Date | May 2022 | Marks available | 2 | Reference code | 22M.1.SL.TZ2.3 |
Level | Standard Level | Paper | Paper 1 (without calculator) | Time zone | Time zone 2 |
Command term | Prove | Question number | 3 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
Consider any three consecutive integers, , and .
Prove that the sum of these three integers is always divisible by .
Prove that the sum of the squares of these three integers is never divisible by .
Markscheme
(A1)
A1
which is always divisible by AG
[2 marks]
A1
attempts to expand either or (do not accept or ) (M1)
A1
demonstrating recognition that is not divisible by or seen after correct expression divided by R1
is divisible by and so is never divisible by
OR the first term is divisible by , the second is not
OR OR
hence the sum of the squares is never divisible by AG
[4 marks]
Examiners report
Most candidates were able to earn full marks in part (a), though some were not able to provide the required reasoning to earn full marks in part (b). In many cases, candidates did not seem to understand the nature of a general deductive proof, and instead substituted different consecutive integers (such as 1, 2,3 ), showing the desired result for these specific values, rather than an algebraic generalization for any three consecutive integers.