2. (a) Simplify - OCR - GCSE Maths - Question 2 - 2017 - Paper 1

Question 2

2. (a) Simplify.
(i) $a^6 + a^2$
(ii) $(b^5)^3$
(b) Factorise.
$6x - x^2$
Worked Solution & Example Answer:2. (a) Simplify - OCR - GCSE Maths - Question 2 - 2017 - Paper 1
(i) $a^6 + a^2$

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To simplify the expression a6+a2, we start by identifying a common factor. The smallest exponent present in the terms is 2, so we can factor out a2:
a6+a2=a2(a4+1)
This expression is now simplified.
(ii) $(b^5)^3$

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To simplify the expression (b5)3, we apply the power of a power property, which states that (xm)n=xmimesn:
(b5)3=b5imes3=b15
Thus, the simplified form is b15.
(b) Factorise. $6x - x^2$

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To factorise the expression 6x−x2, we will first factor out the common term from both parts of the expression. The common factor is x:
6x−x2=x(6−x)
Thus, the factorised form is x(6−x).
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