A lvl maths presentation (pls help!)

• WQing

  7 Oct 13, 18:28

  Hi :) I've just one qn regarding presentation for A Lvl maths paper.

  When a question does not specify, can "i" (imaginary) appear in the final answers? 

  For example, appear in the denominator of a rational in a partial fraction decomposition qn.

  Thanks!

• wee_ws

  10 Oct 13, 18:34

  Hi,

    It would be good if you could provide the full context of your query, thanks!

  Cheers,
  Wen Shih

• WQing

  11 Oct 13, 02:26

  For example, in an partial fraction decomposition qn:

  if i choose to split (ax+b)/(x^2+1) as A/(x+i) + B/(x-i), do i need to combine those 2 terms in an extra step in order to present my answer properly?

  Sorry i'm a lazy person even if this is just one step... Σ( ° â–³ °|||)

• wee_ws

  11 Oct 13, 08:09

  Hi,

    Typically, partial fraction decomposition deal with real factors. It is unlikely that Cambridge would want students to deal with partial fractions in the way you are doing.

    Always show every step to clarify what you are thinking about, assuming that the marker is a complete idiot and fool who really wants to understand what you are writing about.

    Thanks.

  Cheers,
  Wen Shih

• WQing

  11 Oct 13, 13:52

  Thank you for your reply! :)

  I often end up with this kind of answers because I tend to avoid the irreducible factor and use the cover-up method throughout (again lazy...