| Exam Board | OCR MEI |
|---|---|
| Module | C1 (Core Mathematics 1) |
| Marks | 4 |
| Paper | Download PDF ↗ |
| Mark scheme | Download PDF ↗ |
| Topic | Indices and Surds |
| Type | Simplify algebraic expressions with indices |
| Difficulty | Easy -1.3 This is a straightforward application of basic index laws (multiplication and division of powers) with no problem-solving required. Both parts are routine drill exercises testing recall of rules like x^a × x^b = x^(a+b) and x^a ÷ x^b = x^(a-b), making it easier than the average A-level question which typically requires multiple techniques or some reasoning. |
| Spec | 1.02a Indices: laws of indices for rational exponents |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| \(x^{\frac{5}{2}} \times \sqrt{x} = x^{\frac{5}{2}} \times x^{\frac{1}{2}} = x^3\) | B1 | \(\sqrt{x} = x^{\frac{1}{2}}\) |
| B1 | c.a.o |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| \(12x^{-5} \div 3x^{-2} = 4x^{-5--2} = 4x^{-3}\) | B1 | \(4\) |
| B1 | \(x^{-3}\) |
## Question 4:
**(i)**
$x^{\frac{5}{2}} \times \sqrt{x} = x^{\frac{5}{2}} \times x^{\frac{1}{2}} = x^3$ | B1 | $\sqrt{x} = x^{\frac{1}{2}}$
| B1 | c.a.o
**(ii)**
$12x^{-5} \div 3x^{-2} = 4x^{-5--2} = 4x^{-3}$ | B1 | $4$
| B1 | $x^{-3}$
---4 Simplify the following.\\
(i) $x ^ { \frac { 5 } { 2 } } \times \sqrt { x }$\\
(ii) $12 x ^ { - 5 } \div 3 x ^ { - 2 }$
\hfill \mbox{\textit{OCR MEI C1 Q4 [4]}}