OCR MEI Further Pure Core AS 2022 June — Question 4 6 marks

Exam BoardOCR MEI
ModuleFurther Pure Core AS (Further Pure Core AS)
Year2022
SessionJune
Marks6
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicRoots of polynomials
TypeRoots with special relationships
DifficultyStandard +0.8 This is a Further Maths question requiring students to use Vieta's formulas with the special relationship between roots (α and 1/α are reciprocals). While the technique is standard for FM students, it requires careful algebraic manipulation across multiple steps: using the product of roots to find α²β = -3, the sum to get a relationship involving k, and the sum of products to establish k. The exact form requirement adds modest complexity. This is moderately challenging but well within expected FM Pure content.
Spec1.02j Manipulate polynomials: expanding, factorising, division, factor theorem4.05a Roots and coefficients: symmetric functions

4 In this question you must show detailed reasoning. The equation \(z ^ { 3 } + 2 z ^ { 2 } + k z + 3 = 0\), where \(k\) is a constant, has roots \(\alpha , \frac { 1 } { \alpha }\) and \(\beta\).
Determine the roots in exact form.

Question 4:
AnswerMarks
4DR
1
. . 3   = −
 β = −3
1
2   + + = −
 α2 − α + 1 = 0
1 3 1 3
i o r i   = + −
2 2 2 2
1 3 1 3
[as ( + i) ( − i) = 1 ,
2 2 2 2
1 3 1 1 3
i i   = +  = − ]
2 2 2 2 
1 3 1 3
so roots are  + i and − i
AnswerMarks
2 2 2 2M1
A1
M1
M1
A1
A1
AnswerMarks
[6]3.1a
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
AnswerMarks
3.2aproduct of roots = −3 (condone 3 for M1)
sum of roots = −2 (condone 2 for M1)
getting quadratic in  or k = −2 found  z2 − z + 1 by factorising
1 3 1 3
 z = + i o r − i
2 2 2 2
[ … ] not required for final A1
Question 4:
4 | DR
1
. . 3   = −

 β = −3
1
2   + + = −

 α2 − α + 1 = 0
1 3 1 3
i o r i   = + −
2 2 2 2
1 3 1 3
[as ( + i) ( − i) = 1 ,
2 2 2 2
1 3 1 1 3
i i   = +  = − ]
2 2 2 2 
1 3 1 3
so roots are  + i and − i
2 2 2 2 | M1
A1
M1
M1
A1
A1
[6] | 3.1a
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
3.2a | product of roots = −3 (condone 3 for M1)
sum of roots = −2 (condone 2 for M1)
getting quadratic in  or k = −2 found  z2 − z + 1 by factorising
1 3 1 3
 z = + i o r − i
2 2 2 2
[ … ] not required for final A1
4 In this question you must show detailed reasoning.
The equation $z ^ { 3 } + 2 z ^ { 2 } + k z + 3 = 0$, where $k$ is a constant, has roots $\alpha , \frac { 1 } { \alpha }$ and $\beta$.\\
Determine the roots in exact form.

\hfill \mbox{\textit{OCR MEI Further Pure Core AS 2022 Q4 [6]}}