Edexcel GCSE Maths - Solving Algebraic Fraction Equations (H) PhysicsAndMathsTutor.

com

y
1. (a) Solve =5
4

y = .....................................
(1)

(b) Factorise x2 + 4x

.........................................
(1)

(c) Simplify

(i) m2 × m5

.........................................

(ii) t7 ÷ t 3

.........................................
(2)

(d) Expand and simplify (x + 5)(x + 3)

.........................................
(2)
(Total 6 marks)

3 3
2. (a) Solve + =2
x 2x

x=.....................................
(2)

Edexcel Internal Review 1

Edexcel GCSE Maths - Solving Algebraic Fraction Equations (H) PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

(b) Using your answer to part (a), or otherwise,

3 3
solve + =2
( y – 1)
2
2( y – 1)
2

y = .....................................

or y = .....................................
(3)
(Total 5 marks)

3. Solve the equation

x 4
+ =1
2x – 3 x + 1

x = .................................
(Total 5 marks)

Edexcel Internal Review 2

Edexcel GCSE Maths - Solving Algebraic Fraction Equations (H) PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

4. Solve the equation

3 4 5x
– = 2
x+3 x –3 x –9

x = .....................................
(Total 4 marks)

Edexcel Internal Review 3

Edexcel GCSE Maths - Solving Algebraic Fraction Equations (H) PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

5. (a) Show that the equation

5 4 − 3x
=
x+2 x −1

can be rearranged to give 3x2 + 7x – 13 = 0

(3)

(b) Solve 3x2 + 7x – 13 = 0

Give your solutions correct to 2 decimal places.

x = ............................... or x = ................................
(3)
(Total 6 marks)

Edexcel Internal Review 4

Edexcel GCSE Maths - Solving Algebraic Fraction Equations (H) PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

5(2 x + 1)
6. Solve = 4x + 7
3

x = ...............................
(Total 3 marks)

1. (a) 20 1
B1 cao

(b) x(x + 4) 1
B1 cao

(c) (i) m7 2
B1 cao

(ii) t4
B1 cao

(d) x2 + 5x + 3x + 15 = x2 + 8x + 15 2
M1 for 3 of 4 terms x2 + 5x + 3x + 15, signs not needed
A1 for x2 + 8x + 15
[6]

Edexcel Internal Review 5

Edexcel GCSE Maths - Solving Algebraic Fraction Equations (H) PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

3x 3x
2. (a) + = 2x
x 2x
9
x= 2
4
6+3 3 3 6x + 3x
M1 for or × x + × x = 2 × x or =2
2x x 2x 2x 2
9
A1 oe
4

9
(b) (y – 1)2=
4
3
y–1= ±
2
5 1
y= , – 3
2 2
9
M1 ( y – 1) 2 =" " or 4 y 2 – 8 y – 5 = 0 oe
4
5
A1 cao oe
2
1
A1 cao – oe
2
[5]

3. x(x + 1) + 4(2x – 3) = (2x – 3)(x + 1)

x2 + x + 8x – 12 = 2x2 + 2x – 3x – 3
x2 – 10x + 9 = 0
(x – 9)(x – 1) = 0
x = 1,9 5
M1 for multiplying through by common denominator
(2x – 3)(x + 1)
M1 (dep) for either x2 + x + 8x – 12 or 2x2 + 2x – 3x – 3 oe
A1 for correct quadratic (= 0)
M1 for a correct method to solve 3 term quadratic
A1 cao for both solutions
[5]

Edexcel Internal Review 6

Edexcel GCSE Maths - Solving Algebraic Fraction Equations (H) PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

10.

4. 3(x – 3) –4(x + 3) = 5x
3x – 9 – 4x – 12 = 5x
–x – 21 = 5x
6x = – 21
= –3.5 4
3 4
M1 for × (x + 3)(x – 3) – × (x + 3)(x – 3)
x+3 x–3
3(x – 3) – 4(x + 4) 3 x–3 4 x+3
or or × – ×
(x + 3)(x – 3) x+3 x–3 x+3 x+3
5x
or 2
× (x + 3)(x – 3)
x –9
M1 (dep) for 3(x – 3) – 4 (x + 3) or 5x
M1 for 3x – 9 – 4x ± 12 = 5x
A1 for –3.5

[4]

5. (a) 5(x – 1) = (4 – 3x)(x + 2)

5x – 5 = 4x + 8 – 3x2 – 6x (= 8 – 2x – 3x2)
(3x2 + 6x + 5x – 4x – 5 – 8 = 0)
3x2 + 7x – 13 = 0
Proof 3
M1 multiply through by (x – 1)(x + 2) and cancel correctly
M1 expand 5(x – 1) and (4 – 3x)(x + 2) correctly, need not be
simplified
A1 rearrange to give required equation (dep on both Ms and
fully correct algebra)

Edexcel Internal Review 7

Edexcel GCSE Maths - Solving Algebraic Fraction Equations (H) PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

(b) a = 3, b = 7, c = – 13
− 7 ± (7 2 + 4 × 3 × 13) − 7 ± (49 + 156) − 7 ± 205
x= = =
6 6 6
x = 1.2196… or – 3.55297….
Or
2 2
 7   7  13
x+  −  − = 0
 6 6 3
2
 7  7  13
x+  = ±   +
 6 6 3
x = 1.2196… or -3.55297….
1.22
-3.55 3
M1 correct substitution in formula of a = 3, b = 7 and c = ±13
− 7 ± 205
M1 reduction to
6
A1 1.215 to 1.22 and –3.55 to –3.555
Or
2
 7
M1  x + 
 6
7 205
M1 – ±
6 36
A1 1.215 to 1.22 and –3.55 to – 3.555
SC T&I 1 mark for 1 correct root, 3 marks for both correct
roots
[6]

10 x + 5
6. = 4x + 7
3
10x + 5 = 12x + 21
–16 = 2x
–8 3
M1 for 10x + 5 or 12x + 21; either of these could be seen
anywhere in the candidate’s working
M1 (dep) for 10x – 12x = 21 – 5 oe or
5 – 21 = 12x – 10x oe
A1 cao
[3]

Edexcel Internal Review 8

Edexcel GCSE Maths - Solving Algebraic Fraction Equations (H) PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

1. Three quarters of candidates answered part (a) correctly. It was disappointing that only 20% of
candidates could factorise x2 + 4x correctly in part (b). Some tried to use two brackets. Many
had no idea of what was required. In part (c), more than 60% of candidates answered (i)
correctly. A common incorrect answer was m10. Slightly fewer candidates were successful in
(ii). It was pleasing that 40% of candidates managed to obtain three or four correct terms in part
(b) but mistakes were often made in simplifying the expression. A common error in the
expansion was a final term of 8 instead of 15. Common incorrect answers were x2 + 15 and 2x +
8.

2. Algebraic fractions continue to be a problem for most candidates. A common error was to add
6
the numerators and denominators to get = 2 . Other errors in the first step include 3 + 3 = 2
3x
×x ×2x and 3x + 6x = 2. A significant number of candidates who were able to do the first step
9
were then unable to solve =2, or even 4x = 9, to find the value of x. Many gave this as x=
2x
4
. The majority of candidates missed the connection between part (a) and part (b) and
9
attempted to solve the problem afresh. The first step for many was the expansion of the
quadratic denominators. This resulted in some difficult algebra which rarely produced the
correct answers. Of the minority who were able to find 4y2–8y– 5= 0, few could solve this for
the values of y.

3. Multiplication through by (2x – 3)(x + 1) seemed to be more successful than collecting the terms
on the left hand side over a common denominator. Of those that multiplied through, many did it
in two stages, first multiplying by (x + 1) and then by (2x – 3). Of course, the two approaches
converge at the stage x2 + 9x – 12 = 2x2 – x – 3or its equivalent.
x 2 + 9 x – 12
A significant number of candidates could not make the step from = 1 to a fully
2x 2 – x – 3
horizontal equation. Even from the fully horizontal stage there were some surprising errors – for
example the equation was rewritten as 3x2 +10x – 9 = 0.
Further surprising problems came up when the equation had been partially simplified to, for
example, 10x = x2 + 9 where many candidates went on to try to solve the equation by trial and
improvement. They did not seem to recognise what they had as a quadratic equation.
Candidates who got as far as x2 –10x + 9 = 0 generally went on to find the two solutions,
although strangely some went even further and decided to discard one of the solutions. These
candidates were not penalised.

Edexcel Internal Review 9

Edexcel GCSE Maths - Solving Algebraic Fraction Equations (H) PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

4. Only the best candidates were able to make much progress with this question, but many were
able to score a mark for realising (x + 3)(x – 3) = x2 – 9. Some candidates gained a mark for
expressing the LHS with a common denominator, e.g.,
3( x – 3) – 4( x + 3)
, but a significant number of these went on to make an error in the
( x + 3)( x – 3)
3 x – 9 – 4 x + 12 3 x – 6 – 4 x – 12
subsequent simplification, e.g. (common) or . A popular
( x + 3)( x – 3) ( x + 3)( x – 3)
3–4 5x
incorrect approach when dealing with the LHS was = 2 , so −1 = 5x.
( x + 3)( x – 3) x – 9

5. Responses to this question usually scored either full marks or zero marks. The usual correct
methods seen were to multiply through directly by (x – 1)(x + 2), cancel, expand and collect
terms. The equivalent cross multiplication was also seen correctly carried out. A few candidates
collected terms on the left hand side and then lost track of the signs or never got round to
dealing with the denominator. An all too common error was to write 4 – 3x(x + 2) before
expanding the brackets. Sometimes this was expanded correctly and other times as 4 – 3x2 – 6x.
Part (b) was a standard quadratic equation solution by formula. The most common errors
included the detachment of the –7 term from the denominator to give the equivalent of
b 2 − 4ac
−b± and the incorrect evaluation of the discriminant to give a value of –107
2a
instead of the correct 205.
− 7 ± 205
Some candidates got through to but then misused their calculator and worked out
6
205
the answers to − 7 ± .
6
A few enterprising students attempted the solution by completing the square. Even if carried
through to a conclusion these candidates often lost marks through premature approximation.

6. The algebra involved in this question was beyond most candidates. Around 40% of responses
gained 1 mark, generally for the correct expansion of 5(2x +1). Following this the vast majority
of candidates were unable to get any further. Common errors included multiplying both sides by
3 to get 30x + 15 = 12x + 21 or multiplying just part of the expression on the right hand side by
3 rather than the complete expression. Even if the candidate got to 10x + 5 = 12x + 21, they
could not manipulate this correctly to get the correct answer.

Edexcel Internal Review 10