4.06b Method of differences: telescoping series

262 questions

Sort by: Default | Easiest first | Hardest first
Edexcel FP2 2013 June Q1
5 marks Moderate -0.3
  1. (a) Express \(\frac { 2 } { ( 2 r + 1 ) ( 2 r + 3 ) }\) in partial fractions.
    (b) Using your answer to (a), find, in terms of \(n\),
$$\sum _ { r = 1 } ^ { n } \frac { 3 } { ( 2 r + 1 ) ( 2 r + 3 ) }$$ Give your answer as a single fraction in its simplest form.
Edexcel FP2 2014 June Q1
5 marks Standard +0.8
  1. (a) Express \(\frac { 2 } { 4 r ^ { 2 } - 1 }\) in partial fractions.
    (b) Hence use the method of differences to show that
$$\sum _ { r = 1 } ^ { n } \frac { 1 } { 4 r ^ { 2 } - 1 } = \frac { n } { 2 n + 1 }$$
Edexcel FP2 2014 June Q1
6 marks Standard +0.3
  1. (a) Express \(\frac { 2 } { ( r + 2 ) ( r + 4 ) }\) in partial fractions.
    (b) Hence show that
$$\sum _ { r = 1 } ^ { n } \frac { 2 } { ( r + 2 ) ( r + 4 ) } = \frac { n ( 7 n + 25 ) } { 12 ( n + 3 ) ( n + 4 ) }$$
Edexcel FP2 2015 June Q4
7 marks Standard +0.8
4. (a) Show that $$r ^ { 2 } ( r + 1 ) ^ { 2 } - ( r - 1 ) ^ { 2 } r ^ { 2 } \equiv 4 r ^ { 3 }$$ Given that \(\sum _ { r = 1 } ^ { n } r = \frac { 1 } { 2 } n ( n + 1 )\) (b) use the identity in (a) and the method of differences to show that $$\left( 1 ^ { 3 } + 2 ^ { 3 } + 3 ^ { 3 } + \ldots + n ^ { 3 } \right) = ( 1 + 2 + 3 + \ldots + n ) ^ { 2 }$$
Edexcel FP2 2016 June Q2
7 marks Standard +0.8
2. (a) Show that, for \(r > 0\) $$r - 3 + \frac { 1 } { r + 1 } - \frac { 1 } { r + 2 } = \frac { r ^ { 3 } - 7 r - 5 } { ( r + 1 ) ( r + 2 ) }$$ (b) Hence prove, using the method of differences, that $$\sum _ { r = 1 } ^ { n } \frac { r ^ { 3 } - 7 r - 5 } { ( r + 1 ) ( r + 2 ) } = \frac { n \left( n ^ { 2 } + a n + b \right) } { 2 ( n + 2 ) }$$ where \(a\) and \(b\) are constants to be found.
Edexcel FP2 2017 June Q1
7 marks Challenging +1.2
  1. (a) Show that, for \(r > 0\)
$$\frac { 1 } { r ^ { 2 } } - \frac { 1 } { ( r + 1 ) ^ { 2 } } \equiv \frac { 2 r + 1 } { r ^ { 2 } ( r + 1 ) ^ { 2 } }$$ (b) Hence prove that, for \(n \in \mathbb { N }\) $$\sum _ { r = 1 } ^ { n } \frac { 2 r + 1 } { r ^ { 2 } ( r + 1 ) ^ { 2 } } = \frac { n ( n + 2 ) } { ( n + 1 ) ^ { 2 } }$$ (c) Show that, for \(n \in \mathbb { N } , n > 1\) $$\sum _ { r = n } ^ { 3 n } \frac { 6 r + 3 } { r ^ { 2 } ( r + 1 ) ^ { 2 } } = \frac { a n ^ { 2 } + b n + c } { n ^ { 2 } ( 3 n + 1 ) ^ { 2 } }$$ where \(a , b\) and \(c\) are constants to be found.
Edexcel FP2 2018 June Q1
8 marks Standard +0.3
  1. (a) Express \(\frac { 1 } { ( r + 3 ) ( r + 4 ) }\) in partial fractions.
    (b) Hence, using the method of differences, show that
$$\sum _ { r = 1 } ^ { n } \frac { 1 } { ( r + 3 ) ( r + 4 ) } = \frac { n } { a ( n + a ) }$$ where \(a\) is a constant to be found.
(c) Find the exact value of \(\sum _ { r = 15 } ^ { 30 } \frac { 1 } { ( r + 3 ) ( r + 4 ) }\) uestion 1 continued \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{5aa7f449-215b-4a21-9fdc-df55d26abc9d-05_29_40_182_1914} \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{5aa7f449-215b-4a21-9fdc-df55d26abc9d-05_33_37_201_1914}
□ D D D " "
Edexcel FP2 Q2
5 marks Standard +0.3
2. (a) Express \(\frac { 2 } { ( 2 r + 1 ) ( 2 r + 3 ) }\) in partial fractions.
(b) Hence prove that \(\sum _ { r = 1 } ^ { n } \frac { 2 } { ( 2 r + 1 ) ( 2 r + 3 ) } = \frac { 2 n } { 3 ( 2 n + 3 ) }\).
Edexcel FP2 Specimen Q2
5 marks Standard +0.8
  1. (a) Express as a simplified single fraction \(\frac { 1 } { r ^ { 2 } } - \frac { 1 } { ( r + 1 ) ^ { 2 } }\) (b) Hence prove, by the method of differences, that
$$\sum _ { r = 1 } ^ { n } \frac { 2 r + 1 } { r ^ { 2 } ( r + 1 ) ^ { 2 } } = 1 - \frac { 1 } { ( n + 1 ) ^ { 2 } }$$
Edexcel F2 2021 October Q9
9 marks Standard +0.8
  1. (a) Show that
$$n ^ { 5 } - ( n - 1 ) ^ { 5 } \equiv 5 n ^ { 4 } - 10 n ^ { 3 } + 10 n ^ { 2 } - 5 n + 1$$ (b) Hence, using the method of differences, show that for all integer values of \(n\), $$\sum _ { r = 1 } ^ { n } r ^ { 4 } = \frac { 1 } { 30 } n ( n + 1 ) ( 2 n + 1 ) \left( a n ^ { 2 } + b n + c \right)$$ where \(a\), \(b\) and \(c\) are integers to be determined.
Edexcel F2 2018 Specimen Q2
5 marks Standard +0.8
  1. (a) Express \(\frac { 1 } { ( r + 6 ) ( r + 8 ) }\) in partial fractions.
    (b) Hence show that
$$\sum _ { r = 1 } ^ { n } \frac { 2 } { ( r + 6 ) ( r + 8 ) } = \frac { n ( a n + b ) } { 56 ( n + 7 ) ( n + 8 ) }$$ where \(a\) and \(b\) are integers to be found.
VIIN SIHI NI JIIIM IONOOVIIV SIHI NI III HM ION OOVI4V SIHI NI JIIIM IONOO
OCR FP1 2006 January Q9
10 marks Standard +0.3
9
  1. Show that \(\frac { 1 } { r } - \frac { 1 } { r + 2 } = \frac { 2 } { r ( r + 2 ) }\).
  2. Hence find an expression, in terms of \(n\), for $$\frac { 2 } { 1 \times 3 } + \frac { 2 } { 2 \times 4 } + \ldots + \frac { 2 } { n ( n + 2 ) }$$
  3. Hence find the value of
    1. \(\sum _ { r = 1 } ^ { \infty } \frac { 2 } { r ( r + 2 ) }\),
    2. \(\sum _ { r = n + 1 } ^ { \infty } \frac { 2 } { r ( r + 2 ) }\).
OCR FP1 2007 January Q8
8 marks Standard +0.8
8
  1. Show that \(( r + 2 ) ! - ( r + 1 ) ! = ( r + 1 ) ^ { 2 } \times r !\).
  2. Hence find an expression, in terms of \(n\), for $$2 ^ { 2 } \times 1 ! + 3 ^ { 2 } \times 2 ! + 4 ^ { 2 } \times 3 ! + \ldots + ( n + 1 ) ^ { 2 } \times n ! .$$
  3. State, giving a brief reason, whether the series $$2 ^ { 2 } \times 1 ! + 3 ^ { 2 } \times 2 ! + 4 ^ { 2 } \times 3 ! + \ldots$$ converges.
OCR FP1 2008 January Q9
8 marks Standard +0.8
9
  1. Show that \(\alpha ^ { 3 } + \beta ^ { 3 } = ( \alpha + \beta ) ^ { 3 } - 3 \alpha \beta ( \alpha + \beta )\).
  2. The quadratic equation \(x ^ { 2 } - 5 x + 7 = 0\) has roots \(\alpha\) and \(\beta\). Find a quadratic equation with roots \(\alpha ^ { 3 }\) and \(\beta ^ { 3 }\).
  3. Show that \(\frac { 2 } { r } - \frac { 1 } { r + 1 } - \frac { 1 } { r + 2 } = \frac { 3 r + 4 } { r ( r + 1 ) ( r + 2 ) }\).
  4. Hence find an expression, in terms of \(n\), for $$\sum _ { r = 1 } ^ { n } \frac { 3 r + 4 } { r ( r + 1 ) ( r + 2 ) }$$
  5. Hence write down the value of \(\sum _ { r = 1 } ^ { \infty } \frac { 3 r + 4 } { r ( r + 1 ) ( r + 2 ) }\).
  6. Given that \(\sum _ { r = N + 1 } ^ { \infty } \frac { 3 r + 4 } { r ( r + 1 ) ( r + 2 ) } = \frac { 7 } { 10 }\), find the value of \(N\).
OCR FP1 2006 June Q9
10 marks Moderate -0.5
9
  1. Use the method of differences to show that $$\sum _ { r = 1 } ^ { n } \left\{ ( r + 1 ) ^ { 3 } - r ^ { 3 } \right\} = ( n + 1 ) ^ { 3 } - 1$$
  2. Show that \(( r + 1 ) ^ { 3 } - r ^ { 3 } \equiv 3 r ^ { 2 } + 3 r + 1\).
  3. Use the results in parts (i) and (ii) and the standard result for \(\sum _ { r = 1 } ^ { n } r\) to show that $$3 \sum _ { r = 1 } ^ { n } r ^ { 2 } = \frac { 1 } { 2 } n ( n + 1 ) ( 2 n + 1 )$$
OCR FP1 2007 June Q5
7 marks Standard +0.3
5
  1. Show that $$\frac { 1 } { r } - \frac { 1 } { r + 1 } = \frac { 1 } { r ( r + 1 ) }$$
  2. Hence find an expression, in terms of \(n\), for $$\frac { 1 } { 2 } + \frac { 1 } { 6 } + \frac { 1 } { 12 } + \ldots + \frac { 1 } { n ( n + 1 ) }$$
  3. Hence find the value of \(\sum _ { r = n + 1 } ^ { \infty } \frac { 1 } { r ( r + 1 ) }\).
OCR FP1 2008 June Q3
6 marks Standard +0.3
3
  1. Show that \(\frac { 1 } { r ! } - \frac { 1 } { ( r + 1 ) ! } = \frac { r } { ( r + 1 ) ! }\).
  2. Hence find an expression, in terms of \(n\), for $$\frac { 1 } { 2 ! } + \frac { 2 } { 3 ! } + \frac { 3 } { 4 ! } + \ldots + \frac { n } { ( n + 1 ) ! }$$
OCR FP1 2013 June Q9
8 marks Standard +0.3
9
  1. Show that \(\frac { 1 } { 3 r - 1 } - \frac { 1 } { 3 r + 2 } \equiv \frac { 3 } { ( 3 r - 1 ) ( 3 r + 2 ) }\).
  2. Hence show that \(\sum _ { r = 1 } ^ { 2 n } \frac { 1 } { ( 3 r - 1 ) ( 3 r + 2 ) } = \frac { n } { 2 ( 3 n + 1 ) }\).
OCR FP1 Specimen Q5
8 marks Standard +0.8
5
  1. Show that $$\frac { 1 } { 2 r - 1 } - \frac { 1 } { 2 r + 1 } = \frac { 2 } { 4 r ^ { 2 } - 1 }$$
  2. Hence find an expression in terms of \(n\) for $$\frac { 2 } { 3 } + \frac { 2 } { 15 } + \frac { 2 } { 35 } + \ldots + \frac { 2 } { 4 n ^ { 2 } - 1 }$$
  3. State the value of
    1. \(\quad \sum _ { r = 1 } ^ { \infty } \frac { 2 } { 4 r ^ { 2 } - 1 }\),
    2. \(\quad \sum _ { r = n + 1 } ^ { \infty } \frac { 2 } { 4 r ^ { 2 } - 1 }\).
OCR MEI FP1 2005 January Q2
6 marks Moderate -0.5
2
  1. Show that \(\frac { 1 } { r + 1 } - \frac { 1 } { r + 2 } = \frac { 1 } { ( r + 1 ) ( r + 2 ) }\).
  2. Hence use the method of differences to find the sum of the series $$\sum _ { r = 1 } ^ { n } \frac { 1 } { ( r + 1 ) ( r + 2 ) }$$
OCR MEI FP1 2005 June Q7
6 marks Moderate -0.5
7 Find \(\sum _ { r = 1 } ^ { n } 3 r ( r - 1 )\), expressing your answer in a fully factorised form.
OCR MEI FP1 2005 June Q10
12 marks Standard +0.3
10
  1. You are given that $$\frac { 2 } { r ( r + 1 ) ( r + 2 ) } = \frac { 1 } { r } - \frac { 2 } { r + 1 } + \frac { 1 } { r + 2 }$$ Use the method of differences to show that $$\sum _ { r = 1 } ^ { n } \frac { 2 } { r ( r + 1 ) ( r + 2 ) } = \frac { 1 } { 2 } - \frac { 1 } { ( n + 1 ) ( n + 2 ) }$$
  2. Hence find the sum of the infinite series $$\frac { 1 } { 1 \times 2 \times 3 } + \frac { 1 } { 2 \times 3 \times 4 } + \frac { 1 } { 3 \times 4 \times 5 } + \ldots$$
OCR MEI FP1 2008 June Q7
7 marks Standard +0.3
7
  1. Show that \(\frac { 1 } { 3 r - 1 } - \frac { 1 } { 3 r + 2 } \equiv \frac { 3 } { ( 3 r - 1 ) ( 3 r + 2 ) }\) for all integers \(r\).
  2. Hence use the method of differences to find \(\sum _ { r = 1 } ^ { n } \frac { 1 } { ( 3 r - 1 ) ( 3 r + 2 ) }\). Section B (36 marks)
OCR MEI FP2 2006 January Q2
18 marks Challenging +1.2
2 In this question, \(\theta\) is a real number with \(0 < \theta < \frac { 1 } { 6 } \pi\), and \(w = \frac { 1 } { 2 } \mathrm { e } ^ { 3 \mathrm { j } \theta }\).
  1. State the modulus and argument of each of the complex numbers $$w , \quad w ^ { * } \quad \text { and } \quad \mathrm { j } w .$$ Illustrate these three complex numbers on an Argand diagram.
  2. Show that \(( 1 + w ) \left( 1 + w ^ { * } \right) = \frac { 5 } { 4 } + \cos 3 \theta\). Infinite series \(C\) and \(S\) are defined by $$\begin{aligned} & C = \cos 2 \theta - \frac { 1 } { 2 } \cos 5 \theta + \frac { 1 } { 4 } \cos 8 \theta - \frac { 1 } { 8 } \cos 11 \theta + \ldots \\ & S = \sin 2 \theta - \frac { 1 } { 2 } \sin 5 \theta + \frac { 1 } { 4 } \sin 8 \theta - \frac { 1 } { 8 } \sin 11 \theta + \ldots \end{aligned}$$
  3. Show that \(C = \frac { 4 \cos 2 \theta + 2 \cos \theta } { 5 + 4 \cos 3 \theta }\), and find a similar expression for \(S\).
OCR MEI FP2 2008 January Q2
18 marks Challenging +1.2
2
  1. Find the 4th roots of 16j, in the form \(r \mathrm { e } ^ { \mathrm { j } \theta }\) where \(r > 0\) and \(- \pi < \theta \leqslant \pi\). Illustrate the 4th roots on an Argand diagram.
    1. Show that \(\left( 1 - 2 \mathrm { e } ^ { \mathrm { j } \theta } \right) \left( 1 - 2 \mathrm { e } ^ { - \mathrm { j } \theta } \right) = 5 - 4 \cos \theta\). Series \(C\) and \(S\) are defined by $$\begin{aligned} & C = 2 \cos \theta + 4 \cos 2 \theta + 8 \cos 3 \theta + \ldots + 2 ^ { n } \cos n \theta \\ & S = 2 \sin \theta + 4 \sin 2 \theta + 8 \sin 3 \theta + \ldots + 2 ^ { n } \sin n \theta \end{aligned}$$
    2. Show that \(C = \frac { 2 \cos \theta - 4 - 2 ^ { n + 1 } \cos ( n + 1 ) \theta + 2 ^ { n + 2 } \cos n \theta } { 5 - 4 \cos \theta }\), and find a similar expression for \(S\).