Edexcel C4 2011 June — Question 1 4 marks

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleC4 (Core Mathematics 4)
Year2011
SessionJune
Marks4
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicPartial Fractions
TypeDetermine constants in partial fractions
DifficultyModerate -0.8 This is a standard partial fractions question requiring routine algebraic manipulation. Students multiply through by the denominator and either substitute convenient values of x or compare coefficients—both are well-practiced techniques at C4 level with no conceptual difficulty beyond the standard method.
Spec1.02y Partial fractions: decompose rational functions

1. $$\frac { 9 x ^ { 2 } } { ( x - 1 ) ^ { 2 } ( 2 x + 1 ) } = \frac { A } { ( x - 1 ) } + \frac { B } { ( x - 1 ) ^ { 2 } } + \frac { C } { ( 2 x + 1 ) }$$ Find the values of the constants \(A , B\) and \(C\).

AnswerMarks Guidance
\(9x^2 = A(x-1)(2x+1) + B(2x+1) + C(x-1)^2\)B1
\(x \to 1\): \(9 = 3B \Rightarrow B = 3\)M1
\(x \to -\frac{1}{2}\): \(\frac{9}{4} = \left(-\frac{3}{2}\right)^2 C \Rightarrow C = 1\)A1 Any two of \(A, B, C\)
\(x^2\) terms: \(9 = 2A + C \Rightarrow A = 4\)A1 All three correct
Alternatives for finding \(A\):
\(x\) terms: \(0 = -A + 2B - 2C \Rightarrow A = 4\)
AnswerMarks
Constant terms: \(0 = -A + B + C \Rightarrow A = 4\)A1
(4) [4]
$9x^2 = A(x-1)(2x+1) + B(2x+1) + C(x-1)^2$ | B1 |

$x \to 1$: $9 = 3B \Rightarrow B = 3$ | M1 |

$x \to -\frac{1}{2}$: $\frac{9}{4} = \left(-\frac{3}{2}\right)^2 C \Rightarrow C = 1$ | A1 | Any two of $A, B, C$

$x^2$ terms: $9 = 2A + C \Rightarrow A = 4$ | A1 | All three correct

Alternatives for finding $A$:
$x$ terms: $0 = -A + 2B - 2C \Rightarrow A = 4$
Constant terms: $0 = -A + B + C \Rightarrow A = 4$ | A1 |

| (4) [4] |

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1.

$$\frac { 9 x ^ { 2 } } { ( x - 1 ) ^ { 2 } ( 2 x + 1 ) } = \frac { A } { ( x - 1 ) } + \frac { B } { ( x - 1 ) ^ { 2 } } + \frac { C } { ( 2 x + 1 ) }$$

Find the values of the constants $A , B$ and $C$.\\

\hfill \mbox{\textit{Edexcel C4 2011 Q1 [4]}}