AQA Further Paper 1 Specimen — Question 13 5 marks

Exam BoardAQA
ModuleFurther Paper 1 (Further Paper 1)
SessionSpecimen
Marks5
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicProof by induction
TypeProve matrix power formula
DifficultyStandard +0.8 This is a proof by induction involving 3×3 matrices requiring verification of the base case, inductive hypothesis, and inductive step with matrix multiplication. While the pattern is straightforward once M² is computed (each entry becomes 3), the algebraic manipulation of nine entries and formal proof structure elevates this above routine Further Maths questions, though it remains a standard induction exercise without requiring deep insight.
Spec4.01a Mathematical induction: construct proofs4.03b Matrix operations: addition, multiplication, scalar

Given that \(\mathbf{M} = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 1 & 1 \\ 1 & 1 & 1 \\ 1 & 1 & 1 \end{bmatrix}\), prove that \(\mathbf{M}^n = \begin{bmatrix} 3^{n-1} & 3^{n-1} & 3^{n-1} \\ 3^{n-1} & 3^{n-1} & 3^{n-1} \\ 3^{n-1} & 3^{n-1} & 3^{n-1} \end{bmatrix}\) for all \(n \in \mathbb{N}\) [5 marks]

Question 13:
AnswerMarks
13Uses proof by induction and
investigates formula for n = 1 and
n = k (must see evidence of both
AnswerMarks Guidance
n = 1 and n = k being considered)AO3.1a M1
Let P(n) be the statement
3n−1 3n−1 3n−1
 
Mn = 3n−1 3n−1 3n−1
 3n−1 3n−1 3n−1
For n =1
30 30 30
1 1 1
 
 
30 30 30  = 1 1 1 =M1
 
 30 30 30 1 1 1
P(1) is true
∴Assume P(k) is true
Mk+1 =M×Mk
3k−1 3k−1 3k−1
1 1 1
 
=  1 1 1  × 3k−1 3k−1 3k−1
 
 
1 1 1  3k−1 3k−1 3k−1
(since P(k) is true)
(3k−1+3k−1+3k−1) (3k−1+..) (3k−1+..
 
= (3k−1+3k−1+3k−1) (3k−1+..) (3k−1+..
 
 (3k−1+3k−1+3k−1) (3k−1+..) (3k−1+..
But
3 k−1+3 k−1+3 k−1 = 3×3 k−1
= 3 k
3k 3k 3k
 
Hence Mk+1= 3k 3k 3k
 3k 3k 3k
3(k+1)−1 3(k+1)−1 3(k+1)−1
 
∴Mk+1 = 3(k+1)−1 3(k+1)−1 3(k+1)−1
 3(k+1)−1 3(k+1)−1 3(k+1)−1
P(k +1) is true
Since P(1) is true
a∴nd P(k) P(k + 1) ,
hence, by induction, P(n) is true
n∈⇒�
for all
Demonstrates that formula is true
AnswerMarks Guidance
for n = 1AO1.1b A1
States assumption that formula
true for n = k and uses
AnswerMarks Guidance
Mk+1 =M×MkAO2.1 R1
Deduces that formula is also true
AnswerMarks Guidance
for n = k + 1 from correct workingAO2.2a R1
Completes a rigorous argument
and explains how their argument
AnswerMarks Guidance
proves the required result. AGAO2.4 R1
Total5
QMarking Instructions AO
Question 13:
13 | Uses proof by induction and
investigates formula for n = 1 and
n = k (must see evidence of both
n = 1 and n = k being considered) | AO3.1a | M1 | Using induction method,
Let P(n) be the statement
3n−1 3n−1 3n−1
 
Mn = 3n−1 3n−1 3n−1

 3n−1 3n−1 3n−1

For n =1
30 30 30
1 1 1
 
 
30 30 30  = 1 1 1 =M1
 
 30 30 30 1 1 1

P(1) is true
∴Assume P(k) is true
Mk+1 =M×Mk
3k−1 3k−1 3k−1
1 1 1
 
=  1 1 1  × 3k−1 3k−1 3k−1
 
 
1 1 1  3k−1 3k−1 3k−1

(since P(k) is true)
(3k−1+3k−1+3k−1) (3k−1+..) (3k−1+..
 
= (3k−1+3k−1+3k−1) (3k−1+..) (3k−1+..
 
 (3k−1+3k−1+3k−1) (3k−1+..) (3k−1+..

But
3 k−1+3 k−1+3 k−1 = 3×3 k−1
= 3 k
3k 3k 3k
 
Hence Mk+1= 3k 3k 3k

 3k 3k 3k

3(k+1)−1 3(k+1)−1 3(k+1)−1
 
∴Mk+1 = 3(k+1)−1 3(k+1)−1 3(k+1)−1

 3(k+1)−1 3(k+1)−1 3(k+1)−1

P(k +1) is true
Since P(1) is true
a∴nd P(k) P(k + 1) ,
hence, by induction, P(n) is true
n∈⇒�
for all
Demonstrates that formula is true
for n = 1 | AO1.1b | A1
States assumption that formula
true for n = k and uses
Mk+1 =M×Mk | AO2.1 | R1
Deduces that formula is also true
for n = k + 1 from correct working | AO2.2a | R1
Completes a rigorous argument
and explains how their argument
proves the required result. AG | AO2.4 | R1
Total | 5
Q | Marking Instructions | AO | Marks | Typical Solution
Given that $\mathbf{M} = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 1 & 1 \\ 1 & 1 & 1 \\ 1 & 1 & 1 \end{bmatrix}$, prove that $\mathbf{M}^n = \begin{bmatrix} 3^{n-1} & 3^{n-1} & 3^{n-1} \\ 3^{n-1} & 3^{n-1} & 3^{n-1} \\ 3^{n-1} & 3^{n-1} & 3^{n-1} \end{bmatrix}$ for all $n \in \mathbb{N}$
[5 marks]

\hfill \mbox{\textit{AQA Further Paper 1  Q13 [5]}}