OCR FP1 2013 January — Question 2 6 marks

Exam BoardOCR
ModuleFP1 (Further Pure Mathematics 1)
Year2013
SessionJanuary
Marks6
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicSequences and series, recurrence and convergence
TypeStandard summation formulae application
DifficultyModerate -0.3 This is a straightforward summation question requiring expansion to r²-1, then applying standard summation formulas. While it's FP1, the technique is mechanical and the factorisation at the end is routine, making it slightly easier than an average A-level question despite being Further Maths content.
Spec4.06a Summation formulae: sum of r, r^2, r^3

Find \(\sum_{r=1}^{n} (r-1)(r+1)\), giving your answer in a fully factorised form. [6]

AnswerMarks Guidance
Answer: \(\frac{1}{6}n(n+1)(2n+1)-n\) or \(\frac{1}{6}n(2n+5)(n-1)\)M1*, DM1, A1; DM1, A2 [6] Attempt to expand \((r-1)(r+1)\); Use standard result for \(\sum r^2\); Obtain correct unsimplified answer; Attempt to factorise; Obtain completely correct answer. Allow A1 if one bracket still contains a common factor
Answer: $\frac{1}{6}n(n+1)(2n+1)-n$ or $\frac{1}{6}n(2n+5)(n-1)$ | M1*, DM1, A1; DM1, A2 [6] | Attempt to expand $(r-1)(r+1)$; Use standard result for $\sum r^2$; Obtain correct unsimplified answer; Attempt to factorise; Obtain completely correct answer. Allow A1 if one bracket still contains a common factor
Find $\sum_{r=1}^{n} (r-1)(r+1)$, giving your answer in a fully factorised form. [6]

\hfill \mbox{\textit{OCR FP1 2013 Q2 [6]}}