OCR MEI FP1 2011 June — Question 5 5 marks

Exam BoardOCR MEI
ModuleFP1 (Further Pure Mathematics 1)
Year2011
SessionJune
Marks5
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicSequences and series, recurrence and convergence
TypeMethod of differences with given identity
DifficultyStandard +0.3 This is a straightforward method of differences question where the partial fraction decomposition is already provided. Students only need to write out the telescoping series, cancel middle terms, and simplify the remaining first and last terms—a standard Further Maths technique with minimal problem-solving required.
Spec4.06b Method of differences: telescoping series

5 Given that \(\frac { 3 } { ( 3 r - 1 ) ( 3 r + 2 ) } \equiv \frac { 1 } { 3 r - 1 } - \frac { 1 } { 3 r + 2 }\), find \(\sum _ { r = 1 } ^ { 20 } \frac { 1 } { ( 3 r - 1 ) ( 3 r + 2 ) }\), giving your answer as an exact fraction.

Question 5:
AnswerMarks Guidance
AnswerMark Guidance
\(\sum_{r=1}^{20} \frac{1}{(3r-1)(3r+2)} = \frac{1}{3}\sum_{r=1}^{20}\left[\frac{1}{3r-1} - \frac{1}{3r+2}\right]\)M1 Attempt to use identity – may be implied
A1Correct use of \(\frac{1}{3}\) seen
\(= \frac{1}{3}\left[\left(\frac{1}{2}-\frac{1}{5}\right)+\left(\frac{1}{5}-\frac{1}{8}\right)+\cdots+\left(\frac{1}{59}-\frac{1}{62}\right)\right]\)A1 Terms in full (at least first and last)
M1Attempt at cancelling
\(= \frac{1}{3}\left(\frac{1}{2}-\frac{1}{62}\right) = \frac{5}{31}\)A1 c.a.o.
[5]
# Question 5:

| Answer | Mark | Guidance |
|--------|------|----------|
| $\sum_{r=1}^{20} \frac{1}{(3r-1)(3r+2)} = \frac{1}{3}\sum_{r=1}^{20}\left[\frac{1}{3r-1} - \frac{1}{3r+2}\right]$ | M1 | Attempt to use identity – may be implied |
| | A1 | Correct use of $\frac{1}{3}$ seen |
| $= \frac{1}{3}\left[\left(\frac{1}{2}-\frac{1}{5}\right)+\left(\frac{1}{5}-\frac{1}{8}\right)+\cdots+\left(\frac{1}{59}-\frac{1}{62}\right)\right]$ | A1 | Terms in full (at least first and last) |
| | M1 | Attempt at cancelling |
| $= \frac{1}{3}\left(\frac{1}{2}-\frac{1}{62}\right) = \frac{5}{31}$ | A1 | c.a.o. |
| | **[5]** | |

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5 Given that $\frac { 3 } { ( 3 r - 1 ) ( 3 r + 2 ) } \equiv \frac { 1 } { 3 r - 1 } - \frac { 1 } { 3 r + 2 }$, find $\sum _ { r = 1 } ^ { 20 } \frac { 1 } { ( 3 r - 1 ) ( 3 r + 2 ) }$, giving your answer as an exact fraction.

\hfill \mbox{\textit{OCR MEI FP1 2011 Q5 [5]}}