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C4 Ch.1 Partial Fractions Questions

2 x 2 + 5 x − 10 B C
1. ≡A+ +
(x − 1)(x + 2) x −1 x + 2

(a) Find the values of the constants A, B and C.

(4)

2 x 2 + 5 x − 10
(b) Hence, or otherwise, expand in ascending powers of x, as far as the term
(x − 1)(x + 2)
in x2. Give each coefficient as a simplified fraction.
(7)
(Total 11 marks)

4 – 2x A B C
f( x) = = + +
2. (2 x + 1)( x + 1)( x + 3) 2 x + 1 x + 1 x + 3

(a) Find the values of the constants A, B and C.

(4)

(b) (i) Hence find ∫ f( x) dx.

(3)

2
(ii) Find ∫
0
f( x) dx in the form 1n k, where k is a constant.
(3)
(Total 10 marks)

27 x 2 + 32 x + 16 2
3. f ( x) = 2
,x<
(3 x + 2) (1 − x) 3

Given that f(x) can be expressed in the form

A B C
f ( x) = + + ,
(3 x + 2) (3 x + 2) 2
(1 − x)

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(a) find the values of B and C and show that A = 0.

(4)

(b) Hence, or otherwise, find the series expansion of f(x), in ascending powers of x, up to and
including the term in x2. Simplify each term.
(6)

(c) Find the percentage error made in using the series expansion in part (b) to estimate the
value of f (0.2). Give your answer to 2 significant figures.
(4)
(Total 14 marks)

3x − 1
4. f ( x) = x < 12 .
(1 − 2 x) 2

3x − 1 A B
Given that, for x ≠ 12 , = + , where A and B are constants,
(1 − 2 x) 2
(1 − 2 x) (1 − 2 x) 2

(a) find the values of A and B.

(3)

(b) Hence, or otherwise, find the series expansion of f(x), in ascending powers of x, up to and
including the term in x3, simplifying each term.
(6)
(Total 9 marks)

5.

9 + 4x 2
f ( x) = , x ≠ ± 32 .
9 − 4x 2

(a) Find the values of the constants A, B and C such that

B C
f ( x) = A + + , x ≠ ± 32 .
3 + 2x 3 − 2x
(4)

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(b) Hence find the exact value of

1 9 + 4x 2
∫ −1 9 − 4 x 2
dx

(5)
(Total 9 marks)

6. Given that

3 + 5x A B
≡ + ,
(1 + 3 x)(1 − x) 1 + 3 x 1 − x

(a) find the values of the constants A and B.

(3)

(b) Hence, or otherwise, find the series expansion in ascending powers of x, up to and
including the term in x2, of

3 + 5x
.
(1 + 3x)(1 − x)
(5)

(c) State, with a reason, whether your series expansion in part (b) is valid for x = 12 .
(2)
(Total 10 marks)

13 − 2 x
7. (a) Express in partial fractions.
(2 x − 3) ( x + 1)
(4)

(b) Given that y = 4 at x = 2, use your answer to part (a) to find the solution of the differential
equation

dy y (13 − 2 x)
= , x > 1.5
dx (2 x − 3) ( x + 1)

Express your answer in the form y = f(x).

(7)
(Total 11 marks)

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8. The function f is given by

3( x + 1)
f(x) = , x ∈ , x ≠ −2, x ≠ 1.
( x + 2)( x − 1)

(a) Express f(x) in partial fractions.

(3)

(b) Hence, or otherwise, prove that f′(x) < 0 for all values of x in the domain.
(3)
(Total 6 marks)

1 + 14 x 1
9. f(x) = , x < .
(1 − x)(1 + 2 x) 2

(a) Express f(x) in partial fractions.

(3)

1
⌠3
(b) Hence find the exact value of  f ( x) dx , giving your answer in the form ln p, where
⌡ 16
p is rational.
(5)

(c) Use the binomial theorem to expand f(x) in ascending powers of x, up to and including
the term in x3, simplifying each term.
(5)
(Total 13 marks)

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C4 Ch.1 Partial Fractions Mark Schemes

1. (a) A = 2 B1
2 x 2 + 5 x − 10 = A ( x − 1)( x + 2 ) + B ( x + 2 ) + C ( x − 1)
x →1 −3 = 3B ⇒ B = −1 M1 A1

x → −2 −12 = −3C ⇒ C = 4 A1 4

−1
2 x 2 + 5 x − 10  x
= 2 + (1 − x ) + 2 1 + 
−1
(b) M1
( x − 1)( x + 2 )  2

(1 − x )
−1
= 1 + x + x 2 + ... B1
−1
 x x x2
 1 +  = 1 − + + ... B1
 2 2 4

2 x 2 + 5 x − 10  1
= ( 2 + 1 + 2 ) + (1 − 1) x + 1 +  x 2 + ... M1
( x − 1)( x + 2 )  2
= 5 + ... ft their A − B + 12 C A1 ft

3 2
= ... + x + ... 0x stated or implied A1 A1 7
2
[11]

4 – 2x A B C
2. (a) f(x) = = + +
(2 x + 1)( x + 1)( x + 3) 2 x + 1 x + 1 x + 3
4 – 2x = A(x + 1)(x + 3) + B(2x + 1)(x + 3) + C(2x + 1)(x + 1) M1
A method for evaluating one constant M1
x → – 12 , 5 = A ( 12 )( 52 )⇒ A = 4 any one correct constant A1

x → –1, 6 = B(–1)(2) ⇒ B = –3
x → –3 10 = C(–5)(–2) ⇒ C = 1 all three constants correct A1 4

 4 3 1 
(b) (i) ∫  2 x + 1 – x + 1 + x + 3 dx
4
= ln(2 x + 1) – 3 ln( x + 1) + ln( x + 3) + C A1 two
2
ln terms correct M1 A1ft
All three ln terms correct and “+C” ; ft constants A1ft 3

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(ii) [2 ln (2 x + 1) – 3 ln( x + 1) + ln( x + 3)]02

= (2ln 5 – 3ln 3 + ln 5) – (2ln1 – 3ln1 + ln 3) M1
= 3ln5 – 4ln3
 53 
= ln 4 
 M1
3 
 125 
= ln  A1 3
 81 
[10]

3. (a) 27x2 + 32x + 16 ≡ A(3x + 2)(1 – x) + B(1 – x) + C(3x + 2)2Forming

this identity Substitutes either x = – 23 or M1

x = – 23 , 12 – 643 + 16 = (53 ) B ⇒ 203 = (53 ) B ⇒ B = 4 x = 1 into

their identity or equates 3 terms or M1
substitutes in values to write down three
x = 1, 27 + 32 + 16 = 25C ⇒ 75 = 25C ⇒ C =3 simultaneous
equations. Both B = 4 and C = 3 A1
(Note the A1 is dependent on both method marks in
this part.)
27 = – 3A + 9C ⇒ 27 = – 3A + 27 ⇒ 0 = –3A
Equate x2:
⇒ A=0 Compares coefficients
or substitutes in a third x-value or uses simultaneous
x = 0, 16 = 2A + B + 4C equations to show A = 0. B1 4
⇒ 16 = 2A + 4 + 12 ⇒ 0 = 2A ⇒ A = 0

4 3
(b) f(x) = 2
+
(3 x + 2) (1 – x)

= 4(3x + 2)–2 + 3(1 – x)–1 Moving powers to

top on any one of the two expressions M1
[ ]
= 4 2(1 + 32 x) –2 + 3(1 – x) –1

= (1 + 32 x ) + 3(1 – x) –1
–2

 (–2)(–3) 3 x 2 
= 1 1 + (–2)( 32x ); + ( 2 ) + ... Either 1 ± (–2)( 3x2 ); or
 2! 
1 ± (–1)(–x) from either first or second expansions
respectively
Ignoring 1 and 3, any one
 (–1)(–2) 
+ 3 1 + (–1)(– x); + (– x) 2 + ... correct {............} A1
 2! 

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expansion. Both {............} correct. A1

{ } {
= 1 – 3 x + 274 x 2 + ... + 3 1 + x + x 2 + ... }
= 4 + 0 x ; + 394 x 2 4 + (0x) ; 39
4
x2 A1; A1 6

1.08 + 6.4 + 16
(c) Actual = f (0.2) = Attempt to find the
(6.76)(0.8)
actual value of f(0.2)
23.48 2935
= = 4.341715976 ... = or seeing awrt
5.408 676
4.3 and believing it is candidate’s actual f(0.2). M1

Or
4 3
Actual = f (0.2) = 2
+
(3(0.2) + 2) (1 – 0.2)
Candidates can also attempt to
find the actual value by using
A B C
+ +
(3 x + 2) (3 x + 2) 2
(1 – x)

4 2935
= + 3.75 = 4.341715976 ... = with their
6.76 676
A, B and C.

Estimate = f(0.2) = 4 + 394 (0.2) 2 Attempt to find an estimate for M1ft

f(0.2) using their answer to (b)
= 4 + 0.39 = 4.39
4.39 – 4.341715976...
%age error = ×100
4.341715976...
their estimate - actual
×100 M1
actual
= 1.112095408... = 1.1%(2sf) 1.1% A1 cao 4
[14]

4. (a) 3x − 1 ≡ A (1 − 2x) + B
Let x = 1
2
; 3
2
−1 = B ⇒ B − 12 M1
Considers this identity and either substitutes
x = 12 , equates coefficients or solves simultaneous equations

Equate x terms; 3 = −2A ⇒ A = − 3

2
A1;A1 3

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A = − 32 ; B = 12
(No working seen, but A and B correctly stated ⇒ award all
three marks. If one of A or B correctly stated give two out of the
three marks available for this part.)

(b) f ( x) = − 32 (1 − 2 x) −1 + 12 (1 − 2 x) −2 M1
Moving powers to top on any one of the two expressions

 (−1)(−2) (−1)(−2)(−3) 
= − 32 1 + (−1) (−2 x); + (−2 x) 2 + (−2 x) 3 + ... dM1
 2! 3! 
Either 1 ± 2x or 1 ± 4x from either first or second expansions
respectively

 (−2)(−3) (−2)(−3)(−4) 
+ 12 1 + (−2) (−2 x); + (−2 x) 2 + (−2 x) 3 + ...
 2! 3! 
Ignoring − 32 and 12 ,
any one correct
{…………} expansion. A1
Both {………..} correct. A1

3 1
= {1 + 2x + 4x2 + 8x3 + ...} + {1 + 4x + 12x2 + 32x3 + ...}
2 2
= 1 − x ; + 0x2 + 4x3 A1; A1 6
2 3
−1 −x; (0x ) + 4x
[9]

Aliter Way 2
(b) f(x) = (3x − 1)(1 − 2x)−2 M1
Moving power to top

 (−2)(−3) 
1 + (−2)(−2 x); + (−2 x) 2 + 
 2! 
= (3 x − 1) × dM1;
 (−2)(−3)(−4) 3 
 (−2 x) + ... 
 3! 
1 ± 4x;
Ignoring (3x − 1), correct
(…………..) expansion A1

= (3x − 1)(1 + 4x + 12x2 + 32x8 + ...)

−3x + 12x2 +36x3 − 1 − 4x − 12x2 − 32x3+... Correct expansion A1
= −1 − x ; + 0x2 + 4x3 −1 −x; (0x2) + 4x3 A1; A1 6

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Aliter Way 3
(b) Maclaurin expansion
f ( x) = − 32 (1 − 2 x) −1 + 12 (1 − 2 x) −2 M1
Bringing (b) both powers to top

f′(x) = − 3(1 − 2x) −2 + 2(1 − 2x)−3 M1;

Differentiates to give
a(1 − 2x)−2 ± b(1 − 2x)−3;
−3(1 − 2x)−2 + 2(1 − 2x)−3 A1 oe

f″(x) = –12(1 − 2x)−3 + 12(1 − 2x)−4

f″′(x) = − 72(1 − 2x)−4 + 96(1 − 2x)−5 A1
Correct f″(x) and f″′(x)

∴f(0) = −1, f′(0) = −1, f″(0) = 0 and f″′(0) = 24

gives f(x) = −1 − x;+ 0x2 + 4x3 + ... A1; A1 6
2 3
−1 −x; (0x ) + 4x

Aliter Way 4
(b) f (x) = −3(2 − 4x)−1 + 12 (1−2x)−2 M1
Moving powers to top on any one of the two expressions

 −1 −2 (−1)(−2) 
(2) + (−1)(2) (−4 x);+ (2) −3 (−4 x) 2 
 2! 
= − 3  dM1;
 (−1)(−2)(−3) −4 3 
+ (2) (−4 x) + ....
 3! 
Either 12 ± x or 1 ± 4x from either first or second expansions
respectively

 (−2)(−3) (−2)(−3)(−4) 
+ 12 1 + (−2)(−2 x); + (−2 x) 2 + (−2 x) 3 + ...
 2! 3! 
Ignoring −3 and 2 , 1

any one correct

{…………} expansion. A1
Both {………..} correct. A1

=−3 { + x + 2x
1
2
2
} { }
+ 4 x + ... + 12 1 + 4 x + 12 x 2 + 32 x 3 + ....

= 1 − x; +0x2 + 4x3 −1 −x; (0x2) + 4x3 A1; A1 6

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5. (a) 9 + 4 x 2 = −1 + 18 , so A = – 1 B1
9 − 4x 2 (3 + 2 x )(3 − 2 x)
Uses 18 = B(3 – 2x) + C(3 + 2x) and attempts to find B and C M1
B = 3 and C = 3 A1 A1 4
Or
Uses 9 + 4x2 = A(9 – 4x2)+ B(3 – 2x) + C (3 + 2x) and attempts to M1
find A, B and C
A = –1, B = 3 and C = 3 A1, A1, A1 4

(b) Obtains Ax + B ln(3 + 2x) – C ln(3 – 2x) M1 A1

2 2

Substitutes limits and subtracts to give 2A + B ln(5) – C 1n( 15 ) M1 A1ft

2 2
= –2 + 3ln5 or –2 + ln125 A1 5
[9]

6. (a) 3 + 5x ≡ A(1 – x) + B(1 + 3x) Method for A or B M1

(x = 1) ⇒ 8 = 4B B=2 A1
(x = – 3 ) ⇒ 3 = 3 A
1 4 4
A=1 A1 3

(b) 2(1 – x)–1 = 2[1 + x + x2 + … ] M1 [A1]

Use of binomial with n = –1 scores M1(×2)
( −1)( −2 )
(1 + 3x)–1 = [1 – 3x + 2!
(3x)2 + …] M1 [A1]
3 + 5x
∴ = 2 + 2x + 2x2 + 1 – 3x + 9x2 = 3 – x + 11x2 A1 5
(1 − x)(1 + 3 x)

(c) (1 + 3x)–1 requires |x| < 1

3 , so expansion is not valid. M1, A1 2
[10]

A B
7. (a) Uses + M1
(2 x − 3) ( x + 1)
Considers –2x + 13 = A (x + 1) + B (2x –3) and substitutes x = –1 M1
or x = 1.5, or compares coefficients and solves simultaneous equations
To obtain A = 4 and B = –3. A1, A1 4

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