| Exam Board | OCR MEI |
|---|---|
| Module | C1 (Core Mathematics 1) |
| Marks | 5 |
| Paper | Download PDF ↗ |
| Mark scheme | Download PDF ↗ |
| Topic | Discriminant and conditions for roots |
| Type | Find range for no real roots |
| Difficulty | Moderate -0.8 Part (i) is a straightforward factorisation requiring only basic algebraic manipulation. Part (ii) applies the discriminant condition for no real roots, which is a standard C1 technique requiring minimal problem-solving. Both parts are routine textbook exercises with clear, well-practiced methods, making this easier than average for A-level. |
| Spec | 1.02d Quadratic functions: graphs and discriminant conditions1.02f Solve quadratic equations: including in a function of unknown |
| Answer | Marks |
|---|---|
| 1 | (i)0 or −3/2 o.e. |
| (ii)k < −9/8 o.e. www | 2 |
| 3 | 1 each |
| Answer | Marks |
|---|---|
| for k > 9/8 | 5 |
Question 1:
1 | (i)0 or −3/2 o.e.
(ii)k < −9/8 o.e. www | 2
3 | 1 each
M2 for 32 (−)(−8k) < 0 o.e. or −9/8 found
or M1 for attempted use of
b2 − 4ac (may be in quadratic formula);
SC: allow M1 for 9 − 8k < 0 and M1 ft
for k > 9/8 | 5\begin{enumerate}[label=(\roman*)]
\item Solve the equation $2x^2 + 3x = 0$. [2]
\item Find the set of values of $k$ for which the equation $2x^2 + 3x - k = 0$ has no real roots. [3]
\end{enumerate}
\hfill \mbox{\textit{OCR MEI C1 Q1 [5]}}