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Date May 2017 Marks available 6 Reference code 17M.1.AHL.TZ1.H_8
Level Additional Higher Level Paper Paper 1 (without calculator) Time zone Time zone 1
Command term Question number H_8 Adapted from N/A

Question

Use the method of mathematical induction to prove that 4 n + 15 n 1 is divisible by 9 for n Z + .

Markscheme

* This question is from an exam for a previous syllabus, and may contain minor differences in marking or structure.

let P ( n ) be the proposition that 4 n + 15 n 1 is divisible by 9

showing true for n = 1      A1

ie for n = 1 ,   4 1 + 15 × 1 1 = 18

which is divisible by 9, therefore P ( 1 ) is true

assume P ( k ) is true so 4 k + 15 k 1 = 9 A ,   ( A Z + )      M1

 

Note:     Only award M1 if “truth assumed” or equivalent.

 

consider 4 k + 1 + 15 ( k + 1 ) 1

= 4 × 4 k + 15 k + 14

= 4 ( 9 A 15 k + 1 ) + 15 k + 14      M1

= 4 × 9 A 45 k + 18      A1

= 9 ( 4 A 5 k + 2 ) which is divisible by 9     R1

 

Note:     Award R1 for either the expression or the statement above.

 

since P ( 1 ) is true and P ( k ) true implies P ( k + 1 ) is true, therefore (by the principle of mathematical induction) P ( n ) is true for n Z +      R1

 

Note:     Only award the final R1 if the 2 M1s have been awarded.

 

[6 marks]

Examiners report

[N/A]

Syllabus sections

Topic 1—Number and algebra » AHL 1.15—Proof by induction, contradiction, counterexamples
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Topic 1—Number and algebra

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