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A2 Maths C3: Are proofs required?

On page 33 of the Edexcel specification for C3 it says:

"Methods of proof, including proof by contradiction and disproof by counter-example, are required. At least one question on the paper will require the use of proof."

It is referring to the types of proofs in these documents:

https://4738aa85dc81f6cb672cd1f6a9985b3c87922ff3.googledrive.com/host/0B1ZiqBksUHNYVVdvc0h3MEZVb28/C3%20Proof%20A%20-%20Questions.pdf

https://4738aa85dc81f6cb672cd1f6a9985b3c87922ff3.googledrive.com/host/0B1ZiqBksUHNYVVdvc0h3MEZVb28/C3%20Proof%20B%20-%20Questions.pdf

But I haven't seen a single proof like this in any recent C3 past paper - despite it saying there would be at least one per paper. Has the spec been updated or something?
Original post by ColeNate
On page 33 of the Edexcel specification for C3 it says:

"Methods of proof, including proof by contradiction and disproof by counter-example, are required. At least one question on the paper will require the use of proof."

It is referring to the types of proofs in these documents:

https://4738aa85dc81f6cb672cd1f6a9985b3c87922ff3.googledrive.com/host/0B1ZiqBksUHNYVVdvc0h3MEZVb28/C3%20Proof%20A%20-%20Questions.pdf

https://4738aa85dc81f6cb672cd1f6a9985b3c87922ff3.googledrive.com/host/0B1ZiqBksUHNYVVdvc0h3MEZVb28/C3%20Proof%20B%20-%20Questions.pdf

But I haven't seen a single proof like this in any recent C3 past paper - despite it saying there would be at least one per paper. Has the spec been updated or something?


In C3 papers there are questions asking you to prove trig identities or show statements algebraically (e.g. "show that the integral of [some expression] is [some other expression]"), but you're correct that Edexcel have never asked for a formal proof by contradiction or disproof by counter-example. In fact the reason they don't test it is most likely because teachers typically don't teach it and so students would be outraged if asked it in the exam (in addition, many students don't like setting out a clear mathematical argument); thus, the same statement about proof appears in the specs for all boards, but as far I know, OCR MEI is the only one that actually sets it on exam papers.
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ColeNate
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Original post by HapaxOromenon3
In C3 papers there are questions asking you to prove trig identities or show statements algebraically (e.g. "show that the integral of [some expression] is [some other expression]":wink:, but you're correct that Edexcel have never asked for a formal proof by contradiction or disproof by counter-example. In fact the reason they don't test it is most likely because teachers typically don't teach it and so students would be outraged if asked it in the exam (in addition, many students don't like setting out a clear mathematical argument); thus, the same statement about proof appears in the specs for all boards, but as far I know, OCR MEI is the only one that actually sets it on exam papers.


Yeah I was never taught this in school so that's worrying. They could still put it in the paper which is worrying :s-smilie:
Original post by ColeNate
Yeah I was never taught this in school so that's worrying. They could still put it in the paper which is worrying :s-smilie:


As I said, Edexcel could do it, but they almost certainly won't.

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