Solving Algebraic Fractions (H)

Edexcel Maths GCSE - Solving Algebraic Fractions (H) PhysicsAndMathsTutor.
com
Q1. Simplify fully
....................................
(Total 3 marks)
Q2. Simplify
....................................
(Total 3 marks)
Page 1
Edexcel Maths GCSE - Solving Algebraic Fractions (H) PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
Q3. Simplify fully .
......................................................
(Total 3 marks)
Q4. Write as a single fraction in its simplest form
Page 2
.........................
(Total 4 marks)
Q5. Simplify fully
.................................
(Total 3 marks)
Q6. Simplify fully
Page 3
(Total 3 marks)
Q7. Simplify fully
....................................
(Total 3 marks)
Q8. Simplify fully
Page 4
................................................
(Total 3 marks)
Q9. Simplify
.....................................
(Total 3 marks)
Page 5
M1.
Working Answer Mark Additional Guidance
3 M1 for adding with a common denominator of

12 and at least one equivalent fraction correct
= M1 for or
= A1 for
Total for Question: 3 marks
M2.
3 M1 for (x ± 1)(x ± 1)
M1 for (x ± 1)(x ± 2)
A1 for
Page 6
M3.
3
=
B3 for
(B1 for (x + 1)(2x + 1) and/or B1 for (x + 1)(x – 4))
M4.
4 B1 for x2 – 1 = (x + 1)(x – 1)
M1 for correct process to obtain any

common denominator
M1 for correct expansion and

simplification of numerator
A1 cao
Alternative method
Alternative method
M1 for correct process to obtain any

common denominator
B1 for
Page 7
M1 (dep on first M1) for correct

expansion and simplification of
numerator
A1 cao
M5.
3 M1 attempt to factorise numerator

(at least one bracket correct) or (x ± 5)(x ± 3)
M1 attempt to factorise denominator

(at least one bracket correct) or (x ± 7)(x ± 3)
A1 oe
M6.
Page 8
3 M1 resolution of denominator to 12
M1 expansion and simplification of

brackets
A1 cao
M7.
3
B3 for
(otherwise award B1 for (x – 2)(x + 3) and / or B1 for
(x – 2)( x – 5), which may not appear in the context of a
fraction)
M8.
3 B1 for (x – 3)(x – 5)or x(x – 5)-3(x – 5)

M1 for (2x ± 3)(x ± 5) or 2x(x + 5) ± 3(x + 5) or
2x(x – 5) ± 3(x – 5)
Page 9
A1 for cao as final answer
M9.
3 B1
B1
Page 10
Page 11
Page 12
E1. Many candidates demonstrated little understanding of how to combine the fractions in
this question. A significant proportion could identify that a common denominator of 12 was
appropriate but often they could offer little more of worth. It was not uncommon to
see 7 as the common denominator. The answer was often seen. Unfortunately,
of those candidates who did successfully identify a correct strategy, many made careless
errors in multiplying out brackets and some removed the denominator completely from
their final answers. About one in five candidates scored full marks for their answers.
E2. This question was very poorly answered with only about 5% of candidates obtaining
the correct answer. Only about 10% of candidates attempted to factorise either the
quadratic expression on the top or bottom of the fraction and they were mostly incorrect.
The modal incorrect answer was for candidates who mistakenly cancelled the x² and then
subtracted 2x + 1 from 3x + 2 to give a final answer of x + 1.
E3. About one in seven candidates gained all 3 marks in this question.
Only the better candidates realised the need to factorise the two quadratic expressions
before any attempt at simplification is made.
Of those who did realise this but were unable to complete the question successfully, some
were credited for being able to factorise at least one expression correctly, usually the one
which appeared in the denominator. Many candidates attempted to “cancel” individual
terms which appeared in both the numerator and denominator without factorising.
##
It was very rare indeed for a candidate to spot that the x2 – 1 denominator could be factorised (x
Page 13
+ 1)(x – 1). Instead many began to use (x + 1)(x2 – 1) as the common denominator. Whilst a
single mark was awarded for this correct process, candidates rarely scored further marks due to
difficulties with signs and the lengthy expansion. When using the x2 – 1 denominator,
candidates were very rarely successful subtracting (7x – 3)(x – 1)x in the numerator as the -3
term was incorrectly dealt with.
##
Just over two thirds of the candidates did not understand that factorising was required and
so could not make any inroads into the simplification. Many of these candidates attempted
to simplify by ‘cancelling’ the terms in x2 and/or the terms in x. 32% of the candidates were
able to make a valid attempt at factorising both expressions but 9% of these either made
sign errors in their factorisation or failed to simplify by cancelling the common factor
thereby losing the final mark.
E7. About a fifth of the candidates were able to score full marks on this question. A
significant number of candidates reached the expression but then did not
go on to simply this further, and some, having obtained the correct answer , went
on to incorrectly simplify this to –3/5. The most popular incorrect approach was to start
by cancelling the x2 terms from the expression.
E8. A challenging question for all but the most able candiates. Many did not appreciate
the need to factorize the numerator and denominator and tried to cancel individual terms.
More students gained marks from factorizing the numerator than the denominator, here a
non - unitary x ² coefficient was beyond the reach of all but the best. Pleasingly, the vast
majority of those who reached the final answer did not try to cancel again. There were a
surprising number of attempts to use the quadratic equation formula here.
Page 14
Page 15

Solving Algebraic Fractions (H)

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Solving Algebraic Fractions (H)

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Solving Algebraic Fractions (H)

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Edexcel Maths GCSE - Solving Algebraic Fractions (H) PhysicsAndMathsTutor.

Q1. Simplify fully

Q3. Simplify fully .

Q4. Write as a single fraction in its simplest form

Q5. Simplify fully

Q6. Simplify fully

Q7. Simplify fully

Q8. Simplify fully

Working Answer Mark Additional Guidance

3 M1 for adding with a common denominator of

Total for Question: 3 marks

Working Answer Mark Additional Guidance

Total for Question: 3 marks

Working Answer Mark Additional Guidance

(B1 for (x + 1)(2x + 1) and/or B1 for (x + 1)(x – 4))

Total for Question: 3 marks

Working Answer Mark Additional Guidance

M1 for correct process to obtain any

M1 for correct expansion and

M1 for correct process to obtain any

M1 (dep on first M1) for correct

Total for Question: 4 marks

Working Answer Mark Additional Guidance

3 M1 attempt to factorise numerator

M1 attempt to factorise denominator

Total for Question: 3 marks

Working Answer Mark Additional Guidance

M1 expansion and simplification of

Total for Question: 3 marks

Working Answer Mark Additional Guidance

Total for Question: 3 marks

Working Answer Mark Additional Guidance

3 B1 for (x – 3)(x – 5)or x(x – 5)-3(x – 5)

A1 for cao as final answer

Total for Question: 3 marks

Working Answer Mark Additional Guidance

Total for Question: 3 marks

You might also like