numbers is even. (M1)
This contradicts the statement that both numbers are odd. (B1)

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 Mark scheme Pure Mathematics Year 2 Unit Test 1: Proof

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4 Begins the proof by assuming the opposite is true. B1 3.1 7th

‘Assumption: there exists a number n such that n is odd and Complete proofs
n3 + 1 is also odd.’ using proof by
contradiction.
Defines an odd number. B1 2.2a
‘Let 2k + 1 be an odd number.’

3 M1 1.1b
Successfully calculates (2k+1) +1

( )
(2k+1)3 +1 º 8k3 +12k2 + 6k+1 +1 º 8k3 +12k2 + 6k+ 2

Factors the expression and concludes that this number must be M1 1.1b
even.

(
8k3 +12k2 + 6k + 2 º 2 4k3 + 6k2 + 3k +1 )
(
2 4k3 + 6k2 + 3k+1 ) is even.
Makes a valid conclusion. B1 2.4
This contradicts the assumption that there exists a number n
such that n is odd and n3 + 1 is also odd, so if n is odd, then
n3 + 1 is even.

(5 marks)

Notes
Alternative method
Assume the opposite is true: there exists a number n such that n is odd and n3 + 1 is also odd. (B1)
If n3 + 1 is odd, then n3 is even. (B1)
So 2 is a factor of n3. (M1)
This implies 2 is a factor of n. (M1)
This contradicts the statement n is odd. (B1)

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 Mark scheme Pure Mathematics Year 2 Unit Test 1: Proof

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5 Begins the proof by assuming the opposite is true. B1 3.1 7th

‘Assumption: there do exist integers a and b such that Complete proofs
25a+15b=1’ using proof by
contradiction.
1 M1 2.2a
25a+15b=1 Þ 5a+ 3b=
Understands that 5
‘As both 25 and 15 are multiples of 5, divide both sides by 5 to
1
5a+ 3b=
leave 5’

Understands that if a and b are integers, then 5a is an integer, M1 1.1b

3b is an integer and 5a + 3b is also an integer.

1 B1 2.4
5a+ 3b=
Recognises that this contradicts the statement that 5,
1
as 5 is not an integer. Therefore there do not exist integers a and
b such that 25a+15b=1’

(4 marks)

Notes

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 Mark scheme Pure Mathematics Year 2 Unit Test 1: Proof

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6 Begins the proof by assuming the opposite is true. B1 3.1 7th

a a Complete proofs
using proof by
‘Assumption: there exists a rational number b such that b is the
contradiction.
greatest positive rational number.’

Makes an attempt to consider a number that is clearly greater M1 2.2a

a
than b :
a a
1
‘Consider the number b , which must be greater than b ’

a M1 1.1b
1
Simplifies b and concludes that this is a rational number.
a a b ab
1  
b b b b
ab
By definition, b is a rational number.

Makes a valid conclusion. B1 2.4

This contradicts the assumption that there exists a greatest
positive rational number, so we can conclude that there is not a
greatest positive rational number.

(4 marks)

Notes

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 Mark scheme Pure Mathematics Year 2 Unit Test 1: Proof

Pearson
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Q Scheme Marks AOs
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7 Begins the proof by assuming the opposite is true. B1 3.1 7th

‘Assumption: given a rational number a and an irrational Complete proofs
number b, assume that a −b is rational.’ using proof by
contradiction.
Sets up the proof by defining the different rational and irrational M1 2.2a
numbers. The choice of variables does not matter.
m
a
Let n

p
a- b=
As we are assuming a − b is rational, let q

p m p
a- b= Þ - b=
So q n q

m p M1 1.1b
- b=
Solves n q to make b the subject and rewrites the
resulting expression as a single fraction:
m p m p mq- pn
- b= Þ b= - =
n q n q nq

Makes a valid conclusion. B1 2.4

mq- pn
b=
nq , which is rational, contradicts the assumption b is
an irrational number. Therefore the difference of a rational
number and an irrational number is irrational.

(4 marks)

Notes

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 Mark scheme Pure Mathematics Year 2 Unit Test 1: Proof

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Q Scheme Marks AOs
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8 Begins the proof by assuming the opposite is true. B1 3.1 7th

‘Assumption: there exist positive integer solutions to the Complete proofs
2 2 using proof by
statement x - y =1’ contradiction.
2 2 M1 2.2a
Sets up the proof by factorising x - y and stating
(x- y)(x+ y) =1

States that there is only one way to multiply to make 1: M1 1.1b

1´ 1 =1
and concludes this means that:
x- y =1
x+ y =1

Solves this pair of simultaneous equations to find the values of M1 1.1b

x and y: x = 1 and y = 0

Makes a valid conclusion. B1 2.4

x = 1, y = 0 are not both positive integers, which is a
contradiction to the opening statement. Therefore there do not
2 2
exist positive integers x and y such that x - y =1

(5 marks)

Notes

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 Mark scheme Pure Mathematics Year 2 Unit Test 1: Proof

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9a Begins the proof by assuming the opposite is true. B1 3.1 7th

‘Assumption: there exists a number n such that n2 is even and n Complete proofs
is odd.’ using proof by
contradiction.
Defines an odd number (choice of variable is not important) and M1 2.2a
successfully calculates n2
Let 2k + 1 be an odd number.

n2 =(2k+1)2 =4k2 + 4k+1

Factors the expression and concludes that this number must be M1 1.1b
odd.

(
4k2 + 4k +1 =2 2k2 + 2k +1 ) , so n2 is odd.

Makes a valid conclusion. B1 2.4

This contradicts the assumption n2 is even. Therefore if n2 is
even, n must be even.

(4)

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 Mark scheme Pure Mathematics Year 2 Unit Test 1: Proof

9b Begins the proof by assuming the opposite is true. B1 3.1 7th

Complete proofs
‘Assumption: 2 is a rational number.’
using proof by
contradiction.
Defines the rational number: M1 2.2a
a
2
b for some integers a and b, where a and b have no
common factors.

Squares both sides and concludes that a is even: M1 1.1b

a a2
2 = Þ 2 = 2 Þ a2 =2b2
b b
From part a: a2 is even implies that a is even.

Further states that if a is even, then a = 2c. Choice of variable is M1 1.1b

not important.

2 2 M1 1.1b
Makes a substitution and works through to find b =2c ,
concluding that b is also even.

a2 =2b2 Þ (2c)2 =2b2 Þ 4c2 =2b2 Þ b2 =2c2

From part a: b2 is even implies that b is even.

Makes a valid conclusion. B1 2.4

If a and b are even, then they have a common factor of 2, which
contradicts the statement that a and b have no common factors.
Therefore 2 is an irrational number.

(6)

(10 marks)
Notes

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 Mark scheme Pure Mathematics Year 2 Unit Test 1: Proof

Pearson
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Q Scheme Marks AOs
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10 Begins the proof by assuming the opposite is true. B1 3.1 7th

‘Assumption: there is a finite amount of prime numbers.’ Complete proofs
using proof by
Considers what having a finite amount of prime numbers means M1 2.2a contradiction.
by making an attempt to list them:

Let all the prime numbers exist be p1 , p2 , p3 ,...pn

Consider a new number that is one greater than the product of M1 1.1b
all the existing prime numbers:

Let N =( p1 ´ p2 ´ p3 ´ ...´ pn) +1

Understands the implication of this new number is that division M1 1.1b

by any of the existing prime numbers will leave a remainder of
1. So none of the existing prime numbers is a factor of N.

Concludes that either N is prime or N has a prime factor that is B1 2.4

not currently listed.

Recognises that either way this leads to a contradiction, and B1 2.4

therefore there is an infinite number of prime numbers.

(6 marks)

Notes

If N is prime, it is a new prime number separate to the finite list of prime numbers, p1 , p2 , p3 ,...pn.
If N is divisible by a previously unknown prime number, that prime number is also separate to the finite list of
prime numbers.

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