STEP, MAT, TMUA: Skills for success in

University Admissions Tests for Mathematics

Full solutions – Part 1

Chapter 2: Mathematical problem solving in admissions tests

Try it out (page 16)

1. The area X is the sum of the areas of the semicircle and right-
angled triangle that make up the overlap of the square and the
circle (it has already been established that the two points of
intersection will be the ends of a diameter of the circle.
𝑿

Let 𝛼 be the angle that the diameter joining the points of

intersection makes with the initial horizontal diameter.

𝛼
The right-angled triangle has one angle of 2 since the
angle at the centre of a circle is twice the angle at
the circumference.

This gives the right-angled triangle side lengths of

𝛼 𝛼
𝑑 sin 2 and 𝑑 cos 2 and, hence, an area of
1 𝛼 𝛼
2
𝑑2 sin 2 cos 2 which, using the identity
1
sin 2𝐴 = 2 sin 𝐴 cos 𝐴, can be written 𝑑2 sin 𝛼
4
 1 1
2. The area of 𝑋 = 𝜋𝑑2 + 𝑑2 sin 𝛼. Since 𝑑 is constant, it is only 𝛼 that will
8 4
have an effect on the area. As sin 𝛼 increases from 𝛼 = 0° to 𝛼 = 90° and
then decreases from there to 𝛼 = 180°, it follows that the area will increase
until 𝛼 = 90° i.e. the square is in the symmetrical arrangement.

The radius of the circle is 4 units so 𝑑 = 8 units

1 1
The maximum value of 𝑋 = 8 𝜋 × 82 + 4 × 82 × sin 90° = 8𝜋 + 16 = 8(𝜋 + 2)
Chapter 3: Introductory number and algebra techniques
Some questions to think about (page 17)

1. The last digit of (4832 × 2543)8 is the same as the last digit of (2 × 3)8 = 68 . However,
since 62 = 36 also has last digit 6, all powers of 6 end in a 6.

2. The last digit of 184366 is 366 . 31 = 3 has last digit 3. 32 = 9 has last digit 9. 33 = 27 has
last digit 7. 3 × 7 = 21 so 34 = 3 × 33 has last digit 1. 3 × 1 = 3 so 35 = 3 × 34 has last
digit 3, and so on.
The last digits of powers of 3 cycle through the sequence 3, 9, 7, 1, 3, 9, 7, 1, 3, … .
Since 66 = 16 × 4 + 2, the last digit of 366 is the same as the last digit of 32 .
The answer is 9.

3. Any positive integer that leaves a remainder 𝑟 when divided by the positive integer 𝑘 can be
written as 𝑘𝑛 + 𝑟 for some integer 𝑛, however, 𝑘𝑛 + 𝑟 ≡ 𝑘 (𝑛 + 1) + 𝑟 − 𝑛, and this is far
more helpful.
For example, any positive integer that leaves remainder 6 when divided by 7 can be
expressed as 7𝑛 + 6 ≡ 7(𝑛 + 1) − 1, so is one less than a multiple of 7.
Using similar reasoning throughout, you are looking for the smallest number that is one less
than a number that is simultaneously a multiple of 2, 3, 4, … , 9, 10, in other words,
𝐿𝐶𝑀 (2, 3, 4, … , 9, 10) − 1. Using the prime factorisations 2, 3, 4 = 22 , 5, 6 = 2 × 3, 7, 8 =
23 , 9 = 32 , 10 = 2 × 5, it follows that 𝐿𝐶𝑀 (2, 3, 4, … , 9, 10) − 1 = 23 × 32 × 5 × 7 − 1 =
2520 − 1 = 2519.

4. Let the two-digit number, ′𝑎𝑏′ be written as 10𝑎 + 𝑏, such that 𝑎 ∈ {1, 2, 3, … , 9} and 𝑏 ∈
{0, 1, 2, 3, … , 9}.
Reversing the digits gives ′𝑏𝑎′, written as 10𝑏 + 𝑎.
Adding the digits (of either number) gives 𝑎 + 𝑏.
The sum of these is 10𝑎 + 𝑏 + 10𝑏 + 𝑎 + 𝑎 + 𝑏 = 12(𝑎 + 𝑏) which, since 𝑎 + 𝑏 is an
integer, is a multiple of 12. For it to be a multiple of 96, 𝑎 + 𝑏 must be a multiple of 8. Since
1 ≤ 𝑎 + 𝑏 ≤ 18, the only possibilities are 𝑎 + 𝑏 = 8 and 𝑎 + 𝑏 = 16.

The case 𝑎 + 𝑏 = 8 leads to the two-digit numbers 17, 26, 35, 44, 53, 62, 71 and 80.
The case 𝑎 + 𝑏 = 16 leads to the two-digit numbers 79, 88 and 97.

5. a) Let, for example, the two consecutive integers be 𝑛 and 𝑛 + 1. Then the product can be
expressed 𝑛(𝑛 + 1). Since one of 𝑛 and 𝑛 + 1 must be an even number, it follows that the
product, 𝑛(𝑛 + 1), must also be even.

b) Let, for example, the three consecutive integers be 𝑛 − 1, 𝑛 and 𝑛 + 1. Then the product
can be expressed (𝑛 − 1)𝑛(𝑛 + 1). Since exactly one of 𝑛 − 1, 𝑛 and 𝑛 + 1 must be a
multiple of 3, and at least one must be even, it follows that the product, (𝑛 − 1)𝑛(𝑛 + 1),
must be a multiple of 3 × 2 = 6.

c) Let, for example, the four consecutive integers be 𝑛 − 1, 𝑛, 𝑛 + 1 and 𝑛 + 2. Then the
product can be expressed (𝑛 − 1)𝑛(𝑛 + 1)(𝑛 + 2). Amongst 𝑛 − 1, 𝑛, 𝑛 + 1 and 𝑛 + 2
 there is at least one multiple of 3 and two consecutive even numbers. Since the two even
numbers are consecutive, one of them must also be a multiple of 4. It follows that the
product, (𝑛 − 1)𝑛(𝑛 + 1)(𝑛 + 2), must be a multiple of 3 × 2 × 4 = 24.

d) Let, for example, the seven consecutive integers be 𝑛 − 3, 𝑛 − 2, 𝑛 − 1, 𝑛, 𝑛 + 1, 𝑛 + 2

and 𝑛 + 3. Then the product can be expressed (𝑛 − 3)(𝑛 − 2)(𝑛 − 1)𝑛(𝑛 + 1)(𝑛 + 2)(𝑛 +
3). Amongst 𝑛 − 3, 𝑛 − 2, 𝑛 − 1, 𝑛, 𝑛 + 1, 𝑛 + 2 and 𝑛 + 3 there is at least one multiple of 7,
at least one multiple of 5 and at least two multiples of 3. There are also at least three
consecutive even numbers, at least one of which is also a multiple of 4.
It follows that the product, (𝑛 − 3)(𝑛 − 2)(𝑛 − 1)𝑛(𝑛 + 1)(𝑛 + 2)(𝑛 + 3), must be a
multiple of 7 × 5 × 3 × 3 × 2 × 2 × 4 = 5040. So, in fact, this proves more than was asked
for! Since 5040 = 1680 × 3, it follows that the product is also a multiple of 1680.

6. Factorising gives 𝑛2 (𝑛2 − 1)(𝑛2 − 4) ≡ (𝑛 − 2)(𝑛 − 1)𝑛2 (𝑛 + 1)(𝑛 + 2).

First notice that, if 𝑛 is a positive integer, (𝑛 − 2)(𝑛 − 1)𝑛(𝑛 + 1)(𝑛 + 2) is the product of
five consecutive integers; one of these is a multiple of 5, at least one is a multiple of 3 and at
least two are even numbers that must be consecutive, so, further more, one of these must
also be a multiple of 4. So the product of five consecutive integers must be a multiple of 5 ×
3 × 2 × 4 = 120.
It follows that (𝑛 − 2)(𝑛 − 1)𝑛2 (𝑛 + 1)(𝑛 + 2) is a multiple of 360 if 𝑛 is a multiple of 3.
However, if 𝑛 is not a multiple of 3, then it can be written as, for example, 3𝑚 + 1 or 3𝑚 +
2, for some integer 𝑚.
If 𝑛 = 3𝑚 + 1 then both 𝑛 − 1 = 3𝑚 and 𝑛 + 2 = 3(𝑚 + 1), so the five consecutive
integers actually contain two multiples of 3, and so, in this case, their product is a multiple of
5 × 3 × 3 × 2 × 4 = 360.
Similarly, if 𝑛 = 3𝑚 + 2 then both 𝑛 − 2 = 3𝑚 and 𝑛 + 1 = 3(𝑚 + 1), so the five
consecutive integers also contain two multiples of 3, in this case, and you reach the same
conclusion as for 𝑛 = 3𝑚 + 1.
Since any positive integer can be written as either 3𝑚, 3𝑚 + 1 or 3𝑚 + 2, for some integer
𝑚, it must be true that 𝑛2 (𝑛2 − 1)(𝑛2 − 4) is a multiple of 360 for all positive integer
values of 𝑛.

7. 𝑛2 − 1 ≡ (𝑛 − 1)(𝑛 + 1). Since 𝑛 is an odd integer, it follows that 𝑛 − 1 and 𝑛 + 1 must be

two consecutive integers, one a multiple of 2 and one a multiple of 4. It follows that the
product is a multiple of 2 × 4 = 8.

Try it out (page 18)

1. 153 × 144 × 135 = 33 × 53 × 24 × 74 × 135 = (2 × 5)3 × 2 × 33 × 74 × 135 , so the last

non-zero digit is the last digit of 2 × 33 × 74 × 135 . The last digit of 33 = 27 is 3, of 74 =
49 × 49 is the same as the last digit of 9 × 9 = 81, so 1, and of 135 is the same as the last
digit of 35 = 33 × 32 which, in turn, is the same as the last digit of 7 × 9 = 63, so 3. It
follows that the last digit of 2 × 33 × 74 × 135 , and therefore the last non-zero digit of
(2 × 5)3 × 2 × 33 × 74 × 135 , is the last digit of 2 × 7 × 1 × 3 = 42, that is 2.
 2. The number 1200 = 12 × 100 = 22 × 3 × (2 × 5)2 = 24 × 3 × 52 has 5 × 2 × 3 = 30
factors.

3. Since 2160 = 63 × 10 = 23 × 33 × 2 × 5 = 24 × 33 × 5 and 12 = 22 × 3, precisely any

factor of 2160 that is also a multiple of 12 can uniquely be written in the form 2𝑎 × 3𝑏 × 5𝑐
where 𝑎 ∈ {2, 3, 4}, 𝑏 ∈ {1, 2, 3} and 𝑐 ∈ {0, 1}. There are 3 × 3 × 2 = 18 such numbers.

Try it out (page 20)

1. 360 + 𝑥 2 = 𝑦 2 ⟹ 360 = 𝑦 2 − 𝑥 2 = (𝑦 + 𝑥)(𝑦 − 𝑥). The prime factorisation 360 = 23 ×

32 × 5 informs you that there are 4 × 3 × 2 = 24 factors of 360 and 12 distinct pairs of
positive integers that multiply together to give 360. It also gives a method for finding the
factors quickly and establishing when a given pair will be two even numbers and therefore
lead to an integer solution. Realising that, since 𝑥 and 𝑦 are positive integers, 𝑦 + 𝑥 > 𝑦 − 𝑥:

(1. 𝑦 − 𝑥 = 1 and 𝑦 + 𝑥 = 360 gives 2𝑦 = 361 which does not have an integer solution.)
2. 𝑦 − 𝑥 = 2 and 𝑦 + 𝑥 = 180 gives 2𝑦 = 182, so 𝑦 = 91, and 𝑥 = 89: 360 + 892 = 912 .
(3. 𝑦 − 𝑥 = 3 and 𝑦 + 𝑥 = 120 gives 2𝑦 = 123 which does not have an integer solution.)
4. 𝑦 − 𝑥 = 4 and 𝑦 + 𝑥 = 90 gives 2𝑦 = 94, so 𝑦 = 47, and 𝑥 = 43: 360 + 432 = 472 .
(5. 𝑦 − 𝑥 = 5 and 𝑦 + 𝑥 = 72 gives 2𝑦 = 77 which does not have an integer solution.)
6. 𝑦 − 𝑥 = 6 and 𝑦 + 𝑥 = 60 gives 2𝑦 = 66, so 𝑦 = 33, and 𝑥 = 27: 360 + 272 = 332 .
(7. 𝑦 − 𝑥 = 8 and 𝑦 + 𝑥 = 45 gives 2𝑦 = 53 which does not have an integer solution.)
(8. 𝑦 − 𝑥 = 9 and 𝑦 + 𝑥 = 40 gives 2𝑦 = 49 which does not have an integer solution.)
9. 𝑦 − 𝑥 = 10 and 𝑦 + 𝑥 = 36 gives 2𝑦 = 46, so 𝑦 = 23, and 𝑥 = 13: 360 + 132 = 232 .
10. 𝑦 − 𝑥 = 12 and 𝑦 + 𝑥 = 30 gives 2𝑦 = 42, so 𝑦 = 21, and 𝑥 = 9: 360 + 92 = 212 .
(11. 𝑦 − 𝑥 = 15 and 𝑦 + 𝑥 = 24 gives 2𝑦 = 39 which does not have an integer solution.)
12. 𝑦 − 𝑥 = 18 and 𝑦 + 𝑥 = 20 gives 2𝑦 = 38, so 𝑦 = 19, and 𝑥 = 1: 360 + 12 = 192 .

2.
a) 988 × 1012 = (1000 − 12)(1000 + 12) = 10002 − 122 = 1000000 − 144 = 999856
1
b) 5032 − 32 = 500 × 506 = 2 × 1000 × 506 = 1000 × 253 = 253000 ⇔ 5032 =
253000 + 32 = 253009

Try it out (page 24)

𝑥 3 − 21𝑥 + 20 ≥ 0: Let f(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 − 21𝑥 + 20. Since f(1) = 0, (𝑥 − 1)

is a factor of f(𝑥). Factorising gives f(𝑥) = (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 20) =
(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 5)(𝑥 − 4).

Sketching the graph of 𝑦 = f(𝑥) shows that 𝑥 3 − 21𝑥 + 20 ≥ 0

precisely when −5 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1 or 𝑥 ≥ 4.
 21 + 4𝑥 − 𝑥 2 > 0 ⟺ 0 > 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 21 = (𝑥 − 7)(𝑥 + 3).
Sketching the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 21 shows that 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 21 < 0
precisely when −3 < 𝑥 < 7.

Finally, the following diagram shows that both inequalities are both satisfied precisely when
−3 < 𝑥 ≤ 1 or 4 ≤ 𝑥 < 7.

Try it out (page 26)

8! 8×7×6
1. The 𝑥 5 term in the expansion of (1 + 𝑎𝑥)8 is 8𝐶5 (𝑎𝑥)5 = 5!3! 𝑎5 𝑥 5 = 3!
𝑎5 𝑥 5 = 56𝑎5 𝑥 5 ,
so the coefficient is 56𝑎5 .
The coefficient of 𝑥 5 is the greatest of all the coefficients precisely when it is greater than
the coefficients of both 𝑥 4 and 𝑥 6 .
8! 8×7×6×5 4 4
The 𝑥 4 term in the expansion of (1 + 𝑎𝑥)8 is 8𝐶4 (𝑎𝑥)4 = 𝑎4 𝑥4 = 𝑎 𝑥 =
4!4! 4!
70𝑎4 𝑥 4 , so the coefficient is 70𝑎4 .
8! 8×7
The 𝑥 6 term in the expansion of (1 + 𝑎𝑥)8 is 8𝐶6 (𝑎𝑥)6 = 6!2! 𝑎6 𝑥 6 = 2! 𝑎6 𝑥 6 = 28𝑎6 𝑥 6 ,
so the coefficient is 28𝑎6 .
Therefore all values of 𝑎 that satisfy both 56𝑎5 > 70𝑎 4 and 56𝑎5 > 28𝑎6 .
56𝑎5 > 70𝑎4 ⟺ 4𝑎5 > 5𝑎4 ⇔ 𝑎4 (4𝑎 − 5) > 0. Since 𝑎 = 0 is clearly not a solution, 𝑎4 >
5
0 and so the inequality is satisfied precisely when 4𝑎 − 5 > 0 ⇔ 𝑎 > 4. (1)
56𝑎5 > 28𝑎6 ⟺ 2𝑎5 > 𝑎6 ⇔ 𝑎4 (2𝑎 − 𝑎2 ) > 0. Since 𝑎 = 0 is clearly not a solution, 𝑎4 >
0 and so the inequality is satisfied precisely when 2𝑎 − 𝑎2 > 0 ⇔ 0 > 𝑎2 − 2𝑎 = 𝑎(𝑎 − 2).
Notice that 𝑎5 could be positive or negative, hence why 𝑎4 was factored out instead.
Sketching the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 shows that 0 > 𝑎(𝑎 − 2) ⇔ 0 < 𝑎 < 2. (2)
 Putting (1) and (2) together leads to the conclusion that both inequalities are satisfied
5
precisely when 4 < 𝑎 < 2.

2. Consider how 𝑥 5 𝑦 9 terms can be obtained from 1𝑎 (2𝑥𝑦)𝑏 (𝑦 2 )𝑐 where 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 are non-
negative integers satisfying 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 = 10. It is clear that 𝑏 has to equal 5 to get the 𝑥 5 and
that, therefore, 𝑐 has to equal 2 to get the 𝑦 9 . It follows that 13 (2𝑥𝑦)5 (𝑦 2 )2 = 25 𝑥 5 𝑦 9 is
the only way to obtain an 𝑥 5 𝑦 9 term, but there are lots of ways of getting this; for example,
from the 10 brackets you could choose the 5 brackets from which to take the 2𝑥𝑦 and then,
from the remaining 5 brackets you could choose the 2 brackets from which to take the 𝑦 2 (1
is automatically taken from the final 3 brackets). It follows that 13 (2𝑥𝑦)5 (𝑦 2 )2 appears in
10! 5! 10×9×8×7×6 5×4
the expansion 𝐶510 × 𝐶25 = 5!5! × 2!3! = 5×4×3×2×1 × 2×1 = 3 × 2 × 7 × 6 × 5 × 2 = 22 ×
3 × 5 × 7 × 2 × 3 = 23 × 32 × 5 × 7 times.
Therefore the coefficient of 𝑥 5 𝑦 9 in the expansion of (1 + 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 )10 is 23 × 32 × 5 × 7 ×
25 = 28 × 32 × 5 × 7.

Exercise 1

1. Since 02 = 0, 12 = 1, 22 = 4, 32 = 9, 42 = 16 has last digit 6, 52 = 25 has last digit 5,

62 = 36 has last digit 6, 72 = 49 has last digit 9, 82 = 64 has last digit 4, and 92 = 81 has
last digit 1, it follows that the square of any integer must end in one of 0, 1, 4, 5, 6 and 9. In
particular, no square of an integer has last digit 3 (or 2, 7 or 8), and therefore 𝑥 2 = 42003
has no integer solution.

2. The 3-digit number ′𝑎𝑏𝑐 ′ , 𝑎 ≠ 0, can be written 100𝑎 + 10𝑏 + 𝑐. Reversing the digits gives
′𝑐𝑏𝑎′ , and this can be written 100𝑐 + 10𝑏 + 𝑎.
The difference between these two numbers is |100𝑎 + 10𝑏 + 𝑐 − (100𝑐 + 10𝑏 + 𝑎)| =
|99𝑎 − 99𝑐 | = 99|𝑎 − 𝑐| . Since 𝑎 and 𝑐 are digits and so integers, |𝑎 − 𝑐| is also an integer,
and 99|𝑎 − 𝑐| is always a multiple of 99.

3. Factorising gives 𝑛5 − 𝑛 = 𝑛(𝑛4 − 1) = 𝑛(𝑛2 − 1)(𝑛2 + 1) = 𝑛(𝑛 − 1)(𝑛 + 1)(𝑛2 + 1).

This product contains as a factor (𝑛 − 1)𝑛(𝑛 + 1), which is the product of three consecutive
integers. Every three consecutive integers contain one multiple of 3 and at least one even
number. Their product is therefore always a multiple of 3 × 2 = 6 and, hence, so is 𝑛5 − 𝑛.

4. This is an extension of question 3, where it was established that 𝑛5 − 𝑛 is a multiple of 6 for

any positive integer 𝑛.
 It was also shown that 𝑛5 − 𝑛 = (𝑛 − 1)𝑛(𝑛 + 1)(𝑛2 + 1). It is still left to show that 𝑛5 − 𝑛
is a multiple of 5 when 𝑛 is a positive integer greater than 2.
If 𝑛 − 1, 𝑛 or 𝑛 + 1 are multiples of 5 then the factorization shows immediately that 𝑛5 − 𝑛
is a multiple of 5.
If none of 𝑛 − 1, 𝑛 and 𝑛 + 1 are multiples of 5 then either 𝑛 + 2 or 𝑛 + 3 must be a
multiple of 5.
If 𝑛 + 2 is a multiple of 5, it can be written as 5𝑚 for some integer, 𝑚. Then 𝑛 = 5𝑚 − 2
and 𝑛2 + 1 = (5𝑚 − 2)2 + 1 = 25𝑚 2 − 20𝑚 + 4 + 1 = 5(5𝑚 2 − 4𝑚 + 1) is a multiple of
5, since 5𝑚 2 − 4𝑚 + 1 is an integer.
If 𝑛 + 3 is a multiple of 5, it can be written as 5𝑚 for some integer, 𝑚. Then 𝑛 = 5𝑚 − 3
and 𝑛2 + 1 = (5𝑚 − 3)2 + 1 = 25𝑚 2 − 30𝑚 + 9 + 1 = 5(5𝑚 2 − 6𝑚 + 2) is a multiple of
5, since 5𝑚 2 − 6𝑚 + 2 is an integer.
It follows that if none of 𝑛 − 1, 𝑛 and 𝑛 + 1 are multiples of 5 then 𝑛2 + 1, and therefore
𝑛5 − 𝑛 are.
Combining this with the work for question 3, 𝑛5 − 𝑛 is a multiple of 6 × 5 = 30 for any
integer 𝑛, and, in particular, for any integer 𝑛 ≥ 2.

5. Factorising gives 4𝑛 − 1 = (2𝑛 )2 − 1 = (2𝑛 − 1)(2𝑛 + 1).

First consider (2𝑛 − 1)2𝑛 (2𝑛 + 1). This is a product of three consecutive integers, since 𝑛 is
a positive integer, and therefore one of the three integers is a multiple of 3. However, notice
that the only prime factor of 2𝑛 is 2; in particular, 2𝑛 cannot be a multiple of 3. Since this
means that one of 2𝑛 − 1 and 2𝑛 + 1 must be a multiple of 3, it follows that
(2𝑛 − 1)(2𝑛 + 1) = 4𝑛 − 1 is also a multiple of 3.

6. In prime factorized form, 259 = 7 × 37, so 259𝑛5 has at least 7 and 37 as prime factors,
but, since it has 259 = 7 × 37 factors, it can only have these two prime factors. Therefore 𝑛
has to take the form 7𝑎 × 37𝑏 , for some positive integers 𝑎 and 𝑏. Then 259𝑛5 = 7 × 37 ×
5
(7𝑎 × 37𝑏 ) = 75𝑎+1 × 375𝑏+1 . This has (5𝑎 + 2)(5𝑏 + 2) factors. For this to be 259 =
7 × 37 requires 5𝑎 + 2 = 7 and 5𝑏 + 2 = 37 or vice versa. Either way, {𝑎, 𝑏} = {1, 7}.
3
Since 18𝑛3 = 2 × 32 × (7𝑎 × 37𝑏 ) = 2 × 32 × 73𝑎 × 373𝑏 , this has 2 × 3 ×
(3𝑎 + 1)(3𝑏 + 1) = 2 × 3 × (3 × 1 + 1) × (3 × 7 + 1) = 2 × 3 × 4 × 22 = 528.

7. Expressing numbers in their prime factorised form shows that

65 × 74 × 83 × 92 × 10 × 𝑥
= 25 × 35 × 74 × 29 × 34 × 2 × 5 × 𝑥
= 215 × 39 × 5 × 74 × 𝑥
An integer is a cube number precisely when all of the powers in its prime factorisation are
multiples of 3. So the smallest cube number that contains 215 × 39 × 5 × 74 as a factor is
215 × 39 × 53 × 76 . If 215 × 39 × 5 × 74 × 𝑥 = 215 × 39 × 53 × 76 then 𝑥 = 52 × 72 =
352 = 302 + 2 × 150 + 25 = 1225.

15𝑎+𝑏 ×6𝑏−𝑎 (3×5)𝑎+𝑏 ×(2×3)𝑏−𝑎

8. Using prime factorisation, 102𝑎−𝑏
= (2×5)2𝑎−𝑏
= 2𝑏−𝑎−(2𝑎−𝑏) × 3𝑎+𝑏+𝑏−𝑎 ×
5𝑎+𝑏−(2𝑎−𝑏) = 22𝑏−3𝑎 × 32𝑏 × 52𝑏−𝑎 . That 243 = 35 is not a factor of this number but
81 = 34 means that 2𝑏 has to equal 4, so 𝑏 = 2. For the number to be an integer, it is
4
required that 2𝑏 − 3𝑎 = 4 − 3𝑎 ≥ 0 ⟹ 𝑎 ≤ 3 and 2𝑏 − 𝑎 = 4 − 𝑎 ≥ 0 ⟹ 𝑎 ≤ 4. The only
 positive integer that satisfies both of the inequalities is 𝑎 = 1.
With 𝑎 = 1 and 𝑏 = 2, 22𝑏−3𝑎 × 32𝑏 × 52𝑏−𝑎 = 2 × 34 × 53 = 10 × 81 × 25 = 20250.

2
9. The highest power of 𝑥 in ((𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 3)2 ) comes from
(𝑥 (𝑥 2 )2 )2 = (𝑥 × 𝑥 4 )2 = 𝑥10 .
The highest power of 𝑥 in ((𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 4)3 (𝑥 4 + 2𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 5)4 )3 comes
from ((𝑥 3 )3 (𝑥 4 )4 )3 = (𝑥 9 × 𝑥16 )3 = 𝑥 75 .
Therefore the highest power of 𝑥 in the full expansion is 𝑥10 × 𝑥 75 = 𝑥 85 .

10. Since 10 = 2 × 5, all that matters is the power of 2 and the power 5 when considering how
many zero digits are at the end of a number. Also since, when multiplying 50 (sufficiently
small) consecutive integers, 2 must be raised to a higher power than the power of 5.
In 1 × 2 × 3 × … × 48 × 49 × 50, there are 10 multiples of 5, 2 of which are multiples of
52 , so the product ends in 12 zero digits.
In 51 × 52 × 53 × … × 98 × 99 × 100, there are also 10 multiples of 5, 2 of which are
multiples of 52 , so the product ends in 12 zero digit. The answer is that there is the same
number of zero digits for the two products. However, 101 × 102 × 103 × … × 148 × 149 ×
150 ends in 13 zero digits. Can you see why?

11. In prime factorized form, 1.2 × 108 = 12 × 107 = 22 × 3 × 27 × 57 = 29 × 3 × 57 . This

has 10 × 2 × 8 = 160 factors.

12. It may help to first read the solution to Question 10. As explained there, is to consider the
power of 5 in 𝑛!. From the numbers from 1 to 𝑛 inclusive: each multiple of 5 adds 1 to the
power of 5; of these, each multiple of 52 adds a further 1 to the power of 5; of these, each
multiple of 53 adds another 1 to the power of 5; and so on.

Using this idea, the following table shows the first time that 𝑛! ends in 𝑧 zero digits:

Key Multiple of 5 adds a zero digit at the end

Multiple of 52 adds two zero digits at the end
Multiple of 53 adds three zero digits at the end

𝒏 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
𝒛 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 10

𝒏 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90
𝒛 12 13 14 15 16 18 19 20 21

𝒏 95 100 105 110 115 120 125 130 135

𝒛 22 24 25 26 27 28 31 32 33
 𝒏 140 145
𝒛 34 35

This shows that 145! Is the smallest number of the form 𝑛! to end in 35 zero digits.

13. Using the law of indices, (𝑥 𝑎 )𝑏 = 𝑥 𝑎𝑏 , it follows that, since 6 = 2 × 3, 𝑥 6 is both a square
number ((𝑥 3 )2 ) and a cube number ((𝑥 2 )3 ).
Since the question asks for two examples, you could give 16 = 1 and 26 = 64.

14. Suppose there are two square numbers, 𝑎2 and 𝑏2 , for integers 𝑎 and 𝑏, with 𝑎2 the largest,
that do have a difference of 270.
Then 𝑎2 − 𝑏2 = 270, so (𝑎 + 𝑏)(𝑎 − 𝑏) = 270 = 27 × 10 = 2 × 33 × 5.
Since 2 is raised just to the power of 1 in the prime factorisation of 270, it follows that if any
two integers multiply to give 270, then one must be even and one must be odd.
Therefore 𝑎 + 𝑏 must be even and 𝑎 − 𝑏 must be odd, or vice versa. Either way, you
conclude that 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑎 − 𝑏 = 2𝑎 must be the result of adding an odd and an even number,
in other words odd. Since 𝑎 is an integer, 2𝑎 must be an even number. This contradiction
means that it is impossible to write 𝑎2 − 𝑏2 = 270 for any integers 𝑎 and 𝑏.

15. The highest power of 𝑥 in (32𝑥 5 + 5𝑥 3 )4 comes from (32𝑥 5 )4 = (25 𝑥 5 )4 = 220 𝑥 20 .
The highest power of 𝑥 in (16𝑥 4 + 3𝑥 + 5)5 comes from (16𝑥 4 )5 = (24 𝑥 4 )5 = 220 𝑥 20 .
However, the subtraction means that is not an 𝑥 20 term to raise to the power of 3.
The next highest power of 𝑥 in (32𝑥 5 + 5𝑥 3 )4 comes from 4(32𝑥 5 )3 (5𝑥 3 ) =
22 (25 𝑥 5 )3 (5𝑥 3 ) = 217 × 5𝑥18 .
The next highest power of 𝑥 in (16𝑥 4 + 3𝑥 + 5)5 comes from 5(16𝑥 4 )4 (3𝑥) =
5(24 𝑥 4 )4 (3𝑥) = 216 × 3 × 5𝑥17 . (There are 5 choices for choosing which bracket to take
the 3𝑥 from. Then, automatically, 16𝑥 4 needs to be taken from the remaining brackets.)
Fortunately, subtracting will not cancel the terms. Therefore, the highest power of 𝑥 before
raising to the power of 3 is 𝑥18 , and the final answer is (𝑥18 )3 = 𝑥 54 .

16. Suppose that 𝑎2 = 𝑏2 + 112 (Pythagoras’ Theorem) for positive integers 𝑎 > 𝑏 > 11.
Then 𝑎2 − 𝑏2 = (𝑎 + 𝑏)(𝑎 − 𝑏) = 112 . Since 𝑎 + 𝑏 > 𝑎 − 𝑏 > 0 are integers, the only
possibility is 𝑎 + 𝑏 = 112 = 121 and 𝑎 − 𝑏 = 1. Adding these equations gives 2𝑎 = 122, so
𝑎 = 61 and 𝑏 = 121 − 61 = 60.
The only possible right-angled triangle has sides of length 61 units, 60 units and 11 units.

17. Expressing numbers in their prime factorised form shows that

94 × 87 × 72 × 62 × 𝑥 2 = 38 × 221 × 72 × 22 × 32 × 𝑥 2 = 223 × 310 × 72 × 𝑥 2
An integer is a cube number precisely when all of the powers in its prime factorisation are
multiples of 3. So the smallest cube number that contains 223 × 310 × 72 as a factor is 224 ×
312 × 73 , but this would require 𝑥 2 to equal 2 × 32 × 7, which is not possible, since an
integer is a square number precisely when all of the powers in its prime factorisation are
even.
Suppose that 𝑥 = 2𝑎 × 3𝑏 × 7𝑐 for some non-negative integers, 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐.
2
Then 223 × 310 × 72 × 𝑥 2 = 223 × 310 × 72 × (2𝑎 × 3𝑏 × 7𝑐 ) = 223+2𝑎 × 310+2𝑏 ×
 72+2𝑐 . The smallest value of 𝑎 such that 23 + 2𝑎 is a multiple of 3 is 𝑎 = 2, the smallest
value of 𝑏 such that 10 + 2𝑏 is a multiple of 3 is 𝑏 = 1 and the smallest value of 𝑐 such that
2 + 2𝑐 is a multiple of 3 is 𝑐 = 2. Therefore the smallest possible value of 𝑥 is 𝑥 = 2𝑎 ×
3𝑏 × 7𝑐 = 22 × 3 × 72 = 12 × 49 = 588.

18. The given inequality can be expressed as a quadratic inequality in 3𝑥 :

(3𝑥 )2 − 3 × 3𝑥 + 3 < 3𝑥 ⇔ (3𝑥 )2 − 4 × 3𝑥 + 3 < 0
⇔ (3𝑥 − 1)(3𝑥 − 3) < 0 ⇔ 1 < 3𝑥 < 3 ⇔ 0 < 𝑥 < 1

19. Thinking of 𝑥12 − 5𝑥 6 + 𝑎𝑥 3 + 8 as 𝑔(𝑦) = 𝑦 4 − 5𝑦 2 + 𝑎𝑦 + 8 with 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 . That 𝑥 3 + 2 is

a factor of 𝑥12 − 5𝑥 6 + 𝑎𝑥 3 + 8 is equivalent to the statement that 𝑦 + 2 is a factor of
g(𝑦).
Therefore, by the Factor Theorem:
g(−2) = 0, (−2)4 − 5 × (−2)2 + 𝑎 × (−2) + 8 = 0
⇔ 16 − 20 − 2𝑎 + 8 = 0
⇔ 4 = 2𝑎
⇔ 𝑎 = 2.

20. Prime factorisation helps once again:

1 1
(𝑎−𝑏) (𝑎−𝑏)
12𝑎+𝑏 √14𝑎−𝑏 22(𝑎+𝑏) × 3𝑎+𝑏 × 22 × 72
2𝑎−𝑏
= 2𝑎−𝑏 2𝑎−𝑏
21 3 ×7
5 3 1 3 5 3 1 1 1 3
= 22𝑎+2𝑏 × 32𝑏−𝑎 × 72𝑏−2𝑎 = 22𝑎+2𝑏−2 × 32𝑏−𝑎−2 × 72𝑏−2𝑎 × √6
5 3 1 1 1 3
22𝑎+2𝑏−2 × 32𝑏−𝑎−2 × 72𝑏−2𝑎 must be an integer that is a multiple of 67 but not of 68 or 7.
1 3
That it must be an integer not divisible by 7 forces 𝑏 − 𝑎 = 0 ⇔ 𝑏 = 3𝑎.
2 2
7 8 5 3 1 1
That it is divisible by 6 but not 6 forces that either 2 𝑎 + 2 𝑏 − 2 = 7 and 2𝑏 − 𝑎 − 2 ≥ 7
5 3 1 1
or 2 𝑎 + 2 𝑏 − 2 ≥ 7 and 2𝑏 − 𝑎 − 2 = 7.
5 9 1 15 15
Substituting 𝑏 = 3𝑎 into both inequalities gives 𝑎 + 𝑎 − ≥ 7 ⇔ 7𝑎 ≥ ⇔𝑎≥ and
2 2 2 2 14
1 15 3
6𝑎 − 𝑎 − ≥ 7 ⇔ 5𝑎 ≥ ⇔𝑎≥ .
2 2 2
15 3 15 3
Therefore, it is required that either 𝑎 = 14 and 𝑎 ≥ 2 or 𝑎 ≥ 14 and 𝑎 = 2. Only the latter
3 9
can be satisfied, and this happens when 𝑎 = 2. Also, 𝑏 = 3𝑎 = 2. Substituting these values
gives:
5 3 1 1 1 3 15 27 2 3 1 9 9
22𝑎+2𝑏−2 × 32𝑏−𝑎−2 × 72𝑏−2𝑎 × √6 = 2 4 + 4 −4 × 39−2−2 × 74−4 × √6 = 210 × 37 × √6
The answer is 𝑘 = 210 × 37 .

21. Consider non-negative integer values of 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 such that 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 = 𝑛 and

1𝑎 (𝑦 2 𝑧)𝑏 (𝑧 2 𝑦)𝑐 ≡ 𝑦12 𝑧 9 . Since 1𝑎 (𝑦 2 𝑧)𝑏 (𝑧 2 𝑦)𝑐 ≡ 𝑦 2𝑏+𝑐 𝑧 𝑏+2𝑐 , 𝑏 and 𝑐 must satisfy the
simultaneous equations 2𝑏 + 𝑐 = 12 and 𝑏 + 2𝑐 = 9. Subtracting the first equation from
twice the second equation gives 3𝑐 = 6, so 𝑐 = 2 and 𝑏 = 9 − 4 = 5.
It follows that each 𝑦12 𝑧 9 term is formed via 1𝑛−7 (𝑦 2 𝑧)5 (𝑧 2 𝑦)2 . The number of ways of
 𝑛 𝑛−5
doing this, which is also the coefficient of 1𝑛−7 (𝑦 2 𝑧)5 (𝑧 2 𝑦)2 ≡ 𝑦12 𝑧 9 , is ( ) ( ) (5
5 2
choices from 𝑛 to select the brackets from which 𝑦 2 𝑧 is chosen, followed by selecting 2 from
the remaining 𝑛 − 5 brackets to select 𝑧 2 𝑦; 1 is automatically selected from the 𝑛 − 7
brackets not chosen). There are five other equivalent and equally valid solutions, depending
𝑛 𝑛−2 𝑛 𝑛−5
on what order you consider 1, 𝑦 2 𝑧 and 𝑦𝑧 2 : for example, ( ) ( ), ( ) ( ),
2 5 5 𝑛−7
𝑛 7 𝑛 𝑛−2 𝑛 7
( ) ( ), ( ) ( ), ( ) ( )... this is not an exclusive list!0
𝑛−7 5 2 𝑛−7 𝑛−7 2

Exercise 2 Admissions Test Multiple Choice Questions

TMUA style questions

1. For the expansion to give a quartic polynomial, 𝑐 = 4 is necessary.

Looking at the constant term of (𝑎 − 𝑏𝑥)4 shows that 𝑎4 = 4. Since 𝑎 is positive and real,
𝑎 = √2 is necessary.
4 2
The 𝑥 2 term in the expansion of (√2 − 𝑏𝑥) is 6 × (√2) × (−𝑏𝑥)2 ≡ 12𝑏2 𝑥 2 , so 12𝑏2 =
108 ⇔ 𝑏2 = 9 ⇔ 𝑏 = 3, since 𝑏 is positive. (Seeing the possible answers and the
appearance everywhere of 81 = 34 , does suggest the possibility of 𝑏 = 3.)
4 4 3 2
The expansion is (√2 − 3𝑥) ≡ (√2) + 4 × (√2) × (−3𝑥) + 6 × (√2) × (−3𝑥)2 + 4 ×
√2 × (−3𝑥)3 + (−3𝑥)4 ≡ 4 − 24√2𝑥 + 108𝑥 2 − 108√2𝑥 3 + 81𝑥 4 .
From this, 𝑝 + 𝑞 + 𝑟 = 24√2 − 108√2 + 81 = 81 − 84√2.
The answer is B.

2. Thinking of the ways in which 𝑥11 terms can be obtained from (2 + 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 3 )8 :

(𝑥 3 )3 (𝑥 2 )1 × 24 ≡ 16𝑥11 happens (8) (5) =
8×7×6
× 5 = 56 × 5 = 280 times;
3 1 3!

(𝑥 3 )1 (𝑥 2 )4 × 23 ≡ 8𝑥11 happens (8) (7) = 8 ×

7×6×5
= 8 × 35 = 280 times.
1 4 3!
11
It follow that the coefficient of 𝑥 is 280 × 16 + 280 × 8 = 280 × 24.

6 6×5
The coefficient of 𝑥 2 in (2 + 𝑎𝑥)6 is ( ) × 24 × 𝑎2 = 2! × 16 × 𝑎 2 = 240𝑎2 .
2

So 280 × 24 = 28 × 240𝑎2 ⇔ 10 = 10𝑎2 ⇔ 𝑎2 = 1 ⇔ 𝑎 = ±1.

The answer is E.

3. A quick sketch is worth doing. The line 𝑦 = 𝑥 + 4 passes through (0, 4) with gradient 1 and
𝑥 + 𝑦 = 8 passes through (0, 8) with gradient −1. By inspection or simultaneous equations,
 the two lines intersect at (2, 6). The co-ordinates of all points in the unshaded area of the
following image satisfy both inequalities.

Considering the four statements in turn:

1. 𝑥 < −1: not true for every point in the region (for example, (0, 0)).
2. 𝑦 < 6: true for every point in the region (note that (2, 6) does not quite lie in the
region).
3. 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 ≤ 4(𝑥 + 𝑦) ⇔ 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 𝑦 2 − 4𝑦 ≤ 0 ⇔ (𝑥 − 2)2 + (𝑦 − 2)2 ≤ 8, meaning
inside, or on the circumference of, a circle of radius 2√2 and centred at (2, 2). The
sketch below shows that the centre of the circle is never less than distance 2√2 from
either of the lines:

Since the dotted lines are not included in the region, the given statement must be true
for every point in the region.
4. 𝑦 < (𝑥 + 1)(3 − 𝑥), meaning all points below the quadratic curve given by the
equation 𝑦 = −𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 3 = −(𝑥 − 1)2 + 4. This passes through (−1, 0), (1, 4) and
(3, 0), so lies completely in the region: true for every point in the region.

The points in the region satisfy 2., 3. and 4. only. The correct answer is L.

4. 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 5 = (𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 5) < 0 ⇔ −1 < 𝑥 < 5

 and 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 5 = (𝑥 + 5)(𝑥 − 1) < 0 ⇔ −5 < 𝑥 < 1. Both of these inequalities are
satisfied precisely when −1 < 𝑥 < 1. This is also the solution to the inequality, 𝑥 2 < 1. The
correct answer is G.

5. The 𝑥 2 term in the expansion of (2 + 𝑏𝑥)4 is 6 × 22 × (𝑏𝑥)2 , so the coefficient is 24𝑏2 .

6
The 𝑥 3 term in the expansion of (1 + 𝑏𝑥)6 is ( ) × 13 × (𝑏𝑥)3 , so the coefficient is
3
6×5×4 3 3
𝑏 = 20𝑏 .
3!
3
Therefore, 24𝑏2 = 2 × 20𝑏3 = 40𝑏3 ⇔ 3𝑏2 = 5𝑏3 ⇔ 0 = 𝑏2 (5𝑏 − 3) ⇔ 𝑏 = 0 or 𝑏 = 5.
If 𝑏 = 0, then both polynomials become constants (16 and 1, respectively) and there is no
solution to the question.
The answer is B.

8
6. The 𝑥 6 term in the expansion of (𝑎 + 𝑏𝑥)8 is ( ) × 𝑎 2 × (𝑏𝑥)6 , so the coefficient is
6
8×7 2 2 8 8×7×6
𝑎 𝑏 = 28𝑎 𝑏 . The 𝑥 term is ( ) × 𝑎 × (𝑏𝑥)3 , so the coefficient is 3! 𝑎5 𝑏3 =
2 6 3 5
2! 3
56𝑎5 𝑏3 .
Therefore, 28𝑎2 𝑏6 = 4 × 56𝑎5 𝑏3 ⇔ 𝑎 2 𝑏6 = 8𝑎5 𝑏3 . Dividing both sides of the equation by
𝑏 3 𝑏
𝑎5 𝑏3 gives 𝑎−3 𝑏3 = (𝑎) = 8 ⇔ 𝑎 = 2.

The answer is B.

2 10
7. First search for the 𝑥 4 term in the expansion of (𝑥 + 𝑥 ) . The highest power of 𝑥 in this
expansion is 𝑥10 , and from there the powers descend by two each time (from both losing an
2 10 2 3
𝑥 and gaining a 𝑥 . It follows that the 𝑥 4 term is formed as follows: ( ) × 𝑥 7 × (𝑥 ) =
3
10×9×8 4 4 4 7
3!
× 8𝑥 = 10 × 3 × 4 × 8𝑥 = 960𝑥 . Therefore, the 𝑥 term in the expansion of
2 10
𝑥 3 (𝑥 + ) is 𝑥 3 × 960𝑥 4 = 960𝑥 7 .
𝑥

The answer is A.

8. The highest power of 𝑥 in this expansion is 𝑥108 , and from there the powers descend by
twelve each time (from both losing an 𝑥 9 and gaining a −𝑥 −3 . It follows that the constant
12 12×11×10
term is formed as follows: ( ) × (𝑥 9 )3 × (−𝑥 −3 )9 = × −1 = −2 × 11 × 10 =
9 3!
−220. The answer is G.

9. For any positive integer, 𝑛, the expansion of (1 − 𝑥)𝑛 begins 1 − 𝑛𝑥 + ⋯, and (1 − 𝑥)0 ≡ 1
(assuming 𝑥 ≠ 0).
It follows that the 𝑥 term in the above expression is −(−𝑥) + (−2𝑥) − (−3𝑥) + (−4𝑥) −
 ⋯ + (−50𝑥 ), and that this has coefficient 1 − 2 + 3 − 4 + ⋯ − 50. This sum is 25 groups of
𝑛 − (𝑛 + 1) = −1 where 𝑛 = 1, 3, … , 49. Therefore the coefficient of 𝑥 is 25 × (−1) =
−25. The answer is C.

10. Although there are other, much longer, available methods for answering this question, the
examiners do drop a hint that there must be an easier approach on this occasion. In
particular, for example, why do they write 16 + 8√3 + 3 instead of 19 + 8√3? This must be
done for a reason. If you can quickly spot a value that squares to give 16 + 8√3 + 3, then
square rooting simply reverses the process. Considering (𝑎 + 𝑏)2 ≡ 𝑎2 + 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏2 :

2 2
16 = 42 and 3 = (√3) , so it is worth checking the expansion of (4 ± √3) ≡ 16 ± 8√3 +
3… you are in luck!
2 2
12 = (2√3) and 1 = 12 , so it is worth checking the expansion of (2√3 ± 1) ≡ 12 ±
4√3 + 1… you are in luck, again, and grateful not to have ‘piled in’ to this question!

2 2
Therefore, √16 + 8√3 + 3 − √12 − 4√3 + 1 = √(4 + √3) − √(2√3 − 1) = 4 + √3 −
(2√3 − 1) = 5 − √3.

The answer is D.

MAT style questions

11. (a): 𝑚 2 𝑛4 − 𝑚 4 𝑛2 ≡ 𝑚 2 𝑛2 (𝑛2 − 𝑚 2 ). The left-hand expression is a square number

precisely when 𝑛2 − 𝑚 2 is, but this is not true for all integer values of 𝑚 and 𝑛 (𝑛 = 2 and
𝑚 = 1, for example).
(b): There is no obvious reason to suspect that the given expression should be a cube
number for all integer values of 𝑚 and 𝑛, so it is worth looking for a counterexample. The
value of the expression when 𝑚 = 𝑛 = 1 is 1 × 1 + 1 + 1 = 3, and this is not a cube
number. So this is also not true for all integer values of 𝑚 and 𝑛.
(c): 𝑚 4 𝑛4 ≡ (𝑚 2 𝑛2 )2 is a square number, so 𝑚 4 𝑛5 is a square number precisely when 𝑛 is.
In particular, ‘𝑚 4 𝑛5 is not a square number’ is not true for all integer values of 𝑚 and 𝑛 (𝑛 =
1 and 𝑚 = 1, for example).
(d): To show whether this can be written as a square number, you need to expand, simplify
and then see if it is possible to factorise.
𝑚 3 (𝑚 3 − 3𝑛2 ) + 𝑛2 (𝑛2 + 𝑚 3 ) ≡ 𝑚 6 − 3𝑚 3 𝑛2 + 𝑛4 + 𝑚 3 𝑛2 ≡ 𝑚 6 − 2𝑚 3 𝑛2 + 𝑛4 ≡
(𝑚 3 − 𝑛2 )2 , showing that this is a square number for all integer values of 𝑚 and 𝑛.
(e): Always consider that counterexamples may be easy to find. For example, if 𝑚 = 𝑛 = 1
then 𝑚𝑛2 = 1, which is a cube number. This shows that ‘𝑚𝑛2 is not a cube number’ is not
true for all integer values of 𝑚 and 𝑛.

The answer is (d).

12. Since 𝑝 + 𝑞 = 13, 𝑝3 𝑞 ≡ 𝑝3 (13 − 𝑝) ≡ 13𝑝3 − 𝑝4.

𝑑
Differentiating gives 𝑑𝑝 (13𝑝3 − 𝑝4 ) = 39𝑝2 − 4𝑝3 ≡ 𝑝2 (39 − 4𝑝) = 0 precisely when 𝑝 =
 39
0 or 𝑝 = 4 .
When 𝑝 = 0, 𝑞 = 13 and 𝑝3 𝑞 = 0.
It is crucial to read the question carefully and realise that 𝑝 and 𝑞 must be positive integers.
39
The closest integers to 𝑝 = 4 are 𝑝 = 10, giving 𝑞 = 3, and 𝑝 = 9, giving 𝑞 = 4.
When 𝑝 = 10 and 𝑞 = 3, 𝑝3 𝑞 = 103 × 3 = 3000.
When 𝑝 = 9 and 𝑞 = 4, 𝑝 3 𝑞 = 93 × 4 = 729 × 4 = 1458 × 2 < 3000.
The correct answer is (c).

(There is at least one other possible method. Following a similar trend of thought to that
which lies behind linear programming, consider all values of 𝑝 and 𝑞 for which 𝑝3 𝑞 has the
same value, say 𝑘. Converting to Cartesian variables, the question is equivalent to finding
points with integer co-ordinates where the line 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 13 intersects the curve 𝑥 3 𝑦 = 𝑘 ⇔
𝑘
𝑦 = 𝑥 3. Raising the value of 𝑘 causes the curve to stretch parallel to the 𝑦-axis; eventually
the line 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 13 becomes tangent to the curve. Where the curve touches the line, the
gradient of the curve must be −1, that is, the gradient of the line. This gives a third equation
in addition to the equations of the line and the curve. You can use these to eliminate 𝑦 and 𝑘
39
to obtain an equation just in terms of just 𝑥. This leads to 𝑥 = 4 and then you proceed as
shown in the solution above.)

13. Realising that there is a common factor on both sides of the inequality is key:
𝑥 2 (𝑦 2 − 9) < 4(𝑦 2 − 9) ⇔ 𝑥 2 (𝑦 2 − 9) − 4(𝑦 2 − 9) < 0 ⇔ (𝑥 2 − 4)(𝑦 2 − 9) < 0.
So either 𝑥 2 − 4 ≡ (𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 2) < 0 and 𝑦 2 − 9 ≡ (𝑦 − 3)(𝑦 + 3) > 0 and 𝑥 2 − 4 ≡
(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 2) > 0 and 𝑦 2 − 9 ≡ (𝑦 − 3)(𝑦 + 3) < 0.
𝑥 2 − 4 ≡ (𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 2) < 0 and 𝑦 2 − 9 ≡ (𝑦 − 3)(𝑦 + 3) > 0 gives −2 < 𝑥 < 2 and
either 𝑦 < −3 or 𝑦 > 3.
𝑥 2 − 4 ≡ (𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 2) > 0 and 𝑦 2 − 9 ≡ (𝑦 − 3)(𝑦 + 3) < 0 gives −3 < 𝑦 < 3 and
either 𝑥 < −2 or 𝑥 > 2.
This is option (c), and no other options fully describe the above solution.

14. This is a question that is worded to make you think that you cannot do it. There is no
immediately obvious method to apply to these inequalities, so you have to consider that you
may not need to!
The key piece of information that you are only asked to find integer pairs. There are only 3
integer values of 𝑥 in −2 < 𝑥 < 3 (−1, 0, 1 and 2) and 3 integer values of 𝑦 in 0 < 𝑦 < 4
(1, 2 and 3). Therefore, there are only 12 integer pairs to be considered in the first place.
The correct answer has to be less than or equal to 12. The conclusion is that the correct
answer is (a) simply because it cannot be (b), (c), (d) or (e).

23𝑎−2𝑏 ×3𝑎+3𝑏 ×5𝑏 23𝑎−2𝑏×3𝑎+3𝑏 ×5𝑏

15. 4𝑎 ×5𝑎−𝑏×6𝑎−2𝑏 ×9𝑏 ×152𝑏−𝑎
= 22𝑎 ×5𝑎−𝑏 ×2𝑎−2𝑏×3𝑎−2𝑏 ×32𝑏 ×32𝑏−𝑎 ×52𝑏−𝑎

= 23𝑎−2𝑏−2𝑎−(𝑎−2𝑏) × 3𝑎+3𝑏−(𝑎−2𝑏)−2𝑏−(2𝑏−𝑎) × 5𝑏−(𝑎−𝑏)−(2𝑏−𝑎)

= 20 × 3𝑎+𝑏 × 50
= 3𝑎+𝑏 .
 3𝑎+𝑏 is an integer precisely when 𝑎 + 𝑏 ≥ 0. The answer is (c).

16. The highest power of 𝑥 in (2𝑥 6 + 5)4 is (𝑥 6 )4 ≡ 𝑥 24 and the highest power of 𝑥 in
(2𝑥 5 − 7)3 is (𝑥 5 )3 ≡ 𝑥15 , so the highest power of 𝑥 in [(2𝑥 6 + 5)4 + (2𝑥 5 − 7)3 ]5 is
(𝑥 24 )5 ≡ 𝑥120 .
The highest power of 𝑥 in (3𝑥 7 − 2𝑥 2 )3 is (𝑥 7 )3 ≡ 𝑥 21 and the highest power of 𝑥 in
(5𝑥 3 − 6)4 is (𝑥 3 )4 ≡ 𝑥12 , so the highest power of 𝑥 in [(3𝑥 7 − 2𝑥 2 )3 + (5𝑥 3 − 6)4 ]6 is
(𝑥 21 )6 ≡ 𝑥126 .
It follows that the highest power of 𝑥 in
{[(2𝑥 6 + 5)4 + (2𝑥 5 − 7)3 ]5 + [(3𝑥 7 − 2𝑥 2 )3 + (5𝑥 3 − 6)4 ]6 }3 is (𝑥126 )3 ≡ 𝑥 378 .
The answer is (e).

100×101
17. (𝑛 + 2) + (2𝑛 + 4) + (3𝑛 + 6) + (4𝑛 + 8) + ⋯ + (100𝑛 + 200) ≡ 2
𝑛+
100×101
2( 2
) ≡ 5050𝑛 + 10100 ≥ 10100 if 𝑛 ≥ 0. It follows that the inequality in the
question is valid precisely when 𝑘 < 10100. The answer is (b).
(Note that 𝑘 < 5050 would imply that the inequality in the question is correct, but the
converse of this, which is what you want, is not true.)

18. Noting that there is a common factor on both sides of the inequality:
𝑥 4 − 4𝑥 2 ≡ 𝑥 2 (𝑥 2 − 4) < 9(𝑥 2 − 4) ⇔ 𝑥 2 (𝑥 2 − 4) − 9(𝑥 2 − 4) < 0 ⇔
(𝑥 2 − 9)(𝑥 2 − 4) < 0 ⇔ (𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 − 3) < 0.
The graph of 𝑦 = (𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 − 3) is a quartic curve that crosses the 𝑥-axis at
(−3, 0), (−2, 0), (2, 0) and (3, 0). The coefficient of 𝑥 4 is positive so 𝑦 ⟶ ∞ as 𝑥 ⟶ ±∞. It
follows that the graph is below the 𝑥-axis precisely when −3 < 𝑥 < −2 or 2 < 𝑥 < 3.
The answer is (a).

19. Expanding, simplifying and attempting to factorise:

(𝑥 2 + 1)2 < 29 − 𝑥 2 ⇔ 𝑥 4 + 2𝑥 2 + 1 < 29 − 𝑥 2 ⇔ 𝑥 4 + 3𝑥 2 − 28 < 0 ⇔
(𝑥 2 + 7)(𝑥 2 − 4) < 0.
Since 𝑥 2 + 7 ≥ 7 is positive for all values of 𝑥, it follows that 𝑥 2 − 4 = (𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 2) <
0 ⇔ −2 < 𝑥 < 2. The answer is (b).

20. Consider the coefficient of one term (say the 𝑟 th ) divided by the coefficient of the next term,
for ascending powers of 𝑥:
12!
12𝐶×2𝑟 ×112−𝑟 ( ) (𝑟+1)
𝑟 𝑟!(12−𝑟)!
12𝐶×2𝑟+1 ×111−𝑟 ≡ 12! ≡ 2(12−𝑟), for 𝑟 = 0, 1, 2, 3, … , 11.
𝑟+1 ((𝑟+1)!(12−𝑟−1)!×2)
(𝑟+1)
2(12−𝑟)
> 1 ⇔ 𝑟 + 1 > 24 − 2𝑟 since 12 − 𝑟 > 0. Then 𝑟 + 1 > 24 − 2𝑟 ⇔ 3𝑟 > 23 ⇔
23 2 the coefficient of the 7th term the coefficient of the 8th term
𝑟> 3
= 7 3. It follows that the coefficient of the 8th term < 1 but the coefficient of the 9th term > 1, and
that, therefore, the 8th term has the largest coefficient. The 8th term is 128𝐶 × (2𝑥 6 )8 ×
1 4 12! 1 12×11×10×9
( 3) ≡
𝑥 8!4!
× 256𝑥 48 × 𝑥 12 ≡ 4×3×2×1 × 256𝑥 36 ≡ 990 × 128𝑥 36 ≡ (128000 −
1280)𝑥 36 ≡ 126720𝑥 36 . (Realising that only one answer is a multiple of 𝑥 36 , it is not
necessary to spend time calculating the coefficient). The answer is (d).
Chapter 4: Geometry and coordinate geometry
Try it out (page 32)
2 2
𝐴 2 𝐵 2 𝐴2 + 𝐵2 − 4𝐶
𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 + 𝐶 = 0 ⟹ (𝑥 + ) + (𝑦 + ) =
2 2 4

For a circle, the right hand side needs to be positive (and hence 𝐴2 + 𝐵2 > 4𝐶.
When 𝐴2 + 𝐵2 = 4𝐶 the “circle” consists of a single point.

Exercise 1
1
1. There are 3 possible squares. The square with diagonal 𝐴𝐵 has midpoint 𝑀(−1, − 2). The
midpoints of the squares with side 𝐴𝐵 lie on the line through 𝑀 perpendicular to 𝐴𝐵. Line
3 4 5
𝐴𝐵 has gradient − 4, so the line through the centres has equation 𝑦 = 3 𝑥 + 6 .

2. A quick sketch shows that the circles intersect so the answer to part (i) is 0. The points
furthest apart lie on the line through the centres of the circles. The equations rearrange to
give 𝐶1 : (𝑥 − 2)2 + (𝑦 − 1)2 = 25 and 𝐶2 : (𝑥 + 3)2 + (𝑦 + 4)2 = 9. Hence the line through
the centres, (2,1) and (−3, −4), has equation 𝑦 = 𝑥 − 1. This line intersects 𝐶1 when
5 5 5
(𝑥 − 2)2 + (𝑥 − 2)2 = 25 ⟹ (𝑥 − 2) = ± ⟹ 𝑥 = 2 ± , giving the points (2 + , 1 +
√2 √2 √2
5 5 5
) and (2 − ,1− ). Similarly, the line intersects 𝐶2 when (𝑥 + 3)2 + (𝑥 + 3)2 = 9 ⟹
√2 √2 √2
3 3 3 3 3
(𝑥 + 3) = ± ⟹ 𝑥 = −3 ± , giving the points (−3 + , −4 + ) and (−3 − , −4 −
√2 √2 √2 √2 √2
3 5 5 3 3
). From your sketch you can see that 𝑃1 (2 + ,1+ ) and 𝑃2 (−3 − , −4 − ) which
√2 √2 √2 √2 √2
8 2 8 2 8
are distance √(5 + ) + (5 + ) = √2 (5 + ) = 8 + 5√2 apart.
√2 √2 √2

1
3. 2
𝑥 2 − 4 = 𝑦 ⇔ 𝑥 2 = 2𝑦 + 8. Intersects with 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 − 4𝑦 = 16 when

2𝑦 + 8 + 𝑦 2 − 4𝑦 = 16. This gives 𝑦 = 4 or 𝑦 = −2. When 𝑦 = 4, 𝑥 = ±4. When 𝑦 = −2,

𝑥 = ±2 so the vertices of the trapezium are at (−2, −2), (2, −2), (4, 4) and (−4,4). The
1
area of the trapezium is 2 × 6 × (8 + 4) = 36 sq units.

𝑐
4. The points 𝐴 and 𝐵 have coordinates (0, 𝑐) and (− 𝑚 , 0) respectively (note that 𝑐 > 0 and
𝑚 < 0). The points 𝐶 and 𝐷 lie on the positive quadrant and 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐 and 𝑥𝑦 = 1 ⟹
−𝑐+√𝑚 2+4𝑐 𝑐+√𝑚 2+4𝑐 −𝑐−√𝑚 2+4𝑐 𝑐−√𝑚 2+4𝑐
𝑚𝑥 2 + 𝑐𝑥 − 1 = 0. It follows that 𝐶( 2𝑚
, 2
), and 𝐷( 2𝑚
, 2
).
 2 2 2 2
−𝑐+√𝑚 2+4𝑐 √𝑚 2+4𝑐−𝑐 𝑐−√𝑚 2+4𝑐 𝑐−√𝑚 2+4𝑐
Therefore, 𝐴𝐶 2 = ( 2𝑚
) +( 2
) and 𝐵𝐷2 = ( 2𝑚
) +( 2
) .
Since 𝐴𝐶 2 = 𝐵𝐷2 it follows that 𝐴𝐶 = 𝐵𝐷.

5. Considering the completed-square forms gives the equations 𝑦 = 𝛼𝑥 2 + 2 and 𝑦 = 5 −

𝛽(𝑥 − 3)2 for the equations of the parabolas. Setting them equal at 𝑥 = 2 gives 4𝛼 + 2 =
5 − 𝛽. Setting their derivatives equal at 𝑥 = 2 gives 4𝛼 = 2𝛽. Solving simultaneously gives
1 𝑥2
𝛼 = and 𝛽 = 1. So the parabolas have equations 𝑦 = + 2 and 𝑦 = 5 − (𝑥 − 3)2 . Their
2 2
common tangent has gradient 2 and contains the point (2, 4), so its equation is 𝑦 = 2𝑥.

𝑥
6. The lines have gradient 3 so the line 𝑦 = − is perpendicular to both and intersects the lines
3
12 4 12 4 8√10
at the points (− 5
, 5) and ( 5 , − 5). The distance between these points is 5
.

4√10
The radius of the circle is . The centre of the circle will lie on the line 𝑦 = 3𝑥.
5
2
8√10
𝑂𝐴 = 𝑂𝐵 so let 𝑂𝐴 = 𝑑. Using the cosine rule ( ) = 𝑑2 + 𝑑2 − 2𝑑2 cos 𝐴𝑂̂𝐵.
5
64×10 2 (1 4
= 2𝑑 − )
25 5
2
𝑑 = 64 so 𝑑 = 8. Since 3𝑥 − 𝑦 + 8 = 0 passes through (0,8) and 3𝑥 − 𝑦 − 8 = 0 passes
through (0, −8), it follows that 𝐴 is the point (0,8) or the point (0, −8). There are two
possible solutions. One has the centre of the circle at the intersection of the lines 𝑦 = 3𝑥
𝑥
and 𝑦 = − + 8 and the other has the centre at the intersection of the lines 𝑦 = 3𝑥 and
3
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 12 36
𝑦 = − − 8. For 𝑦 = 3𝑥 and 𝑦 = − + 8: 3𝑥 = − + 8 ⇔ 𝑥 = ,𝑦= . For 𝑦 = 3𝑥 and
3 3 3 5 5
𝑥 𝑥 12 36
𝑦 = − − 8: 3𝑥 = − − 8 ⇔ 𝑥 = − , 𝑦 = − .
3 3 5 5
12 36 12 36
The possible centres are at ( 5 , 5
) and (−
5
,− 5
). The equations of the two possible
circles are
12 2 36 2 32 12 2 36 2 32
(𝑥 − ) + (𝑦 − ) = and (𝑥 + ) + (𝑦 + ) =
5 5 5 5 5 5

7. Let 𝐴𝐵 = 𝐵𝐶 = 𝐶𝐴 = 3 (so 𝑄𝐵 = 𝐴𝑃 = 𝑅𝐶 = 1 etc). First consider triangle 𝐶𝑅𝐵, by the

cosine rule 𝑅𝐵2 = 32 + 12 − 6 cos 60 = 7. Triangles 𝐶𝑅𝐵 and 𝐶𝑅𝑌 are similar, so 𝑅𝑌 =
1 3 1 3 3
, 𝐶𝑌 = and hence 𝑋𝑌 = √7 − − = . By symmetry, triangle 𝑋𝑌𝑍 is equilateral
√7 √7 √7 √7 √7
1
so triangle 𝑋𝑌𝑍 is similar to triangle 𝐴𝐵𝐶 with scale factor and hence the ratios of the
√7
areas is 1: 7.

Exercise 2 Admissions Test Multiple Choice Questions

TMUA style questions
1. Neither circle contains the centre of the other circle and so the circles only touch when the
centres are distance 3𝑟 apart (the sum of their radii). It simplifies the algebra to work with
the square of the distance between the centres (𝑟, 2) and (−𝑟, −𝑟). Solving (2𝑟)2 +
1±√5
(2 + 𝑟)2 = 9𝑟 2 gives 𝑟 = . Since 𝑟 > 0, the correct answer is D.
2

2. A quick sketch shows that the line and parabola do not intersect. Let the closest points on
the line and parabola be 𝑃 and 𝑄 respectively. The line 𝑃𝑄 is perpendicular to both the line
and the parabola, hence the tangent to the parabola at 𝑄 is parallel to the line. The line has
𝑑𝑦 1 11
gradient −1 and the gradient of the parabola is given by = −2𝑥, so 𝑄( , ). The normal
𝑑𝑥 2 4
9 7 25
to the parabola at Q has equation 𝑦 = 𝑥 + 4 which intersects the line 𝑦 = 4 − 𝑥 at 𝑃(8 , 8
).
7 1 2 25 11 2 3√2
The length 𝑃𝑄 = √( − ) + ( − ) = . The correct answer is A.
8 2 8 4 8

3. The centre-radius forms for the circles are (𝑥 − 3)2 + (𝑦 + 2)2 = 9 and (𝑥 + 3)2 +
(𝑦 + 1)2 = 4. Neither circle contains the centre of the other and so the points that are
maximum distance apart lie on the line passing through the centres. The distance between
the centres is √62 + 12 = √37, and since the circles have radius 3 and 2 respectively, the
furthest points are distance 5 + √37 apart. The correct answer is C.

4. 𝑥 2 + 2𝑎𝑥 + 1 = (𝑥 + 𝑎)2 + 1 − 𝑎2 so the turning point has coordinates (−𝑎, 1 − 𝑎2 ).

Letting 𝑑 denote the distance from the turning point to the origin gives 𝑑2 = 𝑎2 +
1 2 3 1
(1 − 𝑎2 )2 = 𝑎4 − 𝑎2 + 1 = (𝑎2 − ) + . So the required values of 𝑎 are ± . The correct
2 4 √2
answer is D.

5. The tangent has equation 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 8. Substituting this into the equation of the circle gives
a quadratic. The tangent meets the circle at a repeated root so you can find the value of 𝑚
by setting its discriminant equal to zero and solving.
(𝑚𝑥 + 8 − 2)2 + 𝑥 2 = 9 ⇒ (𝑚 2 + 1)𝑥 2 + 12𝑚𝑥 + 27 = 0

Repeated root when 144𝑚 2 − 4 × 27 × (𝑚 2 + 1) = 0 ⇒ 𝑚 2 − 3 = 0 ⇒ 𝑚 = ±√3.

Since the tangent passes through the point (0, 8) and the positive 𝑥 axis, 𝑚 = −√3 and
8√3
hence the tangent intersects the positive 𝑥 axis when 0 = 8 − √3𝑥, so 𝑥 = 3
. The correct
answer is C.

6. The centre-radius form of the equation of the circle is (𝑥 − 7)2 + (𝑦 − 1)2 = 16, so the
circle has radius 4. The regular octagon consists of 8 isosceles triangles each formed by
1
joining adjacent vertices to the centre of the circle. The area of each triangle is 2 × 4 × 4 ×
sin 45 = 4√2, so the area of the octagon is 32√2. The correct answer is E.
 7. The line 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 𝑐 and the circle 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 9 intersect when 𝑥 2 + (2𝑥 + 𝑐)2 = 9 giving
−4𝑐±√180−4𝑐 2
5𝑥 2 + 4𝑐𝑥 + (𝑐 2 − 9) = 0, so 𝑥 = (note that there are 2 points of intersection
10
2
provided that 180 − 4𝑐 > 0, and hence −4√5 < 𝑐 < 4√5). By considering the means of
2𝑐 𝑐
the coordinates of 𝐴 and 𝐵 you obtain 𝑀(− 5 , 5) (note that when computing the mean of
the 𝑥-coordinates of 𝐴 and 𝐵 the discriminant cancels, and the mean of the 𝑦-coordinates of
2𝑐
𝐴 and 𝐵 is given by 2𝑥 + 𝑐 with 𝑥 = − 5 ). By inspection, as 𝑐 varies, the coordinates of 𝑀
𝑥
satisfy 𝑦 = − 2. The correct answer is B.

8. The centre-radius form for the circle is (𝑥 + 3)2 + (𝑦 + 1)2 = 8, so the circle’s centre,
(−3, −1), lies vertically below the point (−3, 3). By symmetry, the other tangent meets the
circle at the point (−1, 1). The correct answer is D.

MAT style questions

9. The graphs of 𝑦 = f(𝑥) and 𝑥 = f(𝑦) are reflections in the line 𝑦 = 𝑥. Hence they intersect
on this line. Solving 𝑥 = 𝑘 − (𝑥 2 + 2) gives 𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 4 − 𝑘 = 0. Setting the discriminant
9
equal to zero (for a repeated root) gives 25 − 4(4 − 𝑘) = 0, and hence 𝑘 = − 4. The correct
answer is (c).

10. If the paper is unfolded, the following fold lines can be seen. The perimeter of the trapezium
𝐴𝑋𝐷𝐸 is required.

√2
There are several 45° isosceles right-angled triangles that can be seen. The length 𝐴𝐸 = 2
1
since it is the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle with both of the other sides equal to 2.
1
The length 𝐷𝐸 = √2 − 2. The remaining lengths 𝐴𝑋 and 𝐷𝑋 require the side lengths of
 triangle 𝐶𝑋𝐵 to be known. This is a 45° isosceles triangle with a right angle at 𝑋. Let 𝐵𝐶 = 𝑥.
1 3 3−2√2
Using the √2 side that includes 𝑥, 1 − 𝑥 + 2 = √2 giving 𝑥 = 2 − √2 = 2
. 𝐵𝑋 = 𝐶𝑋 =
√2 3−2√2 3√2−4 √2 3√2−4 4−√2 3√2−4
𝑥 sin 45° = ( ) = . From this 𝐴𝑋 = − = . 𝐷𝑋 = √2 − =
2 2 4 2 4 4 4
4+√2 4+√2 4−√2 1 √2 3 3√2 3(1+√2)
4
. The perimeter of the trapezium = 4 + 4 + √2 − 2 + 2 = 2 + 2 = 2
.
The correct answer is (b)

11. 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2𝑎𝑥 + 2𝑏𝑦 = 𝑐 ⟹ (𝑥 + 𝑎)2 + (𝑦 + 𝑏)2 = 𝑐 + 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 . The point (1,1) to lies

within the circle if and only if 𝑐 + 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 > (𝑎 − 1)2 + (𝑏 − 1)2 . Rearranging gives 𝑐 >
2(1 − 𝑎 − 𝑏). The correct answer is (a).

12. A quick sketch rules out (b) and (d) since the vertical and horizontal tangents are 𝑥 = 4 and
𝑦 = 5 respectively. The point (2, 3 + √2) lies inside the circle (since (𝑥 − 2)2 + (𝑦 − 3)2 =
2) and hence (c) can be eliminated. There are no obvious interior points for (a) and (e) so use
direct substitution and check for a zero discriminant. Considering (a) first, you obtain
(𝑥 − 2)2 + (5 − 𝑥)2 = 4 which rearranges to 2𝑥 2 − 14𝑥 + 25 = 0 with discriminant −4,
so the line does not intersect the circle. Considering (e) first, you obtain (𝑥 − 2)2 +
2
(𝑥 − 2 − 2√2) = 4 which rearranges to give 2𝑥 2 − (8 + 4√2)𝑥 + 8√2 + 12 = 0 with
discriminant 0. The correct answer is (e).

3 2 3 2 3 27
13. 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 9 = (𝑥 − 2) − (2) + 9 so the turning point of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) is (2 , − 4 ). Hence the
3 27 3 27
turning point of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥 + 3) is (− 2 , 4
), of 𝑦 = −2𝑓(𝑥 + 3) is (− 2 , − 2
), and of 𝑦 = 𝑥 −
3 21
2𝑓(𝑥 + 3) is (− 2 , − 2
). The correct answer is (d).

14. When 𝑎 = 1 you need the image of the point (1,1) when reflected in the line 𝑦 = 𝑥 (which
is (1,1)). Only option (b) gives this point so the rest can be eliminated. The correct answer is
(b).

15. The chord formed by joining the points of intersection of the square with the circle is a
diameter (as it subtends a right-angle). Hence 𝑋 is equal to the area of the semi-circle (8𝜋)
plus the area of the triangle formed by the diameter with the point 𝐴. This is 4 times the
perpendicular height of the triangle which varies from 0 (when one side of the square is a
tangent) to 4 (when the radius at 𝐴 is perpendicular to the diameter). Hence the maximum
value for 𝑋 is 8𝜋 + 16. The correct answer is (d).
16.

1
(1+𝑎 2)𝜋 arctan( ) 𝑎 𝜋
𝑎
The area of the shaded region is 360
− 2. Setting this equal to 12 (so that the
1
𝜋 𝜋(𝑎 2+1) arctan( )
𝑎
area enclosed by the overlapping circles is ) gives − 6𝑎 = 𝜋. The correct
3 30
answer is (b).
Chapter 5: Functions
Two questions to think about (page 42)

1. (9 sin2 𝑥 + 12 cos 𝑥 − 8)2 = (9(1 − cos2 𝑥 ) + 12 cos 𝑥 − 8)2

= (9 − 9 cos2 𝑥 + 12 cos 𝑥 − 8)2
2
= (−1(9 cos2 𝑥 − 12 cos 𝑥 − 1))
= (9 cos2 𝑥 − 12 cos 𝑥 − 1)2
2
2 2
Completing the square gives = (9 (cos 𝑥 − 3) − 5)
2 2
(cos 𝑥 − ) ≥ 0 for all real 𝑥 so the maximum value of this is required.
3
2
5 2
This is when cos 𝑥 = −1 giving (9 × (− 3) − 5) = 202 = 400

2. f(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 4
f(0) = 4
f(3) = 13
There could be a local minimum between 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑥 = 3
f ′ (𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 3
2±2√10 1±√10
3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 3 = 0 gives 𝑥 = 6
= 3
4 1+√10 5 1−√10 2
Since 3 < √10 < 4, 3 < 3 < 3 (i.e. also between 0 and 3) and −1 < 3 < − 3 (i.e.
not between 0 and 3)
From the shape of the graph of 𝑦 = f(𝑥) (since the coefficient of 𝑥 3 is positive), where
1+√10
𝑥= there is a local minimum.
3
2 3
1+√10 1 1+√10 1
( ) = (11 + 2√10) and ( ) = (31 + 13√10)
3 9 3 27
1+√10 1 1 1+√10
f( )= (31 + 13√10) − (11 + 2√10) − 3 ( )+4
3 27 9 3
1
= 27 (31 + 13√10 − 33 − 6√10 − 27 − 27√10 + 108)
1
= 27 (79 − 20√10)
This is the minimum value for the given domain.

Try it out (page 46)

f(1) = 1, f(2) = −1, f(3) = −1, f(4) = 1, f(5) = 1, f(6) = 1, f(7) = 1, f(8) = −1, ⋯
If f(𝑘) = 1 then f(2𝑘) = −1 and f(2𝑘 + 1) = −1 if f(𝑘) = −1 then f(2𝑘) = 1 and f(2𝑘 + 1) = 1
f(2) and f(3) are calculated from f(1) so f(2) = f(3)
f(4) and f(5) are calculated from f(2) and f(6) and f(7) are calculated from f(3). As f(2) = f(3),
f(4) = f(5) = f(6) = f(7)
The pattern will therefore be 1 positive 1 followed by 2 negative 1s followed by 4 positive 1s
followed by 8 negative 1s and so on. The changes take place at terms 2𝑚 where 𝑚 is a positive
integer.
Since 26 = 64 and 27 = 128, the final change will take place at 𝑛 = 64.
100

∑ f(𝑟) = 1 + (2 × −1) + (4 × 1) + (8 × −1) + (16 × 1) + (32 × −1) + (37 × 1)

𝑟=1

= 1 − 2 + 4 − 8 + 16 − 32 + 37 = 16 so the correct answer is (a)

Exercise 1

1. 𝑎(1) = 𝛼, 𝑎 (2) = 𝛼 + 𝑑, 𝑎(3) = 𝛼 + 2𝑑, 𝑎(𝑛) = 𝛼 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑

𝑔(1) = 𝛽, 𝑔(2) = 𝛽𝑟, 𝑔(3) = 𝛽𝑟 2 , 𝑔(𝑛) = 𝛽𝑟 𝑛−1

𝑎𝑔(1) = 𝑎 (𝛽) = 𝛼 + (𝛽 − 1)𝑑

𝑎𝑔(2) = 𝑎 (𝛽𝑟) = 𝛼 + (𝛽𝑟 − 1)𝑑
𝑎𝑔(3) = 𝑎 (𝛽𝑟 2 ) = 𝛼 + (𝛽𝑟 2 − 1)𝑑

For these three terms to be in a geometric sequence,

𝛼 + (𝛽𝑟 − 1)𝑑 𝛼 + (𝛽𝑟 2 − 1)𝑑

=
𝛼 + (𝛽 − 1)𝑑 𝛼 + (𝛽𝑟 − 1)𝑑

𝛼+(𝛽𝑟−1)𝑑
The simple counter example 𝛼 = 1, 𝑑 = 2, 𝛽 = 1, 𝑟 = 2 gives = 3 and
𝛼+(𝛽−1)𝑑
𝛼+(𝛽𝑟2 −1)𝑑
𝛼+(𝛽𝑟−1)𝑑
= 2 so the terms are not necessarily in a geometric sequence

𝑔𝑎(1) = 𝑔(𝛼 ) = 𝛽𝑟 𝛼−1

𝑔𝑎(2) = 𝑔(𝛼 + 𝑑) = 𝛽𝑟 𝛼+𝑑−1
𝑔𝑎(3) = 𝑔(𝛼 + 2𝑑) = 𝛽𝑟 𝛼+2𝑑−1

For these three terms to be in a geometric sequence,

𝛽𝑟𝛼+𝑑−1 𝛽𝑟𝛼+2𝑑−1
𝛽𝑟𝛼−1
= 𝛽𝑟𝛼+𝑑−1

For this case, the 𝐿𝐻𝑆 simplifies to 𝑟 𝑑 and the 𝐿𝐻𝑆 simplifies to 𝑟 𝑑 .
Assuming the arithmetic sequence for 𝑎 and the geometric sequence for 𝑔 are not the trivial
sequences then the three terms do form a geometric sequence.
The correct answer is (b)

2. f(𝑥) = 4𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 − 18𝑥 + 2
f(1) = 4 − 3 − 18 + 2 = −15
f(2) = 32 − 12 − 36 + 2 = −14

f ′ (𝑥) = 12𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 − 18
f ′′ (𝑥) = 24𝑥 − 6
 12𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 − 18 = 0 ⇔ 2𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 3 = 0 ⇔ (2𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 1) = 0

3
𝑥 = 2 may give a local minimum in [1,2]. 𝑥 = −1 is not in [1,2]
3 3
f ′′ (2) = 30 so 𝑥 = 2 gives a local minimum
3 27 27 73 1
f( ) = − − 27 + 2 = − = −18
2 2 4 4 4

73
The minimum value in [1,2] is −
4
The correct answer is (b)

3. Most of the work for this has been done in the previous question. Since there are no other
turning points, the maximum value is −14.
The correct answer is (d)

4. f(𝑥) = (9 cos4 𝑥 − 6 cos2 𝑥 + 6)2

completing the square gives
2
1 2
f(𝑥) = (9 (cos2 𝑥 − 3) + 5)
This is maximum when cos2 𝑥 = 1
2
2 2
The maximum value is (9 × (3) + 5) = 92 = 81

5. (5 − sin 𝑥 )2 is at its minimum value when sin 𝑥 = 1 and at its maximum when sin 𝑥 = −1
16 ≤ (5 − sin 𝑥 )2 ≤ 36
5 cos10 𝑥 is at its minimum value when cos 𝑥 = 0 and at its maximum value when cos 𝑥 =
±1.
0 ≤ 5 cos10 𝑥 ≤ 5
The value of (5 − sin 𝑥 )2 + 5 cos10 𝑥 must lie between 16 and 41 (these are bounds – we
do not know yet if the function can achieve these values, just that it can’t lie outside of these
values).
There are only solutions for (5 − sin 𝑥 )2 + 5 cos10 𝑥 = 16 if sin 𝑥 = 1 and cos 𝑥 = 0 for the
same values of 𝑥
𝜋 𝜋
For 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2𝜋, sin 𝑥 = 1 when 𝑥 = 2. Since cos 2 = 0, there is only one solution in 0 ≤
𝑥 ≤ 2𝜋 and (b) is the correct answer.

6. f(𝑥) = (2 cos2 (7 − 5𝑥) − 3)2

This is maximum when cos2 (7 − 5𝑥) = 0.
The maximum value is (0 − 3)2 = 9
The correct answer is (e)

7. f(1) = 1, f(2) = −1, f(3) = f(1) = 1, f(4) = −1, f(5) = −1, f(6) = −1, f(7) = −1,
f(8) = −1, f(9) = 1, f(10) = −1
Any term calculated as f(3𝑛 + 1) or f(3𝑛 + 2) will be −1. Terms calculated as f(3𝑛) will be
1 if f(𝑛) = 1 and −1 if f(𝑛) = −1. The only values that will be 1 will stem from f(1) and
f(3𝑛) based on this. Hence, the only values that will be equal to 1 are f(1), f(3), f(9),
f(27), ⋯ , f(3𝑚 ) where 𝑚 is a non-negative integer.
 In the numbers 1 to 1000, the powers of 3 are 1, 3, 9, 27, 81, 243, 729 so the product
f(1) × f(2) × f(3) × ⋯ × f(1000) = (1)7 × (−1)993 . Since −1 is raised to a negative
power, the product will be −1.

8. For 𝑛 = 1 to 𝑛 = 15, the values of 6𝑛 + 1 are

7, 13, 19, 25, 31, 37, 43, 49, 55, 61, 67, 73, 79, 85 and 91
Most of these are prime so their gpf will be simply the value itself. The gpf of 25 is 5. The gpf
of 49 is 7, the gpf of 55 is 11, the gpf of 85 is 17 and the gpf of 91 is 13.
15

∑ f(𝑟) = 7 + 13 + 19 + 5 + 31 + 37 + 43 + 7 + 11 + 61 + 67 + 73 + 79 + 17 + 13
𝑟=1

= 483

15

f (∑ f(𝑟)) = f(6 × 483 + 1) = f(2899)

𝑟=1

The prime factorisation of 2899 is 13 × 223

so the correct answer is (b)

9. This could be done by writing an exhaustive list but that would not be particularly efficient
A better way is to consider the possible totals that can be found using the two rules and use
this to reduce the number of possibilities that need to be considered.
The rules lead to either a multiplication by 4 or a division by 2.
1
Let 𝑥 be the number of multiplications by 4 and 𝑦 the number of multiplications by 2. Both 𝑥
and 𝑦 are non-negative integer values.
1 𝑦 1
Every possible total can therefore be calculated by 4𝑥 × ( ) = 22𝑥 × 𝑦 = 22𝑥−𝑦
2 2
Since the total needs to be less than 10, 2𝑥 − 𝑦 ≤ 3 since 24 > 10
The maximum number of steps overall is 5 (otherwise values of 𝑛 for f(𝑛) are > 50) so 𝑥 +
𝑦 ≤ 5. The maximum value of 𝑦 is 4 since 𝑦 = 5 would mean applying f(2𝑛 + 1) five times
from f(1) which would give f(63).
The possible (𝑥, 𝑦) values are
(0,0), (1,0), (2,0), (0,1), (1,1), (2,1), (0,2), (1,2), (2,2), (3,2), (0,3), (1,3), (2,3), (0,4) and
(1,4)
These are the possibilities to focus on. Most can be quickly assessed using mental arithmetic.

(0,0) corresponds to f(1), (1,0) corresponds to f(2), (0,1) corresponds to f(3), (0,2)
corresponds to f(7), (0,3) corresponds to f(15) and (0,4) corresponds to f(31).

(2,0) corresponds to f(4) but this is 16

For each of the others there is more than one value that can be reached for example (2,3)
1
represents two cases of × 4 and three cases of × 2 but these could be in any order e.g. ×
1 1 1
4 × 2 × 2 × 4 × 2.

(1,1) gives either f(5) or f(6)

(2,1) gives f(9), f(10) or f(12)
(1,2) gives f(11), f(13) or f(14)
 (2,2) gives f(19), f(21), f(22), f(25), f(26) or f(28)
(1,3) gives f(23), f(27), f(29) or f(30)

(1,4), (3,2) and (2,3) are slightly more awkward as some combinations go beyond the
values being used. They also all lie on the line 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 5 so their totals should be calculated
as they may be higher than 10.
For example
(1,4) gives f(47), f(55), f(59), f(61) or f(63) but 𝑛 ≤ 50 for only one of these, f(47) which
1
is equal to 4

So
(1,4) gives f(47)
(3,2) gives f(35), f(37), f(38), f(41) or f(49) and five others with 𝑛 > 50
but f(35) = 16, f(37) = 16, f(38) = 16, f(41) = 16 and f(49) = 16 so none of these are
valid.
(2,3) gives f(39), f(43), f(45) or f(46) and six others with 𝑛 > 50
f(39) = f(43) = f(45) = f(46) = 2 so all are valid

This gives a total of 6 + 2 + 3 + 3 + 6 + 4 + 1 + 4 = 29

The correct answer is (c)

10. Multiplication is commutative so the order of × 4 and ÷ 2 operations is not important in

terms of the result e.g. anything with two × 4 and one ÷ 2 in any order will give × 8
required.
4𝑎
If function f is applied 𝑎 times and function g is applied 𝑏 times then the result will be 2𝑏 𝑥

4𝑎
So 2𝑏 = 8

22𝑎
This can be written as = 23 i.e. 22𝑎−𝑏 = 23 so 2𝑎 − 𝑏 = 3
2𝑏

The only possibilities are 𝑎 = 2, 𝑏 = 1 and 𝑎 = 3, 𝑏 = 3 since 𝑎 and 𝑏 must be positive

integers and 𝑎, 𝑏 ≤ 3 from the conditions in the question.

The arrangements that give 8𝑥 must therefore have either

two applications of f and one application of g

or three applications of each

For the first of these there are 3𝐶2 = 3 possibilities (you are choosing two of the 3 positions
to place the f and the g has to go in whatever place is left). You could even list these as ffg,
fgf and gff.

For three applications of each, there are 6𝐶3 = 20 possibilities (you are choosing three of
the six positions to place the f ’s and the remaining positions must be occupied by g ‘s.

Hence there are 23 different ways to generate 8𝑥 and the answer is (b)
Try it Out (page 50)
1
If f(𝑥) = 𝑥 then f(𝐴) < f(𝐵) < f(𝐶 ) ⇒ 𝐴 < 𝐵 < 𝐶 is not necessarily true for all 𝐴, 𝐵 and 𝐶.

A simple counter example with 𝐴 = 3, 𝐵 = 2 and 𝐶 = 1 demonstrates that this is the case
1 1 1
3
< 2 < 1 definitely does not imply that 3 < 2 < 1.

It is true for log10 𝑥 as it is an increasing function for all 𝑥 > 0 (and it doesn’t exist for any other
values of 𝑥).
The graph of 𝑦 = log 10 𝑥 looks like this:

1
g(𝑥) = 𝑥 for 𝑥 > 0 would be an example where g(𝐴) < g(𝐵) < g(𝐶 ) ⇒ 𝐴 > 𝐵 > 𝐶

Exercise 2

1. Let 𝑎 = log 2 5 , 𝑏 = log 2 3 , 𝑐 = log 8 2 , 𝑑 = log 5 10 , 𝑒 = log 3 2

2𝑎 = 5 so 2 < 𝑎 < 3, 2𝑏 = 3 so 1 < 𝑏 < 2 giving 𝑏 < 𝑎

1 3
8𝑐 = 2 so 𝑐 = (since √8 = 2) giving 𝑐 < 𝑏 < 𝑎
3
5𝑑 = 10 so 1 < 𝑑 < 2. This will need a comparison to 𝑏
1
3𝑒 = 2 so 0 < 𝑒 < 1. This will need a comparison to 𝑐 = 3
Both 𝑏 and 𝑑 are between 1 and 2. A number between 1 and 2 can be compared to both.
This may take more than one trial if the number selected is either greater tan both or less
than both 𝑏 and 𝑑.
3 3 3
Comparing 𝑏 to 2: Assume 𝑏 > 2 so log 2 3 > 2 ⇔ 2 log 2 3 > 3 ⇔ log 2 9 > 3
3
2log2 9 > 23 ⇔ 9 > 8 this is true so 𝑏 > 2
3 3 3
Comparing 𝑑 to : Assume 𝑑 > so log 5 10 > ⇔ 2 log 5 10 > 3 ⇔ log 5 100 > 3
2 2 2
3
5log5 100 > 53 ⇔ 100 > 125 this is not true so 𝑑 < 2 hence 𝑑 < 𝑏.
 3
Note: if this had been inconclusive (e.g. both were > 2 ) then a different value between 1
and 2 would need to be used.
1
1 3
To compare 𝑒 and 𝑐: Assume log 3 2 > log 8 2 i.e. log 3 2 > then 3log3 2 > 33 i.e. 2 > √3
3
this is true since 23 > 3 hence 𝑒 > 𝑐

The correct order is 𝑐, 𝑒, 𝑑, 𝑏, 𝑎 i.e. log 8 2 < log 3 2 < log 5 10 < log 2 3 < log 2 5

2. This can be done by estimating the values using the approximation 𝜋 2 ≈ 10

1
1 1
4 − log10 𝜋 ≈ 4 − log10 102 = 4 − 2 = 3 2
1
1 1
2 + log10 √𝜋 ≈ 2 + log10 104 = 2 + = 2
4 4
5 5 5
≈ = = 5√2
√log10 𝜋 √log
1
√
1
10 10 2 2

1
1
√3 + log10 𝜋 ≈ √3 + log 10 102 = √3 2
5
The correct order is √3 + log10 𝜋, 2 + log10 √𝜋, 4 − log10 𝜋,
√log10 𝜋

3. log 4 𝜋 < 1 since 𝜋 < 4

Since log 4 𝜋 < 1, (log 4 𝜋)2 < log 4 𝜋
log 3 𝜋 > 1 since 𝜋 > 3
𝑎
𝑎
Let 𝑎 = log 32 𝜋 2 ⇔ 𝑎 = 2 log 32 𝜋 ⇔ = log 32 𝜋 ⇔ (32 )2 = 𝜋 ⇔ 3𝑎 = 𝜋
2
This means that 𝑎 = log 3 𝜋 so there are two equal values and the correct order is
(log 4 𝜋)2 < log 4 𝜋 < (log 32 𝜋 2 = log 3 𝜋)

4 1
4. (√2) = 22 = 4, log 2 8 = 3 (since 23 = 8), log 4 24 = 4 log 4 2 = 4 × 2 = 2 (since 2 = √4 ),
log 2 2 = 1

4
The correct order is log 2 2, log 4 24 , log 2 8, (√2)

5. log 3 36 = 2 log 3 6
1
So log 3 6 = log 3 36
2
1 1
log 3 36 > log 3 27
2 2
1 3
2
log 3 36 > 2

log 3 216 = 3 log 3 6

1
log 3 6 = 3 log 3 216
1 1
log 3 216 < log 3 243
3 3
1 5
3
log 3 216 < 3

3 5
So < log 3 6 <
2 3
 6
log 3 2 = log 3 3 = log 3 6 − log 3 3 = log 3 6 − 1
1 2
So < log 3 2 <
2 3

6. A sketch of the graphs of 𝑦 = |𝑥 3 | and 𝑦 = |𝑥| + |𝑥 − 1| will help.

For 𝑦 = |𝑥| + |𝑥 − 1| there are two critical 𝑥 values, 𝑥 = 0 where |𝑥| changes from being
calculated as −𝑥 to being calculates as +𝑥 and 𝑥 = 1 where |𝑥 − 1| changes from being
calculated as −(𝑥 − 1) to being calculates as +(𝑥 − 1)
Hence, for 𝑥 < 0, 𝑦 = |𝑥| + |𝑥 − 1| can be sketched using 𝑦 = −𝑥 − (𝑥 − 1) = −2𝑥 + 1,
for 0 ≤ 𝑥 < 1 it can be sketched using 𝑦 = 𝑥 − (𝑥 − 1) = 1 and for 𝑥 ≥ 1 it can be
sketched using 𝑦 = 𝑥 + (𝑥 − 1) = 2𝑥 − 1
For 𝑦 = |𝑥 3 |, when 𝑥 < 0, it can be sketched using 𝑦 = −𝑥 3

Both pass through the point (1,1).

Since the gradient of 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 at 𝑥 = 1 is greater than 2,
there are no further crossing points for 𝑥 > 1

The graphs cross in two places so there are 2 real solutions

and the correct answer is (c)

7. This also requires a sketch.

5 5
4𝑥 2 − 25 = (2𝑥 + 5)(2𝑥 − 5) so |4𝑥 2 − 25| has two critical points at 𝑥 = − 2 and 𝑥 = 2.
5 5
For − < 𝑥 < the graph can be sketched as 𝑦 = −(4𝑥 2 − 25)
2 2
The graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 2|𝑥| can be sketched as 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 2(−𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 for 𝑥 < 0 and as
𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 for 𝑥 ≥ 0

The graphs cross at 4 points so there will

be 4 real solutions.

The correct answer is (a)

8. 𝑦 = f(|𝑥|) = |𝑥|3 − |𝑥|.

For 𝑥 < 0, sketch 𝑦 = (−𝑥)3 − (−𝑥) = 𝑥 − 𝑥 3 = 𝑥 (1 − 𝑥)(1 + 𝑥)
For 𝑥 ≥ 0 sketch 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 − 𝑥 = 𝑥(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 1)
 𝑦 = |f(𝑥)| = |𝑥 3 − 𝑥| = |𝑥 (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 1)|
This can be sketched by reflecting every point on 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 − 𝑥 where 𝑦 < 0 in the 𝑥 axis.

The two graphs will be the same for 𝑥 ≤ −1

and 𝑥 ≥ 1

0 0
Area = 4 ∫−1(𝑥 3 − 𝑥) d𝑥 = 4[14𝑥 4 − 12𝑥 2 ] =1
−1

9. When 𝑥 = 0, 𝑥 2 = 0 so ⌈𝑥 2 ⌉ = 0
0 < 𝑥 ≤ 1, 0 < 𝑥 2 ≤ 1 so ⌈𝑥 2 ⌉ = 1
1 < 𝑥 ≤ √2, 1 < 𝑥 2 ≤ 2 so ⌈𝑥 2 ⌉ = 2
√2 < 𝑥 ≤ √3, 2 < 𝑥 2 ≤ 3 so ⌈𝑥 2 ⌉ = 3
√3 < 𝑥 ≤ 2, 3 < 𝑥 2 ≤ 4 so ⌈𝑥 2 ⌉ = 4

The integral will be the sum of the areas of the

rectangles between each line section and the 𝑥
axis.

2
∫ ⌈𝑥 2 ⌉ d𝑥 = 1 + 2(√2 − 1) + 3(√3 − √2) + 4(2 − √3)
0
= 1 + 2√2 − 2 + 3√3 − 3√2 + 8 − 4√3
= 7 − √2 − √3
The correct answer is (b)

10. The integral can be separated into two parts

2 2
∫ ⌊2𝑥 ⌋ d𝑥 − ∫ 2⌊𝑥⌋ d𝑥
0 0
 2𝑥 = 1 when 𝑥 = 0
2𝑥 = 2 when 𝑥 = 1 so for 0 ≤ 𝑥 < 1, ⌊2𝑥 ⌋ = 1
2𝑥 = 3 when 𝑥 = log 2 3 so for 1 ≤ 𝑥 < log 2 3, ⌊2𝑥 ⌋ = 2
2𝑥 = 4 when 𝑥 = 2 so for log 2 3 ≤ 𝑥 < 2, ⌊2𝑥 ⌋ = 3
𝑥 = 4, ⌊2𝑥 ⌋ = 4

𝑥 = 0, 2⌊𝑥⌋ = 20 = 1
𝑥 = 1, 2⌊𝑥⌋ = 21 = 2 so for 0 ≤ 𝑥 < 1, 2⌊𝑥⌋ = 1
𝑥 = 2, 2⌊𝑥⌋ = 22 = 4 so for 1 ≤ 𝑥 < 2, 2⌊𝑥⌋ = 2
At 𝑥 = 2, 2⌊𝑥⌋ = 4

So the integral is equal to 1 + 2(log 2 3 − 1) + 3(2 − log 2 3) − (1 + 2)

= 1 + 2 log 2 3 − 2 + 6 − 3 log 2 3 − 3
= 2 − log 2 3

The correct answer is (a)

Exercise 3 Admissions Test Multiple Choice Questions

TMUA style questions

1. f(1) = 2, f(2) = 1, f(3) = 6, f(4) = 3, f(5) = 16, f(6) = 8, f(7) = 4, f(8) = 2

Since f(8) = f(1) = 2, the values will repeat in sets of the seven values 2, 1, 6, 3, 16, 8, 4
100 2
7
= 14 7 so there will be 14 complete sets followed by 2, 1
100

∑ f(𝑟) = 14(2 + 1 + 6 + 3 + 16 + 8 + 4) + 1 + 2 = 14 × 40 + 3
𝑟=1

The answer is E

2. f(1) = 2, f(2) = 2 … all the values will be 2 so f(99) = 2

g(1) = 4, g(2) = 3.5, g(3) = 10, g(4) = 6.5, g(5) = 16, g(6) = 9.5, g(7) = 22, f(8) = 12.5
For 𝑛 odd, the terms are 4, 10, 16, 22, …
This is an arithmetic sequence with 𝑎 = 4 and 𝑑 = 6.
g(99) is the 50th term in the sequence so g(99) = 4 + 49 × 6 = 4 + 294 = 298
Hence f(99) + g(99) = 2 + 298 = 300.
The correct answer is B

3. f1 (𝑥) = 2𝑥, f2 (𝑥) = 2𝑥 × 2 = 4𝑥, f3 (𝑥) = 2𝑥 × 4 = 8𝑥, f4 (𝑥) = 2𝑥 × 8 = 16𝑥

50

∑ f𝑟 (𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 4𝑥 + 8𝑥 + 16𝑥 + ⋯ +
1
Geometric series with 𝑎 = 2𝑥 and 𝑟 = 2 so 𝑛 = 50 terms
50
2𝑥 (250 − 1)
∑ f𝑟 (𝑥) = = 2𝑥 (250 − 1)
2−1
1
 The correct answer is C.

4. Left f(𝑥) = (𝑎𝑥 − 4)(2𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 15)

f(−2) = 182
(−2𝑥 − 4)(8 − 6 − 15) = 182
26(𝑎 + 2) = 182
𝑎+2= 7
𝑎=5
The correct answer is C.

5. p(1) = 𝑅, p(−1) = 𝑆
𝑆−𝑅 = 4
𝑆 = 2𝑅
p(−1) − p(1) = 4
p(−1) = 2p(1)
p(−1) = 1 − 𝑎 + 𝑏 − 𝑐 + 1 = 2 − 𝑎 + 𝑏 − 𝑐
p(1) = 1 + 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 + 1 = 2 + 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐
2 − 𝑎 + 𝑏 − 𝑐 − (2 + 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐) = 4 ⇔ −2𝑎 − 2𝑐 = 4 ⇔ 𝑎 + 𝑐 = −2
2 − 𝑎 + 𝑏 − 𝑐 = 2(2 + 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐) ⇔ 3𝑎 + 3𝑐 + 𝑏 = −2
−6 + 𝑏 = −2 ⇔ 𝑏 = 4
𝑎≠𝑏≠𝑐≠0
|𝑏| > |𝑐| > |𝑎| so possible values for 𝑐 are ±3, ±2 and ±1
If 𝑐 = −3, 𝑎 = 1 which satisfies all of the required conditions
If 𝑐 = 3, 𝑎 = −5 making |𝑏| > |𝑐| > |𝑎 | untrue so reject this
If 𝑐 = −2, 𝑎 = 0 making 𝑎 ≠ 𝑏 ≠ 𝑐 ≠ 0 untrue so reject this
If 𝑐 = 2, 𝑎 = −4 making |𝑏| > |𝑐| > |𝑎 | untrue so reject this
If 𝑐 = −1, 𝑎 = −1 making 𝑎 ≠ 𝑏 ≠ 𝑐 ≠ 0 and |𝑏| > |𝑐| > |𝑎| untrue so reject this
If 𝑐 = 1, 𝑎 = −3 making |𝑏| > |𝑐| > |𝑎 | untrue so reject this

The only value that fits all criteria is 𝑐 = −3 so the correct answer is D

6. log 2 𝑥 2 − log 2 𝑦 = 6 ⇔ 2 log 2 𝑥 − log 2 𝑦 = 6

Let 𝑎 = log 2 𝑥 and 𝑏 = log 2 𝑦 so from the first equation 2𝑎 − 𝑏 = 6 A
From 12 − log 2 𝑥 = (log 2 𝑥 )(log 2 𝑦), 12 − 𝑎 = 𝑎𝑏 ⇔ 𝑎(𝑏 + 1) = 12 B
From A: 𝑏 = 2𝑎 − 6
Substituting this into B: 𝑎 (2𝑎 − 5) = 12
2𝑎2 − 5𝑎 − 12 = 0
(2𝑎 + 3)(𝑎 − 4) = 0
3
𝑎 = − 2 or 𝑎 = 4
3
If 𝑎 = − 2, 𝑏 = −3 − 6 = −9
If 𝑎 = 4, 𝑏 = 8 − 6 = 2
3
3 3 1 1
From (− 2 , −9): log 2 𝑥 = − 2 ⇔ 𝑥 = 2−2 = 2√2 and log 2 𝑦 = −9 ⇔ 𝑦 = 2−9 = 512
From (4,2): log 2 𝑥 = 4 ⇔ 𝑥 = 24 = 16 and log 2 𝑦 = 2 ⇔ 𝑦 = 22 = 4
The maximum value of 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 20.
The correct answer is D
 𝑥
316 1
7. 𝑥 =
814 27
2 𝑥
3(4 )
= 3−3
(34 )4𝑥
2𝑥
34 −3
𝑥+1 = 3
34
2𝑥 𝑥+1
3(4 −4 ) = 3−3
42𝑥 − 4𝑥+1 = −3
42𝑥 − 4 × 4𝑥 + 3 = 0
Let 𝑎 = 4𝑥
𝑎2 − 4𝑎 + 3 = 0
(𝑎 − 1)(𝑎 − 3) = 0
𝑎 = 1 ⇔ 4𝑥 = 1 ⇔ 𝑥 = 0 but non-zero solution required
𝑎 = 3 ⇔ 4𝑥 = 3 ⇔ 𝑥 = log 4 3
The correct answer is A

8. Let 𝑝 = 5𝑥 and 𝑞 = 5𝑦
𝑝2 − 16𝑞2 + 5 = 0 A
𝑝 + 4𝑞 = 5 ⇔ 𝑝 = 5 − 4𝑞 B
Substitute into A: (5 − 4𝑞)2 − 16𝑞2 + 5 = 0
25 − 40𝑞 + 16𝑞2 − 16𝑞2 + 5 = 0
3
40𝑞 = 30 ⇔ 𝑞 = 4
In B: 𝑝 = 5 − 3 = 2
5𝑥 = 2 ⇔ 𝑎 = 𝑥 = log 5 2
3 3
5𝑦 = 4 ⇔ 𝑏 = 𝑦 = log 5 4
3 3
𝑎 + 𝑏 = log 5 2 + log 5 4 = log 5 2
The correct answer is E

9. log 𝑎 (𝑥𝑦 2 𝑧) = 6 A
log 𝑎 (𝑥 2 𝑦𝑧 4 ) = 9 B
log 𝑎 (𝑥 5 𝑦 7 𝑧 5 ) = 25 C

3A + B:
3 log 𝑎 (𝑥𝑦 2 𝑧) + log 𝑎 (𝑥 2 𝑦𝑧 4 ) = 3 × 6 + 9
log 𝑎 (𝑥 3 𝑦 6 𝑧 3 ) + log 𝑎 (𝑥 2 𝑦𝑧 4 ) = 27
log 𝑎 (𝑥 5 𝑦 7 𝑧 7 ) = 27 D

D – C:
log 𝑎 (𝑥 5 𝑦 7 𝑧 7 ) − log 𝑎 (𝑥 5 𝑦 7 𝑧 5 ) = 27 − 25
𝑥 5𝑦7𝑧 7
log 𝑎 ( )=2
𝑥 5𝑦7𝑧 5
2
log 𝑎 𝑧 = 2
2 log 𝑎 𝑧 = 2
log 𝑎 𝑧 = 1
𝑎1 = 𝑧
The answer is D
10. 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 3 (2, log 2 𝑝 ) (−1 + log 2 𝑝 , 11)
Using (2, log 2 𝑝): log 2 𝑝 = 4𝑎 + 3 A
Using (−1 + log 2 𝑝 , 11): 11 = 𝑎(−1 + log 2 𝑝)2 + 3 ⇔ 𝑎(−1 + log 2 𝑝)2 = 8 B
Substituting A into B:
𝑎(−1 + 4𝑎 + 3)2 = 8
𝑎(2𝑎 + 1)2 = 2
4𝑎3 + 4𝑎2 + 𝑎 − 2 = 0
1
Using the factor theorem with 𝑎 = :
2
4 4 1 1 1
8
+ 4 + 2 − 2 = 2 + 1 + 2 − 2 = 0 so (2𝑎 − 1) is a factor
(2𝑎 − 1)(2𝑎2 + 𝑘𝑎 + 2) ≡ 4𝑎3 + 4𝑎2 + 𝑎 − 2
Equating coefficients of 𝑎 2 : 2𝑘 − 2 = 4 ⇔ 𝑘 = 3
(2𝑎 − 1)(2𝑎2 + 3𝑎 + 2) = 0
For the quadratic factor, the discriminant ∆= 9 − 16 shows that there are no further real
1
solutions and the only real solution is 𝑎 = 2.
Substituting this into A: log 2 𝑝 = 2 + 3 = 5 so 𝑝 = 25 = 32
The correct answer is G

11. Let 𝑦 = (1 − |𝑥|)(1 − 𝑥)

For 𝑥 < 0, 𝑦 = (1 − (−𝑥))(1 − 𝑥) = (1 + 𝑥)(1 − 𝑥) = 1 − 𝑥 2
For 𝑥 ≥ 0, 𝑦 = (1 − 𝑥)(1 − 𝑥) = (1 − 𝑥)2

1 0 1
∫ (1 − |𝑥|)(1 − 𝑥) d𝑥 = ∫ (1 − 𝑥 2 ) d𝑥 + ∫ (1 − 𝑥)2 d𝑥
−1 −1 0

1 3 0 2
1 3 1 1 1
= [𝑥 − 𝑥 ] + [𝑥 − 𝑥 + 𝑥 ] = 0 − (−1 + ) + 1 − 1 + − 0 = 1
3 −1 3 0 3 3
The correct answer is D

12. 𝑦 + |𝑥 − 2| ≤ 1 + |𝑥| can be rewritten as 𝑦 ≤ 1 + |𝑥| − |𝑥 − 2|

This can be sketched using
𝑦 = −1 for 𝑥 < 0
𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 1 for 0 ≤ 𝑥 < 2
𝑦 = 3 for 𝑥 ≥ 2

2|𝑥| ≤ 𝑦 + 4 can be rewritten as 𝑦 ≥ 2|𝑥| − 4

This can be sketched using
𝑦 = −2𝑥 − 4 for 𝑥 < 0
 𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 4 for 𝑥 ≥ 0

Let |𝑥𝑦| = 𝑘 so either 𝑥𝑦 = 𝑘 or

𝑥𝑦 = −𝑘
𝑘
Consider the graphs of 𝑦 = 𝑥 and
𝑘
𝑦 = − 𝑥 as 𝑘 increases
The maximum value of |𝑥𝑦| occurs
when the line 𝑦 = 3 crosses the line
𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 4
7
At that point 𝑥 = 2

21
The maximum value of |𝑥𝑦| is 2

The correct answer is B

MAT style questions

13. Completing the square for sin2 2𝑥 gives

13 13 2 289
(10 (sin4 2𝑥 + sin2 2𝑥) − 3) = 10 (sin2 2𝑥 + ) −
10 20 40
This is maximum when sin2 2𝑥 = 1
13 2 289 10 × 332 289 1089 − 289 800
10 (1 + ) − = − = = = 20
20 40 400 40 40 40
The correct answer is (d)

14. Using sin2 𝑥 + cos2 𝑥 = 1

(3 sin2 𝑥 − 2(1 − sin2 𝑥 ) − 20 sin 𝑥 + 19)2
= (5 sin2 𝑥 − 20 sin 𝑥 + 17)2
Completing the square for sin 𝑥
= (5(sin 𝑥 − 2)2 − 3)2
This gives its least value when sin 𝑥 = 1
= (5 − 3)2 = 4
The correct answer is (b)

15. A mixture of approximation and calculation can be used for this question
log 3 80 ≈ log 3 81 = 4 and log 5 127 ≈ log 5 125 = 5
log 80 4
So (a) log 3127 ≈ 5
5
6 5! 6 2√6 √6
For (b) √ = √4! = =
4! 5 24 4 2
√6 3
As 2 < √6 < 3, 1 < 2
<2
√6
Since 2
> 1 (b) is greater than (a)
 2√2 2√2 2√2√2 4
For (c) using 𝜋 ≈ √10 gives ≈ = 3
=3
3√log10 𝜋 1
3√
2
This shows that (c) is greater than (a)
log2 257 log2 256 8
For (d) ≈ =
log3 25 log3 27 3
8
> 2 so (d) is greater than (a), (b) and (c)
3
4 2+√5 5 2+√5
For (e) as 2 < √5 < 3, 3 < 3
< 3 so 3
<2
The correct answer is (d)

2
√3 5√3 75 3
16. For (a) cos 330° = cos 30° = 2
so (5 cos 330°)2 =( 2
) =
4
= 18 4
2 9 2
5
9 2 81 1
For (b) (log 5 1252 ) = (log 5 52 ) = (2) = 4
= 20 4
So (a) is less than (b)
5
For (c) (√3) = 9√3. As 1 < √3 < 2, 9 < 9√3 < 18 both are lower than (a)
For (d) log 3 (log 3 (93 ))9 = 9 log 3 (log 3 36 ) = 9 log 3 6 = 9(log 3 3 + log 3 2) = 9 + 9 log 3 2
= 9 + log 3 29 = 9 + log 3 512. As 5 < log 3 512 < 6 (35 = 243 and 36 = 729) this gives
14 < 9 + log 3 512 < 15 this is lower than (a)
8
For (e) (√2) = 16 this is greater than (d)
To compare (c) and (d) some more precision can be used for (c)
Since 172 = 289, 1.72 = 2.89 so 9√3 > 9 × 1.7 = 15.3 this is greater than (d).
The least value is (d).

17. This can be done by considering simple counter examples

For (a) 𝑃 (63) = 𝑃 (7 × 32 ) = 7 and 𝑑(63) = 3 this is not true
For (b) 𝑃(13) = 13 and 𝑑 (13) = 3 this is not true
For (c) 𝑃(3) = 3 and 𝑑(32 ) = 9 this is not true
For (d) 𝑃(𝑛) = 7 and 𝑑(𝑛2 ) ≠ 3 this is true as no square number ends in 3
For (e) 𝑃 (13) = 13 and 𝑑 (132 ) = 9 this is not true
The correct answer is (d)

17 5
18. Let 𝑥 = 3 so 2f(3) − 5f ( 2 ) = − 2 A
Another equation in f(3) is required
4𝑥+5 17
For 2𝑥−4 = 3, 4𝑥 + 5 = 6𝑥 − 12 so 𝑥 = 2
17 17
Let 𝑥 = 2
so 2f ( 2 ) − 5f(3) = −41 B
17
B × −5: 25f(3) − 10f ( 2 ) = 205
17
A × 2: 4f(3) − 10f ( 2 ) = −5
Subtracting: 21f(3) = 210
So f(3) = 10
The correct answer is (a)

19. The digits from 1 to 9 inclusive will sum to 45

The digits from 10 to 19 will be the sum of ten 1’s and the digits 1 to 9 i.e. 10 + 45
For 20 to 29 this will be 20 + 45, for 30 to 39 this will be 30 + 45 and so on
𝑆(1) + 𝑆(2) + 𝑆(3) + 𝑆(4) + ⋯ + 𝑆(99) = (10 + 20 + ⋯ + 90) + 10 × 45
 = 10(1 + 2 + ⋯ + 9) + 450 = 450 + 450 = 900
The correct answer is (b)

20. 1 → 3 → 11 → 23 → 23 → 43 → 43 → 87 → 263 → 527 → 527 → 1051 → 1051 →

2103 → 6311
The correct answer is (d)

21. All of the values will be 1 or −1. The only values that will be −1 will stem from 2. They have
to be odd powers of −1.

2 2𝑛 + 1 = 5 2𝑛 = 10 2𝑛 + 1 = 21 2𝑛 = 42 2𝑛 + 1 = 85
→ ( )3 → ( )5 → ( )11 → ( )21 → ( )43
−1 −1 = −1 −1 = −1 −1 = −1 −1 = −1 −1 = −1

These are the only possible −1 values in f(1) to f(100) since the next time −1 occurs is for
f(85 × 2) which is not a part of the sum.

There are six values that give −1 and 94 values that give 1.
Hence the sum is 94 − 6 = 88
The correct answer is (a)

22. Let 𝑥 2 = −2
By the factor theorem:
(4 − 5)𝑛 − (−2 + 1)𝑛+1 + (−2 + 4)(3 − 2)𝑛 = 0
(−1)𝑛 − (−1)𝑛+1 + 2 × 1𝑛 = 0
2 = (−1)𝑛+1 − (−1)𝑛
2 = (−1)𝑛 (−1 − 1)
2 = −2(−1)𝑛
This is true if 𝑛 is odd.
The correct answer is (a)

23. 𝑥 2 − 2𝑎𝑥 − 𝑎2 divided by 𝑥 − 𝑏 remainder 1

4𝑏𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 − 10 divided by 2𝑥 − 𝑎 remainder 0
Using the remainder theorem
𝑥 = 𝑏 in 𝑥 2 − 2𝑎𝑥 − 𝑎2 gives 𝑏2 − 2𝑎𝑏 − 𝑎2 = 1 A
Using the factor theorem
𝑎
𝑥 = 2 in 4𝑏𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 − 10 gives 𝑎2 𝑏 − 3𝑎 − 10 = 0 B
From A
𝑎2 + 2𝑎𝑏 + 1 − 𝑏2 = 0
Completing the square for 𝑎 gives
(𝑎 + 𝑏)2 + 1 − 2𝑏2 = 0
(𝑎 + 𝑏)2 = 2𝑏2 − 1
From the options, if 𝑎 + 𝑏 = ±5 (options (a) and (e)) then
2𝑏2 − 1 = 25 but this means that 𝑏 is not an integer as specified in the question so (a) and
(e) can be eliminated.
If 𝑎 + 𝑏 = −3 then 2𝑏2 − 1 = 9 and again, 𝑏 is not an integer so (b) can be eliminated
If 𝑎 + 𝑏 = −1 then 2𝑏2 − 1 = 1 giving 𝑏 = ±1 since 𝑎 + 𝑏 = −1, 𝑏 must be +1 otherwise
𝑎 = 0. So it is possible that (c) is correct with 𝑏 = 1 and 𝑎 = −2
If 𝑎 + 𝑏 = 0 then 2𝑏2 − 1 = 0 and again, 𝑏 is not an integer.
(c) is the correct answer.
 A final substituting 𝑎 = −2 and 𝑏 = 1 into the LHS of B: 𝑎2 𝑏 − 3𝑎 − 10 = 0 gives
4 + 6 − 10 = 0 which is consistent.
The correct answer is (c)

24. The answer can be found by using a simple value for 𝑛

If 𝑛 = 3 then
p3 (𝑥) = (𝑥 − 5) + (2𝑥 − 3) + (3𝑥 − 1) = 6𝑥 − 9
p2 (𝑥) = (𝑥 − 3) + (2𝑥 − 1) = 3𝑥 − 4
4
Using the remainder theorem with 𝑥 =
3
4 4
p3 (3) = 6 × 3 − 9 = 8 − 9 = −1
It looks like (c) is the correct answer. To confirm this the other values can be checked
𝑛2−1 9−1 𝑛 3
𝑛 = 3 (a) = = 4, (b) 𝑛 = 3, (d) 1 ≠ −1, (e) =
2 2 2 2
The correct answer is (c)

25. From 4 log 𝑧 𝑥 = 𝑦, 𝑥 4 = 𝑧 𝑦 A

𝑦
From log 𝑥 𝑧 = 𝑦, 𝑧 = 𝑥 B
From 𝑥 + log 𝑦 𝑧 = 0, 𝑧 = 𝑦 −𝑥 C
Since 𝑥, 𝑦 and 𝑧 all feature as the base of a logarithm, all three must be positive.
2
Substituting B into A gives 𝑥 4 = (𝑥 𝑦 ) 𝑦 so 𝑥 𝑦 = 𝑥 4 and 𝑦 2 = 4 so 𝑦 = 2 since 𝑦 > 0
1
A becomes 𝑥 4 = 𝑧 2 , B becomes 𝑧 = 𝑥 2 and C becomes 𝑧 = 2−𝑥 i.e. 𝑧 = 𝑥
2
1 1
Substituting 𝑧 = 2𝑥 into 𝑧 = 𝑥 2 gives 𝑥 2 = 2𝑥
1
To see if this gives unique values for 𝑥, the graphs of 𝑦 = 2𝑥 and 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 can be sketched

There is one solution for 𝑥 > 0 (negative

values can be ignored since you know that
𝑥 > 0)

As there is a unique value for 𝑥, since 𝑧 = 𝑥 2 , there is also a unique value for 𝑧.
𝑥, 𝑦 and 𝑧 all have unique solutions.
The correct answer is (e)

26. The first thing to note is that as 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 3 is the base of a logarithm, it must be greater
than 0.
The equation can be rewritten as
(𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 3)2 = 𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 9
𝑥 4 + 2𝑥 3 − 5𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 9 = 𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 9
𝑥 4 + 𝑥 3 − 8𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 = 0
𝑥 (𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 − 8𝑥 − 12) = 0
𝑥 (𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 2)2 = 0 (*)
 There are three solutions to the equation (*)
When 𝑥 = 0, 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 3 = −3 which is not greater than 0.
When 𝑥 = −2, 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 3 = −1 which is not greater than 0.
When 𝑥 = 3, 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 3 = 9 which is greater than 0.
So x = 3 is the only solution to the equation.
The correct answer is (b)

27. The expression can be written

2
log 𝑝 𝑝2𝑥 + 𝑥 log 𝑞 𝑟 + 𝑥 log 2 4 + log 𝑞 𝑟 = 0
and from this
2𝑥 2 + (2 + log 𝑞 𝑟)𝑥 + log 𝑞 𝑟 = 0
For this to have a repeated root, the discriminant must be equal to 0.
2
(2 + log 𝑞 𝑟) − 8 log 𝑞 𝑟 = 0
Let 𝑎 = log 𝑞 𝑟
(2 + 𝑎)2 − 8𝑎 = 0
𝑎2 + 4𝑎 + 4 − 8𝑎 = 0
𝑎2 − 4𝑎 + 4 = 0
(𝑎 − 2)2 = 0
𝑎 = 2 ⇔ log 𝑞 𝑟 = 2 ⇔ 𝑟 = 𝑞2
The correct answer is (d)

𝑥
28. ⌊2⌋ = 0 for 0 ≤ 𝑥 < 2
𝑥
⌊ ⌋ = 1 for 2 ≤ 𝑥 < 4
2
𝑥
When 𝑥 = 4, ⌊ ⌋ = 2
2
4 2 4 2 4
𝑥 𝑥2 𝑥2
∫ 𝑥 + ⌊ ⌋ d𝑥 = ∫ 𝑥 d𝑥 + ∫ 𝑥 + 1 d𝑥 = [ ] + [ + 𝑥]
0 2 0 2 2 0 2 2
= (2 − 0) + (8 + 4 − 2 − 2) = 10
The correct answer is (c)

29. The integral can be written as a difference of two integrals

𝑛 𝑛
∫ 2𝑛 d𝑥 − ∫ ⌊2𝑥 ⌋ d𝑥
0 0
The first integral can be considered to be the area of a rectangle of base 𝑛 units and height
2𝑛 units
𝑛
∫ 2𝑛 d𝑥 = 𝑛2𝑛
0

When 𝑥 = 0, 2𝑥 = 1
For 0 ≤ 𝑥 < 1, 1 ≤ 2𝑥 < 2 so ⌊2𝑥 ⌋ = 1
For 1 ≤ 𝑥 < log 2 3, 2 ≤ 2𝑥 < 3 so ⌊2𝑥 ⌋ = 2
For log 2 3 ≤ 𝑥 < log 2 4, 3 ≤ 2𝑥 < 4 so ⌊2𝑥 ⌋ = 3
For log 2 4 ≤ 𝑥 < log 2 5, 4 ≤ 2𝑥 < 5 so ⌊2𝑥 ⌋ = 4

Since 𝑛 is a natural number, it follows that the value of 𝑥 at the upper limit is log 2 2𝑛
For log 2 (2𝑛 − 1) ≤ 𝑥 < log 2 2𝑛 , (2𝑛 − 1) ≤ 2𝑥 < 2𝑛 so ⌊2𝑥 ⌋ = (2𝑛 − 1)

The integral will be the sum of several rectangular areas

It is a good idea to express the base length of each rectangle entirely

in terms of logarithms to base 2.

Rectangle 1 has an area of 1 × (log 2 2 − log 2 1)

Rectangle 2 has an area of 2 × (log 2 3 − log 2 2)
Rectangle 3 has an area of 3 × (log 2 4 − log 2 3)

The final rectangle has an area of (2𝑛 − 1)(log 2 2𝑛 − log 2 (2𝑛 − 1))

𝑛
∫ ⌊2𝑥 ⌋ d𝑥 = (log 2 2 − log 2 1) + 2(log 2 3 − log 2 2) + (log 2 4 − log 2 3) + ⋯
0
+ (2𝑛 − 1)(log 2 2𝑛 − log 2 (2𝑛 − 1))
= − log 2 1 − log 2 2 − log 2 3 − ⋯ − log 2 (2𝑛 − 1) + (2𝑛 − 1) log 2 2𝑛
= −(log 2 1 + log 2 2 + log 2 3 + ⋯ + log 2 (2𝑛 − 1)) + 𝑛(2𝑛 − 1)
= 𝑛(2𝑛 − 1) − log 2 ((2𝑛 − 1)!)
𝑛
∫ 2𝑛 − ⌊2𝑥 ⌋ d𝑥 = 𝑛2𝑛 − 𝑛(2𝑛 − 1) + log 2 ((2𝑛 − 1)!) = 𝑛 + log 2 ((2𝑛 − 1)!)
0
The correct answer is (c)
There is a quick way to answer the question by selecting simple values for 𝑛. Two of the
options are written with this in mind. Using 𝑛 = 1 gives options (a), (b) and (d) as well as (c).
Using 𝑛 = 2 gives option (d) as well as (c). Using 𝑛 = 3 would identify (c) as correct.
Chapter 6: Calculus
Try it out (page 58)

d 𝑥 3−8𝑥+1 3𝑥 2−8 3
1. ( )= = 𝑥 2 − 4.
d𝑥 2 2 2

d 5 d 7
7 5
2. (𝑥(√𝑥)) = (𝑥 2 ) = 𝑥 2 .
d𝑥 d𝑥 2

1 1 2 1 1 1 3
1 1 3
3. f(𝑥) = (√𝑥 + ) = 𝑥 −2 (𝑥 + 2 + 𝑥 −1 ) = 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 −2 + 𝑥 −2 , so f ′ (𝑥) = 𝑥 −2 − 𝑥 −2 −
√𝑥 √𝑥 2
5
3 − ′( 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 27−6−1 20 10
2
𝑥 2 and f 9) = 2 × 3 − 27 − 2 × 243 = 6 − 27 − 162 = 162
= 162 = 81.

3 3 9 3 3 5 1 1
𝑑𝑦 9 3 3
4. 𝑦 = (𝑥 4 − 1) (𝑥 2 + 1) = 𝑥 4 + 𝑥 4 − 𝑥 2 − 1, so 𝑑𝑥 = 4 𝑥 4 + 4 𝑥 −4 − 2 𝑥 2 . The gradient of the
9 3 1 3 3 3 531
tangent to the curve where 𝑥 = 16 is 4 × 32 + 4 × 2 − 2 × 4 = 72 + 8 − 6 = 66 8 = 8
. It
8
follows that the gradient of the normal to the curve where 𝑥 = 16 is − .
531

3 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
5. 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 = 3𝑥 −3 ⇒ 𝑑𝑥 = −9𝑥 −4 . If 𝑥 = 1 then 𝑑𝑥 = −9, meaning that the gradient of the
1 3
normal on the curve where 𝑥 = 1 is 9. The co-ordinates of 𝑃 are (1, 13 = 3). Using the
1 26
gradient of the normal, the co-ordinates of 𝐵 are (0, 3 − = ) and the co-ordinates of 𝐴
9 9
are (−26, 0).
Then, realising that, for a straight line, ratios of lengths along the line are the same as the
ratio of the horizontal distances travelled or the ratio of the vertical distances travelled, you
1
can conclude that 𝐴𝑃: 𝑃𝐵 = 3: = 27: 1 (using the 𝑦 co-ordinate of each point). There is no
9
need to waste time using Pythagoras’ Theorem!

𝑑𝑦
6. 𝑦 = 2𝑥 2 − 5 ⇒ 𝑑𝑥 = 4𝑥, so the gradient of the tangent at (𝑝, 𝑞) is 4𝑝 and the equation of
the tangent is 𝑦 = 4𝑝𝑥 − 15.
Since (𝑝, 𝑞) lies on both the line and the curve, 𝑞 = 4𝑝 × 𝑝 − 15 and 𝑞 = 2𝑝2 − 5.
Substituting one equation into the other gives 4𝑝2 − 15 = 2𝑝2 − 5 ⇔ 2𝑝2 = 10 ⇔ 𝑝2 =
5 ⇔ 𝑝 = ±√5. Since 𝑚 = 4𝑝 < 0, 𝑝 = −√5 is the only valid solution.

7. Let the co-ordinates of the point of contact of the two curves be (𝑎, 𝑏).
1 2
𝑑𝑦 1
𝑦 3 = 𝑥 ⇔ 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 so 𝑑𝑥 = 3 𝑥 −3 .
𝑑𝑦
Also, if 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 + 𝑐 then 𝑑𝑥 = 3𝑥 2 .
2
1 1
Since the gradients of the two curves are equal at (𝑎, 𝑏), it follows that 3 𝑎−3 = 3𝑎2 ⇔ 9 =
8
1 3 1 3
𝑎3 ⇔ 𝑎8 = (32 ) = 3−6 ⇔ 𝑎 = ±(3−6 )8 = ±3−4 .
 1
The point (𝑎, 𝑏) also lies on both curves, so 𝑏 = 𝑎3 + 𝑐 and 𝑏3 = 𝑎, giving 𝑎3 = 𝑎 3 + 𝑐, so
1
3
3 3 3 1 9 1
1 2 8
(±3 ) = (±3−4 ) + 𝑐. This gives 𝑐 = ±3−4 ∓ 3−4 = ±3−4 (1 − ( ) ) = ±
−
4 4
3 9 √3

For the MAT only

𝑑
1. (𝑒 𝑥 )3 ≡ 𝑒 3𝑥 and 𝑑𝑥 (𝑒 3𝑥 ) = 3𝑒 3𝑥 .

𝑒 −𝑥 −𝑒 𝑥 𝑒𝑥 1−𝑒 2𝑥 𝑑
2. × ≡ ≡ 1 − 𝑒 2𝑥 and (1 − 𝑒 2𝑥 ) = −2𝑒 2𝑥 .
𝑒 −𝑥 𝑒𝑥 1 𝑑𝑥

𝑑
3. 𝑒 𝑥 √𝑒 4𝑥 ≡ 𝑒 𝑥 × 𝑒 2𝑥 ≡ 𝑒 3𝑥 and 𝑑𝑥 (𝑒 3𝑥 ) = 3𝑒 3𝑥 .

Try it out (page 61)

𝑑𝑦
1. Let 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 − 9𝑥 + 16. Then 𝑑𝑥 = 3𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 − 9 ≡ 3(𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 3) ≡
3(𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 1) = 0 precisely when 𝑥 = −1 or 𝑥 = 3. When 𝑥 = −1, 𝑦 = −1 − 3 + 9 +
16 = 21. When 𝑥 = 3, 𝑦 = 27 − 27 − 27 + 16 = −11. Knowing the shape of a cubic curve
when the coefficient of 𝑥 3 is positive, it follows that (−1, 21), above the 𝑥-axis, is a local
maximum, and (3, −11), below the 𝑥-axis, is a local minimum. Since 𝑦 ⟶ ∞ as 𝑥 ⟶ ∞ and
𝑦 ⟶ −∞ and 𝑥 ⟶ −∞. The curve therefore crosses the 𝑥-axis at three distinct points,
meaning that the equation 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 − 9𝑥 + 16 = 0 has three distinct roots.

𝑑𝑦
2. Let 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 + 12𝑥 2 + 60𝑥 − 30. Then = 3𝑥 2 + 24𝑥 + 60 ≡ 3(𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 + 20) ≡
𝑑𝑥
3((𝑥 + 4)2 + 4) ≥ 12 (since (𝑥 + 4)2 ≥ 0. It follows that this cubic curve has no stationary
points and, in particular, no turning points. It therefore crosses the 𝑥-axis just once; the
equation 𝑥 3 + 12𝑥 2 + 60𝑥 − 30 = 0 must have only one (real) root.

𝑑𝑦
3. Let 𝑦 = 3𝑥 4 − 20𝑥 3 + 48𝑥 2 − 48𝑥 + 16. Then 𝑑𝑥 = 12𝑥 3 − 60𝑥 2 + 96𝑥 − 48 ≡
12(𝑥 3 − 5𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 − 4) = 12(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 4) ≡ 12(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 2)2 (spotting that
𝑑𝑦
𝑑𝑥
= 0 when 𝑥 = 1 and applying the Factor Theorem to find the first linear factor). This is a
quartic curve. When 𝑥 = 1, 𝑦 = 3 − 20 + 48 − 48 + 16 = −1 and, when 𝑥 = 2, 𝑦 = 48 −
160 + 192 − 96 + 16 = 0. Therefore, the only two stationary points are (1, −1) and (2, 0).
Also, since the coefficient of 𝑥 4 is positive, 𝑦 ⟶ ∞ as 𝑥 ⟶ ±∞. This information is enough
to determine that (1, −1) is a local maximum and that (2, 0) is stationary point of inflection
𝑑𝑦
(just try sketching the curve; it may also help to first sketch the graph of 𝑑𝑥 ). It follows that
the equation 3𝑥 4 − 20𝑥 3 + 48𝑥 2 − 48𝑥 + 16 = 0 has two roots (one of which is repeated).

Exercise 1
1.

a) 2𝑥 3 + 5𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 1 = 0
d𝑦
Let 𝑦 = 2𝑥 3 + 5𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 1. Then d𝑥 = 6𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 − 4.
 Let 6𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 − 4 = 0
3𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 2 = 0
(3𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 2) = 0
1
𝑥 = 3 or 𝑥 = −2
1 2 5 4 2+15−36+27 8
𝑥 = 3 , 𝑦 = 27 + 9 − 3 + 1 = 27
= 27

𝑥 = −2, 𝑦 = −16 + 20 + 8 + 1 = 13
1 8
(−2,13) is to the left of ( , ) and above it. Using the shape of a cubic with a
3 27
1 8
positive coefficient of 𝑥 3 indicates that (−2,13) gives a local maximum and (3 , 27) a
local minimum. To do this, the curve must pass through the 𝑥 axis once only. The
equation 2𝑥 3 + 5𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 1 = 0 therefore has one real root.

b) 2𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 + 2 = 0

𝑑𝑦
Let 𝑦 = 2𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 + 2. Then 𝑑𝑥 = 6𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 − 12 ≡ 6(𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 2) ≡
6(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 1). When 𝑥 = 2, 𝑦 = 16 − 12 − 24 + 2 = −18, and, when 𝑥 = −1,
𝑦 = −2 − 3 + 12 + 2 = 9. The only two stationary points are (−1, 9), above the 𝑥-
axis, and (2, −18), below the 𝑥-axis. The coefficient of 𝑥 3 is positive, meaning that
𝑦 ⟶ ∞ as 𝑥 ⟶ ∞ and 𝑦 ⟶ −∞ and 𝑥 ⟶ −∞. Sketching the curve shows that the
curve crosses the 𝑥-axis at three distinct points. The equation 2𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 +
2 = 0 therefore has three real roots.

c) 3𝑥 3 + 7𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 5 = 0

d𝑦
Let 𝑦 = 3𝑥 3 + 7𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 5. Then d𝑥 = 9𝑥 2 + 14𝑥 − 5.

9𝑥 2 + 14𝑥 − 5 = 0
(3𝑥 + 5)(3𝑥 − 1) = 0
5 1
𝑥 = − or 𝑥 =
3 3
5 125 175 25 −125+175+75+45 170
𝑥 = −3 , 𝑦 = − 9
+ 9
+ 3
+5= 9
= 9
1 1 7 5 −1+7−15+45
𝑥 = ,𝑦= + − +5= =4
3 9 9 3 9
5 170 1
(− , ) is to the left of ( , 4) and above it. Using the shape of a cubic with a
3 9 3
5 170 1
positive coefficient of 𝑥 3 indicates that (− 3 , 9 ) gives a local maximum and (3 , 4)
a local minimum. To do this, the curve must pass through the 𝑥 axis at only one
point. The equation 3𝑥 3 + 7𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 5 = 0 therefore has one real roots.
d) 6𝑥 3 − 10𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 1 = 0

𝑑𝑦
Let 𝑦 = 6𝑥 3 − 10𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 1. Then 𝑑𝑥 = 18𝑥 2 − 20𝑥 + 2 ≡ 2(9𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 + 1) ≡
1
2(9𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 1). When 𝑥 = 9, 𝑦 = 2 × 3−5 − 2 × 3−4 × 5 + 2 × 3−2 + 1. Since
2
81
< 1, 𝑦 > 0; all that matters is that there is a stationary point at 𝑥 = 1 which is
above the 𝑥-axis. When 𝑥 = 1, 𝑦 = 6 − 10 + 2 + 1 = −1. There is a stationary
point at (1, −1) that is below the 𝑥-axis. Since the coefficient of 𝑥 3 is positive, 𝑦 ⟶
∞ as 𝑥 ⟶ ∞ and 𝑦 ⟶ −∞ and 𝑥 ⟶ −∞. Sketching the curve shows that when
1
𝑥 = 9 the stationary point is a local maximum and when 𝑥 = 1 the stationary point
is a local minimum. In particular, the curve crosses the 𝑥-axis at three distinct points.
The equation 6𝑥 3 − 10𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 1 = 0 therefore has three real roots.

e) 𝑥 4 − 4𝑥 3 − 20𝑥 2 + 96𝑥 − 80 = 0

𝑑𝑦
Let 𝑦 = 𝑥 4 − 4𝑥 3 − 20𝑥 2 + 96𝑥 − 80. Then 𝑑𝑥 = 4𝑥 3 − 12𝑥 2 − 40𝑥 + 96 ≡
4(𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 + 24) ≡ 4(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 12) ≡ 4(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 + 3)
𝑑𝑦
(spotting that = 0 when 𝑥 = 2 and applying the Factor Theorem to find the first
𝑑𝑥
linear factor). When 𝑥 = −3, 𝑦 = 81 + 108 − 180 − 288 − 80 = 189 − 548 < 0.
When 𝑥 = 2, 𝑦 = 16 − 32 − 80 + 192 − 80 = 16 > 0. When 𝑥 = 4, 𝑦 = 256 −
256 − 320 + 384 − 80 = 384 − 400 = −16 < 0. Since the coefficient of 𝑥 4 is
positive, 𝑦 ⟶ ∞ as 𝑥 ⟶ ±∞. This information is enough to determine that the
graph crosses the 𝑥-axis at four distinct points. It follows that the equation 𝑥 4 −
4𝑥 3 − 20𝑥 2 + 96𝑥 − 80 = 0 has four distinct real roots.

f) 3𝑥 4 − 16𝑥 3 + 30𝑥 2 − 24𝑥 + 2 = 0

d𝑦
Let 𝑦 = 3𝑥 4 − 16𝑥 3 + 30𝑥 2 − 24𝑥 + 2. Then d𝑥 = 12𝑥 3 − 48𝑥 2 + 60𝑥 − 24 ≡
12(𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 2) ≡ 12(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 2) ≡ 12(𝑥 − 1)2 (𝑥 − 2)
12(𝑥 − 1)2 (𝑥 − 2) = 0
𝑥 = 1 or 𝑥 = 2
𝑥 = 1, 𝑦 = 3 − 16 + 30 − 24 + 2 = −5
𝑥 = 2, 𝑦 = 48 − 128 + 120 − 48 + 2 = −6
d2 𝑦
= 36𝑥 2 − 96𝑥 + 60
d𝑥 2

d2 𝑦
𝑥 = 1, d𝑥 2 = 0 this is possibly a point of inflexion

d2 𝑦
𝑥 = 2, = 144 − 192 + 60 = 12 (2, −6) is a local minimum.
d𝑥 2

From the general shape of a quartic, this can only cross the 𝑥 axis twice. It follows
that the equation 3𝑥 4 − 16𝑥 3 + 30𝑥 2 − 24𝑥 + 2 = 0 has four distinct real roots.
2.
a) 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 − 1

𝑑𝑦
= 3𝑥 2 − 8𝑥 + 10. The discriminant, ′𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐′, for this quadratic is
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦
(−8)2 − 4 × 3 × 10 < 0 meaning that = 0 has no real roots; there are no
𝑑𝑥
stationary points.

b) 𝑦 = 3𝑥 3 − 6𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 2

𝑑𝑦
𝑑𝑥
= 9𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 + 4 ≡ (3𝑥 − 2)2 , so it follows that there is just one stationary
point. (In fact, computing ′𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐 ′ = 0 shows the same thing).

c) 𝑦 = −4𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 + 5𝑥

𝑑𝑦
𝑑𝑥
= −12𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 5. The discriminant of this is 62 − 4 × −12 × 5 = 36 + 240 =
𝑑𝑦
276 > 0, meaning that 𝑑𝑥 = 0 has two distinct real roots. (That 276 is not a square
number means that the roots are not rational numbers, but the question does not
ask for where the stationary points are but simply how many there are). There are
therefore two stationary points.

d) 𝑦 = 2𝑥 4 − 24𝑥 3 + 81𝑥 2 − 5

𝑑𝑦
= 8𝑥 3 − 72𝑥 2 + 162𝑥 ≡ 2𝑥 (4𝑥 2 − 36𝑥 + 81) ≡ 2𝑥 (2𝑥 − 9)2 (the discriminant
𝑑𝑥
of 4𝑥 2 − 36𝑥 + 81 is (−36)2 − 4 × 4 × 81 = 42 × 92 − 42 × 92 = 0, so this helps
realise that the quadratic function is the square of a linear factor). It follows that
9 𝑑𝑦
there are two values of 𝑥, 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑥 = 2, at which 𝑑𝑥 = 0. The function has two
stationary points.

e) 𝑦 = 𝑥 5 + 7𝑥 3 + 4𝑥 − 8

𝑑𝑦
𝑑𝑥
= 5𝑥 4 + 21𝑥 2 + 4 ≡ (5𝑥 2 + 1)(𝑥 2 + 4). However, since 𝑥 2 ≥ 0 for all real
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
values of 𝑥, 𝑑𝑥 ≥ 1 × 4 = 4 > 0. In particular, 𝑑𝑥 = 0 has no real solutions and the
function has no stationary points.

f)
𝑦 = 5𝑥 6 + 6𝑥 5 − 60𝑥 4 − 120𝑥 3 − 375𝑥 2 + 1

d𝑦
= 30𝑥 5 + 30𝑥 4 − 240𝑥 3 + 360𝑥 2 − 750𝑥 + 2250
d𝑥

≡ 30(𝑥 5 + 𝑥 4 − 8𝑥 3 − 12𝑥 2 − 25𝑥 + 75).

𝑥 5 + 𝑥 4 − 8𝑥 3 − 12𝑥 2 − 25𝑥 + 75 = 0
 Possible linear factors are 𝑥 ± 1, 𝑥 ± 3, 𝑥 ± 5, 𝑥 ± 15, 𝑥 ± 25, 𝑥 ± 75
𝑥 = 1 and 𝑥 = −3 clearly won’t work.

Try 𝑥 = 3: 35 + 34 + 8 × 33 − 12 × 32 − 25 × 3 + 75 = 34 (3 + 1) − 32 (24 + 12) + 0

= 81 × 4 − 9 × 36 = 0 so (𝑥 − 3) is a factor
(𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 4 + 𝑎𝑥 3 + 𝑏𝑥 2 + 𝑐𝑥 − 25) ≡ 𝑥 5 + 𝑥 4 − 8𝑥 3 − 12𝑥 2 − 25𝑥 + 75
Equation coefficients of 𝑥 4 : 𝑎 − 3 = 1 so 𝑎 = 4
of 𝑥 3 : 𝑏 − 3𝑎 = −8 so 𝑏 = 4
of 𝑥 2 : 𝑐 − 3𝑏 = −12 so 𝑐 = 0
(𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 4 + 4𝑥 3 + 4𝑥 2 − 25) = 0
To factorise the quartic notice that the first three terms are 𝑥 4 , +4𝑥 3 and +4𝑥 2
𝑥 4 + 4𝑥 3 + 4𝑥 2 − 25 ≡ 𝑥 2 (𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 4) − 25 ≡ 𝑥 2 (𝑥 + 2)2 − 25
This is the difference of two squares so the equation becomes
(𝑥 − 3)(𝑥(𝑥 + 2) + 5)(𝑥 (𝑥 + 2) − 5) = 0
(𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 5)(𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 5) = 0

d𝑦
g) In summary, = 30(𝑥 5 + 𝑥 4 − 8𝑥 3 − 12𝑥 2 − 25𝑥 + 75) which factorises to
d𝑥
d𝑦
30(𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 5)(𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 5) so d𝑥 = 0 gives
2

(𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 5)(𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 5) = 0
There is one stationary point when 𝑥 = 3 for 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 5, the discriminant is negative
so there will be no stationary points that can be calculated from that factor. The
discriminant of 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 5 is positive giving two further real solutions (neither are
equal to 3) and therefore indicating two further stationary points.
There are three stationary points in total.

3. Find the value(s) of 𝑘 for which the function 𝑦 = (𝑘 3 − 8)𝑥 2 − 8(3𝑘 2 + 6𝑘 + 8)𝑥 +
56(2 − 𝑘) is a quadratic function with a maximum turning point at 𝑥 = −2.

𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
𝑑𝑥
= 2(𝑘 3 − 8)𝑥 − 8(3𝑘 2 + 6𝑘 + 8). When 𝑥 = −2, 𝑑𝑥 = 2(𝑘 3 − 8) × −2 −
8(3𝑘 2 + 6𝑘 + 8) = 0, so −4𝑘 3 + 32 − 24𝑘 2 − 48𝑘 − 64 = 0 ⇔ 4𝑘 3 + 24𝑘 2 + 48𝑘 +
32 = 0 ⇔ 𝑘 3 + 6𝑘 2 + 12𝑘 + 8 = 0 ⇔ (𝑘 + 2)(𝑘 2 + 4𝑘 + 4) = (𝑘 + 2)3 = 0 ⇔ 𝑘 = −2.
(That the value of 𝑘 is the same as the value of 𝑥 in the question is a coincidence; in solving
the cubic equation in 𝑘 it was necessary to find that 𝑘 = −2 is a root in order to realise that
(𝑘 + 2) is a factor, or perhaps the expansion of (𝑘 + 2)3 is something worth recognising?).
Note that the solution is not yet complete. It has been established is that 𝑘 = −2 is the only
value for which there is a stationary point at 𝑥 = −2. It could be a maximum or a minimum.
When 𝑘 = −2, the quadratic function is 𝑦 = −16𝑥 2 − 64𝑥 + 224, since the coefficient of
𝑥 2 is negative, it follows that the stationary point at 𝑥 = −2 is a maximum turning point.
 An alternative approach would be to realise that any quadratic function that has a maximum
turning point at 𝑥 = −2 can be expressed as 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 + 2)2 + 𝑏 ≡ 𝑎(𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 4) + 𝑏 ≡
𝑎𝑥 2 + 4𝑎𝑥 + 4𝑎 + 𝑏, for real numbers 𝑎 and 𝑏 with 𝑎 < 0. In particular, the coefficient of 𝑥
is four times greater than the coefficient of 𝑥 2 , so −8(3𝑘 2 + 6𝑘 + 8) = 4(𝑘 3 − 8) ⇔
−24𝑘 2 − 48𝑘 − 64 = 4𝑘 3 − 32 ⇔ 0 = 4𝑘 3 + 24𝑘 2 + 48𝑘 + 32 ⇔ 0 = 𝑘 3 + 6𝑘 2 +
12𝑘 + 8. From here, the solution continues as above.

Either way, the correct answer is 𝑘 = −2.

d𝑦
4. d𝑥
= 6𝑥 2 − 6(𝑘 + 1)𝑥 + 6𝑘 ≡ 6(𝑥 2 − (𝑘 + 1)𝑥 + 𝑘). This has exactly one real stationary
point when the discriminant of (𝑥 2 − (𝑘 + 1)𝑥 + 𝑘) is zero:
2
(−(𝑘 + 1)) − 4 × 1 × 𝑘 ≡ 𝑘 2 + 2𝑘 + 1 − 4𝑘 ≡ 𝑘 2 − 2𝑘 + 1 ≡ (𝑘 − 1)2 = 0 precisely
when 𝑘 = 1.

d𝑦 𝑑𝑦
5. d𝑥
= 6𝑘𝑥 2 + 4(𝑘 − 3)𝑥 − 2(𝑘 + 6). When 𝑥 = −1, 𝑑𝑥 = 6𝑘 − 4(𝑘 − 3) − 2(𝑘 + 6) ≡
𝑑𝑦
6𝑘 − 4𝑘 + 12 − 2𝑘 − 12 = 0. Since this is independent of 𝑘, 𝑑𝑥 = 0 for all values of 𝑘.
𝑑2 𝑦
However, a stationary point need not be a minimum turning point. 𝑑𝑥 2 = 12𝑘𝑥 + 4(𝑘 − 3).
𝑑2 𝑦
If a stationary point satisfies > 0 then it is a minimum turning point. At 𝑥 = −1, this
𝑑𝑥 2
3
happens if −12𝑘 + 4𝑘 − 12 > 0 ⇔ −12 > 8𝑘 ⇔ − 2 > 𝑘. The answer is (d).

d𝑦 1 𝑑𝑦 1
6. d𝑥
= 3 (3 𝑘 3 + 1) 𝑥 2 − 2(2𝑘 2 + 3)𝑥 + 31 − 25𝑘. When 𝑥 = 1, 𝑑𝑥 = 3 (3 𝑘 3 + 1) −
2(2𝑘 2 + 3) + 31 − 25𝑘 ≡ 𝑘 3 + 3 − 4𝑘 2 − 6 + 31 − 25𝑘 ≡ 𝑘 3 − 4𝑘 2 − 25𝑘 + 28 ≡
(𝑘 − 1)(𝑘 2 − 3𝑘 − 28) ≡ (𝑘 − 1)(𝑘 − 7)(𝑘 + 4) = 0 precisely when 𝑘 = 1, 𝑘 = 7 or 𝑘 =
−4. This is the condition for there to be a stationary point, but not necessarily for there to
be a maximum.
4 𝑑𝑦 𝑑2 𝑦
When 𝑘 = 1: 𝑦 = 3 𝑥 3 − 5𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 43, 𝑑𝑥 = 4𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 + 6 and 𝑑𝑥 2 = 8𝑥 − 10. When
𝑑𝑦 𝑑2 𝑦
𝑥 = 1, 𝑑𝑥 = 0 and 𝑑𝑥 2 = −2 < 0. It follows that the stationary point at 𝑥 = 1 is a local
maximum.
346 𝑑𝑦 𝑑2 𝑦
When 𝑘 = 7: 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 − 101𝑥 2 − 144𝑥 + 43, = 346𝑥 2 − 202𝑥 − 144 and =
3 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 2
𝑑𝑦 𝑑2𝑦
692𝑥 − 202. When 𝑥 = 1, 𝑑𝑥 = 0 and 𝑑𝑥 2 = 490 > 0. It follows that the stationary point at
𝑥 = 1 is a local minimum.
61 𝑑𝑦 𝑑2 𝑦
When 𝑘 = −4: 𝑦 = − 𝑥 3 − 35𝑥 2 + 131𝑥 + 43, = −61𝑥 2 − 70𝑥 + 131 and =
3 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 2
𝑑𝑦 𝑑2 𝑦
−122𝑥 − 70. When 𝑥 = 1, 𝑑𝑥 = 0 and 𝑑𝑥 2 = −192 < 0. It follows that the stationary point
at 𝑥 = 1 is a local maximum.
Therefore 𝑘 = −4 or 1 is a necessary and sufficient condition for there to be a local
maximum at 𝑥 = 1. The answer is (f).
 d𝑦
7. d𝑥
= 12𝑥 3 + 12(𝑘 − 2)𝑥 2 + 24(2 − 𝑘)𝑥 − 96 ≡ 12(𝑥 3 + (𝑘 − 2)𝑥 2 + 2(2 − 𝑘)𝑥 − 8).
Realising that 2(2 − 𝑘)𝑥 ≡ −2(𝑘 − 2)𝑥 does help suggest that the Factor Theorem may
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
help, and it does! When 𝑥 = 2, = 0, so = 12(𝑥 3 + (𝑘 − 2)𝑥 2 + 2(2 − 𝑘)𝑥 − 8) ≡
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
12(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 2 + 𝑘𝑥 + 4). Therefore the number of stationary points on the quartic curve
given in the question is either 1, 2 or 3 depending on whether the discriminant of
(𝑥 2 + 𝑘𝑥 + 4) is negative, zero or positive respectively. The discriminant of (𝑥 2 + 𝑘𝑥 + 4) is
𝑘 2 − 4 × 4 ≡ (𝑘 + 4)(𝑘 − 4).
The curve has one stationary point (at 𝑥 = 2) when (𝑘 + 4)(𝑘 − 4) < 0 ⇔ −4 < 𝑘 < 4.
The curve has two stationary points (at 𝑥 = 2 and at the repeated root of the quadratic
function) when (𝑘 + 4)(𝑘 − 4) = 0 ⇔ 𝑘 = −4 or 𝑘 = 4.
The curve has three stationary points (at 𝑥 = 2 and at the two distinct roots of the quadratic
function) when (𝑘 + 4)(𝑘 − 4) > 0 ⇔ 𝑘 < −4 or 𝑘 > 4.

Try it out (page 63)

Factorising, 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 ≡ 𝑥 (𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 4) ≡ 𝑥 (𝑥 + 4)(𝑥 − 1). This curve crosses the 𝑥-axis
at 𝑥 = −4, 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑥 = 1. For −2 < 𝑥 < 0, the curve is above the 𝑥-axis (since
negative×positive×negative is positive). It follows that, for 0 < 𝑥 < 1, the curve is below the 𝑥-axis
and, for 1 < 𝑥 < 2 it is above (since the curve crosses and never touches the 𝑥-axis).
0 1
Therefore, the requested area is equal to ∫−2(𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 ) d𝑥 − ∫0 (𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 − 4𝑥) d𝑥 +
0 1 2
2 𝑥4 𝑥4 𝑥4
∫1 (𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 − 4𝑥) d𝑥 = [ 4 + 𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 ] − [ 4 + 𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 ] + [ 4 + 𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 ] =
−2 0 1
3 3 3 19 11 35
(0 − (−12)) − (− − 0) + (4 − (− )) = 12 + + = 12 + = square units.
4 4 4 4 2 2

Try it out (page 64)

Where the curve and the line intersect, 𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 = 2𝑥 ⇔ 𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 ≡ 𝑥 (𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 2) ≡
𝑥 (𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 1) = 0 ⇔ 𝑥 = −1, 𝑥 = 0 or 𝑥 = 2. Knowing the general shape of a cubic curve which
has a positive coefficient of 𝑥 3 , it follows that 𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 < 0, and the curve is below the line,
when either 𝑥 < −1 or 0 < 𝑥 < 2, and that 𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 > 0, and the curve is above the line,
0
when either −1 < 𝑥 < 0 or 𝑥 > 2. The requested area is therefore ∫−1(𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥) d𝑥 −
0 2
2 𝑥4 𝑥3 𝑥4 𝑥3 1 1
∫0 (𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥) d𝑥 = [ 4 − 3
− 𝑥2 ] −[4 − 3
− 𝑥 2 ] = (0 − (4 + 3 − 1)) −
−1 0
8 5 8 37
(4 − − 4 − 0) = − (− ) = square units.
3 12 3 12

Try it out (page 68)

−3
1. ∫−5 f(𝑥) d𝑥

−3
∫−5 f(𝑥) d𝑥 = 0, since the graph lies on the 𝑥-axis between 𝑥 = −5 and 𝑥 = −3.

5
2. ∫3 f(𝑥) d𝑥

5 5
For ∫3 f(𝑥) d𝑥 , the required area is a rectangle: ∫3 f(𝑥) d𝑥 = 3 × 2 = 6.
 3
3. ∫2 f(𝑥) d𝑥

3
For ∫2 f(𝑥) d𝑥 , the required area is a trapezium whose parallel sides, 1 unit apart, have
3 1 9
lengths 12 − 3 × 2 = 6 and 12 − 3 × 3 = 3: ∫2 f(𝑥) d𝑥 = 2 (6 + 3) × 1 = 2.

2
4. ∫−2 f(𝑥 2 ) d𝑥

Since 𝑥 2 is being substituted in the values returned by the function will depend on this
𝑥 2 ≥ 0 so f(𝑥 2 ) = 0 and f(𝑥 2 ) = 𝑥 + 2 are not possible
f(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 2 when 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2, f(𝑥 2 ) = (𝑥 2 )2 + 2 when 0 ≤ 𝑥 2 ≤ 2 i.e. 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ √2 or
−√2 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 0
f(𝑥) = 12 − 3𝑥 when 2 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 3, f(𝑥 2 ) = 12 − 3𝑥 2 when 2 ≤ 𝑥 2 ≤ 3 i.e. √2 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ √3 or
−√3 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ −√2
f(𝑥) = 3 when 𝑥 ≥ 3, f(𝑥 2 ) = 3 when 𝑥 2 ≥ 3 i.e. 𝑥 ≥ √3 or 𝑥 ≤ −√3
f(𝑥 2 ) will be an even function so the integral can be found using the limits 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑥 = 2
and then doubling the result

2 2 √2 √3 2
∫ f(𝑥 2 ) d𝑥 = 2 ∫ f(𝑥 2 ) d𝑥 = 2 (∫ (𝑥 4 + 2) d𝑥 + ∫ (12 − 3𝑥 2 ) d𝑥 + ∫ 3 d𝑥)
−2 0 0 √2 √3
√2
𝑥5
= 2 ([ + 2𝑥] + [12𝑥 − 𝑥 3 ]√3 + [3𝑥]0√3 )
5 0
√2

4√2
= 2( + 2√2 + 12√3 − 3√3 − 12√2 + 2√2 + 6 − 3√3)
5
72√2 6
=− + 12√3 + 12 = 12 (1 + √3 − √2)
5 5

4
5. ∫2 f(𝑥 2 ) d𝑥

Since 2 > √3, f(𝑥 2 ) = 3 for all values of 𝑥 in 2 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 4

4 4
∫ f(𝑥 2 ) d𝑥 = ∫ 3 d𝑥 = [3𝑥]42 = 6
2 2

Exercise 2
1.
a) 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 7 and 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 3

Where the graphs of the two functions intersect, 𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 7 = 2𝑥 + 3 ⇔ 𝑥 2 +

3𝑥 − 10 = 0 ⇔ (𝑥 + 5)(𝑥 − 2) = 0 ⇔ 𝑥 = −5 or 𝑥 = 2. For −5 < 𝑥 < 2,
(𝑥 + 5)(𝑥 − 2) < 0 ⇔ 𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 7 < 2𝑥 + 3, so the graph of the line is above the
graph of the curve.
2 2 𝑥3 3
∫−5(2𝑥 + 3 − (𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 7)) d𝑥 = ∫−5(−𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 10) d𝑥 = [− 3
− 𝑥2 +
2
2 8 125 75 133 75 41 343
10𝑥] = − 3 − 6 + 20 − ( 3
− 2
− 50) = 64 − 3
+ 2
= 64 − 6
= 6
.
−5

b) 𝑦 = 2𝑥 2 + 4 and 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 5𝑥

Where the graphs of the two functions intersect, 2𝑥 2 + 4 = 𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 ⇔ 𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 +

4 = 0 ⇔ (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 4) = 0 ⇔ 𝑥 = 1 or 𝑥 = 4. For 1 < 𝑥 < 4, (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 4) <
0 ⇔ 2𝑥 2 + 4 < 𝑥 2 + 5𝑥, so the graph of the first curve is below the graph of the
second.
4
4 4 𝑥3 5
∫1 (𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − (2𝑥 2 + 4)) d𝑥 = ∫1 (−𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 4) d𝑥 = [− 3
+ 2 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥] =
1
64 1 5 63 5 9
− 3
+ 40 − 16 − (− 3 + 2 − 4) = − 3
− 2 + 28 = 2.

8
c) 𝑦 = 𝑥 and 𝑦 = 6 − 𝑥

8
Where the graphs of the two functions intersect, 𝑥 = 6 − 𝑥 ⇔ 𝑥 2 = 6𝑥 − 8 ⇔
𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 8 = 0 ⇔ (𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 − 4) = 0 ⇔ 𝑥 = 2 or 𝑥 = 4. For 2 < 𝑥 < 4,
8
(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 − 4) < 0 which, for positive values of 𝑥, implies that 𝑥 < 6 − , so the
𝑥
curve is above the line.
4
4 8 𝑥2
∫2 (6 − 𝑥 − 𝑥) d𝑥 = [6𝑥 − 8 ln|𝑥| − 2
] = 24 − 8 ln 4 − 8 − (12 − 8 ln 2 − 2) =
2
16 − 16 ln 2 − 10 + 8 ln 2 = 6 − 8 ln 2.

d) 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 1 and 𝑦 = 2𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 2

Where the graphs of the two functions intersect, 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 1 = 2𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 +

2 ⇔ 𝑥 3 − 5𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 − 3 = 0 ⇔ (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 3) = 0 ⇔ (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 −
3) = 0 ⇔ 𝑥 = 1 (twice) or 𝑥 = 3. (Noticing that 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 1 ≡ (𝑥 − 1)3 and
2𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 2 ≡ 2(𝑥 − 1)2 , if you are lucky, would speed up the factorisation even
more). Knowing the shape of a cubic curve with positive coefficient of 𝑥 3 and
appreciating that the 𝑥-axis is tangent to the curve at 𝑥 = 1, one can deduce that
(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 3) < 0, and therefore 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 1 < 2𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 2,
when 1 < 𝑥 < 3.
3 3
∫1 (2𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 2 − (𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 1)) d𝑥 = ∫1 (−𝑥 3 + 5𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 + 3) d𝑥 =
3
𝑥4 5 7 81 63 1 5 7 80
[−
4
+ 3 𝑥 3 − 2 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥] = − 4
+ 45 − 2
+ 9 − (− 4 + 3 − 2 + 3) = − 4
−
1
56 5 5 5 4
2
− 3 + 54 − 3 = 51 − 20 − 28 − 3 = 3 − 3 = 3.

e) 𝑦 = 2𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 + 4 and 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 + 4𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 1
 Where the graphs of the two functions intersect, 2𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 + 4 = 𝑥 3 + 4𝑥 2 + 𝑥 −
1 ⇔ 𝑥 3 − 5𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 5 = 0 ⇔ (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 5) = 0 ⇔ (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 5)(𝑥 +
1) = 0 ⇔ 𝑥 = −1, 𝑥 = 1 or 𝑥 = 5. Knowing the general shape of a cubic curve with
positive coefficient of 𝑥 3 , it is clear that (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 5)(𝑥 + 1) > 0, and therefore
2𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 + 4 > 𝑥 3 + 4𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 1, for −1 < 𝑥 < 1, and that (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 5)(𝑥 +
1) < 0, and therefore 2𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 + 4 < 𝑥 3 + 4𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 1, for 1 < 𝑥 < 5. The total
1
requested area is therefore ∫−1(2𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 + 4 − (𝑥 3 + 4𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 1)) d𝑥 +
5 1
∫1 (𝑥 3 + 4𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 1 − (2𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 + 4)) d𝑥 = ∫−1(𝑥 3 − 5𝑥 2 − 𝑥 +
1
5 𝑥4 5 𝑥2 𝑥4 5
5) d𝑥 + ∫1 (−𝑥 3 + 5𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 5) d𝑥 = [ − 𝑥3 − + 5𝑥] + [− + 𝑥3 +
4 3 2 −1 4 3
5
𝑥2 1 5 1 1 5 1 625 625 25
2
− 5𝑥] = (4 − 3 − 2 + 5) − (4 + 3 − 2 − 5) + (− 4
+ 3
+ 2
− 25) −
1
1 5 1 10 625 25 1 5 1 628
(− + + − 5) = − + 10 + − + 4 − 3 − 2 + 5 = 15 − 13 − 5 + =
4 3 2 3 12 2 12
157 148
−3 + 3
= 3
.

2. The Trapezium Rule with two equal width trapezia would use (0, 𝑓 (0)), (2, 𝑓(2)) and
1
(4, 𝑓 (4)). Performing the Trapezium Rule gives × 2 × (𝑓(0) + 2𝑓 (2) + 𝑓 (4)) = 𝑓 (0) +
2
2𝑓 (2) + 𝑓(4) = 8. (1)
With four trapezia of equal width, (0, 𝑓(0)), (1, 𝑓 (1)), (2, 𝑓(2)), (3, 𝑓 (3)) and (4, 𝑓(4)) are
1
used, giving × 1 × (𝑓(0) + 2(𝑓(1) + 𝑓 (2) + 𝑓 (3)) + 𝑓 (4)) = 8.4, so that 𝑓(0) +
2
2𝑓 (1) + 2𝑓 (2) + 2𝑓 (3) + 𝑓(4) = 16.8. (2)
3 1
The Trapezium Rule with one trapezium of ∫1 f(𝑥) d𝑥 would be 2 × 2 × (𝑓(1) + 𝑓 (3)) =
𝑓 (1) + 𝑓(3). However, subtracting equation (1) from equation (2) gives 2𝑓 (1) + 2𝑓 (3) =
8.8 so 𝑓 (1) + 𝑓(3) = 4.4.

3. Using the Trapezium Rule with five trapezia of equal width provides an overestimate for
1 1
both ∫0 f(𝑥) d𝑥 and ∫0 g(𝑥) d𝑥. Prove that using the Trapezium Rule with five trapezia of
1
equal width also provides an overestimate for ∫0 (f(𝑥) + g(𝑥)) d𝑥 .

That the Trapezium Rule with five equal-width trapezia provides an overestimate of
1 1 1 1 2 3 4
∫0 f(𝑥) d𝑥 means that 2 × 5 × (𝑓 (0) + 2𝑓 (5) + 2𝑓 (5) + 2𝑓 (5) + 2𝑓 (5) + 𝑓 (1)) >
1
∫0 f(𝑥) d𝑥.
That the Trapezium Rule with five equal-width trapezia provides an overestimate of
1 1 1 1 2 3 4
∫0 g(𝑥) d𝑥 means that 2 × 5 × (𝑔(0) + 2𝑔 (5) + 2𝑔 (5) + 2𝑔 (5) + 2𝑔 (5) + 𝑔(1)) >
1
∫0 g(𝑥) d𝑥.
1 1 1
Then the Trapezium Rule, with five equal-width trapezia, of ∫0 (f(𝑥) + g(𝑥)) d𝑥, is 2 × 5 ×
1 1 2 2 3 3
(𝑓 (0) + 𝑔(0) + 2 (𝑓 (5) + 𝑔 (5)) + 2 (𝑓 (5) + 𝑔 (5)) + 2 (𝑓 (5) + 𝑔 (5)) +

4 4 1 1 1 2 3 4
2 (𝑓 (5) + 𝑔 (5)) + 𝑓(1) + 𝑔(1)) = 2 × 5 × (𝑓(0) + 2𝑓 (5) + 2𝑓 (5) + 2𝑓 (5) + 2𝑓 (5) +
1 1 1 2 3 4 1
𝑓 (1)) + 2 × 5 × (𝑔(0) + 2𝑔 (5) + 2𝑔 (5) + 2𝑔 (5) + 2𝑔 (5) + 𝑔(1)) > ∫0 f(𝑥) d𝑥 +
1 1
∫0 g(𝑥) d𝑥 = ∫0 (f(𝑥) + g(𝑥)) d𝑥.
 1
a) ∫0 −f(𝑥) d𝑥

The graph of 𝑦 = −𝑓(𝑥) is a reflection in the 𝑥-axis of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓 (𝑥).

Therefore, any two diagrams showing the Trapezium Rule, each of the same number
of trapezia and applied to the same interval of values for 𝑥, applied to 𝑦 = 𝑓 (𝑥) and
to 𝑦 = −𝑓 (𝑥), must also be reflections in the 𝑥-axis of each other. Since the
1
Trapezium Rule with five equal width trapezia overestimates ∫0 f(𝑥) d𝑥, overall, the
(possibly) sloped sides of the trapezia must be above the graph more (in terms of
area) than they are below. Reflecting this in the 𝑥-axis, however, would result in the
sloped sides of the trapezia now be below more than they are above. Therefore, the
1
Trapezium Rule with five equal width trapezia must underestimate ∫0 −f(𝑥) d𝑥.
(See the diagram after the answer to a) for an illustration of this).

3
b) ∫2 g(𝑥 − 2) d𝑥
2
The graph of 𝑦 = 𝑔(𝑥 − 2) is a translation by ( ) of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑔(𝑥). You
0
know that the Trapezium Rule with five equal width trapezia overestimates
1
∫0 g(𝑥) d𝑥. The diagram illustrating the Trapezium Rule with five equal width
3 2
trapezia applied to ∫2 g(𝑥 − 2) d𝑥 is just a translation by ( ) of the diagram
0
1
illustrating the Trapezium Rule with five equal width trapezia ∫0 g(𝑥) d𝑥; it follows
that this also gives (the same) overestimate as before.

Here is a sketch that demonstrates a) and b). It is not a proof, but it illustrates the
ideas behind this question when just one trapezia is used in the Trapezium Rule:

a) b)

1
c) ∫0 (f(𝑥) − g(𝑥)) d𝑥

1 1 1
∫0 (f(𝑥) − g(𝑥)) d𝑥 = ∫0 𝑓 (𝑥) d𝑥 + ∫0 −𝑔(𝑥) d𝑥. Since the Trapezium Rule with
 1
five equal width trapezia gives an overestimate when applied to either ∫0 𝑓(𝑥) d𝑥
1 1
or ∫0 𝑔(𝑥) d𝑥, by a), it must give an underestimate when applied to ∫0 −𝑔(𝑥) d𝑥.
1
Applied to ∫0 (f(𝑥) − g(𝑥)) d𝑥, it could, therefore, give either an overestimate or an
1
underestimate depending on which is bigger, the area by which ∫0 f(𝑥) d𝑥 is
1
overestimated or the area by which ∫0 −g(𝑥) d𝑥 is underestimated. It could even
happen by chance to calculate the exact area!

1
An alternative approach could be to apply b) and realise that if ∫0 (f(𝑥) − g(𝑥)) d𝑥
1 1
gives an overestimate then ∫0 −(f(𝑥) − g(𝑥)) d𝑥 = ∫0 (g(𝑥) − f(𝑥)) d𝑥 gives an
underestimate. Since you could relabel 𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑔(𝑥) and vice versa, it follows that
both an underestimate and an overestimate are possible.

Exercise 3
1. All that is needed here is to determine whether each of the definite integrals are zero,
positive or negative. Simply sketching the curve of each integrand should show this.
3𝜋
∫02 cos 𝑥 d𝑥:
 4
∫−2(|𝑥| − 2) d𝑥:

𝜋
4
∫ sin 2𝑥 d𝑥:
−
𝜋
2

Therefore 𝑇 is negative× negative× negative, which is negative.

2. The term in (𝑥 2 + 3)8 (𝑥 3 − 1)7 that has the highest power of 𝑥 is (𝑥 2 )8 (𝑥 3 )7 ≡ 𝑥 37 .

𝑑
Differentiating this twice gives 𝑑𝑥 (37𝑥 36 ) = 37 × 36𝑥 35 .
The term in (6𝑥10 − 1)2 (𝑥 4 − 5)4 that has the highest power of 𝑥 is (6𝑥10 )2 (𝑥 4 )4 ≡
36𝑥 36 . Differentiating this once gives 362 𝑥 35 .
Since 37 × 36𝑥 35 − 362 𝑥 35 ≡ 36𝑥 35 (37 − 36) ≡ 36𝑥 35 (notice how it was not necessary
to spend time computing the value of 37 × 36 or 362 ), it follows that the highest power of 𝑥
 is 𝑥 35 and the coefficient of this power of 𝑥 is 36.

𝑑𝑦 d2 𝑦
3. If 𝑦 = 𝑒 𝑘𝑥 , = 𝑘𝑒 𝑘𝑥 and = 𝑘 2 𝑒 𝑘𝑥 . Substituting these into the differential equation
𝑑𝑥 d𝑥 2
d𝑦 d2 𝑦
3𝑦 − 2 d𝑥 = d𝑥 2 gives 3𝑒 − 2𝑘𝑒 𝑘𝑥 = 𝑘 2 𝑒 𝑘𝑥 ⇔ 0 = 𝑒 𝑘𝑥 (𝑘 2 + 2𝑘 − 3) ⇔
𝑘𝑥

0 = 𝑒 𝑘𝑥 (𝑘 + 3)(𝑘 − 1). Since 𝑒 𝑘𝑥 ≠ 0, it follows that 0 = (𝑘 + 3)(𝑘 − 1) = 0 ⇔ 𝑘 = −3

or 𝑘 = 1.

𝜋
4. For A and C, the identity sin ( 2 − 𝜃) ≡ cos 𝜃 helps.
𝜋 𝜋
𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
∫03 cos ( 2 − 𝑥) d𝑥 = ∫03 sin 𝑥 d𝑥 and ∫2𝜋 − sin ( 2 − 𝑥) d𝑥 = ∫2𝜋 − cos 𝑥 d𝑥.
3 3
A quick sketch of the graph of each of the integrands indicates that C has the largest value.

C has the largest area. From a sketch this is less obvious than from a drawing that is to scale.
The following diagram may help, in which each of three areas have been placed inside the
𝜋
area represented by ∫02 sin 𝑥 d𝑥.
 The correct option is C.

5. It is easy to go on cruise control and approach this as you would do normally, solving
simultaneous equations to find where these graphs intersect and then integrating, but
√12 + 4𝑥 − 𝑥 2 is a lot of work, unguided, to integrate and you have to be aware that you
may be wasting a lot of time.

On closer inspection 𝑦 = √12 + 4𝑥 − 𝑥 2 + 1 ⇔ 𝑦 − 1 = √12 + 4𝑥 − 𝑥 2 ⇒ (𝑦 − 1)2 =

12 + 4𝑥 − 𝑥 2 ⇔ (𝑦 − 1)2 + 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 4 = 16 ⇔ (𝑦 − 1)2 + (𝑥 − 2)2 = 16. So 𝑦 =
√12 + 4𝑥 − 𝑥 2 + 1 is the equation of the part of the circle, with centre (2, 1) and radius 4
units, for which 𝑦 − 1 ≥ 0 ⇔ 𝑦 ≥ 1 (notice the one-way implication sign in the working
above, and realise that 𝑦 − 1 is equal to a positive square root). Sketching this semi-circle
and the line 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 7, passing through (0,7) with gradient −1, one quickly establishes the
following picture:

1
It follows that the requested area is simply the area of the quarter circle, 4 × 𝜋 × 42 = 4𝜋,
1
with the area of the right-angled triangle, 2 × 4 × 4 = 8, removed. This is 4𝜋 − 8 =
4(𝜋 − 2), and this has answer has been reached without the need to do any integration at
all!

6. A sketch here is essential:

Taking area below the 𝑡-axis as negative, the question requires you to find all values of 𝑥
such that the area from 0 to 𝑥 is zero, in other words, the area above the 𝑡-axis is the same
as the area below. From the sketch you can see that this will happen for just two values of 𝑥.
 If 𝑥 = 2, there is are two congruent triangles, one above the 𝑡-axis and one below, so the
value of the integral is zero.

𝑥
As 𝑥 increases from here, the value of ∫0 (|𝑡 − 4| − 3) d𝑡 becomes negative and decreases
to its lowest value when 𝑥 = 7. From there, it increases, reaching zero one more time.

The question only asks for how many solutions the original equation has; you can already
say that there are two solutions, answering the question.

(If you were asked to find what the value of 𝑥 is in the above diagram then you could do the
1 1 1
following. Area above = Area below gives 2 + 2 (𝑥 − 7)(|𝑥 − 4| − 3) = 9 ⇔ 2 +
1
(𝑥 − 7)2 = 9 since 𝑥 > 7 ⇒ 𝑥 − 4 > 0.
2
So 1 + (𝑥 − 7)2 = 18 ⇔ (𝑥 − 7)2 = 17 ⇔ 𝑥 − 7 = ±√17 ⇔ 𝑥 = 7 ± √17. Since 𝑥 > 7, it
follows that 𝑥 = 7 + √17.)

7. Integrating, with respect to 𝑥, both sides of the equation between 𝑥 = −2 and 𝑥 = 2 gives
the following:
2 2 2 2 2
3 ∫−2 𝑥 2 d𝑥 + 3 ∫−2 f(𝑥) d𝑥 = ∫−2 f(𝑡) d𝑡 ∫−2(𝑥 − 3) d𝑥 − 5 ∫−2 f(−𝑥) d𝑥.
2 2
However, realising that both ∫−2 f(𝑡) d𝑡 = ∫−2 f(𝑥) d𝑥 (this is just relabelling the variable)
2 2
and ∫−2 f(−𝑥) d𝑥 = ∫−2 f(𝑥) d𝑥 (since the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(−𝑥) is a reflection in the 𝑥-axis
of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) , the area between 𝑥 = −2 and 𝑥 = 2 will be the same for both
graphs), the above simplifies to what is shown below:
2 2
𝑥3 2 2 𝑥2 2 8 8
[ ]
3 −2
+ 3 ∫−2 f(𝑥) d𝑥 = ∫−2 f(𝑥) d𝑥 [ 2 − 3𝑥] − 5 ∫−2 f(𝑥) d𝑥 ⇔ 3 + 3 + 3𝐹 =
−2
2
(2 − 6 − (2 + 6))𝐹 − 5𝐹 where 𝐹 = ∫−2 f(𝑥) d𝑥.
 16 16 2 4
So 3
+ 3𝐹 = −12𝐹 − 5𝐹 ⇔ 20𝐹 = − 3
⇔ 𝐹 = ∫−2 f(𝑥) d𝑥 = − 15.

Exercise 4 Admissions Test Multiple Choice Questions

TMUA style questions

1. You could compute this directly, although this is fiddly and it is easy to make a mistake.
It is always worth making a quick check first of all to see if there is any other easier
approach.
2 2 2
(𝑥 2−2) ((−𝑥)2−2) (𝑥 2−2)
Let 𝑓(𝑥) = 3 . Then 𝑓 (−𝑥) = 3 = 3 = −𝑓(𝑥). Any function, 𝑓 (𝑥), such
√𝑥 √−𝑥 − √𝑥
that 𝑓 (−𝑥) = −𝑓(𝑥), is called an odd function. Although this is not currently included on
school syllabuses, it is helpful to know a bit about odd and even functions, and why they are
useful.
In particular, the graph of any odd function, 𝑦 = 𝑓 (𝑥), since if (𝑥, 𝑦) is a point on the graph
then so is (−𝑥, 𝑓 (−𝑥) = −𝑓(𝑥) = −𝑦), has rotational symmetry of order two about the
𝑎
origin. This means that ∫−𝑎 𝑓(𝑥) d𝑥 = 0 for any odd function and any real value of 𝑎, since
the area to the right of the 𝑦-axis is the negative of the area to the left.

As soon as you realise the above, you instantly know that the answer must be zero. The
answer is A.
2
(𝑥 2−2)
The integral is actually an improper integral (consider what happens when 𝑥 = 0 in 3 ).
√𝑥

2. The first curve has equation 𝑦 = −𝑥 2 + 4𝑎2 . The maximum point on this curve is (0, 4𝑎2 ).
𝑎 2 𝑎2
The second curve has equation 𝑦 = −𝑥 2 − 𝑎𝑥 + 6𝑎2 = − (𝑥 + 2 ) + 6𝑎2 − 4
=
𝑎 2 23𝑎 2 𝑎 23𝑎 2
− (𝑥 + ) + . The maximum point on this curve is (− , ).
2 4 2 4
At this stage, you would normally be using Pythagoras’ Theorem to find expressions for the
distance between these two points and finding the value of 𝑎 that minimises this expression.
However, pause and look at the pair of co-ordinates. Each ordinate is either always zero or a
multiple of 𝑎, so, in particular, setting 𝑎 = 0 would make all ordinates zero at the same time.
Since when 𝑎 = 0 the two points are the same (namely, the origin), it follows that the
shortest possible distance between them is zero. The answer is A.

This is another good example of a question from which you benefit if you pause before
diving into the usual method!

You could even have spotted this by considering the original equations with 𝑎 = 0 as both
being 𝑦 = −𝑥 2 .
 4
3. The last of the three equations can also be written as ∫−3 f(𝑥) d𝑥 = 2, since drawing the
graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(−𝑥) from 𝑥 = −4 to 𝑥 = 3 is the same as drawing the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓 (𝑥)
from 𝑥 = 4 to 𝑥 = −3, so the areas are the same.

0
∫ f(𝑥) d𝑥 = 13 − 10 = 3
−1
−1 4 4
∫ f(𝑥) d𝑥 = ∫ f(𝑥) d𝑥 − ∫ f(𝑥) d𝑥 = 2 − 13 = −11
−3 −3 −1
0 −1 0
∫ f(𝑥) d𝑥 = ∫ f(𝑥) d𝑥 + ∫ f(𝑥) d𝑥 = −11 + 3 = −8
−3 −3 −1

So
0
− ∫ f(𝑥) d𝑥 = 8
−3

0 4 4
Then ∫−3 f(𝑥) d𝑥 = ∫−3 f(𝑥) d𝑥 − ∫0 f(𝑥) d𝑥 = 2 − 10 = −8. The answer is D.

4. Let 𝑦 = |𝑥(𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 − 6)|.

When 𝑥 = 0, 𝑦 = 0.
3 3 3 9 81
When 𝑥 = 2, 𝑦 = |2 × − 2 × − 2| = 8 .
When 𝑥 = 3, 𝑦 = 0.
9 9 3 3 81
When 𝑥 = , 𝑦 = | × × − | = .
2 2 2 2 8
When 𝑥 = 6, 𝑦 = 0.
6
Applying the Trapezium Rule to ∫0 |𝑥(𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 − 6)| d𝑥, with four trapezia of equal width,
gives:
1 3 81 81 3 81 35
2
× 2 (0 + 2 × 8
+2×0+2× 8
+ 0) = 4 × 2
= 23 .
The answer is A.

𝑑𝑦
5. Consider the function 𝑦 = 2𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 − 36𝑥. Then = 6𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 − 36 ≡ 6(𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 6) ≡
𝑑𝑥
6(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 3) = 0 precisely when 𝑥 = −2 or 𝑥 = 3.
If 𝑥 = −2 then 𝑦 = −16 − 12 + 72 = 44.
If 𝑥 = 3 then 𝑦 = 54 − 27 − 108 = −81. The two turning points are at (−2, 44) and
(3, −81).
It follows that the equation
2𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 − 36𝑥 + 𝑘 = 0 ⇔ 2𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 − 36𝑥 = −𝑘 has three distinct real solutions
when −81 < −𝑘 < 44 ⇔ −44 < 𝑘 < 81. The answer is D.

MAT style questions

 𝑑𝑦
6. First consider the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥 4 − 4000𝑥 ≡ 𝑥 (𝑥 3 − 4000) . Then 𝑑𝑥 = 4𝑥 3 − 4000 = 0
precisely when 𝑥 3 = 1000 ⇔ 𝑥 = 10. When 𝑥 = 10, 𝑦 = 10000 − 40000 = −30000.
𝑑2 𝑦
Since = 12𝑥 2 is positive when 𝑥 = 10, (10, −30000) is the only stationary point on the
𝑑𝑥 2
curve, and it is a minimum turning point. It follows that the equation 𝑥 4 − 4000𝑥 = 𝑘 has:
no real solutions if 𝑘 < −30000; one (repeated) real solution if 𝑘 = −30000; two real
solutions if 𝑘 > −30000. In particular, 𝑥 4 − 4000𝑥 = 40000 has exactly two real solutions.
The answer is c).
7. If The co-ordinates of the minimum turning point on the graph of 𝑦 = f(𝑥) = 4𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 +
3 2 3
18 ≡ 4 (𝑥 − 2) + 9 are (2 , 9). Then the co-ordinates of the minimum point on 𝑦 =
3 11
𝑓 (𝑥 − 4) must be ( + 4, 9) = ( , 9) and the co-ordinates of the minimum point on 𝑦 =
2 2
11 11
√𝑓 (𝑥 − 4) must be ( 2 , √9) = ( 2 , 3). The answer is b).

8. The distance of any point, (𝑥, 𝑦), from the origin is √𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 , and this is greatest when 𝑥 2 +
𝑦 2 is greatest. If the point also lies on the above ellipse then 4𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 − 24𝑥 = 32 ⇔ 𝑥 2 +
𝑦 2 = −3𝑥 2 + 24𝑥 + 32 = −3(𝑥 − 4)2 + 80. This is greatest when 𝑥 = 4, giving 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 =
80, so the greatest distance from the origin is √80 = 4√5. The answer is c).

4 1 6
9. A quick sketch will shows that ∫2 (𝑥 − 2) 𝑑𝑥 = 2 and = ∫5 2𝑥 − 9 𝑑𝑥 = 0

c), d) and e) are quadratic curves. All quadratic curves are a transformation of the graph of
−2
𝑦 = 𝑥 2 : 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 4 ≡ (𝑥 + 2)2 is a translation by ( ) of 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 ; 𝑦 = 2 − 𝑥 2 is a
0
0
reflection in the 𝑥-axis of 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 followed by a translation by ( ); 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 200𝑥 + 104 is
2
100 2
a translation by ( ) of 𝑦 = 𝑥 . It may be easier to find an equivalent area below or above
0
2
the 𝑦 = 𝑥 curve.

d) has the greatest value (in fact, the work above establishes that e) < c) < a) = b) < d)).
10.

𝑎
a) Use your graph to find ∫0 2⌊𝑥⌋ d𝑥 when

i. 𝑎=4

This is just a sum of the areas of all of the rectangles in the above diagram.
Each rectangle has width one unit, so it is a sum of the heights.
4
∫0 2⌊𝑥⌋ d𝑥 = 1 + 2 + 4 + 8 = 15.

(Notice that the height of the last rectangle is 2𝑎−1 if 𝑎 is an integer. This is
worth bearing in mind for when you deal with bigger numbers in the later
parts of the question.)

ii. 𝑎 = 2.5

This is now the sum of the areas of the first two rectangles and half of the
 third.
2.5 1
∫0 2⌊𝑥⌋ d𝑥 = 1 + 2 + 2 × 4 = 5.

10
Show that 1023 < ∫0 2𝑥 d𝑥

Realise that 2⌊𝑥⌋ ≤ 2𝑥 for all values of 𝑥, with equality only at integer values, so
𝑛 𝑛
∫0 2⌊𝑥⌋ d𝑥 < ∫0 2𝑥 d𝑥 for any positive value of 𝑛. The diagram demonstrates
this for 𝑛 = 4.

10
In a similar way, ∫0 2𝑥 d𝑥 > 1 + 2 + 4 + 8 + ⋯ + 256 + 512 = 1024 − 1 =
1023. You can obtain the value of 1023 by using the formula for the sum of
terms in a geometric sequence, but it is useful to know that the sum of the first
𝑟 positive powers of two is always one less than the next power of two.

b) Find
4
∫ 2⌊2𝑥⌋ d𝑥
0
 1
If 𝑓 (𝑥) = 2⌊𝑥⌋ then 2⌊2𝑥⌋ = 𝑓(2𝑥), so applying a one-way stretch, scale factor 2, parallel
to the 𝑥-axis, to the graph of 𝑦 = 2⌊𝑥⌋ from 𝑥 = 0 to 𝑥 = 8, gives the graph of 𝑦 = 2⌊2𝑥⌋
from 𝑥 = 0 to 𝑥 = 4.
4
The quick way to answer this question is therefore to realise that ∫0 2⌊2𝑥⌋ d𝑥 =
1 8 1 255
∫ 2⌊𝑥⌋
2 0
d𝑥 = 2 (1 + 2 + 4 + ⋯ + 128) = 2
.

Show that
𝑛
1 𝑘𝑛
∫ 2⌊𝑘𝑥⌋ d𝑥 = (2 − 1)
0 𝑘
if 𝑘 and 𝑛 are both positive integers

This is a generalisation of what was done above. Applying a one-way stretch, scale
1
factor 𝑘, parallel to the 𝑥-axis, to the graph of 𝑦 = 2⌊𝑥⌋ from 𝑥 = 0 to 𝑥 = 𝑘𝑛, gives the
𝑛
graph of 𝑦 = 2⌊𝑘𝑥⌋ from 𝑥 = 0 to 𝑥 = 𝑛. This suggests that ∫0 2⌊𝑘𝑥⌋ d𝑥 =
1 𝑘𝑛 ⌊𝑥⌋ 1 1
∫ 2
𝑘 0
d𝑥 = 𝑘 (1 + 2 + 4 + ⋯ + 2𝑘𝑛−1 ) = 𝑘 (2𝑘𝑛 − 1).

Find the exact value of

6.25
∫ 2⌊4𝑥⌋ d𝑥
0
1
Give you answer in the form (2𝑏 − 1) where 𝑎 and 𝑏 are positive integers.
𝑎

1
Applying a one-way stretch, scale factor , parallel to the 𝑥-axis, to the graph of 𝑦 =
4
2⌊𝑥⌋ from 𝑥 = 0 to 𝑥 = 25, gives the graph of 𝑦 = 2⌊4𝑥⌋ from 𝑥 = 0 to 𝑥 = 6.25. So
6.25 1 25 1 1
∫0 2⌊4𝑥⌋ d𝑥 = 4 ∫0 2⌊𝑥⌋ d𝑥 = 4 (1 + 2 + 4 + ⋯ + 224 ) = 4 (225 − 1).