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Date May 2021 Marks available 4 Reference code 21M.1.SL.TZ2.2
Level Standard Level Paper Paper 1 (without calculator) Time zone Time zone 2
Command term Show that Question number 2 Adapted from N/A

Question

Consider two consecutive positive integers, n and n+1.

Show that the difference of their squares is equal to the sum of the two integers.

Markscheme

attempt to subtract squares of integers            (M1)

n+12-n2

 

EITHER

correct order of subtraction and correct expansion of n+12, seen anywhere            A1A1

=n2+2n+1n2 (=2n+1)

 

OR

correct order of subtraction and correct factorization of difference of squares          A1A1

=(n+1n)(n+1+n)(=2n+1)

 

THEN

=n+n+1=RHS             A1

 

Note: Do not award final A1 unless all previous working is correct.

 

which is the sum of n and n+1            AG

 

Note: If expansion and order of subtraction are correct, award full marks for candidates who find the sum of the integers as 2n+1 and then show that the difference of the squares (subtracted in the correct order) is 2n+1.

 

[4 marks]

Examiners report

[N/A]

Syllabus sections

Topic 1—Number and algebra » SL 1.6—Simple proof
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Topic 1—Number and algebra

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