GCSE Maths Revision | Algebra

Algebraic Proof - Worksheet

Skill
Group A - Proving identities
Prove that:
1) 2(4𝑎 + 2𝑏) + 3(2𝑎 − 3𝑏) ≡ 14𝑎 − 5𝑏 2) 3(2𝑎 + 4𝑏) + 3(3𝑎 + 5𝑏) ≡ 15𝑎 + 27𝑏

3) 4(3𝑎 + 2𝑏) − 2(2𝑎 + 2𝑏) ≡ 8𝑎 + 4𝑏 2

4) (𝑛 + 3) ≡ 𝑛 + 6𝑛 + 9
2

2 2
5) (5𝑛 + 3)(𝑛 − 7) ≡ 5𝑛 − 32𝑛 − 21 6) (𝑛 + 4) − (3𝑛 + 4) ≡ (𝑛 + 1)(𝑛 + 4) + 8

2 2
7) (𝑛 + 4) − (3𝑛 + 4) ≡ (𝑛 + 2)(𝑛 + 3) + 6 8) (𝑛 + 3) − (3𝑛 + 5) ≡ (𝑛 + 1)(𝑛 + 2) + 2

2 2
9) (𝑛 − 5) − (2𝑛 − 1) ≡ (𝑛 − 3)(𝑛 − 9) − 1 10) (𝑛 − 3) − (𝑛 − 5) ≡ (𝑛 − 3)(𝑛 − 4) + 2

2 2 2 2 2
11) (2𝑛 − 1) + (2𝑛 + 1) ≡ 8𝑛 + 2 12) (3𝑛 + 2) − (𝑛 + 2) ≡ 8𝑛(𝑛 + 1)

Group B - Proving properties of number

Prove algebraically that:
1) The sum of an odd number 2) The product of an odd 3) The product of any two
and an even number is odd. number and an even number odd numbers is odd.
is even.

4) The product of any two 5) The sum of an odd number 6) The sum of four
even numbers is even. and an odd number is an even consecutive whole numbers is
number. always even.

2
7) (𝑛 + 4) − (𝑛 + 2) is
2 2
8) (2𝑛 + 1) − (2𝑛 + 1) is 9) (2𝑛 − 1)(3𝑛 − 2) −
even for all positive integer even for all positive integer (6𝑛 − 1)(𝑛 − 2) is always
values of 𝑛. values of 𝑛. even.

2 2 3
10) (4𝑛 + 1) − (2𝑛 − 1) is 11) 3𝑛(3𝑛 + 4) + (𝑛 − 6) is 12) (2𝑛 + 3) − (2𝑛 + 1) is
an even number for all positive for all values of 𝑛. always even for all positive
positive values of 𝑛. values of 𝑛.

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 GCSE Maths Revision | Algebra

Algebraic Proof - Worksheet

Group C - Proving multiples

Prove the following, for all positive integers values of 𝑛:

1) 15𝑛 is always a multiple 2) 42𝑛 is always a multiple 3) 33𝑛 is always a multiple

of 5 of 6 of 3

4) 12𝑛 + 18 is always a 5) 35𝑛 + 28 is always a 2

6) 9𝑛 + 36𝑛 + 81 is always
multiple of 6 multiple of 7 a multiple of 9

2 2 2 2
7) (5𝑛 − 1) + 3(3 − 10𝑛) 8) (4𝑛 + 2) − 12(𝑛 + 1) 9) (7𝑛 + 4) − (7𝑛 − 4)
is always a multiple of 5 is always a multiple of 4 is always a multiple of 8

2 2 2 2 2 2
10) (8𝑛 + 2) − (8𝑛 − 3) 11) (6𝑛 + 5) − (6𝑛 − 2) 12) (3𝑛 + 1) − (3𝑛 − 1)
is always a multiple of 5 is always a multiple of 21 is always a multiple of 4

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GCSE Maths Revision | Algebra

Algebraic Proof - Worksheet

Applied

1) Prove that the square of any odd number is always one more than a
multiple of 4.

2) Show that the sum of any three consecutive multiples of 3 is also a

multiple of 3.

3) Prove algebraically that the sum of the square of two consecutive odd
numbers is even.

4) (a) Expand and simplify: (𝑎 − 𝑏)(𝑎 + 𝑏 − 1)

2 2
(b) Show that (2𝑎 − 1) − (2𝑏 − 1) = 4(𝑎 − 𝑏)(𝑎 + 𝑏 − 1)

5) (a) A Fibonacci sequence is formed by adding the previous two terms to get
the next term. Continue the Fibonacci sequence 1, 1, 2, 3, ... up to ten
terms.
(b) Continue the Fibonacci sequence, 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑎 + 𝑏, 𝑎 + 2𝑏, ... up to ten terms.
(c) Prove that the difference between the 8th and the 5th term of any
𝑡ℎ
Fibonacci sequence is twice the 6 term.

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 GCSE Maths Revision | Algebra

Algebraic Proof - Exam Questions

1) 2
Prove that (2𝑛 + 3) − (2𝑛 − 3)
2

is a multiple of 8 for all positive integer values of 𝑛.

….……………
(3 marks)

2) Prove algebraically that the difference between the squares of

any two consecutive integers is equal to the sum of these two
integers.

….……………
(5 marks)

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Algebraic Proof - Exam Questions

3) 2
Prove that (𝑛 + 1) − (𝑛 − 1) + 1
2

is always odd for all positive integer values of 𝑛.

….……………
(3 marks)

4) 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.

….……………
(3 marks)

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 GCSE Maths Revision | Algebra

Algebraic Proof - Answers

Question Answer

Skill Questions

Group A Prove that:

1) 2(4𝑎 + 2𝑏) + 3(2𝑎 − 3𝑏) 1) 2(4𝑎 + 2𝑏) + 3(2𝑎 − 3𝑏)

≡ 14𝑎 − 5𝑏 = 8𝑎 + 4𝑏 + 6𝑎 − 9𝑏
= 14𝑎 − 5𝑏

∴ 2(4𝑎 + 2𝑏) + 3(2𝑎 − 3𝑏)

≡ 14𝑎 − 5𝑏

2) 3(2𝑎 + 4𝑏) + 3(3𝑎 + 5𝑏) 2) 3(2𝑎 + 4𝑏) + (3𝑎 + 5𝑏)

≡ 15𝑎 + 27𝑏 = 6𝑎 + 12𝑏 + 9𝑎 + 15𝑏
15𝑎 + 27𝑏

∴ 3(2𝑎 + 4𝑏) + 3(3𝑎 + 5𝑏)

≡ 15𝑎 + 27𝑏

3) 4(3𝑎 + 2𝑏) − 2(2𝑎 + 2𝑏) 3) 4(3𝑎 + 2𝑏) − 2(2𝑎 + 2𝑏)

≡ 8𝑎 + 4𝑏 = 12𝑎 + 8𝑏 − 4𝑎 − 4𝑏
= 8𝑎 + 4𝑏

∴ 4(3𝑎 + 2𝑏) − 2(2𝑎 + 2𝑏)

≡ 8𝑎 + 4𝑏
2 2
4) (𝑛 + 3) ≡ 𝑛 + 6𝑛 + 9 4) (𝑛 + 3)
2

= (𝑛 + 3)(𝑛 + 3)
2
= 𝑛 + 3𝑛 + 3𝑛 + 9
2
= 𝑛 + 6𝑛 + 9
2 2
∴ (𝑛 + 3) ≡ 𝑛 + 6𝑛 + 9

5) (5𝑛 + 3)(𝑛 − 7) 5) (5𝑛 + 3)(𝑛 − 7)

2 2
≡ 5𝑛 − 32𝑛 − 21 = 5𝑛 − 35𝑛 + 3𝑛 − 21
2
= 5𝑛 − 32𝑛 − 21

∴ (5𝑛 + 3)(𝑛 − 7)
2
≡ 5𝑛 − 32𝑛 − 21

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Group A
2
6) (𝑛 + 4) − (3𝑛 + 4) 6) (𝑛 + 4)2 − (3𝑛 + 4)
contd ≡ (𝑛 + 1)(𝑛 + 4) + 8 = (𝑛 + 4)(𝑛 + 4) − (3𝑛 + 4)
2
= 𝑛 + 8𝑛 + 16 − 3𝑛 − 4
2
= 𝑛 + 5𝑛 + 12
2
= 𝑛 + 5𝑛 + 4 + 8
= (𝑛 + 1)(𝑛 + 4) + 8
2
∴ (𝑛 + 4) − (3𝑛 + 4)
≡ (𝑛 + 1)(𝑛 + 4) + 8
2
7) (𝑛 + 4) − (3𝑛 + 4) 7) (𝑛 + 4)2 − (3𝑛 + 4)
≡ (𝑛 + 2)(𝑛 + 3) + 6 = (𝑛 + 4)(𝑛 + 4) − (3𝑛 + 4)
2
= 𝑛 + 8𝑛 + 16 − 3𝑛 − 4
2
= 𝑛 + 5𝑛 + 12
2
= 𝑛 + 5𝑛 + 6 + 6
= (𝑛 + 2)(𝑛 + 3) + 6
2
∴ (𝑛 + 4) − (3𝑛 + 4)
≡ (𝑛 + 2)(𝑛 + 3) + 6
2
8) (𝑛 + 3) − (3𝑛 + 5) 8) (𝑛 + 3)2 − (3𝑛 −+ 5)
≡ (𝑛 + 1)(𝑛 + 2) + 2 = (𝑛 + 3)(𝑛 + 3) − (3𝑛 + 5)
2
= 𝑛 + 6𝑛 + 9 − 3𝑛 − 5
2
= 𝑛 + 3𝑛 + 4
2
=𝑛 + 3 + 2 + 2
2
∴ (𝑛 + 3) − (3𝑛 + 5)
≡ (𝑛 + 1)(𝑛 + 2) + 2

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Algebraic Proof - Answers

Group A
2
9) (𝑛 − 5) − (2𝑛 − 1) 9) 2
(𝑛 − 5) − (2𝑛 − 1)
contd ≡ (𝑛 − 3)(𝑛 − 9) − 1 = (𝑛 − 5)(𝑛 − 5) − (2𝑛 − 1)
2
= 𝑛 − 10𝑛 + 25 − 2𝑛 + 1
2
= 𝑛 − 12𝑛 + 26
2
= 𝑛 − 12𝑛 + 27 − 1
= (𝑛 − 3)(𝑛 − 9) − 1
2
∴ (𝑛 − 5) − (2𝑛 − 1)
≡ (𝑛 − 3)(𝑛 − 9) − 1
2
10) (𝑛 − 3) − (𝑛 − 5) 10) 2
(𝑛 − 3) − (𝑛 − 5)
≡ (𝑛 − 3)(𝑛 − 4) + 2 = (𝑛 − 3)(𝑛 − 3) − (𝑛 − 5)
2
= 𝑛 − 6𝑛 + 9 − 𝑛 + 5
2
= 𝑛 − 7𝑛 + 14
2
= 𝑛 − 7𝑛 + 12 + 2
= (𝑛 − 3)(𝑛 − 4) + 2

2
∴ (𝑛 − 3) − (𝑛 − 5)
≡ (𝑛 − 3)(𝑛 − 4) + 2
2
11) (2𝑛 − 1) + (2𝑛 + 1)
2 11) (2𝑛 − 1)2 + (2𝑛 + 1)2
2 = (2𝑛 − 1)(2𝑛 − 1) + (2𝑛 + 1)(2𝑛 + 1)
≡ 8𝑛 + 2
2 2
= 4𝑛 − 4𝑛 + 1 + 4𝑛 + 4𝑛 + 1
2
= 8𝑛 + 2

2 2
∴ (2𝑛 − 1) + (2𝑛 + 1)
2
≡ 8𝑛 + 2
2
12) (3𝑛 + 2) − (𝑛 + 2)
2 12) (3𝑛 + 2)2 − (𝑛 + 2)2
≡ 8𝑛(𝑛 + 1) = (3𝑛 + 2)(3𝑛 + 2) − (𝑛 + 2)(𝑛 + 2)
2 2
= 9𝑛 + 12𝑛 + 4 − (𝑛 + 4𝑛 + 4)
2 2
= 9𝑛 + 12𝑛 + 4 − 𝑛 − 4𝑛 − 4
2
= 8𝑛 + 8𝑛
= 8𝑛(𝑛 + 1)

2 2
∴ (3𝑛 + 2) − (𝑛 + 2)
≡ 8𝑛(𝑛 + 1)

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Algebraic Proof - Answers

Group B Prove algebraically that:

1) The sum of an odd number and 1) 2𝑛 + 1 = odd, 2𝑚 = even

an even number is odd. 2𝑛 + 1 + 2𝑚 = 2(𝑛 + 𝑚) + 1
Multiple of 2, +1, so the sum of an odd
number and an even number is odd.

2) The product of an odd number 2) 2𝑛 + 1 = odd, 2𝑚 = even

and an even number is even. 2𝑚(2𝑛 + 1) = 4𝑚𝑛 + 2𝑚
= 2(2𝑚𝑛 + 𝑚)
Multiple of 2, so the product of an odd
number and an even number is even.

3) The product of any two odd 3) 2𝑛 + 1 = odd, 2𝑚 + 1 = odd

numbers is odd. (2𝑛 + 1)(2𝑚 + 1)
= 4𝑚𝑛 + 2𝑛 + 2𝑚 + 1
= 2(2𝑚𝑛 + 𝑛 + 𝑚) + 1
Multiple of 2, + 1, so the product of any
two odd numbers is odd.

4) The product of any two even 4) 2𝑛 = even, 2𝑚 = even

numbers is even. 2𝑛 × 2𝑚 = 4𝑛𝑚
= 2(2𝑚𝑛)
Multiple of 2, so the product of any two
even numbers is even.

5) The sum of an odd number and 5) 2𝑛 + 1 = odd, 2𝑚 + 1 = odd

an odd number is an even number. (2𝑛 + 1) + (2𝑚 + 1)
= 2𝑛 + 2𝑚 + 2
= 2(𝑛 + 𝑚 + 1)
Multiple of 2, so the sum of an odd
number and an odd number is an even
number.

6) The sum of four consecutive 6) (𝑛) + (𝑛 + 1) + (𝑛 + 2) + (𝑛 + 3)

whole numbers is always even. = 4𝑛 + 6
= 2(2𝑛 + 3)
2(2𝑛 + 3) is a multiple of 2
∴ the sum of four consecutive whole
numbers is even

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 GCSE Maths Revision | Algebra

Algebraic Proof - Answers

7) (𝑛 + 4) − (𝑛 + 2) is even 7)
2 2 2 2
Group B (𝑛 + 4) − (𝑛 + 2)
contd for all positive integer values = (𝑛 + 4)(𝑛 + 4) − (𝑛 + 2)(𝑛 + 2)
of 𝑛. 2 2
= 𝑛 + 8𝑛 + 16 − 𝑛 − 4𝑛 − 4
= 4𝑛 + 12
= 2(2𝑛 + 6)
2(2𝑛 + 6) is a multiple of 2
2 2
∴ (𝑛 + 4) − (𝑛 + 2) is even for all
positive integer values of 𝑛.
2
8) (2𝑛 + 1) − (2𝑛 + 1) is 8) (2𝑛 + 1) − (2𝑛 + 1)
2

even for all positive integer = (2𝑛 + 1)(2𝑛 + 1) − (2𝑛 + 1)

values of 𝑛. 2
= 4𝑛 + 4𝑛 + 1 − 2𝑛 − 1
2
= 4𝑛 + 2𝑛
2
= 2(2𝑛 + 𝑛)
2
2(2𝑛 + 𝑛) is a multiple of 2
2
∴ (2𝑛 + 1) − (2𝑛 + 1) is even for all
positive integer values of 𝑛.

9) (2𝑛 − 1)(3𝑛 − 2) − 9) (2𝑛 − 1)(3𝑛 − 2) − (6𝑛 − 1)(𝑛 − 2)

(6𝑛 − 1)(𝑛 − 2) is always 2
= 6𝑛 − 4𝑛 − 3𝑛 + 2 − 6𝑛 + 13𝑛 − 2
2

even.
= 6𝑛
= 2(3𝑛)
2(3𝑛) is a multiple of 2
∴ (2𝑛 − 1)(3𝑛 − 2) −
(6𝑛 − 1)(𝑛 − 2) is always even
2
10) (4𝑛 + 1) − (2𝑛 − 1) is 10) (4𝑛 + 1)2 − (2𝑛 − 1)
an even number for all positive = (4𝑛 + 1)(4𝑛 + 1) − (2𝑛 − 1)
values of 𝑛. 2
= 16𝑛 + 8𝑛 + 1 − 2𝑛 + 1
2
= 16𝑛 + 6𝑛 + 2
2
= 2(8𝑛 + 3𝑛 + 1)
2
2(8𝑛 + 3𝑛 + 1) is a multiple of 2
2
∴ (4𝑛 + 1) − (2𝑛 − 1) is an even
number for all positive values of 𝑛.

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Algebraic Proof - Answers

11) 3𝑛(3𝑛 + 4) + (𝑛 − 6) is 11) 3𝑛(3𝑛 + 4) + (𝑛 − 6)

2 2
Group B
contd positive for all values of 𝑛. 2
= 9𝑛 + 12𝑛 + (𝑛 − 6)(𝑛 − 6)
2 2
= 9𝑛 + 12𝑛 + 𝑛 − 12𝑛 + 36
2
= 10𝑛 + 36
2 2
𝑛 ≥ 0 always so 10𝑛 ≥ 0 and so
2
10𝑛 + 16 > 0
2
∴ 3𝑛(3𝑛 + 4) + (𝑛 − 6) is always
positive
3
12) (2𝑛 + 3) − (2𝑛 + 1) is 12) (2𝑛 + 3) − (2𝑛 + 1)
always even for all positive = (2𝑛 + 3)(2𝑛 + 3)(2𝑛 + 3) − (2𝑛 + 1)
2
values of 𝑛. = (4𝑛 + 12𝑛 + 9)(2𝑛 + 3) − 2𝑛 − 1
3 2
= 8𝑛 + 36𝑛 + 54𝑛 + 27 − 2𝑛 − 1
3 2
= 8𝑛 + 36𝑛 + 52𝑛 + 26
3
= 2(4𝑛 + 18𝑛 + 26𝑛 + 13)
3
2(4𝑛 + 18𝑛 + 26𝑛 + 13) is a multiple of 2
3
∴ (2𝑛 + 3) − (2𝑛 + 1) is always even for
all positive values of n

Group C Prove the following, for all

positive integers values of 𝑛:

1) 15𝑛 is always a multiple 1) 15𝑛 = 5 × 3𝑛

of 5 ∴ 15𝑛 is always a multiple of 5

2) 42𝑛 is always a multiple 2) 42𝑛 = 6 × 7𝑛

of 6 ∴ 42𝑛 is always a multiple of 6

3) 33𝑛 is always a multiple 3) 33𝑛 = 3 × 11𝑛

of 3 ∴ 33𝑛 is always a multiple of 3

4) 12𝑛 + 18 is always a 4) 12𝑛 + 18 = 6 × (2𝑛 + 3)

multiple of 6 ∴ 12𝑛 + 18 is always a multiple of 6

5) 35𝑛 + 28 is always a 5) 35𝑛 + 28 = 7 × (5𝑛 + 4)

multiple of 7 ∴ 35𝑛 + 28 is always a multiple of 7

6) 9𝑛 + 36𝑛 + 81 is always 6)
2 2 2
9𝑛 + 36𝑛 + 81 = 9 × (𝑛 + 4𝑛 + 9)
a multiple of 9 2
∴ 9𝑛 + 36𝑛 + 81 is always a multiple of 9

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 GCSE Maths Revision | Algebra

Algebraic Proof - Answers

Group C 2
7) (5𝑛 − 1) + 3(3 − 10𝑛) is 7)
always a multiple of 5

2
8) (4𝑛 + 2) − 12(𝑛 + 1) is 8)
always a multiple of 4

2
9) (7𝑛 + 4) − (7𝑛 − 4) is
2 9)
always a multiple of 8

2
10) (8𝑛 + 2) − (8𝑛 − 3) is
2 10)
always a multiple of 5

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Algebraic Proof - Answers

Group C 2 2
11) (6𝑛 + 5) − (6𝑛 − 2) is 11)
contd always a multiple of 21

2 2
12) (3𝑛 + 1) − (3𝑛 − 1) is 12)
always a multiple of 4

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Algebraic Proof - Answers

Question Answer

Applied Questions

1) Prove that the square of any odd 2𝑛 + 1 is odd

number is always one more than a (2𝑛 + 1)
2

multiple of 4. = (2𝑛 + 1)(2𝑛 + 1)

2
= 4𝑛 + 4𝑛 + 1
2
= 4(𝑛 + 𝑛) + 1

∴ 1 more than a multiple of 4

2) Show that the sum of any three 3(𝑛) = 3𝑛

consecutive multiples of 3 is also a 3(𝑛 + 1) = 3𝑛 + 3
multiple of 3. 3(𝑛 + 2) = 3𝑛 + 6
3𝑛 + 3𝑛 + 3 + 3𝑛 + 6
= 9𝑛 + 9
= 3(𝑛 + 3)

∴ a multiple of 3

3) Prove algebraically that the sum of 2

(2𝑛 + 1) + (2𝑛 + 3)
2

the square of two consecutive odd 2 2

4𝑛 + 4𝑛 + 1 + 4𝑛 + 12𝑛 + 9
numbers is even.
2
8𝑛 + 16𝑛 + 10
2
2(4𝑛 + 8𝑛 + 5)

2 2
∴ (2𝑛 + 1) + (2𝑛 + 3) is always
even

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4) a) Expand and simplify: a) 𝑎2 − 𝑎 − 𝑏2 + 𝑏

(𝑎 − 𝑏)(𝑎 + 𝑏 − 1)
b) Show that b) (2𝑎 − 1)2 − (2𝑏 − 1)2
2 2
(2𝑎 − 1) − (2𝑏 − 1) = 2
= 4𝑎 − 4𝑎 + 1 − (4𝑏 − 4𝑏 + 1)
2

4(𝑎 − 𝑏)(𝑎 + 𝑏 − 1) 2 2
= 4𝑎 − 4𝑎 + 1 − 4𝑏 + 4𝑏 − 1
2 2
= 4𝑎 − 4𝑎 − 4𝑏 + 4𝑏
2 2
= 4(𝑎 − 𝑎 − 𝑏 + 𝑏)
= 4(𝑎 − 𝑏)(𝑎 + 𝑏 − 1)

5) a) A Fibonacci sequence is formed by a) 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55

adding the previous two terms to get
the next term. Continue the Fibonacci
sequence 1, 1, 2, 3, ... up to ten terms.

b) Continue the Fibonacci sequence, b) 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑎 + 𝑏, 𝑎 + 2𝑏, 2𝑎 + 3𝑏,

𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑎 + 𝑏, 𝑎 + 2𝑏, ... up to ten 3𝑎 + 5𝑏, 5𝑎 + 8𝑏, 13𝑎 + 21𝑏,
terms. 21𝑎 + 34𝑏

c) Prove that the difference between the c) 8𝑡ℎ term: 8𝑎 + 13𝑏

𝑡ℎ 𝑡ℎ
8 and the 5 term of any Fibonacci 𝑡ℎ
5 term: 2𝑎 + 3𝑏
𝑡ℎ
sequence is twice the 6 term. 𝑡ℎ
6 term: 3𝑎 + 5𝑏

Difference:
8𝑎 + 13𝑏 − (2𝑎 + 3𝑏)
= 8𝑎 + 13𝑏 − 2𝑎 − 3𝑏
= 6𝑎 + 10𝑏
= 2(3𝑎 + 5𝑏)

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15
GCSE Maths Revision | Algebra

Algebraic Proof - Mark Scheme

Question Answer

Exam Questions

1) 2
Prove that (2𝑛 + 3) − (2𝑛 − 3)
2 2
4𝑛 + 12𝑛 + 9 or 4𝑛 − 12𝑛 + 9 or
2

2
− 4𝑛 + 12𝑛 − 9 seen (1)
is a multiple of 8 for all positive 24𝑛
integer values of 𝑛. (1)
8(3𝑛)
(1)
2) Prove algebraically that the Two consecutive integers written
difference between the squares of any algebraically e.g. 𝑛 and 𝑛 + 1, or 𝑛 − 1
two consecutive integers is equal to and 𝑛, or 𝑛 + 1 and 𝑛 + 2 etc (1)
the sum of these two integers.
The difference between the squares of
their two integers written algebraically
2 2 2 2
e.g. (𝑛 + 1) − 𝑛 or 𝑛 − (𝑛 − 1) or
2 2
(𝑛 + 2) − (𝑛 + 1) etc (1)

Correct expansion e.g.

2 2
𝑛 + 2𝑛 + 1 − 𝑛 or
2 2
𝑛 − 𝑛 + 2𝑛 − 1 or
2 2
𝑛 + 4𝑛 + 4 − 𝑛 − 2𝑛 − 1 (1)

Correct simplification e.g. 2𝑛 + 1 or

2𝑛 − 1 or 2𝑛 + 3 (1)

Correct sum of their two integers is

equivalent to their simplification e.g.
(𝑛 + 1) + 𝑛 = 2𝑛 + 1 or
𝑛 + 𝑛 − 1 = 2𝑛 − 1 or
(𝑛 + 1) + (𝑛 + 2) = 2𝑛 + 3 etc (1)
3) Prove that (𝑛 + 1) − (𝑛 − 1) + 1
2 2

2 2
2 2
= 𝑛 + 2𝑛 + 1 − (𝑛 − 2𝑛 + 1) + 1
(𝑛 + 1) − (𝑛 − 1) + 1 2
or 𝑛 + 2𝑛 + 1 − 𝑛 + 2𝑛 − 1 + 1
2
(1)
= 4𝑛 + 1 (1)
is always odd for all positive
integer values of 𝑛. 4𝑛 is even oe and so 4𝑛 + 1 is odd oe (1)
GCSE Maths Revision | Algebra

Algebraic Proof - Mark Scheme

4) The product of two consecutive For 𝑛 and 𝑛 + 1:

positive integers is added to the larger 𝑛(𝑛 + 1) + (𝑛 + 1) (1)
of the two integers. 2
=𝑛 + 𝑛 + 𝑛 + 1
2
Prove that the result is always a = 𝑛 + 2𝑛 + 1 (1)
square number. 2
(𝑛 + 1) (1)

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