Functions [53 marks]

1. The rate, A, of a chemical reaction at a fixed temperature is related to [6 marks]

the concentration of two compounds, B and C, by the equation
A = kBx C y , where x, y, k ∈ R.
A scientist measures the three variables three times during the reaction and
obtains the following values.

Find x, y and k.

Markscheme
log A = x log B + y log C + log k (M1)
log 5.74 = x log 2.1 + y log 3.4 + log k
log 2.88 = x log 1.5 + y log 2.4 + log k
log 0.980 = x log 0.8 + y log 1.9 + log k M1A1
Note: Allow any consistent base, allow numerical equivalents.
attempting to solve their system of equations (M1)
x = 1.53, y = 0.505 A1
k = 0.997 A1
[6 marks]
 It is believed that the power P of a signal at a point d km from an antenna is
inversely proportional to d n where n ∈ Z+ .
The value of P is recorded at distances of 1 m to 5 m and the values of log10 d
and log 10 P are plotted on the graph below.

2a. Explain why this graph indicates that P is inversely proportional to dn. [2 marks]

Markscheme
* This sample question was produced by experienced DP mathematics senior
examiners to aid teachers in preparing for external assessment in the new
MAA course. There may be minor differences in formatting compared to
formal exam papers.
a straight line with a negative gradient A1A1

[2 marks]

The values of log 10 d and log10 P are shown in the table below.

2b. Find the equation of the least squares regression line of log 10 P against [2 marks]
log10 d.
 Markscheme
log P = −2. 040 … log d − 0. 12632 … ≈ −2. 04 log d − 0. 126 A1A1

Note: A1 for each correct term.

[2 marks]

2c. Use your answer to part (b) to write down the value of n to the nearest [1 mark]
integer.

Markscheme
n=2 A1

[1 mark]

2d. Find an expression for P in terms of d. [2 marks]

Markscheme
P = 10−0.126… d −2 (M1)
≈ 0. 748d −2 A1

[2 marks]

( )= cos ( ( − )), , , ∈ R+
 Let f(x)= a cos (b(x − c)), a, b, c ∈ R+ .
Part of the graph of y = f(x) is shown below. Point A is a local maximum and has
coordinates (1, 3) and point B is a local minimum with coordinates (2, −3).

3. Write down a sequence of transformations that will transform the graph [3 marks]
of y = cos x onto the graph of y = f(x).

Markscheme
Vertical stretch, scale factor 3 A1
Horizontal stretch, scale factor 1π ≈ 0. 318 A1
Horizontal translation of 1 unit to the right A1

Note: The vertical stretch can be at any position in the order of

transformations. If the order of the final two transformations are reversed the
horizontal translation is π units to the right.

[3 marks]
 The strength of earthquakes is measured on the Richter magnitude scale, with
values typically between 0 and 8 where 8 is the most severe.
The Gutenberg–Richter equation gives the average number of earthquakes per
year, N , which have a magnitude of at least M . For a particular region the
equation is
log10 N = a − M , for some a ∈ R.
This region has an average of 100 earthquakes per year with a magnitude of at
least 3.

4a. Find the value of a . [2 marks]

Markscheme
log10 100 = a − 3 (M1)
a=5 A1

[2 marks]

b
The equation for this region can also be written as N= .
10M

4b. Find the value of b. [2 marks]

Markscheme
EITHER
N = 105−M (M1)

= 105
(= 100000
)
10M 10M

OR
b
100 = (M1)
103

THEN
b = 100000 (= 105 ) A1

[2 marks]
 Within this region the most severe earthquake recorded had a magnitude of 7. 2.

4c. Find the average number of earthquakes in a year with a magnitude of at [1 mark]
least 7. 2.

Markscheme
105
N= = 0. 00631 (0. 0063095 …) A1
107.2

Note: Do not accept an answer of 10−2.2 .

[1 mark]

The number of earthquakes in a given year with a magnitude of at least 7. 2 can

be modelled by a Poisson distribution, with mean N . The number of earthquakes
in one year is independent of the number of earthquakes in any other year.
Let Y be the number of years between the earthquake of magnitude 7. 2 and the
next earthquake of at least this magnitude.

4d. Find P(Y > 100). [3 marks]

 Markscheme
METHOD 1
Y > 100 ⇒no earthquakes in the first 100 years (M1)

EITHER
X be the number of earthquakes of at least magnitude 7. 2 in a year
let
X~Po(0. 0063095 …)
(P(X = 0))100 (M1)

OR
X be the number of earthquakes in 100 years
let
X~Po(0. 0063095 … × 100) (M1)
P(X = 0)

THEN
0. 532 (0. 532082 …) A1

METHOD 2
Y > 100 ⇒no earthquakes in the first 100 years (M1)
let X be the number of earthquakes in 100 years
since n is large and p is small
X~B(100, 0. 0063095 …) (M1)
P(X = 0)
0. 531 (0. 531019 …) A1

[3 marks]

The function 1
f(x)= ln( x−2 ) is defined for x > 2, x ∈ R.

5a. Find an expression for f −1 (x). You are not required to state a domain. [3 marks]
 Markscheme
1
y = ln( x−2 )
an attempt to isolate x (or y if switched) (M1)
1
ey = x−2
x − 2 = e−y
x = e−y + 2
switching x and y (seen anywhere) M1
f −1 (x) = e−x + 2 A1

[3 marks]

5b. Solve f(x)= f −1 (x). [2 marks]

Markscheme
sketch of f(x) and f −1 (x) (M1)
x = 2. 12 (2. 12002 …) A1

[2 marks]

Professor Vinculum investigated the migration season of the Bulbul bird from their
natural wetlands to a warmer climate.
He found that during the migration season their population, P could be modelled
−t
by P = 1350 + 400(1.25) , t ≥ 0 , where t is the number of days since the start
of the migration season.

6a. Find the population of the Bulbul birds at the start of the migration [1 mark]
season.
 Markscheme
1750 A1
[1 mark]

6b. Find the population of the Bulbul birds after 5 days. [2 marks]

Markscheme
1350 + 400(1.25)−5 (M1)
= 1480 A1
Note: Accept 1481.
[2 marks]

6c. Calculate the time taken for the population to decrease below 1400. [2 marks]

Markscheme
1400 = 1350 + 400(1.25)−t (M1)
9.32 (days (9.31885…) (days)) A1
[2 marks]

6d. According to this model, find the smallest possible population of Bulbul [1 mark]
birds during the migration season.

Markscheme
1350 A1
Note: Accept 1351 as a valid interpretation of the model as P = 1350 is an
asymptote.
[1 mark]
 The height of a baseball after it is hit by a bat is modelled by the function
h(t)= −4. 8t2 + 21t + 1. 2
where h(t) is the height in metres above the ground and t is the time in seconds
after the ball was hit.

7a. Write down the height of the ball above the ground at the instant it is hit [1 mark]
by the bat.

Markscheme
1. 2 metres A1

[1 mark]

7b. Find the value of t when the ball hits the ground. [2 marks]

Markscheme
−4. 8t2 + 21t + 1. 2 = 0 (M1)
(t =) 4. 43 s (4. 431415 … s) A1

Note: If both values for t are seen do not award the A1 mark unless the
negative is explicitly excluded.

[2 marks]

7c. State an appropriate domain for t in this model. [2 marks]

 Markscheme
0 ≤ t ≤ 4. 43 OR [0, 4. 43] A1A1

Note: Award A1 for correct endpoints and A1 for expressing answer with
correct notation. Award at most A1A0 for use of x instead of t.

[2 marks]

The ticket prices for a concert are shown in the following table.

A total of 600 tickets were sold.

The total amount of money from ticket sales was $7816.
There were twice as many adult tickets sold as child tickets.
Let the number of adult tickets sold be x, the number of child tickets sold be y,
and the number of student tickets sold be z.

8a. Write down three equations that express the information given above. [3 marks]

Markscheme
x + y + z = 600 A1
15x + 10y + 12z = 7816 A1
x = 2y A1

Note: Condone other labelling if clear, e.g. a (adult), c (child) and s (student).
Accept equivalent, distinct equations e.g. 2y + y + z = 600.

[3 marks]

8b. Find the number of each type of ticket sold. [2 marks]

 Markscheme
x = 308, y = 154, z = 138 A1A1

Note: Award A1 for all three correct values seen, A1 for correctly labelled as
x, y or z.
Accept answers written in words: e.g. 308 adult tickets.

[2 marks]

The graph below shows the average savings, S thousand dollars, of a group of
university graduates as a function of t, the number of years after graduating from
university.

9a. Write down one feature of this graph which suggests a cubic function [1 mark]
might be appropriate to model this scenario.

Markscheme
Accept any one of the following (or equivalent):
one minimum and one maximum point
three x-intercepts or three roots (or zeroes)
one point of inflexion R1

Note: Do not accept “S shape” as a justification.

[1 mark]

3 2
 The equation of the model can be expressed in the form S = at3 + bt2 + ct + d,
where a, b, c and d are real constants.
The graph of the model must pass through the following four points.

9b. Write down the value of d. [1 mark]

Markscheme
(d =)−5 A1

[1 mark]

9c. Write down three simultaneous equations for a, b and c. [2 marks]

Markscheme
8=a+b+c
4 = 8a + 4b + 2c
0 = 27a + 9b + 3c A2

Note: Award A2 if all three equations are correct.

Award A1 if at least one is correct. Award A1 for three correct equations that
include the letter “d”.

[2 marks]

9d. Hence, or otherwise, find the values of a, b and c. [1 mark]

Markscheme
a = 2, b = −12, c = 18 A1

[1 mark]
 A negative value of S indicates that a graduate is expected to be in debt.

9e. Use the model to determine the total length of time, in years, for which a[3 marks]
graduate is expected to be in debt after graduating from university.

Markscheme
equating found expression to zero (M1)
0 = 2t3 − 12t2 + 18t − 5
t = 0. 358216 … , 1. 83174 … , 3. 81003 … (A1)
(so total time in debt is 3. 81003 … − 1. 83174 … + 0. 358216 ≈ )
2. 34 (2. 33650 …) years A1

[3 marks]

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