Edexcel C1 2013 June — Question 2 4 marks

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleC1 (Core Mathematics 1)
Year2013
SessionJune
Marks4
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicIndices and Surds
TypeSimplify numerical surds
DifficultyEasy -1.8 This is a routine surd simplification requiring only basic manipulation: rationalizing 15/√3 to get 5√3, simplifying √27 to 3√3, then combining to get 2√3. It's a standard C1 exercise testing fundamental surd skills with no problem-solving element, making it significantly easier than average A-level questions.
Spec1.02b Surds: manipulation and rationalising denominators

Express \(\frac { 15 } { \sqrt { 3 } } - \sqrt { 27 }\) in the form \(k \sqrt { } 3\), where \(k\) is an integer.

Question 2:
AnswerMarks Guidance
Answer/WorkingMark Guidance
\(\frac{15}{\sqrt{3}} = \frac{15}{\sqrt{3}} \times \frac{\sqrt{3}}{\sqrt{3}} = 5\sqrt{3}\)M1A1 M1: Attempts to multiply numerator and denominator by \(\sqrt{3}\). May be implied by correct answer. A1: \(5\sqrt{3}\)
\(\sqrt{27} = 3\sqrt{3}\)B1
\(\frac{15}{\sqrt{3}} - \sqrt{27} = 2\sqrt{3}\)A1 Correct answer only scores full marks
Way 2:
AnswerMarks Guidance
Answer/WorkingMark Guidance
\(\frac{15}{\sqrt{3}} - \sqrt{27} = \frac{15-\sqrt{81}}{\sqrt{3}} \left(= \frac{6}{\sqrt{3}}\right)\)B1 Terms combined correctly with a common denominator (need not be simplified)
\(\frac{6}{\sqrt{3}} \times \frac{\sqrt{3}}{\sqrt{3}} = \frac{6\sqrt{3}}{3}\)M1A1 M1: Attempts to multiply numerator and denominator by \(\sqrt{3}\). A1: \(\frac{6\sqrt{3}}{3}\)
\(\frac{15}{\sqrt{3}} - \sqrt{27} = 2\sqrt{3}\)A1
## Question 2:

| Answer/Working | Mark | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| $\frac{15}{\sqrt{3}} = \frac{15}{\sqrt{3}} \times \frac{\sqrt{3}}{\sqrt{3}} = 5\sqrt{3}$ | M1A1 | M1: Attempts to multiply numerator and denominator by $\sqrt{3}$. May be implied by correct answer. A1: $5\sqrt{3}$ |
| $\sqrt{27} = 3\sqrt{3}$ | B1 | |
| $\frac{15}{\sqrt{3}} - \sqrt{27} = 2\sqrt{3}$ | A1 | Correct answer only scores full marks |

**Way 2:**

| Answer/Working | Mark | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| $\frac{15}{\sqrt{3}} - \sqrt{27} = \frac{15-\sqrt{81}}{\sqrt{3}} \left(= \frac{6}{\sqrt{3}}\right)$ | B1 | Terms combined correctly with a common denominator (need not be simplified) |
| $\frac{6}{\sqrt{3}} \times \frac{\sqrt{3}}{\sqrt{3}} = \frac{6\sqrt{3}}{3}$ | M1A1 | M1: Attempts to multiply numerator and denominator by $\sqrt{3}$. A1: $\frac{6\sqrt{3}}{3}$ |
| $\frac{15}{\sqrt{3}} - \sqrt{27} = 2\sqrt{3}$ | A1 | |

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Express $\frac { 15 } { \sqrt { 3 } } - \sqrt { 27 }$ in the form $k \sqrt { } 3$, where $k$ is an integer.\\

\hfill \mbox{\textit{Edexcel C1 2013 Q2 [4]}}