UNIT 1 Pure Mathematics MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

1. PROOF

Introduction to Mathematical Proof

Mathematical proof is about being absolutely certain that a result is absolutely

always true in all possible situations. It’s not enough to THINK that it is
probably true.

Consider a conjecture that the famous mathematician Fermat came up with in

the 17th century:

2n  1 is a prime number if n is a power of 2

In the days before computers, it was very hard to test this for large numbers.
Fermat tried this for the first few powers of 2, and thought he was right. But he
hadn’t proved it. Nearly 100 years later, another famous mathematician, Euler,
showed that 232  1 was divisible by 641. Fermat had been wrong.

To be sure that a statement is correct we must PROVE it.

Useful things to remember when doing proofs:

Even numbers

Odd numbers

Rational numbers

Perfect Squares

To check if a number is
prime

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UNIT 1 Pure Mathematics MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

Types of Proof

1.1 Proof by Deduction

In this method, we are not resorting to numerical proof -

substituting numbers to show that the conjecture holds true
for all of them. Instead, we use algebra with a certain logical
argument to prove it.

EXAMPLE 1
Prove that the square of an odd number is odd.
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EXAMPLE 2
Show that n2 - 4n + 5 is positive for any integer.

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EXAMPLE 3
Prove that the product of an odd number and an even number is always even.

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UNIT 1 Pure Mathematics MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

FURTHER EXAMPLES: Proof of Logarithm Laws

1) Product Rule
The logarithm of a product is the sum of the logarithms of the factors.
loga xy = loga x + loga y 
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2) Quotient Rule
The logarithm of a quotient is the logarithm of the
numerator minus the logarithm of the denominator.

loga (X/Y) = loga x ‐ loga y 

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3) Power Rule
loga xn = nloga x 
 
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4) Change of Base Rule

loga X = logb X × loga b  
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UNIT 1 Pure Mathematics MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

1.2 Proof by Exhaustion

This method of proof involves trying all the possibilities.

EXAMPLE 1
Prove by exhaustion that when a number between 20 and 40 is divisible by 3,
reversing its digits also gives a number that is divisible by 3.

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EXAMPLE 2
Prove by exhaustion that if n is a single digit positive integer then n7 - n is
divisible by 7
(Actually this statement is true for all integers, not just single digit positive
integers)

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1.3.Disproof by Counter Example
To prove something is false, we only need to find one exception.
EXAMPLE 1
Disprove the statement that for n  2, 2n  1 is a prime number.

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UNIT 1 Pure Mathematics MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

EXAMPLE 2
Disprove the statement that if n 2 is divisible by 4, then n is divisible by 4

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NOTES: REMEMBER
 Proof by Deduction and Direct Argument is to prove directly
using logical steps.
 Proof by Exhaustion is to prove the statement is true for all cases.
 Proof (or disproof) by Counter-Example is to find an example that
shows that the statement is false.

QUESTIONS

Q1. Prove, by direct proof that (a  b)2  (a  b)2  4ab

Q2. Prove, by exhaustion that no square number ends with an 8.

Q3. Use a counter-example to prove the following statement is not true.

If x and y are real numbers, x  y  x 2  y 2

Q4. Prove, by direct proof that the product of any two odd numbers is odd.

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UNIT 1 Pure Mathematics MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

Q5. It is suggested that for every prime number p, 2p + 1 is also prime. Give
a counter example to disprove this statement.

Q6

Q7

Q8

Q9

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UNIT 1 Pure Mathematics MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

Q10

CHALLENGE QUESTIONS!

Q1.
Prove, by direct proof that if k is any constant and y x 2 kx k 2, then
y 0 for all values of x.

Q2. Prove, by direct proof that the sum of the squares of any two
consecutive integers is an odd number.

Q3. Give a counter-example for the following statement.

If x and y are irrational real numbers then xy is also irrational.

Q4.

Q5

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UNIT 1 Pure Mathematics MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

ALGEBRA AND FUNCTIONS

2.1 SURDS

NOTES:
A rational number is one that can be expressed as a ratio of two whole
numbers.
2 3
It means that it can be expressed as a fraction eg , 1 , 25 are examples
3 5
of rational numbers.

An irrational number cannot be expressed as a ratio of two whole numbers

For example: π, 2 , 3 + π, 5 3 are examples of irrational numbers.

A surd is a root that is an irrational number eg 2, 3 are surds.

QUESTIONS
State whether each of the following is rational or irrational. 
 
1. 5.     
   
2. 6.          
   
7.        
3.
   
8.  2 
4.

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UNIT 1 Pure Mathematics MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

NOTES:
In the following questions we are going to use these facts:
x  y  xy

x x
   . 
y y
 
Note that and
This can be checked using values of a and b
For example which is not the same as
QUESTIONS Evaluate the following roots without a calculator. 

3 4
1.  49     2.  27       3.  16        
 
 
36 7
4.      5.  1       6.  36  49  
49 9
 
 
9 49  81
7.      8.  81144     9.   
25 36  25

SIMPLIFYING SURDS QUESTIONS

(MULTIPLYING & DIVIDING)
1.  18       9.  2 3 3  
 
2.  32      
10.  2 7 3 7  
3.  75      
 
4.  28   11.   3 6  
5.  90        
27 12.   4 10  3 2  
6.       
3  
32 13.  4 30  2 70  
7.       
4  
  14.  20  15  6    
8.  5 5   
  48  14
15.   
56  18 9
UNIT 1 Pure Mathematics MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

SIMPLIFYING SURDS QUESTIONS

(ADDING & SUBTRACTING)

NOTES

As in algebra we can add or subtract “like” surds.

These are surds with the same irrational factor.
For example: and are “like” surds.
and are not “like” surds.
Sometimes it is not as straight forward to determine whether surds are “like”
For example: and are “like” because

QUESTIONS Simplify each expression as far as possible. 

1.   
   
2.       
 
3.      
   
5.  2 37 3 3 
 
6.  2  18  32  
 
7.  45  4 5  3 20  
 
8.  2 50  72  7 8  
CHALLENGE QUESTIONS!!! 
Express each of the following in the form  k p  where k is am integer and p is a 
prime number. 
 
1.  72  8       2.  5 28  63  
 
3.  2 147  5 48  75  
 

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UNIT 1 Pure Mathematics MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

FURTHER MULTIPLICATION (BRACKETS)

1.  
7 1 7    7.   
3 1 2 3 1   
           
         
2.  
3 5 2 5      8.  3  2  2  3 2   
   
   
3.  
2 3 54 3        9. 
   
3 1 3  2 3   
   
4.  
3 2 3 5           

 
10.  4 
11  2 3 11  2   
   
5.  1  3  2  3     
11.  1  3 1  3   
   
6.   2  5 3  2 5     

 
12.   2  3 5  2  3 5 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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UNIT 1 Pure Mathematics MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

RATIONALISING THE DENOMINATOR 

NOTES
It is usual to eliminate all surds from the denominator of a fraction
1 2
For example: an answer would not be written in the form or .
3 1 5
Answers are normally given with the surd in the numerator
For example: or ; are acceptable.

Eliminating irrational numbers in the denominator is called rationalising the

denominator.

EXAMPLES
Rationalise the denominator in each case. 
 
1 2 3
1.        2.        3.   
2 3 3 75
 
 
 
3 5 7 1
4.        5.        6.   
6 2 5 3 1
 
 
 
7 3 1 5 3
7.      8.      9.   
5 1 2 3 5 3
 
 
 
 
2 24 7
10.       11.       12.   
5 2 3 7
 
 
 

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UNIT 1 Pure Mathematics MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

QUESTIONS: 
 
Q1  

Q2

Q3

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Q4

Q5

Q6

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Q7

Q8

Q9

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UNIT 1 Pure Mathematics MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

Q10

CHALLENGE QUESTIONS!!

     Solve each of the following equations: 
 
1)     3x  5  7 3 x  11                                                            2)    2 5 x  5  5  x  
 
 
 
3)     3 7  5 x  8  2 7 x                                                          4)    3 2  5 x  4 2 x  7  
 
 
 
 
Problems involving surds 
 
1.  Express as a surd the length of the side of a square whose diagonal is 8cm 
  long. 
 
2.  Express as a surd the length of the hypotenuse of a right‐angled triangle 
whose other sides are   
2  1 cm  and   
2  1 cm  long. 
 
 
 
 
 
3.   
The sides of a rectangle are  2  3 cm  and  2  3 cm .    
Express the length of the diagonal as a surd. 
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UNIT 1 Pure Mathematics MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

2.2 QUADRATIC FUNCTION

NOTES

The nature of the roots

EXAMPLES
1.

2.

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UNIT 1 Pure Mathematics MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

QUESTIONS
Q1

Q2

Q3

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UNIT 1 Pure Mathematics MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

Q4

CHALLENGE!!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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UNIT 1 Pure Mathematics MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

Solving quadratics by factorising 
Examples 

Solve each of the following equations by factorising. 
1.                 2)   
 

    3.      4.  
 
 
QUESTIONS 
 
1.                             7.         
   
   
2.    
  8.       
   
   
3.    
   
  9.       
4.    
   
   
5.           10.       
   
   
6.    
  11.      
 
 
 
 
 
 
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UNIT 1 Pure Mathematics MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

CHALLENGE 
Q1     Solve each of the following equations. 
 
 
                                                                 
 
Q2.    Two numbers which differ by 4 have a product of 96. Find the two numbers. 
 
 
Q3.  The product of two consecutive numbers is 132. Find the two numbers. 
 
 
Q4.  The formula for the sum of the first n positive numbers is  .  
Find the value of    such that the sum of the   numbers is 528. 

Completing the square 
 
NOTES 
 
Some quadratic equations cannot be factorised.  
In this case an alternative method of solving the equation is needed. 
Consider solving the equations  (a)   
          (b)   
          (c)   
Each of these can be readily solved by taking the square root. 
This suggests a method of solving quadratic equations, as long as they can be written 
in the form   (.......)2 = a number.  
  
 
EXAMPLE 
 
This method of solving an equation is known as solving an equation by completing 
the square. 
 
  (x + a)2 = x2 + 2ax + a2
 
  so the constant in the bracket 
  is ½ the coefficient of x.
 
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UNIT 1 Pure Mathematics MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

QUESTIONS 

 
 
 
 
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Completing the square when the coefficient of   is not +1 
EXAMPLES 

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UNIT 1 Pure Mathematics MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

QUESTIONS

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UNIT 1 Pure Mathematics MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

Sketching quadratic graphs

EXAMPLES

1.  Below is a sketch of the graph   

 The graph cuts the  axis at   and at 

 
 The graph is symmetrical about the  axis. 
 The minimum point on the graph is at (0, – 9). 
 The graph is a parabola. 
 The axis of symmetry is the   axis. 
 The vertex of the graph is at the point (0, – 9) 

NOTES

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UNIT 1 Pure Mathematics MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

 
 
Finding the minimum (or maximum) value of a quadratic by completing the square
EXAMPLES

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UNIT 1 Pure Mathematics MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

QUESTIONS

 
 
 
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UNIT 1 Pure Mathematics MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

Sketching the graph of a quadratic that does not factorise

EXAM QUESTIONS

Q1

Q2

Q3

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UNIT 1 Pure Mathematics MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

Q4

Q5

CHALLENGE

Q1

Q2

Q3

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UNIT 1 Pure Mathematics MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

2.3 POLYNOMIALS – FACTOR THEOREM – REMAINDER THEOREM

NOTES
Consider a polynomial
The factor theorem states that if then is a factor of
In this case
The remainder theorem states that if a polynomial is divided by
then the remainder is

EXAMPLES

Q1

Q2

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UNIT 1 Pure Mathematics MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

QUESTIONS

Q1

Q2

Q3

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UNIT 1 Pure Mathematics MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

Q4

Q5

Q6

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Q7

Q8

Q9

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UNIT 1 Pure Mathematics MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

Q10

CHALLENGE!!!

Q1

Q2

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UNIT 1 Pure Mathematics MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

2.4 SOLVING 1 LINEAR AND 1 QUADRATIC SIMULTANEOUS EQUATIONS

EXAMPLES: Solve the simultaneous equations:

1) 2)  
                      
 
 
 
 
 
QUESTIONS 
 
1) 2)    
                            
 
 
 
 
 
 
3)             4)     
                              
 
 
CHALLENGE!!! 
 
1) 2)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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UNIT 1 Pure Mathematics MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

PROBLEMS IN CO‐ORDINATE GEOMETRY SOLVED USING SIMULTANEOUS 
EQUATIONS 
 
NOTES
Given one linear and one quadratic equation, there are generally two
solutions and these correspond to the point of intersection of the curve with
the line.

There are 3 possible situations:

 The line and the curve intersect in 2 distinct points;

 The line is a tangent to the curve and there is one point of contact;
 The line does not intersect the curve.
 
 
      
EXAMPLES

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UNIT 1 Pure Mathematics MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

QUESTIONS:
Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

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UNIT 1 Pure Mathematics MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

2.5 QUADRATIC INEQUALITIES

EXAMPLES

1) 2)

QUESTIONS
Q1 Q2

Q3 Q4

NOTES on Quadratics that do not factorise 
If the quadratic does not factorise, then we need to complete the square to help us 
to find the points of intersection of the graph with the x‐axis. 

EXAMPLES & QUESTIONS

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UNIT 1 Pure Mathematics MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

EXAM QUESTIONS: Use of the discriminant to determine nature of roots of a 

quadratic

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UNIT 1 Pure Mathematics MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

TRANSFORMATIONS OF GRAPHS

NOTES

EXAMPLES
Q1

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Q2

Q3

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QUESTIONS
Q1

Q2

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Q3

Q4

Q5

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UNIT 1 Pure Mathematics MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

CHALLENGE!!!

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