KS5 Therapy

Proof by Counter-example
KS5 Therapy

Proof by Counter-example
Key vocabulary

Proof
Contradiction
Counter-example
Disproof
Conclusion
Conjecture
Theorem
Statement
KS5 Therapy

Proof by Counter-example
GCSE links
Proof
Conjecture
Statement
Derive
Theorem
KS5 Therapy

Proof by Counter-example
GCSE links – starter question
Proof
 Prove algebraically that the difference between the squares of any two
consecutive integers is equal to the sum of these two integers.
Let two consecutive numbers be 𝑛 and 𝑛 + 1
𝑛+1 2
− 𝑛 2
= 𝑛 + (𝑛 + 1) 𝑛2 + 2𝑛 + 1 − 𝑛2 = 2𝑛 + 1
2𝑛 + 1 = 2𝑛 + 1
 If 𝟐𝒏 is always even for all positive integer values of 𝒏, prove
algebraically that the sum of the squares of any two consecutive even
numbers is always a multiple of 𝟒.
Let two consecutive even 2𝑛 2 + 2𝑛 + 2 2
Hence a
numbers be 2𝑛 and 2𝑛 + 2
= 4𝑛2 + 4𝑛2 + 8𝑛 + 4 multiple
of 4.
= 8𝑛2 + 8𝑛 + 4
= 4 2𝑛2 + 2𝑛 + 1
KS5 Therapy

Proof by Counter-example
Mathematical Proof
Proof by counter-example is to prove that a mathematical statement is not true. You do
not need to give more than one example as one is sufficient to disprove a statement.
 Prove that the following statement is NOT true:
𝒙 𝒚
For all values of 𝒙 and 𝒚: 𝒚 + 𝒙 ≥ 𝟐
Let 𝑥 = −5 and 𝑦 = 3
−5 3
A counter-
+ ≥2 example is used to
3 −5
5 3
prove that a
= −3−5 statement is NOT
−25−9
true.
= 15
34
= − 15
𝟑𝟒
− 𝟏𝟓 is not ≥ 𝟐 therefore the statement is not true for all values of 𝒙 and 𝒚.
KS5 Therapy

Proof by Counter-example
Mathematical Proof
 Use a counter-example to prove that the interior angle of any regular polygon is not
always an integer number of degrees.
𝟑𝟔𝟎°
The interior angle of any regular polygon is given by the formula 𝟏𝟖𝟎° − , where 𝒏
𝒏
is the number of sides.

Triangle has 3 sides: Pentagon has 5 sides: Decagon has 10 sides:

360° 360° 360°
180° − = 60° 180° − = 108° 180° − = 144°
3 5 10

None of these is a counter-example

However, a regular heptagon has 7 sides:

360° 900
180° − =
7 7
4
= 128 7 which is not an integer, so the heptagon is a counter-example
KS5 Therapy

Proof by Counter-example
Tap a question to see the solution
Now you try:
 Use a counterexample to prove that each of the following statements is false.
𝑦 = 𝑎2 = 2 and 𝑏 = 5
𝑛Let=2
(a) No cube number bigger than 1 is also a square 2
Cube
𝑛22=<
2 1numbers
9; 42 < 9 2are: 2
number + 5 >
23 − 31 =3 3 which 2 + is
5 prime
3 3
1𝑦2=,+216, 3= ,74which
, 5 is a prime
49
𝑛=3 > 29
(b) The 𝑛th term of a sequence 𝑛2 + 6 is always a 1, 28, 27, 64, 125 … .
number
1Let< 9; 1 < 9
2 𝑎 = −2 and 𝑏 = 3
prime number when 𝑛 is an odd number. 3 − 1 = 8 which is NOT prime
64 =is−4
𝑛 −2
𝑦 3a+square2 number 2 and 2 so the
3 > (−2)
Hence the statement is not true+3
(c) All numbers of the form 2𝑛 − 1 for 𝑛 > 1 are 312 >
(−4)+ 213
statement6<=9;15is16
not <true.
which 9 is NOT a prime
prime
number.
This
Thisisisnot
NOTtruetrueasas161 isis not
not less
morethan 9.
than
(d) John is solving the inequality 𝑦 2 < 9. He says: Hence the statement
is wrong. is not true
“𝑦 2 < 9” whenever 𝑦 is less than 3. John is 13. John
wrong. Explain why. Hence the statement is false.
2
(e) 𝑎+𝑏 > 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 for all values of 𝑎 and 𝑏.
KS5 Therapy

Proof by Counter-example
Reasoning
 Disprove the statement that for 𝒏 ≥ 𝟐, 𝟐𝒏 − 𝟏 is always a prime number
𝑛 = 2 then 22 − 1 = 3 which is a prime number

𝑛 = 3 then 23 − 1 = 7 which is a prime number

𝑛 =4 then 24 − 1 = 15 which is not a prime number

 Find a counter-example for the statement 𝒙 + 𝒚 = 𝒙 + 𝒚.

𝑥 = 4 and 𝑦 =25 then

LHS = 4 + 25 RHS = 4 + 25
= 2+5 = 29
=7

Hence 𝒙 + 𝒚 = 𝒙 + 𝒚 is false
KS5 Therapy

Proof by Counter-example
Reasoning
 Paul says that the product of two irrational numbers is always irrational.
Prove that Paul is wrong.

Lets say 2 and 5 are our two irrational numbers

Then 2 × 5 = 10 which is an irrational number

Lets say 2 and 3 are our two irrational numbers

Then 2 × 3 = 6 which is an irrational number

Lets say 2 and 8 are our two irrational numbers

Then 2 × 8 = 16 = 4 which is NOT an irrational number

Hence Paul is wrong when he says the product of two irrational numbers is always irrational.
KS5 Therapy

Proof by Counter-example
Now you try:
 Use a counterexample to prove that each of the following statements is false.

(a) No cube number bigger than 1 is also a square

number

(b) The 𝑛th term of a sequence 𝑛2 + 6 is always a

prime number when 𝑛 is an odd number.

(c) All numbers of the form 2𝑛 − 1 for 𝑛 > 1 are

prime

(d) John is solving the inequality 𝑦 2 < 9. He says:

“𝑦 2 < 9” whenever 𝑦 is less than 3. John is
wrong. Explain why.

2
(e) 𝑎+𝑏 > 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 for all values of 𝑎 and 𝑏.
KS5 Therapy

Proof by Counter-example
Reasoning
 Disprove the statement that for 𝒏 ≥ 𝟐, 𝟐𝒏 − 𝟏 is always a prime number

 Find a counter-example for the statement 𝒙 + 𝒚 = 𝒙 + 𝒚.