OCR MEI C4 — Question 1 5 marks

Exam BoardOCR MEI
ModuleC4 (Core Mathematics 4)
Marks5
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicGeneralised Binomial Theorem
TypeSeries expansion of rational function
DifficultyModerate -0.5 This is a straightforward application of the binomial expansion formula requiring students to expand (2+3x)^(-2), identify the x^3 term, and extract its coefficient. While it involves the generalised binomial theorem with a negative index, it's a single-step calculation with no problem-solving required, making it slightly easier than average.
Spec1.04c Extend binomial expansion: rational n, |x|<1

1 Find the coefficient of the term in \(x ^ { 3 }\) in the expansion of \(\frac { 1 } { ( 2 + 3 x ) ^ { 2 } }\).

Question 1:
AnswerMarks Guidance
AnswerMarks Guidance
\((2+3x)^{-2} = 2^{-2}\left(1+\frac{3x}{2}\right)^{-2}\)M1, A1 Extract 2, remaining bracket
\(=\frac{1}{4}\left(1+\frac{(-2)}{1}\left(\frac{3x}{2}\right)+\frac{(-2)(-3)}{1.2}\left(\frac{3x}{2}\right)^2+\frac{(-2)(-3)(-4)}{1.2.3}\left(\frac{3x}{2}\right)^3+...\right)\)M1 For sight of numerator and denominator and power
Coefficient is \(\frac{1}{4}\times\frac{(-2)(-3)(-4)}{1.2.3}\left(\frac{3}{2}\right)^3=\frac{1}{4}\times(-4)\times\frac{27}{8}=-\frac{27}{8}\)A1, A1 Sign
Total: 5 marks
## Question 1:

| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|--------|-------|----------|
| $(2+3x)^{-2} = 2^{-2}\left(1+\frac{3x}{2}\right)^{-2}$ | M1, A1 | Extract 2, remaining bracket |
| $=\frac{1}{4}\left(1+\frac{(-2)}{1}\left(\frac{3x}{2}\right)+\frac{(-2)(-3)}{1.2}\left(\frac{3x}{2}\right)^2+\frac{(-2)(-3)(-4)}{1.2.3}\left(\frac{3x}{2}\right)^3+...\right)$ | M1 | For sight of numerator and denominator and power |
| Coefficient is $\frac{1}{4}\times\frac{(-2)(-3)(-4)}{1.2.3}\left(\frac{3}{2}\right)^3=\frac{1}{4}\times(-4)\times\frac{27}{8}=-\frac{27}{8}$ | A1, A1 | Sign |

**Total: 5 marks**

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1 Find the coefficient of the term in $x ^ { 3 }$ in the expansion of $\frac { 1 } { ( 2 + 3 x ) ^ { 2 } }$.

\hfill \mbox{\textit{OCR MEI C4  Q1 [5]}}