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Date May 2011 Marks available 5 Reference code 11M.1.hl.TZ1.3
Level HL only Paper 1 Time zone TZ1
Command term Find Question number 3 Adapted from N/A

Question

A geometric sequence \({u_1}\) , \({u_2}\) , \({u_3}\) , \(...\) has \({u_1} = 27\) and a sum to infinity of \(\frac{{81}}{2}\).

Find the common ratio of the geometric sequence.

[2]
a.

An arithmetic sequence \({v_1}\) , \({v_2}\) , \({v_3}\) , \(...\) is such that \({v_2} = {u_2}\) and \({v_4} = {u_4}\) .

Find the greatest value of \(N\) such that \(\sum\limits_{n = 1}^N {{v_n}}  > 0\) .

[5]
b.

Markscheme

\({u_1} = 27\)
\(\frac{{81}}{2} = \frac{{27}}{{1 - r}}\)     M1
\(r = \frac{1}{3}\)     A1

[2 marks]

a.

\({v_2} = 9\)
\({v_4} = 1\)
\(2d = - 8 \Rightarrow d = - 4\)     (A1)
\({v_1} = 13\)     (A1)

\(\frac{N}{2}\left( {2 \times 13 - 4\left( {N - 1} \right)} \right) > 0\)     (accept equality)     M1

\(\frac{N}{2}\left( {30 - 4N} \right) > 0\)

\(N\left( {15 - 2N} \right) > 0\)

\(N < 7.5\)     (M1)

\(N = 7\)     A1

Note: \(13 + 9 + 5 + 1 - 3 - 7 - 11 > 0 \Rightarrow N = 7\) or equivalent receives full marks.

 

[5 marks]

b.

Examiners report

Part (a) was well done by most candidates. However (b) caused difficulty to most candidates. Although a number of different approaches were seen, just a small number of candidates obtained full marks for this question.

a.

Part (a) was well done by most candidates. However (b) caused difficulty to most candidates. Although a number of different approaches were seen, just a small number of candidates obtained full marks for this question.

b.

Syllabus sections

Topic 1 - Core: Algebra » 1.1 » Arithmetic sequences and series; sum of finite arithmetic series; geometric sequences and series; sum of finite and infinite geometric series.
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