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Year 11
Higher

Writing a proof

I can manipulate and transform algebraic expressions in order to prove or show a result.

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New
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Year 11
Higher

Writing a proof

I can manipulate and transform algebraic expressions in order to prove or show a result.

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These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Any algebraic expression must be defined so that it is clear what it represents.
  2. Algebraic expressions can be manipulated to create a different form that is equal.
  3. This manipulation can be used to prove or show a result.

Keywords

  • Conjecture - A conjecture is a (mathematical) statement that is thought to be true but has not been proved yet.

  • Generalise - To generalise is to formulate a statement or rule that applies correctly to all relevant cases.

Common misconception

Pupils may think it is acceptable to use the same letter for all expressions.

It may be acceptable for the letter to be the same but that depends on what the letter is representing.


To help you plan your year 11 maths lesson on: Writing a proof, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

In Task A, pupils have to rearrange cards to make three different proofs. Pupils could cut out the cards so they can rearrange the cards more easily.
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This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these is equivalent to $$(n+5)^2-(n+1)^2$$?
Correct answer: $$8n + 24$$
$$9n + 23$$
$$12n + 26$$
$$n^2 + 24$$
$$2n^2 + 12n + 26$$
Q2.
If $$n$$ is an integer, which of these must be true for the expression $$12n + 60$$?
It is aways odd.
Correct answer: It is always a multiple of 3.
It is always a multiple of 5.
Correct answer: It is always a multiple of 6.
Correct answer: It is always a multiple of 12.
Q3.
Which is the correct first step for the proof that "the square of any even number is a multiple of 4"?
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Q4.
Which of these could be a general form for any 3 consecutive integers?
Correct answer: $$n, n+1, n+2$$ where $$n$$ is an integer
$$2n, 2n+1, 2n+2$$ where $$n$$ is an integer
$$2n, 2n+2, 2n+4$$ where $$n$$ is an integer
Correct answer: $$n-1, n, n+1$$ where $$n$$ is an integer
$$2n+1, 2n+3, 2n+5$$ where $$n$$ is an integer
Q5.
Which is the correct first step for the proof that "the product of any two multiples of 3 is a multiple of 9"?
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Q6.
Starting with the first step, arrange these steps so that they form a complete proof for "the sums of the squares of two odd integers is even", (assume $$n$$ and $$m$$ are integers).
1 - Take two odd integers $$2n + 1$$ and $$2m + 1$$.
2 - $$(2n+1)^2 + (2m + 1)^2$$
3 - $$4n^2 + 4n + 1 + 4m^2 + 4m + 1$$
4 - $$4n^2 + 4m^2 + 4n + 4m + 2$$
5 - $$2(2n^2 + 2m^2 + 2n + 2m + 1)$$
6 - Any integer multiplied by 2 is an even number.
7 - The sum of the squares of two odd integers is even.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Arrange these statements into the correct order to prove: "For any three consecutive even integers, the difference between the squares of the first and the last number is 8 times the middle number".
1 - There are 3 consecutive even integers $$2n, 2n+2, 2n+4$$ ($$n$$ is an integer).
2 - $$(2n+4)^2-(2n)^2$$
3 - $$4n^2+16n + 16 - 4n^2$$
4 - $$16n + 16$$
5 - $$8(2n + 2)$$
6 - The middle number was $$2n +2$$ so this is 8 times that.
7 - Therefore we have proven the original statement.
Q2.
The first step to the proof "If $$n$$ is an integer $$(n+6)^2-(n+2)^2$$ is a multiple of 8" is shown. Which is the correct next step?
An image in a quiz
$$8n + 32$$
$$n^2 + 36 - (n^2 + 4)$$
$$n^2 + 6n + 36 - n^2 - 2n - 4$$
$$n^2 + 12n + 36 - n^2 + 4n + 4$$
Correct answer: $$n^2 + 6n + 6n + 36 - ( n^2 + 2n + 2n + 4)$$
Q3.
Izzy wants to prove that $$(n+6)^2-(n+2)^2$$ is a multiple of 8 for any integer $$n$$. Which of these is equivalent to this expression?
$$8(n+1)$$
Correct answer: $$8(n+4)$$
$$8(2n+5)$$
$$8(n^2+2 + 1)$$
Q4.
The first step to the proof that "The product of any two multiples of 3 is a multiple of 9" is shown. What is the best next step?
An image in a quiz
If something is a multiple of 3 it is also a multiple of 9
$$9nm$$ is a multiple of 9
$$3n + 3m \equiv 3(n+m)$$
Therefore the product of two multiples of 3 is a multiple of 9
Correct answer: $$3n \times 3m \equiv 9nm$$
Q5.
Here are some steps to a proof Aisha is constructing. What do you think she is trying to prove?
An image in a quiz
Any two odd numbers have an odd product.
Any integer squared is odd.
Correct answer: An odd number squared is always odd.
An odd number squared is one more than a multiple of 4.
The product of consecutive odd numbers cannot be a multiple of 4.
Q6.
Here are some steps to a proof Aisha is constructing. Why is this not a complete proof?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: The generalisation has not been explained.
Too many steps have been skipped in the algebraic manipulation.
Correct answer: There is no conclusion.
The expression has not been fully factorised.
The brackets have been expanded incorrectly.