Mark schemes

Q1.

2x +
B1
[1]

Q2.
(a) x2 + 5x − 5x − 25
Must see full correct expansion
B1

(b) (3x + p)(x + q) where pq = ±20

M1

(3x − 4)(x − 5) in numerator

A1

Do not ignore further working ie max 2 marks if any further

working
A1
[4]

Q3.

This mark is for combining fractions or if fractions dealt with

separately, for combining n2 terms correctly

is B0 as incorrect combining of fractions

B1

This mark is for eliminating −n and n either by showing by

crossing or writing on same line and writing next line without
them

B1

This mark is for cancelling 2 top and bottom

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 B1

Alternative Method

((n − 1) + (n + 1))
This mark is for factorising out a common factor.

(n − 1 + n + 1) is B0 as incorrect factorisation
B1

(2n)
This mark is for combining terms inside bracket correctly
B1

n2
1n2 is OK
B1
[3]

Q4.
x(x + 3)
M1

(x + 3)(5x – 4)
or (x + a)(5x + b)
where ab = ±12 or 5a + b = 11
M1

Do not allow further working

A1
[3]

Q5.
6(x + 3) or (–)2(x – 2)
or 6x + 18 or 2x – 4 or –2x + 4
or (x – 2)(x + 3)
M1

6x + 18 – 2x + 4
or 4x + 22
or x2 – 2x + 3x – 6
or x2 + x – 6
allow three correct terms after expansion
ignore RHS and denominator
allow three correct terms after expansion as denominator or

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 RHS
M1

x2 – 3x – 28 = 0
A1

(x – 7)(x + 4) (= 0)
correct method to solve their quadratic equation by
correct substitution into the quadratic formula
or correct completion of the square
or correct factorisation
M1

(x =) 7 and (x =) – 4
SC2 (x =) 7 or (x =) – 4
A1

Additional Guidance

Correct substitution into quadratic formula

[5]

Q6.
(a) (2x ± a)(x ± b)
ab = ± 3
M1

(2x − 3)(x + 1)
Ignore non contradictory further work such as solving the
quadratic
A1

(b) (2x − 3)(2x + 3)

B1

Do not award if incorrect further work.

ft their (a) if common factor cancelled eg (a) = (2x + 3)(x − 1)

answer is
B1ft
[4]

Q7.

7x + =9

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 or 7(x + 2) + 10 = (x + 2)

or 7 + − =0
M1 for equating two correct fractions

Also M1 for
M1

7x(x + 2) + 10x = 9(x + 2)

oe
M1 dep

7x2 + 14x + 10x = 9x + 18

or 7x2 + 14x + 10x − 9x − 18 = 0

A1
[3]

Q8.
(x + 6)(x − 2)
B1

(x + 5)(x − 5)
B1

x(x − 5)
B1

Must have attempted to factorise at least two of the above

M1

A0 if incorrect further work seen

A1
[5]

Q9.

(a)

B2 Any two of these three components

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 ○ numerator having c5 (no c in denominator)
○ denominator having d3 (no d in numerator)
or numerator having d−3 (no d in denominator)

○ number or 0.4
B1 Any one of these three components
○ numerator having c5 (no c in denominator)
○ denominator having d3 (no d in numerator)
or numerator having d−3 (no d in denominator)

○ number or 0.4
or

Always award SC1 if this is their final answer even

if seen in working
B3
(b) (m + 1)(m – 4) or m² − 3m − 4 seen as a common
denominator
oe
B1
5(m − 4) + 6(m + 1)
Allow one error in expansion if not showing brackets
e.g. Allow 5m – 20 + m + 6
M1

or

Allow one error in expansion of numerator(s)

their common denominator must be a quadratic
M1

A1
[7]

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 Q10.

(a)
oe e.g. two separate fractions
Condone absence of brackets only if recovered
M1

Do not condone absence of brackets even if recovered

A1

(b) 6x − 4 = 3x(x − 1)
oe e.g. 4(x − 1) + 2x = 3x (x − 1)
M1

3x2 − 9x + 4 (= 0)
−3x2 + 9x − 4 (= 0)
A1

Correct use of formula for their quadratic

M1 Allow one sign error (must have square root and
numerator all over 2a)
Allow M2 for correct factorisation of their quadratic

M2 oe

M1 oe
M2

2.46 and 0.543

Must both be to 3 significant figures
A1
[7]

Q11.
(a) 5x2 + 10xy − 2xy − 4y2
Allow one error in their four terms
M1

5x2 + 10xy − 2xy − 4y2

Fully correct
May be in a grid

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 A1

5x2 + 8xy − 4y2

ft their four terms
Do not ignore fw
A1ft

Alternative method 1

(b)

oe
Allow one error
M1

oe
Fully correct
A1

2.7 and − 0.7

SC2 for either 2.7 or − 0.7
A1

Alternative method 2
(x − 1)2 − 1 − 2 = 0
oe
M1

oe
Fully correct
or 2.7(…) or − 0.7(…)
A1

2.7 and − 0.7

SC2 for either 2.7 or − 0.7
A1

Additional Guidance
− 0.73(…) or 2.73(…)
M1A1A0

− 22 in the discriminant is one error unless recovered

(c) (ax+b)(cx+d)

or (x + 2)(x − 2)
where ac = 3 and bd = −10

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 or ad + bc = −1
M1

(3x + 5)(x − 2)
A1

Do not ignore fw
A1

Additional Guidance

M1
A0

A0
[9]

Q12.
(3n − 1)(n − 2) or (3n + 1)n
or n(n − 2) as denominator on LHS
M1

(3n − 1)(n − 2) − (3n + 1)n

M1 dep

3n2 − 6n − n + 2 or − 3n2 − n
dep on first M1 only
M1 dep

3n2 − 6n − n + 2 and − 3n2 − n

Correct common denominators must be used for 4 marks to
be awarded
A1
[4]

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