| Exam Board | Edexcel |
|---|---|
| Module | C3 (Core Mathematics 3) |
| Marks | 6 |
| Paper | Download PDF ↗ |
| Topic | Partial Fractions |
| Type | Simplify then solve or apply |
| Difficulty | Moderate -0.3 This is a straightforward partial fractions question requiring factorization of a quadratic (x²+4x-21 = (x-3)(x+7)), combining fractions over a common denominator, then solving a linear equation. The steps are routine and mechanical with no conceptual challenges beyond standard C3 techniques. |
| Spec | 1.02k Simplify rational expressions: factorising, cancelling, algebraic division1.02y Partial fractions: decompose rational functions |
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item Express as a fraction in its simplest form
$$\frac{2}{x-3} + \frac{13}{x^2 + 4x - 21}.$$ [3]
\item Hence solve
$$\frac{2}{x-3} + \frac{13}{x^2 + 4x - 21} = 1.$$ [3]
\end{enumerate}
\hfill \mbox{\textit{Edexcel C3 Q29 [6]}}