Edexcel P2 2023 October — Question 10 12 marks

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleP2 (Pure Mathematics 2)
Year2023
SessionOctober
Marks12
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicBinomial Theorem (positive integer n)
TypeCoefficients in arithmetic/geometric progression
DifficultyStandard +0.3 This is a straightforward multi-part question combining standard binomial expansion (finding specific terms using nCr formula) with basic geometric series properties. Part (i)(b) requires setting up a simple equation from the GP condition, and part (ii) uses standard sum to infinity formula leading to a quadratic in cos θ. All techniques are routine P2 content with no novel insight required, making it slightly easier than average.
Spec1.04a Binomial expansion: (a+b)^n for positive integer n1.04j Sum to infinity: convergent geometric series |r|<1

  1. (i) (a) Find, in ascending powers of \(x\), the 2nd, 3rd and 5th terms of the binomial expansion of
$$( 3 + 2 x ) ^ { 6 }$$ For a particular value of \(x\), these three terms form consecutive terms in a geometric series.
(b) Find this value of \(x\).
(ii) In a different geometric series,
  • the first term is \(\sin ^ { 2 } \theta\)
  • the common ratio is \(2 \cos \theta\)
  • the sum to infinity is \(\frac { 8 } { 5 }\) (a) Show that
$$5 \cos ^ { 2 } \theta - 16 \cos \theta + 3 = 0$$ (b) Hence find the exact value of the 2nd term in the series.

Question 10:
Part (i)(a):
AnswerMarks Guidance
WorkingMark Guidance
\((3+2x)^6\): any correct form for any term of \({}^6C_1 3^5(2x)^1\) or \({}^6C_2 3^4(2x)^2\) or \({}^6C_4 3^2(2x)^4\)M1 Attempt at binomial expansion to find one required term; condone omission of brackets on \(2x\) terms
Any two correct: \(t(2)=6\times3^5\times(2x)^1\), \(t(3)=15\times3^4\times(2x)^2\), \(t(5)=15\times3^2\times(2x)^4\)A1 Any two correct terms simplified or not; \({}^6C_2\) must be numerical
All 3 terms correct: 2nd term \(= 2916x\), 3rd term \(= 4860x^2\), 5th term \(= 2160x^4\)A1 All three terms correct and simplified
Part (i)(b):
AnswerMarks Guidance
WorkingMark Guidance
Method using consecutive terms of a GP: \(\frac{2160x^4}{4860x^2} = \frac{4860x^2}{2916x}\)M1 Method using ratio of consecutive terms of GP
\(\Rightarrow x = ...\)dM1 Proceeds to solve for \(x\)
\(\Rightarrow x = \frac{15}{4}\)A1 Correct value
Part (ii)(a):
AnswerMarks Guidance
WorkingMark Guidance
Attempts to use \(S_\infty = \frac{a}{1-r} \Rightarrow \frac{8}{5} = \frac{\sin^2\theta}{1-2\cos\theta}\)M1
\(\Rightarrow \frac{8}{5} = \frac{1-\cos^2\theta}{1-2\cos\theta}\)dM1 Uses \(\sin^2\theta = 1-\cos^2\theta\)
\(\Rightarrow 8 - 16\cos\theta = 5 - 5\cos^2\theta\)
\(\Rightarrow 5\cos^2\theta - 16\cos\theta + 3 = 0\)A1* Shown with sufficient working
Part (ii)(b):
AnswerMarks Guidance
WorkingMark Guidance
Solves \(5\cos^2\theta - 16\cos\theta + 3 = 0 \Rightarrow \cos\theta = \frac{1}{5}\)B1
Attempts \(ar = \sin^2\theta \times 2\cos\theta = \left(1-\left(\frac{1}{5}\right)^2\right) \times 2 \times \frac{1}{5}\)M1
\(= \frac{48}{125}\)A1
Question (i)(b):
AnswerMarks Guidance
Answer/WorkingMark Guidance
Uses 2nd, 3rd and 5th terms of binomial expansion as consecutive GP terms to set up equation in \(x\)M1 Common ways: \(\frac{"2160x^4"}{" 4860x^2"} = \frac{"4860x^2"}{" 2916x"}\), or \(\frac{"4860x^2"}{" 2160x^4"} = \frac{"2916x"}{" 4860x^2"}\), or \("2160x^4" = \frac{"4860x^2"}{" 2916x"} \times "4860x^2"\). Condone slips e.g. 2196 for 2916. Must use 2nd, 3rd and 5th terms only.
Proceeds to equation of form \(...x = ...\)dM1 Dependent on first M1; must have correct index on powers of \(x\)
\(x = \dfrac{15}{4}\) or exact equivalentA1 Condone extra \(x = 0\)
Question (ii)(a):
AnswerMarks Guidance
Answer/WorkingMark Guidance
Attempts \(S_\infty = \dfrac{a}{1-r} \Rightarrow \dfrac{8}{5} = \dfrac{\sin^2\theta}{1 - 2\cos\theta}\)M1 Condone slips only; formula must be correct. Allow different parameter e.g. \(\theta \leftrightarrow x\)
Uses identity \(\sin^2\theta = 1 - \cos^2\theta\) to form equation in just \(\cos\theta\)dM1
Completes proof with sufficient working, final line correct and includes \(= 0\)A1* Condone one slip in notation e.g. \(\sin\theta^2 \leftrightarrow \sin^2\theta\), \(\cos \leftrightarrow \cos\theta\), but final line must be correct
Question (ii)(b):
AnswerMarks Guidance
Answer/WorkingMark Guidance
States or uses \(\cos\theta = \dfrac{1}{5}\)B1
Attempts \(ar = \sin^2\theta \times 2\cos\theta = \left(1 - \left(\dfrac{1}{5}\right)^{"2"}\right) \times 2 \times "\dfrac{1}{5}"\)M1 Alternatively: finds \(\theta\) from \(\cos\theta = \dfrac{1}{5}\) and substitutes into \(ar = \sin^2\theta \times 2\cos\theta\)
\(\dfrac{48}{125}\) or exact equivalent, e.g. \(0.384\)A1 Cannot score by rounding a non-exact answer or from a decimal value of \(\theta\). Answers of \(\dfrac{48}{125}\) achieved using \(\theta = 78.46...\) do not score this A1
# Question 10:

## Part (i)(a):
| Working | Mark | Guidance |
|---------|------|----------|
| $(3+2x)^6$: any correct form for any term of ${}^6C_1 3^5(2x)^1$ or ${}^6C_2 3^4(2x)^2$ or ${}^6C_4 3^2(2x)^4$ | M1 | Attempt at binomial expansion to find one required term; condone omission of brackets on $2x$ terms |
| Any two correct: $t(2)=6\times3^5\times(2x)^1$, $t(3)=15\times3^4\times(2x)^2$, $t(5)=15\times3^2\times(2x)^4$ | A1 | Any two correct terms simplified or not; ${}^6C_2$ must be numerical |
| All 3 terms correct: 2nd term $= 2916x$, 3rd term $= 4860x^2$, 5th term $= 2160x^4$ | A1 | All three terms correct and simplified |

## Part (i)(b):
| Working | Mark | Guidance |
|---------|------|----------|
| Method using consecutive terms of a GP: $\frac{2160x^4}{4860x^2} = \frac{4860x^2}{2916x}$ | M1 | Method using ratio of consecutive terms of GP |
| $\Rightarrow x = ...$ | dM1 | Proceeds to solve for $x$ |
| $\Rightarrow x = \frac{15}{4}$ | A1 | Correct value |

## Part (ii)(a):
| Working | Mark | Guidance |
|---------|------|----------|
| Attempts to use $S_\infty = \frac{a}{1-r} \Rightarrow \frac{8}{5} = \frac{\sin^2\theta}{1-2\cos\theta}$ | M1 | |
| $\Rightarrow \frac{8}{5} = \frac{1-\cos^2\theta}{1-2\cos\theta}$ | dM1 | Uses $\sin^2\theta = 1-\cos^2\theta$ |
| $\Rightarrow 8 - 16\cos\theta = 5 - 5\cos^2\theta$ | | |
| $\Rightarrow 5\cos^2\theta - 16\cos\theta + 3 = 0$ | A1* | Shown with sufficient working |

## Part (ii)(b):
| Working | Mark | Guidance |
|---------|------|----------|
| Solves $5\cos^2\theta - 16\cos\theta + 3 = 0 \Rightarrow \cos\theta = \frac{1}{5}$ | B1 | |
| Attempts $ar = \sin^2\theta \times 2\cos\theta = \left(1-\left(\frac{1}{5}\right)^2\right) \times 2 \times \frac{1}{5}$ | M1 | |
| $= \frac{48}{125}$ | A1 | |

## Question (i)(b):

| Answer/Working | Mark | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Uses 2nd, 3rd and 5th terms of binomial expansion as consecutive GP terms to set up equation in $x$ | M1 | Common ways: $\frac{"2160x^4"}{" 4860x^2"} = \frac{"4860x^2"}{" 2916x"}$, or $\frac{"4860x^2"}{" 2160x^4"} = \frac{"2916x"}{" 4860x^2"}$, or $"2160x^4" = \frac{"4860x^2"}{" 2916x"} \times "4860x^2"$. Condone slips e.g. 2196 for 2916. Must use 2nd, 3rd and 5th terms only. |
| Proceeds to equation of form $...x = ...$ | dM1 | Dependent on first M1; must have correct index on powers of $x$ |
| $x = \dfrac{15}{4}$ or exact equivalent | A1 | Condone extra $x = 0$ |

---

## Question (ii)(a):

| Answer/Working | Mark | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Attempts $S_\infty = \dfrac{a}{1-r} \Rightarrow \dfrac{8}{5} = \dfrac{\sin^2\theta}{1 - 2\cos\theta}$ | M1 | Condone slips only; formula must be correct. Allow different parameter e.g. $\theta \leftrightarrow x$ |
| Uses identity $\sin^2\theta = 1 - \cos^2\theta$ to form equation in just $\cos\theta$ | dM1 | |
| Completes proof with sufficient working, final line correct and includes $= 0$ | A1* | Condone one slip in notation e.g. $\sin\theta^2 \leftrightarrow \sin^2\theta$, $\cos \leftrightarrow \cos\theta$, but final line must be correct |

---

## Question (ii)(b):

| Answer/Working | Mark | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| States or uses $\cos\theta = \dfrac{1}{5}$ | B1 | |
| Attempts $ar = \sin^2\theta \times 2\cos\theta = \left(1 - \left(\dfrac{1}{5}\right)^{"2"}\right) \times 2 \times "\dfrac{1}{5}"$ | M1 | Alternatively: finds $\theta$ from $\cos\theta = \dfrac{1}{5}$ and substitutes into $ar = \sin^2\theta \times 2\cos\theta$ |
| $\dfrac{48}{125}$ or exact equivalent, e.g. $0.384$ | A1 | Cannot score by rounding a non-exact answer or from a decimal value of $\theta$. Answers of $\dfrac{48}{125}$ achieved using $\theta = 78.46...$ do not score this A1 |
\begin{enumerate}
  \item (i) (a) Find, in ascending powers of $x$, the 2nd, 3rd and 5th terms of the binomial expansion of
\end{enumerate}

$$( 3 + 2 x ) ^ { 6 }$$

For a particular value of $x$, these three terms form consecutive terms in a geometric series.\\
(b) Find this value of $x$.\\
(ii) In a different geometric series,

\begin{itemize}
  \item the first term is $\sin ^ { 2 } \theta$
  \item the common ratio is $2 \cos \theta$
  \item the sum to infinity is $\frac { 8 } { 5 }$\\
(a) Show that
\end{itemize}

$$5 \cos ^ { 2 } \theta - 16 \cos \theta + 3 = 0$$

(b) Hence find the exact value of the 2nd term in the series.

\hfill \mbox{\textit{Edexcel P2 2023 Q10 [12]}}