Graphing techniques including trigonometric functions topic study guide

Question verbs Definition

Which Determine which, of a set of answers, is correct.
What Calculate the answer.
Find Provide an answer.
Sketch Provide the answer in graphical form on a plane.
Solve Provide the answer, showing how you got there.
Key terms Definition
Graph(s) A diagram showing the relation between variable quantities,
typically of two variables, each measured along one of a pair of
axes at right angles.
Meter(s) The SI base unit of length (equivalent to approximately 39.37
inches), first introduced as a unit of length in the metric system.
Hour(s) A period of time equal to a twenty-fourth part of a day and night
and divided into 60 minutes.
Depth The distance from the top or surface to the bottom of something.
Tide The alternate rising and falling of the sea, usually twice in each
lunar day at a particular place, due to the attraction of the moon
and sun.
Diagram A simplified drawing showing the appearance, structure, or
workings of something; a schematic representation.
Inequality The relation between two expressions that are not equal,
employing a sign such as ≠, >, or <.
Questions appearing in past HSC papers
Question name 2022 maths advanced Q14
The graph of 𝑦 = 𝑘sin(𝑎𝑥)𝑖𝑠 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑤𝑛. [2 marks]

What are the values of 𝑘 and 𝑎?

Worked solution Annotation
𝑘 = amplitude = 4 The number before the function determines the
amplitude. Because the amplitude is 4, 𝑘 is also 4.

2𝜋
Period = The period is the number that is multiplied with 𝑥
𝑎
within the brackets which is 𝑎 in this question. Because
this determines period, we need to look at the period
of the original sin(𝑥) graph which has a period of 2𝜋.

2𝜋 Because it makes one full cycle (period) between 0 and

6𝜋 = 2𝜋
𝑎 6𝜋, 𝑎 can be set to equal 6𝜋.
1
∴𝑎=
3 Solving this gives you 𝑎.
Question name 2022 maths advanced Q23 a
The depth of water in a bay rises and falls with the tide. On a particular day, the depth of
the water, 𝑑 meters, can be modelled by the equation
4𝜋
𝑑 = 1.3 − 0.6 cos ( 𝑡),
25
Where 𝑡 is the time in hours since low tide
(a) Find the depth of water at low tide and at high tide. [2 marks]
Worked solution Annotation
4𝜋 The equation provided by the question.
𝑑 = 1.3 − 0.6 cos ( 25 𝑡)

When cos is set to its maximum value, you get 1 which

Maximum depth (high tide)
when multiplied with 0.6, gives 0.6.
= 1.3 + 0.6 = 1.9𝑚
When cos is set to is minimum value, you get – 1 which
Minimum depth (low tide)
when multiplied with 0.6, gives – 0.6.
= 1.3 − 0.6 = 0.7𝑚
Question name 2022 maths advanced Q23 b
(b) What is the time interval, in hours, between two successive low tides?
Worked solution Annotation
2𝜋 2𝜋
Period = 4𝜋 The period of a cosine function is given by 𝐵 where 𝐵
( )
25 4𝜋 4𝜋
is equal to 25. Therefore, dividing 2𝜋 by 25 will give you
the period of the function which will be the time
between successive low tides.

= 12.5 hours When solved, the answer is 12.5 hours between

successive low tides
Question name 2022 maths advanced Q23 c
(c) For how long between successive low tides will the depth of water be at least 1
meter? [2 marks]
Worked solution Annotation
4𝜋 Restates the original question.
𝑑 = 1.3 − 0.6 cos ( 𝑡) 25
When 𝑑 = 1
4𝜋 Sets the depth of water to > 1𝑚.
1 = 1.3 − 0.6 cos ( 𝑡)
25
4𝜋
−0.3 = −0.6 cos ( 25 𝑡) Simplification after substituting 𝑑 = 1.

1 4𝜋 Both sides are divided by −0.6 to solve for the cosine

= cos ( 25 𝑡) of the function.
2

4𝜋 𝜋 5𝜋
𝑡=3, Finds the values of 𝑡 for which the cosine function
25 3 1
equals 2.

𝜋 25 5𝜋 25
𝑡 = 3 × 4𝜋 , × 4𝜋 Solves for 𝑡 by multiplying both sides by the reciprocal
3 4𝜋
of 25.

25 125
= , Simplification of 𝑡 into fractions of hours.
2 12
 125 25
Time interval = − Calculates the time between the two solutions for 𝑡
12 2
which represents the period for when the water is
deeper than 1𝑚.
1
= 8 3 hours
This is the time interval from above simplified.
Question name 2023 maths advanced Q19 a
(a) Sketch the graphs of the functions 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 1 and 𝑔(𝑥) = (1 − 𝑥)(3 + 𝑥)
showing the 𝑥-intercepts. [2 marks]
Worked solution Annotation
The 𝑥-intercept is found by setting 𝑓(𝑥) = 0 and
solving for 𝑥. This gives 𝑥 = 1.

The function 𝑔(𝑥) also has 𝑥-intercepts which can be

found by setting 𝑔(𝑥) = 0. Which gives 𝑥 = 1, −3.

Question name 2023 maths advanced Q19 b

(b) Hence, or otherwise, solve the inequality 𝑥 − 1 < (1 − 𝑥)(3 + 𝑥).
Worked solution Annotation
The graphs meet when Equates the functions 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑔(𝑥) to find
𝑥 − 1 = (1 − 𝑥)(3 + 𝑥) intersection points.

∴ 𝑥 = 1 or 3 + 𝑥 = −1 The equation has been factored and zeroed to solve for

𝑥.

I.e. 𝑥 = 1 or 𝑥 = −4 Simplifies the solution from the previous step to find

the exact values of 𝑥 for when the graphs intersect.

from part (a), −4 < 𝑥 < 1 Using the 𝑥-intercepts determined in part (a) to
determine when 𝑓(𝑥) is less than 𝑔(𝑥).
Question name 2023 maths advanced Q20
Find all the values of 𝜃, where 0° ≤ 𝜃 ≤ 360°, such that [3 marks]
√3
sin(𝜃 − 60°) = − .
2
Worked solution Annotation
0° ≤ 𝜃 ≤ 360° Defines 𝜃 as one full rotation on a unit circle.

−60° ≤ 𝜃 − 60° ≤ 300° Adjusts the domain for the change in the sine function
(sin(𝜃 − 60).

√3
sin(𝜃 − 60°) = − The equation given in the question
2

𝜃 − 60° = 240, 300 𝑜𝑟 − 60° These are the solutions to the sine equation where sine
√3
is equal to − .
2

Adds 60° to each to correct for the initial

𝜃 = 300°, 360°, 0°
transformation.
Question name 2023 maths advanced Q27 a
The graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥), where 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎|𝑥 − 𝑏| + 𝑐, passes through the points (3, –5),
(6, 7) and (9, –5) as shown in the diagram. [3 marks]

(a) Find the values of 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐.

Worked solution Annotation

𝑐 = 7 since the absolute value Determining the vertical shift (𝑐) by observing how far
graph has been shifted by 7 the graph moved from the 𝑦-axis.
vertically
𝑏 = 6 shifted by 6 to the right Determining the horizontal shift (𝑏) by observing how
far the graph moved from the 𝑥-axis.

Let 𝑥 = 3, 𝑦 = −5 Plugs the points (3, −5) into the problem to solve for 𝑎

𝑓(3) = 𝑎|3 − 6| + 7 = −5 Equation formed from substituting the 𝑥-value into the
function.

3𝑎 + 7 = −5 Simplifies the absolute value from the last step.

3𝑎 = −12 This moves the 7 onto the other side, leaving the 3𝑎.

𝑎 = −4 This divides both sides by 3 to solve for 𝑎.

∴ 𝑎 = −4, 𝑏 = 6, 𝑐 = 7 This presents the answer for 𝑎 as well as the ones for 𝑏
and 𝑐 which were provided above.
Question name 2023 maths advanced Q27 b
(b) The line 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 cuts the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) in two distinct places.

Find all possible values of 𝑚. [2 marks]

Worked solution Annotation
Line joining (6,7) with (0,0) has Calculating the slope of the line segment.
7
slope 6

7 For a line to be able to intersect an absolute value

𝑚 must be less than to cut the
6 graph in two places, it must have a steeper slope.
graph in two places
The slope on the right side of the ⋀-shaped absolute
Slope of right side of graph = −4 value graph is −4, gien by 𝑎, found previously.

𝑚 must be greater than −4 or it For a line to be able to intersect an absolute value

will only cut the graph once graph in two places, it must have a steeper slope.
7
Hence −4 < 𝑚 < 6 The final result combines the above conditions to give
a range for the slope 𝑚.
Probability and discrete probability distributions topic study guide
Question verbs Definition
Which Determine which, of a set of answers, is correct.
What Calculate the answer.
Show Given the correct answer, provide workings to get there.
Calculate Compute the answer.
Is Determine if true.
Justify Provide the answer and support it with proof.
Key terms Definition
Probability The extent to which an event is likely to occur, measured by the
ratio of the favourable cases to the whole number of cases
possible.
Die/dice A small cube with each side having a different number of spots on
it, ranging from one to six, thrown and used in gambling and
other games involving probability.
Distribution The way in which something is shared out among a group or
spread over an area.
Discrete rnd. variable A variable which may take on only a countable number of distinct
values such as 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, …
Standard deviation A measure of the amount of variation of a random variable
expected about its mean.
Expected value A generalization of the weighted average.
Questions appearing in past HSC papers
Question name 2022 mathematics advanced Q15 a
In a bag there are 3 six-sided dice. Two of the dice have faces marked 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. The
other is a special die with faces marked 1, 2, 3, 5, 5, 5.

One die is randomly selected and tossed.

(a) What is the probability that the die shows a 5? [1 mark]

Worked solution Annotation
2 1 1 3
𝑃(5) = × + × This line calculates the probability of rolling a 5,
3 6 3 6 2
considering that there is a 3 chance of choosing the
1
regular die, with a 3 chance of choosing the special die.
5
= 18 This simplifies the calculation from the last step.
Question name 2022 mathematics advanced Q15 b
(b) Given that the die shows a 5, what is the probability that it is the [1 mark]
special die?
Worked solution Annotation
𝑃(special die | 5) This uses the formula for conditional probability to
𝑃(𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑖𝑒 ∩ 5)
= calculate the probability that the special die is chosen,
𝑃(5)
given a 5 is rolled.
1 3
×
= 3 6
5 This calculation substitutes in the probabilities for the
18 events’ occurrence.
3
=5 This is the simplification of the above calculation.
Question name 2023 mathematics advanced Q31 a
Four Year 12 students want to organise a graduation party. All four students have the
same probability, 𝑃(𝐹), of being available next Friday. All four students have the same
probability, 𝑃(𝑆), of being available next Saturday.

3 1 1
It is given that 𝑃(𝐹) = 10, 𝑃(𝑆|𝐹) = 3, and 𝑃(𝐹|𝑆) = 8.

Kim is one of the four students.

(a) Is Kim’s availability next Friday independent from his availability next Saturday?
Justify your answer. [1 mark]
Worked solution Annotation
No, since 𝑃(𝐹|𝑆) ≠ 𝑃(𝐹) Because the events on Friday are independent of those
on Saturday therefore, just because Kim is available on
Friday, it doesn’t determine that they are also available
on Saturday.
Question name 2023 mathematics advanced Q31 b
4
(b) Show that the probability that Kim is available next Saturday is 5. [2 marks]
Worked solution Annotation
𝑃(𝑆∩𝐹) This is the formula for conditional probability
𝑃(𝑆|𝐹) = 𝑃(𝑆)
1 𝑃(𝑆∩𝐹)
= 3 Here, the numbers are input into the formula.
3
10

1 Solving the equation above gives the join probability of

𝑃(𝑆 ∩ 𝐹) = 10
𝑆 and 𝐹.
𝑃(𝑆∩𝐹)
𝑃(𝐹|𝑆) = Applies the formula again, this time calculating the
𝑃(𝑆)
probability of 𝐹 given 𝑆 has occurred.
1
1 10
= Finding 𝑃(𝑆) with the probability of 𝐹 given 𝑆 and joint
8 𝑃(𝑆)
probability of 𝑆 and 𝐹.

(since 𝑃(𝑆 ∩ 𝐹) = 𝑃(𝐹 ∩ 𝑆)) This justifies the previous substitution.

8 Solving the previous equation for 𝑃(𝑆).

𝑃(𝑆) = 10
4
= Simplifying.
5
Question name 2023 mathematics advanced Q31 c
(c) What is the probability that at least one of the four students is NOT available next
Saturday? [2 marks]
Worked solution Annotation
4 4 This uses the compliment rule which means that the
1−( )
5 probability of any event happening is the same as 1
minus the probability of no event happening. It is to
the fourth power as there are four students.
256
= 1 − 625 This calculates the probability that all students are
available.

369 This simplifies to find the actual fraction.

= 625

This simplifies to convert the fraction to a decimal.

= 0.594