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Conjectures and Counterexamples

Authored by Lynne Spencer

Mathematics

9th - 12th Grade

CCSS covered

Used 182+ times

Conjectures and Counterexamples
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About

This quiz focuses on mathematical reasoning and proof, specifically covering conjectures and counterexamples within the broader topic of logic and mathematical argumentation. Based on the complexity of the vocabulary, abstract reasoning requirements, and the mathematical concepts involved, this material is appropriate for grades 9-10. Students need to understand the fundamental difference between conjectures (statements formed through inductive reasoning that may or may not be true) and proven theorems, recognize that counterexamples are used to disprove conjectures rather than prove them, and apply algebraic skills to identify specific values that contradict given mathematical statements. The quiz assesses critical thinking skills essential to mathematical proof, including the understanding that a single counterexample can disprove a conjecture while multiple examples cannot definitively prove one true. Created by Lynne Spencer, a Mathematics teacher in the US who teaches grades 9-12. This quiz serves as an excellent formative assessment tool to gauge student understanding of fundamental proof concepts before advancing to more complex geometric proofs and algebraic reasoning. Teachers can use this as a warm-up activity to activate prior knowledge, assign it as homework to reinforce classroom instruction, or implement it as a review before unit assessments. The true/false format mixed with application problems makes it particularly effective for identifying common misconceptions about mathematical reasoning. This assessment aligns with Common Core standards HSA-REI.A.1 and HSG-CO.C.9, which emphasize explaining steps in solving equations and proving geometric theorems through logical reasoning and counterexample identification.

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10 questions

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1.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

15 mins • 1 pt

A concluding statement reached using inductive reasoning is called a _______

compound statement

conjecture

condition

counterexample

2.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

15 mins • 1 pt

Conjectures, like theorems, have been proven to be true.

True

False

3.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

15 mins • 1 pt

For any right triangle, the sum of the squares of the legs is equal to the square of the hypothesis. This is an example of a conjecture.

True

False

Tags

CCSS.8.G.B.8

4.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

15 mins • 1 pt

No number of examples or cases can fully prove a conjecture.

True

False

5.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

15 mins • 1 pt

A counterexample is an example that proves a conjecture to be true.

True

False

6.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

15 mins • 1 pt

To fully disprove a conjecture, one needs to find only ONE counterexample.

True

False

7.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

15 mins • 1 pt

Which of the following is a counterexample to the following conjecture? If  x2 = 4x^2\ =\ 4 , then x = 2

x = 4

x = -2

x = 2

x = -4

Tags

CCSS.HSA.REI.A.2

CCSS.HSA.REI.B.4

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