Algebraic Proof (Edexcel IGCSE Maths A (Modular): Higher Unit 2): Exam Questions

Exam code: 4XMAF/4XMAH

2 hours40 questions
1
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3 marks

Prove algebraically that

         (2n + 1)2  (2n + 1) is an even number

for all positive integer values of n.

2
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3 marks

Show that (n+3)2  (n3)2  is an even number for all positive integer values of n.

3
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4 marks

n is an integer greater than 1

Prove algebraically that  n2  2  ( n2)2 is always an even number.

4
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3 marks

Prove that the difference between two consecutive square numbers is always an odd number.
Show clear algebraic working.

5
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3 marks

N is a multiple of 5

A = N + 1B = N  1

Prove, using algebra, that A2 B2 is always a multiple of 20

6
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2 marks

E = n2+ n + 5

Ali thinks that the value of E will be a prime number for any whole number value of n.

Is Ali correct?
You must give a reason for your answer.

7
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4 marks

p is a positive number.

n is a negative number.

For each statement, tick the correct box.

 

Always true

Sometimes true

Never true

p+n is positive

pn is positive

p2+n2 is positive

p3÷n3 is positive

8
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4 marks

x is an integer.

Prove that  35 + (3x + 1)2  2x(4x  3)  is a square number.

9
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1 mark

Which of these is a correct identity?

Circle your answer.

x + 4x  5x

6x  18

2x + 1  7

7x + 9  x

10
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3 marks

 k = n2 + 9n + 1

Mo says,    “k will be a prime number for all integer values of n from 1 to 9”

Show that Mo is wrong.
You must show that your value of k is not prime.

11
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1 mark

Tick whether the following statement is true or false.

Give a reason for your answer.

When n  is a positive integer, the value of 2n is always a factor of the value of 20n.

True          False   

12
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4 marks

Prove that the mean of any four consecutive even integers is an integer.

13a
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3 marks

Prove that the sum of four consecutive whole numbers is always even.

13b
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2 marks

Give an example to show that the sum of four consecutive integers is not always divisible by 4.

1
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3 marks

Prove that

(2n + 3)2  (2n  3)2  is a multiple of 8 

for all positive integer values of n

2
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4 marks

Prove that the square of an odd number is always 1 more than a multiple of 4

3
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4 marks

Prove that , for all positive values of n,

(n +2 )2  (n +1)22n2 + 3n = 1n

4
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4 marks

Prove algebraically that the difference between the squares of any two consecutive integers is equal to the sum of these two integers.

5
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4 marks

Prove algebraically that the product of any two odd numbers is always an odd number.

6a
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1 mark

Show that x(x  1) (x + 1)= x3  x

6b
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3 marks

Prove that the difference between a whole number and the cube of this number is always a multiple of 6

7
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4 marks

Prove algebraically that the difference between the squares of any two consecutive odd numbers is always a multiple of 8

8
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4 marks

n is the middle integer of three consecutive positive integers.

The three integers are multiplied to give a product.

n is then added to the product.

Prove that the result is a cube number.

9
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4 marks

Expressions for consecutive triangular numbers are

n(n+1)2 and (n+1)(n+2)2

Prove that the sum of two consecutive triangular numbers is always a square number.

10
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3 marks

n is a positive integer.

Prove algebraically that  2n2(3n+ n) + 6n (n2 1) is a cube number.

11
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2 marks

a2  b2  (a + b)(a  b)

    a and b are positive whole numbers with a > b

    a2  b2 is a prime number.

Why are a and b consecutive numbers?

12
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3 marks

c is a positive integer.

Prove that  6c3+30c3c2+15  is an even number.

13
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3 marks

The lengths of the sides of a right-angled triangle are all integers. Prove that if the lengths of the two shortest sides are even, then the length of the third side must also be even.

14a
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2 marks

Express as a single fraction.

m+1n+1mn

Simplify your answer.

14b
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2 marks

Using your answer to part (a), prove that if m and n are positive integers and m < n, then

m+1n+1mn>0

15
4 marks

Prove algebraically that the difference between the squares of any two consecutive odd numbers is always a multiple of 8

1
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3 marks

(i) Factorise 2t2+5t+2.

[2]

(ii) t is a positive whole number.

The expression 2t2+5t+2 can never have a value that is a prime number.
Explain why.

[1]

2
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2 marks

n is an integer.

Prove algebraically that the sum of  12 n(n + 1) and 12 (n + 1)(n + 2) is always a square number.

3
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6 marks

Here are the first five terms of an arithmetic sequence.

7      13      19      25      31 

Prove that the difference between the squares of any two terms of the sequence is always a multiple of 24.

4
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2 marks

Given that n can be any integer such that n > 1, prove that n2  n is never an odd number.

5
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3 marks

The product of two consecutive positive integers is added to the larger of the two integers.

Prove that the result is always a square number.

6
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3 marks

Prove that when the sum of the squares of any two consecutive odd numbers is divided by 8, the remainder is always 2
Show clear algebraic working.

7
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3 marks

Using algebra, prove that, given any 3 consecutive whole numbers, the sum of the square of the smallest number and the square of the largest number is always 2 more than twice the square of the middle number.

8
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3 marks

Using algebra, prove that, given any 3 consecutive even numbers, the difference between the square of the largest number and the square of the smallest number is always 8 times the middle number.

9a
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2 marks

Here are the first four terms of a sequence of fractions.

11      23      35       47

The numerators of the fractions form the sequence of whole numbers 1 2 3 4 ...
The denominators of the fractions form the sequence of odd numbers 1 3 5 7 ...

Write down an expression, in terms of n, for the nth term of this sequence of fractions.

9b
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3 marks

Using algebra, prove that when the square of any odd number is divided by 4 the remainder is 1

10
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4 marks

The table gives information about the first six terms of a sequence of numbers.

  Term number

1

2

3

4

5

6

  Term of sequence

1 × 22 

2 × 32 

3 × 42 

4 × 52

5 × 62

6 × 72

Prove algebraically that the sum of any two consecutive terms of this sequence is always a square number.

11
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3 marks

Prove that x2 + x + 1 is always positive.

12a
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2 marks

The diagram shows a cross placed on a number grid.

A grid of numbers 1 to 60 in sequential order. Numbers 25, 34, 35, and 36 are shaded to highlight them distinctively.

L is the product of the left and right numbers of the cross.
T is the product of the top and bottom numbers of the cross.
M is the middle number of the cross.

Show that when M = 35, L  T = 99.

12b
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5 marks

Prove that, for any position of the cross on the number grid above, L  T = 99.