OCR MEI FP1 2014 June — Question 6 7 marks

Exam BoardOCR MEI
ModuleFP1 (Further Pure Mathematics 1)
Year2014
SessionJune
Marks7
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicProof by induction
TypeProve summation with fractions
DifficultyStandard +0.3 This is a standard proof by induction for a summation formula with a straightforward algebraic structure. The partial fractions decomposition (1/((2n-1)(2n+1)) = 1/2(1/(2n-1) - 1/(2n+1))) makes the telescoping pattern clear, and the inductive step involves routine algebraic manipulation. While it requires understanding of the induction framework and careful algebra, it's a textbook example without novel insight, making it slightly easier than average for A-level.
Spec1.02y Partial fractions: decompose rational functions4.01a Mathematical induction: construct proofs

6 Prove by induction that \(\frac { 1 } { 1 \times 3 } + \frac { 1 } { 3 \times 5 } + \frac { 1 } { 5 \times 7 } + \ldots + \frac { 1 } { ( 2 n - 1 ) ( 2 n + 1 ) } = \frac { n } { 2 n + 1 }\).

Question 6:
AnswerMarks Guidance
When \(n=1\): \(\dfrac{1}{1\times 3} = \dfrac{1}{3}\) and \(\dfrac{n}{2n+1} = \dfrac{1}{3}\), so true for \(n=1\)B1 Condone e.g. "\(\dfrac{1}{3}=\dfrac{1}{3}\)"
Assume true for \(n=k\)E1 Assuming true for \(k\); statement of assumed result not essential but further work should be seen
Sum of \(k+1\) terms \(= \dfrac{k}{2k+1} + \dfrac{1}{(2k+1)(2k+3)}\)M1 Adding correct \((k+1)\)th term to sum for \(k\) terms
\(= \dfrac{k(2k+3)+1}{(2k+1)(2k+3)}\)M1 Combining fractions
\(= \dfrac{2k^2+3k+1}{(2k+1)(2k+3)} = \dfrac{(k+1)(2k+1)}{(2k+1)(2k+3)} = \dfrac{k+1}{2k+3}\)A1 Complete accurate work
which is \(\dfrac{n}{2n+1}\) with \(n=k+1\)
AnswerMarks Guidance
Therefore if true for \(n=k\) it is also true for \(n=k+1\)E1 Dependent on A1 and previous E1
Since it is true for \(n=1\), it is true for all positive integers \(n\)E1 [7] Dependent on B1 and previous E1. E0 if "last term" = "sum of terms" seen above
## Question 6:

When $n=1$: $\dfrac{1}{1\times 3} = \dfrac{1}{3}$ and $\dfrac{n}{2n+1} = \dfrac{1}{3}$, so true for $n=1$ | B1 | Condone e.g. "$\dfrac{1}{3}=\dfrac{1}{3}$"

Assume true for $n=k$ | E1 | Assuming true for $k$; statement of assumed result not essential but further work should be seen

Sum of $k+1$ terms $= \dfrac{k}{2k+1} + \dfrac{1}{(2k+1)(2k+3)}$ | M1 | Adding correct $(k+1)$th term to sum for $k$ terms

$= \dfrac{k(2k+3)+1}{(2k+1)(2k+3)}$ | M1 | Combining fractions

$= \dfrac{2k^2+3k+1}{(2k+1)(2k+3)} = \dfrac{(k+1)(2k+1)}{(2k+1)(2k+3)} = \dfrac{k+1}{2k+3}$ | A1 | Complete accurate work

which is $\dfrac{n}{2n+1}$ with $n=k+1$

Therefore if true for $n=k$ it is also true for $n=k+1$ | E1 | Dependent on A1 and previous E1

Since it is true for $n=1$, it is true for all positive integers $n$ | E1 **[7]** | Dependent on B1 and previous E1. E0 if "last term" = "sum of terms" seen above

---
6 Prove by induction that $\frac { 1 } { 1 \times 3 } + \frac { 1 } { 3 \times 5 } + \frac { 1 } { 5 \times 7 } + \ldots + \frac { 1 } { ( 2 n - 1 ) ( 2 n + 1 ) } = \frac { n } { 2 n + 1 }$.

\hfill \mbox{\textit{OCR MEI FP1 2014 Q6 [7]}}