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IB DP Maths: AA SL

Revision Notes

Home / DP / Maths: AA SL / IB / Revision Notes / 1. Number & Algebra / 1.4 Proof & Reasoning / 1.4.1 Proof


1.4.1 Proof


Language of Proof

 What is proof?

  • Proof is a series of logical steps which show a result is true for all specified numbers
    • ‘Seeing’ that a result works for a few numbers is not enough to show that it will work for all numbers
    • Proof allows us to show (usually algebraically) that the result will work for all values
  • You must be familiar with the notation and language of proof
  • LHS and RHS are standard abbreviations for left-hand side and right-hand side
  • Integers are used frequently in the language of proof
    • The set of integers is denoted by straight integer numbers
    • The set of positive integers is denoted by straight integer numbers to the power of plus

How do we prove a statement is true for all values?

  • Most of the time you will need to use algebra to show that the left-hand side (LHS) is the same as the right-hand side (RHS)
    • You must not move terms from one side to the other
    • Start with one side (usually the LHS) and manipulate it to show that it is the same as the other
  • A mathematical identity is a statement that is true for all values of x (or θ in trigonometry)
    • The symbol identical to is used to identify an identity
    • If you see this symbol then you can use proof methods to show it is true
  • You can complete your proof by stating that RHS = LHS or writing QED

Worked Example

Prove that open parentheses 2 x minus 2 close parentheses open parentheses x minus 3 close parentheses plus 2 left parenthesis x minus 1 right parenthesis equals 2 left parenthesis x minus 2 right parenthesis left parenthesis x minus 1 right parenthesis.

1-4-1-aa-sl-language-of-proof-we-solution           

Proof by Deduction

What is proof by deduction?

  • A mathematical and logical argument that shows that a result is true

How do we do proof by deduction?

  • A proof by deduction question will often involve showing that a result is true for all integers, consecutive integers or even or odd numbers
    • You can begin by letting an integer be n
      • Use conventions for even (2n ) and odd (2n – 1) numbers
  • You will need to be familiar with sets of numbers left parenthesis straight natural numbers comma space straight integer numbers comma space straight rational numbers comma space straight real numbers right parenthesis
    • straight natural numbers – the set of natural numbers
    • straight integer numbers – the set of integers
    • straight rational numbers – the set of quotients (rational numbers)
    • straight real numbers – the set of real numbers

1.1.2 Proof by Deduction Notes Diagram 2

Worked Example

Prove that the sum of any two consecutive odd numbers is always even.

1-4-1-aa-sl-proof-by-deduction-we-solution



  • 1. Number & Algebra
    • 1.1 Number Toolkit
      • 1.1.1 Standard Form
        • 1.1.2 Laws of Indices
        • 1.2 Exponentials & Logs
          • 1.2.1 Introduction to Logarithms
            • 1.2.2 Laws of Logarithms
              • 1.2.3 Solving Exponential Equations
              • 1.3 Sequences & Series
                • 1.3.1 Language of Sequences & Series
                  • 1.3.2 Arithmetic Sequences & Series
                    • 1.3.3 Geometric Sequences & Series
                      • 1.3.4 Applications of Sequences & Series
                        • 1.3.5 Compound Interest & Depreciation
                        • 1.4 Proof & Reasoning
                          • 1.4.1 Proof
                          • 1.5 Binomial Theorem
                            • 1.5.1 Binomial Theorem
                          • 2. Functions
                            • 2.1 Linear Functions & Graphs
                              • 2.1.1 Equations of a Straight Line
                              • 2.2 Quadratic Functions & Graphs
                                • 2.2.1 Quadratic Functions
                                  • 2.2.2 Factorising & Completing the Square
                                    • 2.2.3 Solving Quadratics
                                      • 2.2.4 Quadratic Inequalities
                                        • 2.2.5 Discriminants
                                        • 2.3 Functions Toolkit
                                          • 2.3.1 Language of Functions
                                            • 2.3.2 Composite & Inverse Functions
                                              • 2.3.3 Graphing Functions
                                              • 2.4 Further Functions & Graphs
                                                • 2.4.1 Reciprocal & Rational Functions
                                                  • 2.4.2 Exponential & Logarithmic Functions
                                                    • 2.4.3 Solving Equations
                                                      • 2.4.4 Modelling with Functions
                                                      • 2.5 Transformations of Graphs
                                                        • 2.5.1 Translations of Graphs
                                                          • 2.5.2 Reflections of Graphs
                                                            • 2.5.3 Stretches of Graphs
                                                              • 2.5.4 Composite Transformations of Graphs
                                                            • 3. Geometry & Trigonometry
                                                              • 3.1 Geometry Toolkit
                                                                • 3.1.1 Coordinate Geometry
                                                                  • 3.1.2 Radian Measure
                                                                    • 3.1.3 Arcs & Sectors
                                                                    • 3.2 Geometry of 3D Shapes
                                                                      • 3.2.1 3D Coordinate Geometry
                                                                        • 3.2.2 Volume & Surface Area
                                                                        • 3.3 Trigonometry
                                                                          • 3.3.1 Pythagoras & Right-Angled Triganometry
                                                                            • 3.3.2 Non Right-Angled Trigonometry
                                                                              • 3.3.3 Applications of Trigonometry & Pythagoras
                                                                              • 3.4 Further Trigonometry
                                                                                • 3.4.1 The Unit Circle
                                                                                  • 3.4.2 Exact Values
                                                                                  • 3.5 Trigonometric Functions & Graphs
                                                                                    • 3.5.1 Graphs of Trigonometric Functions
                                                                                      • 3.5.2 Transformations of Trigonometric Functions
                                                                                        • 3.5.3 Modelling with Trigonometric Functions
                                                                                        • 3.6 Trigonometric Equations & Identities
                                                                                          • 3.6.1 Simple Identities
                                                                                            • 3.6.2 Double Angle Formulae
                                                                                              • 3.6.3 Relationship Between Trigonometric Ratios
                                                                                                • 3.6.4 Linear Trigonometric Equations
                                                                                                  • 3.6.5 Quadratic Trigonometric Equations
                                                                                                • 4. Statistics & Probability
                                                                                                  • 4.1 Statistics Toolkit
                                                                                                    • 4.1.1 Sampling & Data Collection
                                                                                                      • 4.1.2 Statistical Measures
                                                                                                        • 4.1.3 Frequency Tables
                                                                                                          • 4.1.4 Linear Tranformations of Data
                                                                                                            • 4.1.5 Outliers
                                                                                                              • 4.1.6 Univariate Data
                                                                                                                • 4.1.7 Interpreting Data
                                                                                                                • 4.2 Correlation & Regression
                                                                                                                  • 4.2.1 Bivariate Data
                                                                                                                    • 4.2.2 Correlation & Regression
                                                                                                                    • 4.3 Probability
                                                                                                                      • 4.3.1 Probability & Types of Events
                                                                                                                        • 4.3.2 Conditional Probability
                                                                                                                          • 4.3.3 Sample Space Diagrams
                                                                                                                          • 4.4 Probability Distributions
                                                                                                                            • 4.4.1 Discrete Probability Distributions
                                                                                                                              • 4.4.2 Expected Values
                                                                                                                              • 4.5 Binomial Distribution
                                                                                                                                • 4.5.1 The Binomial Distribution
                                                                                                                                  • 4.5.2 Calculating Binomial Probabilities
                                                                                                                                  • 4.6 Normal Distribution
                                                                                                                                    • 4.6.1 The Normal Distribution
                                                                                                                                      • 4.6.2 Calculations with Normal Distribution
                                                                                                                                        • 4.6.3 Standardisation of Normal Variables
                                                                                                                                      • 5. Calculus
                                                                                                                                        • 5.1 Differentiation
                                                                                                                                          • 5.1.1 Introduction to Differentiation
                                                                                                                                            • 5.1.2 Applications of Differentiation
                                                                                                                                            • 5.2 Further Differentiation
                                                                                                                                              • 5.2.1 Differentiating Special Functions
                                                                                                                                                • 5.2.2 Techniques of Differentiation
                                                                                                                                                  • 5.2.3 Second Order Derivatives
                                                                                                                                                    • 5.2.4 Further Applications of Differentiation
                                                                                                                                                      • 5.2.5 Concavity & Points of Inflection
                                                                                                                                                        • 5.2.6 Derivatives & Graphs
                                                                                                                                                        • 5.3 Integration
                                                                                                                                                          • 5.3.1 Introduction to Integration
                                                                                                                                                            • 5.3.2 Applications of Integration
                                                                                                                                                            • 5.4 Further Integration
                                                                                                                                                              • 5.4.1 Integrating Special Functions
                                                                                                                                                                • 5.4.2 Techniques of Integration
                                                                                                                                                                  • 5.4.3 Definite Integrals
                                                                                                                                                                    • 5.4.4 Further Applications of Integration
                                                                                                                                                                    • 5.5 Optimisation
                                                                                                                                                                      • 5.5.1 Modelling with Differentiation
                                                                                                                                                                      • 5.6 Kinematics
                                                                                                                                                                        • 5.6.1 Kinematics Toolkit
                                                                                                                                                                          • 5.6.2 Calculus for Kinematics


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                                                                                                                                                                        Author: Amber

                                                                                                                                                                        Amber gained a first class degree in Mathematics & Meteorology from the University of Reading before training to become a teacher. She is passionate about teaching, having spent 8 years teaching GCSE and A Level Mathematics both in the UK and internationally. Amber loves creating bright and informative resources to help students reach their potential.


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