Proof
1. (a) A student suggests that, for any prime number between 20 and 40, when its digits are
squared and then added, the sum is an odd number.
For example, 23 has digits 2 and 3 which gives 22 + 32 = 13 , which is odd. [2]
Show by counter example that this suggestion is false.
(b) Prove that the sum of the squares of any three consecutive positive integers cannot be [3]
divided by 3.
2. (a) Jack makes the following claim.
“If n is any positive integer, then 3n + 2 is a prime number.”
Prove that Jack’s claim is incorrect. [3]
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Proof
(b) Jill writes the following statement.
(i) Explain why Jill’s statement is incorrect. [1]
(ii) Write a corrected version of Jill’s statement. [1]
3. Prove by exhaustion that if the sum of the digits of a 2-digit number is 5, then this 2-digit
number is not a perfect square. [3]
4. In each of the following cases choose one of the statements
P⇒Q P⇐Q P⇔Q
to describe the relationship between P and Q.
(a) P: y = 3x5 – 4x2 + 12x
[1]
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Proof
[1]
P: x5 – 32 = 0 where x is real
(b)
Q: x = 2
P: ln y < 0
(c)
Q: y < 1
[1]
5. [5]
N is an integer that is not divisible by 3. Prove that N2 is of the form 3p + 1, where p is an
integer.
END OF QUESTION paper
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Proof
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Proof
Mark scheme
Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance
OR
M1(AO2.1) M1 37 gives 32
31 gives 32 +12 = 10
+ 72 = 58
1 a E1(AO2.1) E1 58 is even
10 is even and hence the suggestion is false
and hence the
[2] suggestion is
false
Any valid
expressions for
n2 + (n +1)2 + (n + 2)2
three
M1(AO2.1)
consecutive
integers
FT their
A1FT(AO1.1)
b 3n2 + 6n + 5 expressions
E1(AO2.1)
Correct
3(n2 + 2n +1) + 2 which always leaves a remainder of 2 and so cannot be
[3]
conclusion
divided by 3
Total 5
At least one correct calc’n of 3n + 2 M1(AO1.1a)
with n ≥ 1
A1(AO2.1) or eg 36 + 2 = One
2 a
3 + 2 = 245
5 E1(AO2.1) 731 contradiction
731 is div by seen
245 is div by 5, so statement incorrect [3] 17, so Must see this
statement line oe
incorrect
B1(AO2.3)
b i) (−3)2 = 9 or x = −3 gives x2 = 9 oe
[1]
B1(AO2.1)
ii)
b Enter text here.
[1]
Total 5
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Proof
14, 41, 23, 32, 50 or 16, 25, 36, 49 ≥ 4 of these or
M1(AO2.1)
≥ 3 of these
A1(AO2.1)
One set all
3 E1dep(AO2.4)
correct
Ignore sq nos
None of these 2-digit numbers is a perfect square or None of these
[3] above 49
squares has digit sum = 5 oe dep M1A1
Total 3
B1
(AO 1.1)
4 a P⇒Q
Examiner’s Comments
[1]
The most common error was to give
P ⇔ Q. P → Q was condoned.
B1
(AO 1.1)
b P⇔Q
Examiner’s Comments
[1]
The most common error was P ⇒ Q. P ↔ Q was
condoned.
B1
(AO 1.1) Examiner’s Comments
c P⇒Q
The most common error was P ⇔ Q. P ⇐ Q was also
[1] seen, perhaps because candidates thought each
statement would be used once in this question. Note
this was not the case and is not inevitable. P → Q was
condoned. This part was found to be the most difficult.
Total 3
N = 3k + 1 or N = 3k + 2 M1
(AO3.1a)
One of these. Any letter
Allow without other than p
(where k is an integer)
"N = "
M1
(AO1.1) Attempt one Allow p
5 (3k + 1) 2
(3k + 2) 2
A1 of these
(AO2.1) Both correct Allow p
= 9k2 + 6k + 1 = 9k2 + 12k + 4 A1
(AO2.4)
Or 9k2+6k div or similar in
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Proof
by 3 or words. Allow
= 3(3k2 + 2k) + 1 or = 3(3k2 + 4k + 1) + 1
E1
9k2+12k+3 div p
(AO2.2a)
by3
One of these
Both these are of form 3p + 1, p an integer Must say p is
integer or 3k2
+ 2k and 3k2 Dep on
+ 4k + 1 are M1M1A1A1
integers
[5]
N = 3p + 1:
max
Similar marks M0M1A1A1E0
for method
using N = 3k
+ 1& N = 3k -
1
Examiner’s Comments
This question tests "proof by exhaustion" as included in
paragraph 1.01a of the specification. This method of
proof involves either considering all possible values or
all possible categories of values. This question tests the
latter. It was not well answered on the whole. Many
candidates started with, for example, N = 3k + 1 and
gave a partly correct argument based on this (although
most omitted to say "where k is an integer"). Then
many of these omitted to consider either N = 3k + 2 or
N = 3k – 1 as well. Some candidates started with N =
3p + 1 and gave an otherwise correct argument,
ignoring the use of "p" in the question. Some
candidates tried to work from N2 = 3p + 1. These all
failed. Some verified the result in a few numerical
cases. These scored no marks.
Total 5
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