OCR MEI Paper 1 2020 November — Question 2 3 marks

Exam BoardOCR MEI
ModulePaper 1 (Paper 1)
Year2020
SessionNovember
Marks3
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicIndices and Surds
TypeRationalize denominator simple
DifficultyEasy -1.2 This is a straightforward rationalizing the denominator question requiring multiplication by the conjugate (3+√2) and simplification. It's a standard textbook exercise with a parameter 'a' that adds minimal complexity. The technique is routine and mechanical with no problem-solving required.
Spec1.02b Surds: manipulation and rationalising denominators

2 Express \(\frac { a + \sqrt { 2 } } { 3 - \sqrt { 2 } }\) in the form \(\mathrm { p } + \mathrm { q } \sqrt { 2 }\), giving \(p\) and \(q\) in terms of \(a\).

Question 2:
AnswerMarks Guidance
AnswerMarks Guidance
\(\frac{(a+\sqrt{2})(3+\sqrt{2})}{(3-\sqrt{2})(3+\sqrt{2})}\)M1 Attempt to rationalize the denominator
\(= \frac{3a + a\sqrt{2} + 3\sqrt{2} + 2}{9-2}\)M1 Attempt to expand the brackets
\(= \frac{3a+2}{7} + \frac{a+3}{7}\sqrt{2}\)A1 [3] Must be in the form \(p + q\sqrt{2}\). Mark final answer. Allow for instead stating \(p = \frac{3a+2}{7}\), \(q = \frac{a+3}{7}\)
## Question 2:

| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|--------|-------|----------|
| $\frac{(a+\sqrt{2})(3+\sqrt{2})}{(3-\sqrt{2})(3+\sqrt{2})}$ | M1 | Attempt to rationalize the denominator |
| $= \frac{3a + a\sqrt{2} + 3\sqrt{2} + 2}{9-2}$ | M1 | Attempt to expand the brackets |
| $= \frac{3a+2}{7} + \frac{a+3}{7}\sqrt{2}$ | A1 [3] | Must be in the form $p + q\sqrt{2}$. Mark final answer. Allow for instead stating $p = \frac{3a+2}{7}$, $q = \frac{a+3}{7}$ |

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2 Express $\frac { a + \sqrt { 2 } } { 3 - \sqrt { 2 } }$ in the form $\mathrm { p } + \mathrm { q } \sqrt { 2 }$, giving $p$ and $q$ in terms of $a$.

\hfill \mbox{\textit{OCR MEI Paper 1 2020 Q2 [3]}}