| Exam Board | Edexcel |
|---|---|
| Module | C3 (Core Mathematics 3) |
| Marks | 6 |
| Paper | Download PDF ↗ |
| Mark scheme | Download PDF ↗ |
| Topic | Partial Fractions |
| Type | Simplify then solve or apply |
| Difficulty | Moderate -0.3 Part (a) requires factorising a quadratic denominator and combining algebraic fractions—standard C3 technique. Part (b) is a straightforward linear equation once the fraction is simplified. This is routine algebraic manipulation with no conceptual challenges, making it slightly easier than average for A-level. |
| 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 Q3 [6]}}