OCR MEI C3 — Question 5 4 marks

Exam BoardOCR MEI
ModuleC3 (Core Mathematics 3)
Marks4
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicModulus function
TypeSolve |linear| = |linear| (both linear inside)
DifficultyModerate -0.5 This is a straightforward modulus equation requiring consideration of cases based on critical values (x=0 and x=1/2). While it requires systematic case analysis, the algebraic manipulation is simple and this is a standard textbook exercise with no conceptual surprises, making it slightly easier than average.
Spec1.02l Modulus function: notation, relations, equations and inequalities

5 Solve the equation \(| 2 x - 1 | = | x |\).
[0pt] [4]

Question 5:
AnswerMarks Guidance
\(2x-1 =
\(2x-1 = x, \quad x=1\)M1 A1 www
or \(-(2x-1) = x, \quad x = \frac{1}{3}\)M1 A1 www, or \(2x-1=-x\) must be exact for A1 (e.g. not 0.33, but allow \(0.\overline{3}\)); condone doing both equalities in one line e.g. \(-x = 2x-1 = x\), etc
*or* squaring \(\Rightarrow 3x^2 - 4x + 1 = 0\)M1
\(\Rightarrow (3x-1)(x-1) = 0\) M1 factorising, formula or completing the square
\(\Rightarrow x = 1, \frac{1}{3}\)A1 A1 allow M1 for sign errors in factorisation; \(-1\) if more than two solutions offered, but isw inequalities
[4]
## Question 5:

| $|2x-1| = |x|$ | | allow unsupported answers or from graph |
|---|---|---|
| $2x-1 = x, \quad x=1$ | M1 A1 | www |
| or $-(2x-1) = x, \quad x = \frac{1}{3}$ | M1 A1 | www, or $2x-1=-x$ must be exact for A1 (e.g. not 0.33, but allow $0.\overline{3}$); condone doing both equalities in one line e.g. $-x = 2x-1 = x$, etc |
| *or* squaring $\Rightarrow 3x^2 - 4x + 1 = 0$ | M1 | |
| $\Rightarrow (3x-1)(x-1) = 0$ | | M1 factorising, formula or completing the square |
| $\Rightarrow x = 1, \frac{1}{3}$ | A1 A1 | allow M1 for sign errors in factorisation; $-1$ if more than two solutions offered, but isw inequalities |
| **[4]** | | |

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5 Solve the equation $| 2 x - 1 | = | x |$.\\[0pt]
[4]

\hfill \mbox{\textit{OCR MEI C3  Q5 [4]}}