AQA Further AS Paper 1 2021 June — Question 9 7 marks

Exam BoardAQA
ModuleFurther AS Paper 1 (Further AS Paper 1)
Year2021
SessionJune
Marks7
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicSequences and series, recurrence and convergence
TypeSum from n+1 to 2n or similar range
DifficultyChallenging +1.2 Part (a) is a routine application of standard sum formulae requiring algebraic manipulation to match a given form. Part (b) requires the insight to use difference of sums (sum from 1 to 5n minus sum from 1 to n), then factorisation. This is a standard Further Maths technique but requires more problem-solving than typical A-level questions. The 4+marks suggests moderate length but the techniques are well-practiced in Further Maths courses.
Spec4.06a Summation formulae: sum of r, r^2, r^3

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  1. Use the standard formulae for \(\sum _ { r = 1 } ^ { n } r\) and \(\sum _ { r = 1 } ^ { n } r ^ { 2 }\) to show that $$\sum _ { r = 1 } ^ { n } r ( r + 3 ) = a n ( n + 1 ) ( n + b )$$ where \(a\) and \(b\) are constants to be determined.
    [0pt] [4 marks]
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  2. Hence, or otherwise, find a fully factorised expression for $$\sum _ { r = n + 1 } ^ { 5 n } r ( r + 3 )$$ $$\mathbf { A } = \left[ \begin{array} { c c } 3 & i - 1 \\ i & 2 \end{array} \right]$$

Question 9(a):
AnswerMarks Guidance
Answer/WorkingMarks Guidance
\(\sum_{r=1}^{n}r(r+3) = \sum_{r=1}^{n}r^2 + 3\sum_{r=1}^{n}r\)M1 (AO1.1a) Writes sum in form \(\alpha\sum r^2 + \beta\sum r\) where \(\alpha\) and \(\beta\) are numbers. PI by use of correct standard formulae.
\(= \frac{1}{6}n(n+1)(2n+1) + 3\times\frac{1}{2}n(n+1)\)A1 (AO1.2) Recalls and uses standard formulae to obtain correct expression in terms of \(n\). May be unsimplified.
\(= \frac{1}{6}n(n+1)(2n+1+9) = \frac{1}{6}n(n+1)(2n+10)\)M1 (AO1.1a) Identifies \(n\) and \((n+1)\) as common factors. Must be at least one correct term inside remaining bracket.
\(= \frac{1}{3}n(n+1)(n+5)\)R1 (AO2.1) Completes fully correct proof. Must have \(a=\frac{1}{3}\) and \(b=5\).
Question 9(b):
AnswerMarks Guidance
Answer/WorkingMarks Guidance
\(\sum_{r=n+1}^{5n}r(r+3) = \sum_{r=1}^{5n}r(r+3) - \sum_{r=1}^{n}r(r+3)\)M1 (AO1.1a) Substitutes \(5n\) into expression of form \(an(n+1)(n+b)\) and subtracts part (a).
\(= \frac{1}{3}(5n)(5n+1)(5n+5) - \frac{1}{3}n(n+1)(n+5)\) \(= \frac{1}{3}n(n+1)(25(5n+1)-(n+5))\)A1 (AO1.1b) Obtains correct expression. May be unsimplified.
\(= \frac{1}{3}n(n+1)(124n+20) = \frac{4}{3}n(n+1)(31n+5)\)A1 (AO1.1b) Obtains correct fully factorised expression.
## Question 9(a):

| Answer/Working | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| $\sum_{r=1}^{n}r(r+3) = \sum_{r=1}^{n}r^2 + 3\sum_{r=1}^{n}r$ | M1 (AO1.1a) | Writes sum in form $\alpha\sum r^2 + \beta\sum r$ where $\alpha$ and $\beta$ are numbers. PI by use of correct standard formulae. |
| $= \frac{1}{6}n(n+1)(2n+1) + 3\times\frac{1}{2}n(n+1)$ | A1 (AO1.2) | Recalls and uses standard formulae to obtain correct expression in terms of $n$. May be unsimplified. |
| $= \frac{1}{6}n(n+1)(2n+1+9) = \frac{1}{6}n(n+1)(2n+10)$ | M1 (AO1.1a) | Identifies $n$ and $(n+1)$ as common factors. Must be at least one correct term inside remaining bracket. |
| $= \frac{1}{3}n(n+1)(n+5)$ | R1 (AO2.1) | Completes fully correct proof. Must have $a=\frac{1}{3}$ and $b=5$. |

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## Question 9(b):

| Answer/Working | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| $\sum_{r=n+1}^{5n}r(r+3) = \sum_{r=1}^{5n}r(r+3) - \sum_{r=1}^{n}r(r+3)$ | M1 (AO1.1a) | Substitutes $5n$ into expression of form $an(n+1)(n+b)$ and subtracts part (a). |
| $= \frac{1}{3}(5n)(5n+1)(5n+5) - \frac{1}{3}n(n+1)(n+5)$ $= \frac{1}{3}n(n+1)(25(5n+1)-(n+5))$ | A1 (AO1.1b) | Obtains correct expression. May be unsimplified. |
| $= \frac{1}{3}n(n+1)(124n+20) = \frac{4}{3}n(n+1)(31n+5)$ | A1 (AO1.1b) | Obtains correct fully factorised expression. |
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\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item Use the standard formulae for $\sum _ { r = 1 } ^ { n } r$ and $\sum _ { r = 1 } ^ { n } r ^ { 2 }$ to show that

$$\sum _ { r = 1 } ^ { n } r ( r + 3 ) = a n ( n + 1 ) ( n + b )$$

where $a$ and $b$ are constants to be determined.\\[0pt]
[4 marks]\\

9
\item Hence, or otherwise, find a fully factorised expression for

$$\sum _ { r = n + 1 } ^ { 5 n } r ( r + 3 )$$

$$\mathbf { A } = \left[ \begin{array} { c c } 
3 & i - 1 \\
i & 2
\end{array} \right]$$
\end{enumerate}

\hfill \mbox{\textit{AQA Further AS Paper 1 2021 Q9 [7]}}