Algebra

The modulus function

• The modulus function returns the absolute value, for example:
o |3| = 3
o |−3| = 3
• The modulus of 𝑥, written as |𝑥|, is defined as:
|𝑥| = { 𝑥 if 𝑥 ≥ 0
−𝑥 if 𝑥 < 0

Discussion: You are given these eight statements:

1. |𝑎 + 𝑏| = |𝑎| + |𝑏|
2. |𝑎 − 𝑏| = |𝑎| − |𝑏|
3. |𝑎𝑏| = |𝑎| × |𝑏|
𝑎 |𝑎|
4. |𝑏 | = |𝑏|, if 𝑏 ≠ 0
5. |𝑎|2 = 𝑎2
6. |𝑎|𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛 , where 𝑛 is a positive integer
7. |𝑎 + 𝑏| ≤ |𝑎| + |𝑏|
8. |𝑎 − 𝑏| ≤ |𝑎 − 𝑐| + |𝑐 − 𝑏|

You must decide whether each statement is

Always true Sometimes true Never true
• If you think a statement is always true or never true, give clear reasoning to justify your answer
• If you think a statement is sometimes true, you must give an example of when it is true and an
example of when it is not true

Graph sketching for modulus functions:

• The graph of 𝑦 = |𝑥| is a ‘V’-shaped graph, with the vertex at the origin:
|𝑥| = 𝑥 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 0
|𝑥| = −𝑥 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < 0
• Its domain is the set of real numbers, 𝑥 ∈ ℝ, and its range is 𝑦 ≥ 0
• To sketch the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑎|𝑥 − 𝑏| + 𝑐, you need
o Vertex: (𝑏, 𝑐)
o Shape: Upward V if 𝑎 > 0 and downward V if 𝑎 < 0
o 𝒚-intercept

Q1. Sketch the graphs of

a. 𝑦 = 3|𝑥 − 1| + 2
1
b. 𝑦 = |𝑥| − 3
2
c. 𝑦 = |2𝑥 − 3|
d. 𝑦 = |1 − 3𝑥|

Q2. Sketch the graphs of the following on separate axes:

a. 𝑦 = 1 − 𝑥

1.
 b. 𝑦 = |1 − 𝑥|
c. 𝑦 = 2 + |1 − 𝑥|

Q3. Given that 𝑓(𝑥) = 2 − 3𝑥, on three different axes sketch graphs of:
a. 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥)
b. 𝑦 = |𝑓(𝑥)|
c. 𝑦 = 𝑓(|𝑥|)

1
Q4. Sketch the graph of 𝑦 = |2 𝑥 − 1|, showing the points where the graph meets the axes.
1
Use your graph to express | 𝑥 − 1| in an alternate form.
2

• Equations involving modulus: Equations may be solved through some of the following methods:
o Method 1: Graphical –
o Method 2: Take ± on the expression inside the modulus and solve
o Method 3: Square both sides (ONLY in case of equation with modulus on both sides)

• Note that some modulus equations may result in extraneous/unwanted roots so ALWAYS check
answers against the original equation

Q5. Solve the following equations:

a. |2𝑥 − 1| = 3
b. |𝑥 − 4| = 2𝑥 + 1

Q6. Solve the equation |3𝑥 + 4| = |𝑥 + 5|

Q7. Solve |𝑥 + 3| + |𝑥 + 5| = 10

• Inequalities involving modulus: Inequalities may be solved through some of the following
methods:
o Method 1: Graphical
o Method 2: Solve as equation and use number line to find appropriate range
o Method 3: Square both sides (ONLY in case of modulus on both sides)

• Note: Two useful properties that can be used when solving modulus inequalities are:
1. |𝑎| ≤ 𝑏 ⟺ −𝑏 ≤ 𝑎 ≤ 𝑏
2. |𝑎| ≥ 𝑏 ⟺ 𝑎 ≤ −𝑏 or 𝑎 ≥ 𝑏

Q8. Solve the following inequalities:

a. |2𝑥 − 5| < 3
b. |2𝑥 − 1| ≥ |3 − 𝑥|

Q9. Solve the inequality |3𝑥 − 𝑎| > 2|𝑥 + 2𝑎|, where 𝑎 is a positive constant.

Q10. Express the inequality −2 < 𝑥 < 6 in the form |𝑥 − 𝑎| < 𝑏, where 𝑎 and 𝑏 are to be found

2.
3.
4.
5.
Polynomials
• A Polynomial is an expression of the form

𝑎𝑛 𝑥 𝑛 + 𝑎𝑛−1 𝑥 𝑛−1 + 𝑎𝑛−2 𝑥 𝑛−2 + ⋯ + 𝑎1 𝑥 + 𝑎0 ,

• 𝑥 is a variable
• where 𝑛 is a non-negative integer
• The coefficients 𝑎𝑛 , 𝑎𝑛−1, … , 𝑎1 , 𝑎0 are constants
• 𝑎𝑛 is called the leading coefficient.
• 𝑎0 is called the constant term.

• The highest power of 𝑥 is called the degree of the polynomial. For example, 5𝑥 3 − 6𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 6
is a polynomial of degree 3.

• Some polynomials of lower degree have special names:

o 4th degree polynomial – Quartic
o 3rd degree polynomial – Cubic
o 2nd degree polynomial – Quadratic
o 1st degree polynomial – Linear
o 0 degree polynomial – Constant
1
1
• The functions 𝑥 = 𝑥 −1 , √𝑥 = 𝑥 2 are not polynomials as the power of the variable is not a positive
integer or 0.

• An identity is a special equation that holds true for ALL values of the variable. For example,
(1 − 𝑥)(1 + 𝑥) ≡ 1 − 𝑥 2 is an identity
• If 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵 ≡ 2𝑥 + 3, then 𝐴 = 2, 𝐵 = 3. This process is called equating coefficients.

• Division of polynomials can be carried out through any of the following methods
o Long division
o Comparing coefficients

Q1. Divide 𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 2 − 11𝑥 + 6 by 𝑥 − 2.

• If the divisor leaves no remainder, the divisor is called a factor.

Q2. Find the remainder when 2𝑥 3 − 𝑥 + 52 is divided by 𝑥 + 3

• In general, the division algorithm for polynomials is

dividend ≡ divisor × quotient + remainder

OR
𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫
≡ 𝐪𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 +
𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐫

Where,
 o the degree of the remainder is less than the degree of the divisor
o the degree of the quotient is the degree of the dividend minus the degree of the divisor.

• Factor theorem:
o If a polynomial 𝑃(𝑥) divides exactly by a linear factor (𝑥 − 𝑐) with quotient 𝑄(𝑥) then
𝑃(𝑥) ≡ (𝑥 − 𝑐)𝑄(𝑥)
o Substituting 𝑥 = 𝑐 into this formula gives 𝑃(𝑐) = 0. This leads to the factor theorem:

For a polynomial 𝑷(𝒙), if 𝑷(𝒄) = 𝟎 then (𝒙 − 𝒄) is a factor of 𝑷(𝒙)

𝒃
For a polynomial 𝑷(𝒙), if 𝑷 (𝒂) = 𝟎 then (𝒂𝒙 − 𝒃) is a factor of 𝑷(𝒙)

Q3. Use the factor theorem to show that 𝑥 − 3 is a factor of 𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 2 − 16𝑥+3

Discussion:
A. 𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 1
B. 2𝑥 3 + 7𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 10
C. 3𝑥 3 + 7𝑥 2 − 4
D. 6𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 − 17𝑥 + 10
E. 6𝑥 4 + 𝑥 3 − 8𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 2
F. 3𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 − 8
Which of the expressions above have the following as factors:
1. 𝑥 − 1
2. 𝑥 + 2
3. 2𝑥 − 1

Q4. The polynomial 𝑥 3 − 𝑎𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 8, where 𝑎 is a constant, is denoted by 𝑝(𝑥). It is given that

(𝑥 − 2) is a factor of 𝑝(𝑥).
a. Find the value of 𝑎.
b. When 𝑎 has this value, factorize 𝑝(𝑥) completely.

Q5.
a. Given that 3𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 2 is a factor of 3𝑥 3 + 17𝑥 2 + 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏, find the values of 𝑎 and 𝑏.
b. Hence, factorize the polynomial completely

Q6. Solve 𝑥 3 + 4𝑥 2 − 19𝑥 + 14 = 0

• Remainder theorem:
o If a polynomial 𝑃(𝑥) is divided by 𝑥 − 𝑐 to give quotient 𝑄(𝑥) and a remainder 𝑅, then
𝑃(𝑥) = (𝑥 − 𝑐)𝑄(𝑥) + 𝑅
o Substituting 𝑥 = 𝑐 into this formula gives 𝑃(𝑐) = 𝑅.This leads to the remainder
theorem:

If a polynomial 𝑷(𝒙) is divided by 𝒙 − 𝒄, the remainder is 𝑷(𝒄)

𝒃
If a polynomial is divided by 𝒂𝒙 − 𝒃, the remainder is 𝑷 (𝒂)
Q7. Find the remainder when 4𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 8 is divided by 𝑥 + 1

Q8. 𝑓(𝑥) = 6𝑥 3 + 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 − 4.
When 𝑓(𝑥) is divided by 𝑥 − 1, the remainder is 3.
When 𝑓(𝑥) is divided by 3𝑥 + 2, the remainder is −2.
Find the values of 𝑎 and 𝑏.

• Note: Factor and Remainder theorem can only be applied on linear divisors. For quadratic factors,
always use long division/comparing coefficients.

Q9. The polynomial 4𝑥 4 + 𝑎𝑥 2 + 11𝑥 + 𝑏, where 𝑎 and 𝑏 are constants, is denoted by 𝑝(𝑥). It is given
that 𝑝(𝑥) is divisible by 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 2.
a. Find the values of 𝑎 and 𝑏.
b. When 𝑎 and 𝑏 have these values, find the real roots of the equation 𝑝(𝑥) = 0.
(O/N/16/V33)

A quadratic, 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, is all positive if

o 𝑎 > 0 (concave up)
o 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 < 0 / turning point lies above the 𝑥 −axis.
• A quadratic, 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, is all negative if
o 𝑎 < 0 (concave down)
o 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 < 0 / turning point lies below the 𝑥 −axis.

Q10. The polynomial 4𝑥 3 + 𝑎𝑥 + 2, where 𝑎 is a constant, is denoted by 𝑝(𝑥). It is given that (2𝑥 + 1)
is a factor of 𝑝(𝑥).
a. Find the value of 𝑎.
b. When 𝑎 has this value,
i. Factorise 𝑝(𝑥),
ii. Solve the inequality 𝑝(𝑥) > 0, justifying your answer.
(F/M/16/V32)
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END-OF-CHAPTER REVIEW EXERCISE 1

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1 Solve the equation 2 x − 3 = 5x + 1 . [3]

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Solve the inequality 5x − 3 ù 7.
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3 Solve the inequality 2 x − 3 , 2 − x . [3]
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Solve the equation x 2 − 14 = 11.

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The polynomial ax 3 − 13x 2 − 41x − 2 a , where a is a constant, is denoted by p( x ).

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a Given that ( x − 4) is a factor of p( x ) , find the value of a. [2]

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b When a has this value, factorise p( x ) completely. [3]
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6 The polynomial 6x 3 − 23x 2 − 38x + 15 is denoted by f( x ).

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a Show that ( x − 5) is a factor of f( x ) and hence factorise f( x ) completely. [4]

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b Write down the roots of f x ( ) = 0. [1]
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7 The polynomial x 3 − 5x 2 + ax + b is denoted by f( x ). It is given that ( x + 2) is a factor of f( x ) and that

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when f( x ) is divided by ( x − 1) the remainder is −6. Find the value of a and the value of b. [5]

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8 The polynomial x 3 − 5x 2 + 7 x − 3 is denoted by p( x ).

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a Find the quotient and remainder when p( x ) is divided by ( x 2 − 2 x − 1). [4]
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b Use the factor theorem to show that ( x − 3) is a factor of p( x ). [2]

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9 The polynomial 4x 4 + 4x 3 − 7 x 2 − 4x + 8 is denoted by p( x ) .

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a Find the quotient and remainder when p( x ) is divided by ( x 2 − 1). [3]
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b Hence solve the equation 4x 4 + 4x 3 − 7 x 2 − 4x + 3 = 0. [3]

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10 The polynomial x 4 − 48x 2 − 21x − 2 is denoted by f( x ).

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Find the value of the constant k for which f( x ) = ( x 2 + kx + 2)( x 2 − kx − 1) .

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a [3]
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Hence solve the equation f( x ) = 0. Give your answers in exact form.

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11 The polynomial 2 x 4 + 3x 3 − 12 x 2 − 7 x + a is denoted by p( x ) .

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a Given that (2 x − 1) is a factor of p( x ), find the value of a. [2]

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b When a has this value, verify that ( x + 3) is also a factor of p( x ) and hence factorise p( x )
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completely. [4]
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12 The polynomial 3x + ax − 36x + 20 is denoted by p( x ) .
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a Given that ( x − 2) is a factor of p( x ) , find the value of a. [2]

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b When a has this value, solve the equation p( x ) = 0 . [4]

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13 The polynomial 2 x + 5x − 7 x + 11 is denoted by f( x ).
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a Find the remainder when f( x ) is divided by ( x − 2). [2]

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Find the quotient and remainder when f( x ) is divided by ( x 2 − 4x + 2) .

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14 The polynomial ax + bx − x + 12 is denoted by p( x ) .

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a Given that ( x − 3) and ( x + 1) are factors of p( x ) , find the value of a and the value of b. [4]
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b When a and b take these values, find the other linear factor of p( x ) . [2]
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Chapter 1: Algebra

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15 The polynomial 6x 3 + x 2 + ax − 10 , where a is a constant, is denoted by P( x ). It is given that when

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P( x ) is divided by ( x + 2) the remainder is −12.
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a Find the value of a and hence verify that (2 x + 1) is a factor of P( x ). [3]
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b When a has this value, solve the equation P( x ) = 0. [4]

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16 The polynomial 2 x 3 + ax 2 + bx + 6 is denoted by p( x ) .

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a Given that ( x + 2) and ( x − 3) are factors of p( x ) , find the value of a and the value of b. [4]

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b When a and b take these values, factorise p( x ) completely. [3]
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17 The polynomials P( x ) and Q( x ) are defined as:
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P( x ) = x 3 + ax 2 + b and Q( x ) = x 3 + bx 2 + a.
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It is given that ( x − 2) is a factor of P( x ) and that when Q( x ) is divided by ( x + 1) the remainder is −15.

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a Find the value of a and the value of b. [5]

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b When a and b take these values, find the least possible value of P( x ) − Q(x ) as x varies. [2]
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18 The polynomial 5x 3 − 13x 2 + 17 x − 7 is denoted by p( x ) .
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Find the quotient when p( x ) is divided by ( x − 1), and show that the remainder is 2.
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Hence show that the polynomial 5x 3 − 13x 2 + 17 x − 9 has exactly one real root.
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b [3]
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19 The polynomial 4x 3 + kx 2 − 65x + 18 is denoted by f( x ).

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a Given that ( x + 2) is a factor of f( x ), find the value of k. [2]

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When k has this value, solve the equation f( x ) = 0.

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c Write down the roots of f( x 2 ) = 0 . [1]

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20 The polynomial 2 x 3 − 5x 2 + ax + b , where a and b are constants, is denoted by f( x ). It is given that when
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f( x ) is divided by ( x + 2) the remainder is 8 and that when f( x ) is divided by ( x − 1) the remainder is 50.
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a Find the value of a and the value of b. [5]

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b When a and b have these values, find the quotient and remainder when f( x ) is divided by x 2 − x + 2. [3]
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21 The polynomial 2 x 3 − 9x 2 + ax + b , where a and b are constants, is denoted by f( x ). It is given that ( x + 2) is a

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factor of f( x ), and that when f( x ) is divided by ( x + 1) the remainder is 30.

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a Find the value of a and the value of b. [5]

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b When a and b have these values, solve the equation f( x ) = 0. [4]

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22 The polynomial x 3 + 3x 2 + 4x + 2 is denoted by f( x ).

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Find the quotient and remainder when f( x ) is divided by x 2 + x − 1.

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Use the factor theorem to show that ( x + 1) is a factor of f( x ).

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ii [2]
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Cambridge International AS & A Level Mathematics 9709 Paper 21 Q4 June 2010

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Cambridge International AS & A Level Mathematics: Pure Mathematics 2 & 3

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23 The polynomial 4x 3 + ax 2 + 9x + 9, where a is a constant, is denoted by p( x ). It is given that when p( x ) is

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divided by (2 x − 1) the remainder is 10.
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i Find the value of a and hence verify that ( x − 3) is a factor of p( x ). [3]
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ii When a has this value, solve the equation p( x ) = 0 . [4]

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Cambridge International AS & A Level Mathematics 9709 Paper 21 Q5 November 2011
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24 The polynomial ax 3 − 5x 2 + bx + 9, where a and b are constants, is denoted by p( x ) . It is given that (2 x + 3)

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is a factor of p( x ) , and that when p( x ) is divided by ( x + 1) the remainder is 8.

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i Find the values of a and b.

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ii When a and b have these values, factorise p( x ) completely. [3]
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Cambridge International AS & A Level Mathematics 9709 Paper 21 Q4 June 2013
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Partial fractions
• Improper algebraic fractions:
𝑃(𝑥)
o The algebraic fraction 𝐷(𝑥), where 𝑃(𝑥) and 𝐷(𝑥) are polynomials in 𝑥, is said to be an
algebraic improper fraction if the degree of 𝑃(𝑥) ≥ degree of 𝐷(𝑥).
o We can use long division to write an improper fraction as the sum of a polynomial and a
proper algebraic fraction:
𝑃(𝑥) 𝑅(𝑥)
= 𝑄(𝑥) +
𝐷(𝑥) 𝐷(𝑥)

𝑥 3 −3𝑥 2 +7
Q1. Use long division to write the fraction 𝑥−2
as the sum of a polynomial and a proper
algebraic fraction.

Discussion:
1. Discuss which of the following are improper algebraic fractions

1 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 3𝑥 6𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 + 1
2𝑥 + 1 5 − 𝑥2 𝑥−5 2𝑥 2 − 1
2𝑥 − 3 𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 2 − 7 4𝑥 5 − 1 2𝑥 4 − 8
−
(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 1) (𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 + 2) 3𝑥 7 + 2 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 1
2. Write each improper fraction as the sum of a polynomial and a proper fraction

• The reverse process of adding or subtracting algebraic fractions is called splitting into partial
fractions.
• The process can be carried out through any of the following methods:
o Comparing coefficients
o Substitution method/cover-up method

• Case I: Partial fractions with distinct linear factors

𝒂𝒙+𝒃 𝑨 𝑩
o (𝒑𝒙+𝒒)(𝒓𝒙+𝒔)
≡ 𝒑𝒙+𝒒 + 𝒓𝒙+𝒔

2𝑥−13
Q2. Express in partial fractions
(2𝑥+1)(𝑥−3)

• Case II: Partial fractions with repeated linear factors

𝒂𝒙𝟐 +𝒃𝒙+𝒄 𝑨 𝑩 𝐶
o (𝒑𝒙+𝒒)(𝒓𝒙+𝒔)𝟐
≡ 𝒑𝒙+𝒒 + (𝒓𝒙+𝒔)𝟐 + 𝒓𝒙+𝑠

Q3. Express the following in partial fractions:

2𝑥−11
a. (𝑥−4)2
1−9𝑥−8𝑥 2
b. (𝑥−2)(2𝑥+3)2
• Case III: Partial fractions with a quadratic factor in the denominator that cannot be factorized
𝒂𝒙𝟐 +𝒃𝒙+𝒄 𝑨 𝑩𝒙+𝑪
o (𝒑𝒙+𝒒)(𝒓𝒙𝟐 +𝒔)
≡ 𝒑𝒙+𝒒 + 𝒓𝒙𝟐+𝒔

8+2𝑥−𝑥 2
Q4. Express (𝑥−1)(𝑥2 +2) in partial fractions.

• Case IV: Improper fractions

o In case of improper fractions, we must first express it as a sum of a polynomial and a
proper fraction and then split it into partial fractions.

2𝑥 2 +5𝑥−11
Q5. Express 𝑥 2 +2𝑥−3
in partial fractions.
Binomial Series
• When 𝑛 is not a positive integer, the binomial expansion is given by
(1 + 𝑏)𝑛 ≅ 1 + (𝑛1)𝑏 + (𝑛2)𝑏 2 + (𝑛3)𝑏 3 + (𝑛4)𝑏4 + ⋯
𝑛(𝑛−1) 2 𝑛(𝑛−1)(𝑛−2) 3 𝑛(𝑛−1)(𝑛−2)(𝑛−3) 4
≅ 1 + 𝑛𝑏 + 2!
𝑏 + 3!
𝑏 + 4!
𝑏 +⋯
Where:
(1) The series is infinite (non-terminating)
(2) The expansion of (1 + 𝑏)𝑛 is only valid if |𝑏| < 1.

Q1. Expand (1 − 3𝑥)−2 in ascending powers of 𝑥, up to and including the term 𝑥 3 , simplifying the
coefficients. State the range of values of 𝑥 for which the expansion is valid.

Q2. Find the first four terms in the expansion of (1 + 2𝑥 2 )−4 and state the range of values of 𝑥 for
which the expansion is valid.

𝑥−5
Q3. Find the coefficient of 𝑥 3 in the expansion of 1+2𝑥.

• To expand (𝑎 + 𝑥)𝑛 , where 𝑛 is not a positive integer, we take 𝑎 outside of the brackets:
𝑏 𝑛
(𝑎 + 𝑏)𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛 (1 + )
𝑎

Q4. Expand (2 + 𝑥)−3 in ascending powers of 𝑥, up to and including the term in 𝑥 3 and state the
range of values of 𝑥 for which the expansion is valid.

1−3𝑥
Q5. Find the coefficient of 𝑥 2 in the expansion of .
√4−𝑥

• One of the most common reasons for splitting into partial fractions is so that binomial expansions
can be applied

Q6.
10𝑥+1
a. Express 𝑓(𝑥) = (1−2𝑥)(1+𝑥) in partial fractions.
b. Hence obtain the expansion of 𝑓(𝑥) in ascending powers of 𝑥, up to and including the term in
𝑥3.
c. State the range of values of 𝑥 for which the expansion is valid.

1 27 2 27 3
Q7. Show that 3 ≈ 1 + 3𝑥 + 𝑥 + 𝑥 + ⋯ and state the interval of 𝑥 for which the
(1− 𝑥)2 4 2
2
expansion is valid. Hence deduce the first four terms in the expansion of the following:
4
a. 3
(1− 𝑥)2
2
1
b. (3𝑥−2)2

7
Q8. Given the expansion of (1 + 𝑎𝑥)𝑛 is 1 − 2𝑥 + 3 𝑥 2 + 𝑘𝑥 3 +… , find the value of 𝑘.
Q9.
a. Expand (2 − 𝑥)−1 in ascending powers of 𝑥, up to and including the term in 𝑥 3 .
b. Hence or otherwise, find the expansion of (2 − 𝑥 + 𝑥 2 )−1 up to and including the term in 𝑥 3 .

2
Q10. When (1 + 2𝑥)(1 + 𝑎𝑥)3 , where 𝑎 is a constant, is expanded in ascending powers of 𝑥, the
coefficient of the term in 𝑥 is zero.
(i) Find the value of 𝑎.
2
(ii) When 𝑎 has this value, find the term in 𝑥 3 in the expansion of (1 + 2𝑥)(1 + 𝑎𝑥)3 , simplifying
the coefficient.
(M/J/09)
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END-OF-CHAPTER REVIEW EXERCISE 7

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1 Expand (1 − 2 x )−4 in ascending powers of x, up to and including the term in x 3, simplifying the coefficients. [4]

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2 Expand 31− (6x ) in ascending powers of x up to and including the term in x 3, simplifying the coefficients. [4]
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Cambridge International A Level Mathematics 9709 Paper 31 Q1 June 2011

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Expand (2 − x )(1 + in ascending powers of x, up to and including the term in x 2,
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3 2x ) 2

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simplifying the coefficients. [4]

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Cambridge International A Level Mathematics 9709 Paper 31 Q2 November 2016

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1 + 3x
4 Expand in ascending powers of x up to and including the term in x 2, simplifying the coefficients. [4]
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(1 + 2 x )

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5 Expand in ascending powers of x, up to and including the term in x 3 , simplifying the coefficients. [4]
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6 Expand in ascending powers of x, up to and including the term in x 2, simplifying the coefficients. [4]
(2 − x )2

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7 Expand
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in ascending powers of x, up to and including the term in x 2, simplifying the coefficients. [4]
4 − 5x
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12 A B C
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8 Express in the form + + . [4]

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x 2 (2 x − 3) x x2 2x − 3
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8x 2 + 4x + 21 A Bx + C
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9 Express in the form + 2 . [4]
( x + 2)( x 2 + 5) x+2 x +5
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7 x 2 − 3x + 2
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10 Express in partial fractions.

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Cambridge International A Level Mathematics 9709 Paper 31 Q3 June 2013

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9x 3 − 11x 2 + 8x − 4 B C D
11 Given that ≡ A+ + 2 + , find the values of A, B, C and D. [5]
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x (3x − 2)
2
3x − 2
C

x x
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4x 2 − 5x + 3
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12 Express in partial fractions. [5]

( x + 2)(2 x − 1)
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13 Show that for small values of x 2 , (1 − 2 x 2 )−2 − (1 + 6x 2 ) 3 ≈ kx 4 , where the value of the constant k
am

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Cambridge International A Level Mathematics 9709 Paper 31 Q3 June 2015

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4x + 12
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14 Let f( x ) = .
y

( x + 1)( x − 3)2
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ii Hence obtain the expansion of f( x ) in ascending powers of x, up to and including the term in x 2 . [5]
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Cambridge International A Level Mathematics 9709 Paper 31 Q8 June 2016

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Copyright Material - Review Only - Not for Redistribution

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Chapter 7: Further algebra

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2x2 − 7x − 1

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15 Let f( x ) = .
am ( x − 2)( x 2 + 3)

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ii Hence obtain the expansion of f( x ) in ascending powers of x, up to and including the term in x 2 . [5]

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Cambridge International A Level Mathematics 9709 Paper 31 Q7 November 2013
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3x
16 Let f( x ) = .

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(1 + x )(1 + 2 x 2 )
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i Express f( x ) in partial fractions.

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Cambridge International A Level Mathematics 9709 Paper 31 Q8 November 2010

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