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Proofs

To prove an 'identity', show one side is the same as the other. The identity symbol is . E.g - Show that (n + 3)(n + 2) - 3n + 2 n2 + 2n + 8:

Proofs and Counter Examples

General numbers in proofs

General numbers in proofs

  • If we are proving something involving an even number, use 2n.
  • If we are proving something involving an odd number, use 2n + 1.
  • Consecutive numbers are shown by n, n + 1, n + 2, ... etc
Counter examples

Counter examples

  • A counter example is the simplest way to prove a statement is wrong.
  • You only need one counter example to show something is wrong.
  • To disprove the statement ‘The product of two primes is always odd':
    • Use the counter example of the primes 2 and 3 whose product is 6 which is even.
Jump to other topics
1

Numbers

2

Equations, Formulae & Identities

3

Sequences, Functions & Graphs

4

Geometry

5

Vectors & Transformation Geometry

6

Statistics & Probability

Practice questions on Proofs

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