AQA Certificate in

Further
Level 2

Mathematics
EXAM PRACTICE
Second edition

Authors
Andrew Ginty
Val Hanrahan
Series Editor
Alan Walton
AQA Certificate in
Level 2

Further
Mathematics
EXAM PRACTICE
Second edition
Authors
Andrew Ginty
Val Hanrahan
Series Editor
Alan Walton
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 Contents

Introduction iv

SECTION 1 ALGEBRA

1 Number and algebra I 1

2 Algebra II 9

3 Algebra III 12

4 Algebra IV 27

SECTION 2 GEOMETRY

5 Coordinate geometry 36

6 Geometry I 46

7 Geometry II 55

SECTION 3 CALCULUS

8 Calculus 64

SECTION 4 MATRICES

9 Matrices 72

Answers 78

Full worked solutions are available at

hachettelearning.com/answers-and-extras

4
Introduction

This book has been written to supplement the AQA Level 2 Certificate
in Further Mathematics textbook, but it could also be used to provide
additional exercises for anyone studying Mathematics beyond GCSE. There
are over 600 questions to support successful preparation for the specification
released by AQA for first assessment in 2019.
Grouped according to topic, the chapters follow the content of the AQA
Level 2 Certificate in Further Mathematics textbook.
Each chapter starts with short questions to support retrieval of content and
straightforward application of skills learned during the course. The demand
gradually builds through each exercise, with the later questions requiring
significant mathematical thinking and, often, problem solving strategies.
This ref lects the range of styles of question that will be found in the exam.
These symbols are used throughout the book:

Problem solving
These questions are not straightforward; they are designed to develop
problem-solving skills. The solutions usually involve multiple stages,
requiring a deep understanding of the topic.

Beyond GCSE
This indicates topics within the course that do not overlap with GCSE
Mathematics. They are an introduction to A-Level Mathematics and A-Level
Further Mathematics.

Answers
Answers are provided in this book, and full worked solutions and mark
allocations to all questions can be found online at:
hachettelearning.com/answers-and-extras
You can type ‘AQA Level 2 Certificate’ into the search bar.

5
 1 Number and algebra I
Exercise 1.1 Numbers and the number system
1 Calculate 3.7% of 54 kg.
2 Increase £17 by 36%.
3 (i) Write the ratio 4.14 : 2.7 in the form a : b where a and b are integers.
m
(ii) Write your answer to part (i) in the form 1: where m and n are
n
integers.
4 Write the ratio 4 1 : 1 1 in the form p : q where p and q are integers.
6 4
5 Decrease £23.59 by 5.6%.
3 2 7
6 Without using a calculator, evaluate − ÷
4 5 8
7 Without using a calculator, evaluate 9 3 + 2 1 × 5 2
4 5 3
Give your answer as a mixed number.
8 In a test, the ratio of passes to fails is 13 : 5
(i) Write the number of passes as a fraction of the total tests taken.
(ii) Hence work out the percentage of passes to 1 decimal place.
9 Linda and Alan fire the same number of arrows at a target.
Linda’s ratio of hits to misses is 5 : 1
Alan’s ratio of hits to misses is 3 : 2
(i) Write down Alan’s hit rate as a percentage of the total number of
arrows he fired.
(ii) Work out the least possible difference between their numbers of
hits.

Exercise 1.2 Simplifying expressions

1 Simplify each of these expressions.
(i) x(x + 2y) – x(y – x)
(ii) 2p(3p – 4q) – 7q(p + 5q)
2 Factorise each of these expressions.
(i) x 2y – xy2
(ii) 8p3q2 – 6pq5
3 Simplify and factorise each of these expressions.
(i) a(a + 6) – a(4 – a)
(ii) p(p + q) – p(3 + q) + 7p
4 Simplify each of these expressions.
(i) 2a2b × 3ab3
(ii) 3x3y × 2xy3 × 5y2z

6
Exercise 1.5 Expanding brackets
1 Expand and simplify each of these expressions. 1
(i) (x + 1)(x + 2)
(ii) (2x + 5)(x – 3)

Number and algebra I

2 Expand and simplify each of these expressions.
(i) (m + 1)(m2 – m + 1)
(ii) (x – 1)(x4 + x3 + x2 + x + 1)
3 Expand and simplify each of these expressions.
(i) (x + 3)(x – 1)(x + 1)
(ii) (2y – 3)(3y + 1)(y – 5)
4 Simplify each of these expressions.
(i) (x + 3)(x – 4) – (x + 2)(x – 1)
(ii) (2m + 3)(m – 5) – (m + 4)(m – 3)
5 Given that (x2 – 3x + a)(x2 + bx – 1) ≡ x4 – 2x3 + 7x – 4, work out the
values of a and b.
6 (i) Expand and simplify (3m – 1)2
(ii) Hence work out the simplified expansion of (3m – 1)3
7 (i) Expand and simplify each of these expressions.
(a) (x3 – 2)(x2 + 5)
(b) (3 + x3)(x – 7)
(ii) Hence expand and simplify (x3 – 2)(x2 + 5) – (3 + x3)(x – 7)
8 The dimensions of a cuboid are (x + 1), (x – 2) and (2x + 1)
(i) Write the volume in terms of x.
(ii) Write the surface area in terms of x.
Give your answers in expanded and simplified form.
9 (x + a)(bx + 1)(3x – 4)  cx3 – 17x 2 + cx + 8
Work out the values of constants a, b and c.

Exercise 1.6 Binomial expansions – using Pascal’s

­triangle only
1 Expand and simplify (x + 2)3
2 Express (2x + y)4 as a sum of five simplified terms.
3 (i) Write down the simplified expansion of (a + b)5
(ii) Hence work out the simplified expansion of (2x – 3y)5
4 The first three numbers in the 12th row of Pascal’s triangle are 1, 12, 66
(i) Write down the first three numbers in the 13th row of Pascal’s
triangle.
(ii) Hence write down the first three terms, in ascending powers of x,
of the expansion of (2 + x)13
5 Work out the coefficient of the x 2 term in the expansion of (2x + 3)6

7
 6 The first four numbers in the 7th row of Pascal’s triangle are 1, 7, 21, 35
1 Work out the coefficient of x in the expansion of
2  x2 + 2 
 x
7

7 The simplified expansion of (ax + y) includes the term 80x3y2

n
Number and algebra I

(i) Write down the value of n.

(ii) Hence work out the value of a.
(iii) Hence work out the coefficient of the x 2y3 term.
8 The first six numbers in the 10th row of Pascal’s triangle are 1, 10, 45,
120, 210, 252
2 10
Work out the constant term in the expansion of  3x − 
 x
9 The first three numbers in the 7th row of Pascal’s triangle are 1, 7, 21
(i) Write down the first three terms, in ascending powers of x, of the
binomial expansion of (1 + ax)7, where a is a non-zero constant.
(ii) Given that in the expansion of (1 + ax)7 the coefficient of x2 is nine
times the coefficient of x, work out the value of a.

Exercise 1.7 Surds: simplifying expressions containing

square roots
Do not use a calculator for this exercise.
1 (i) Simplify 72 and 50
(ii) Hence simplify 72 + 50
(iii) Hence write 72 + 50 in the form a
2 Simplify the following by rationalising their denominators.
1 6 5
(i) (ii) (iii)
2 2 3
7 6 8
(iv) (v) (vi)
2 2 3 5
3 5
3 Write + as a single rationalised fraction.
2 8
4 Solve x 32 + 2x 2 = 98
5 Simplify each of these numerical expressions to the form a + b (or a – b )
where a and b are rational numbers.
1 1 3 1
(i) + (ii) +
2 −1 2 +1 2+ 3 2− 3
7 3 5 3
(iii) − (iv)    −
8−2 8+2 4− 2 4+ 2
6 A rectangle has length (4 + 2 ) cm and width (4 – 2 ) cm
(i) Write down its perimeter.
(ii) Work out the area of the rectangle.
(iii) Calculate the length of one of its diagonals.
7 (i) Expand and simplify (a + b)4
(ii) Hence expand and simplify (3 + 2 )4

8
 AQA Level 2 Certificate in Further Mathematics Exam Practice
Second Edition: Full Worked Solutions
1 Number and algebra I
Exercise 1.1 Numbers and the number system
1 0.037 × 54 = 1.998 kg [2 marks]
2 136% of £17 = 1.36 × 17 = £23.12 [2 marks]
3 (i) 414 : 270 (or any equivalent ratio of integers, e.g. 23 : 15) [1 mark]
(ii) 1 : 15 (or any equivalent fraction) [1 mark]
23
[Total: 2 marks]
4 41 : 11 = 25 : 54 = 50 : 15 = 50 : 15 = 10 : 3 [2 marks]
6 4 6 12 12
5 94.4% of £23.59 = 0.944 × 23.59 = 22.268 96, which rounds to £22.27 [2 marks]
3 2 7 3 2 8 3 16 105 64 41
6 – 4 – × – – =  [3 marks]
4 5 8 = 4 5 7 = 4 35 = 140 140 140

7 9 3 + 3 1 × 2 3 = 9 3 + 16 × 11 = 9 3 + 4 × 11 = 9 3 + 44 = 9 3 + 8 4 = 17 + 15 + 16
4 5 4 4 5 4 4 5 1 4 5 4 5 20 20

= 17 + 31 = 17 + 1 11 = 18 11  [3 marks]
20 20 20
13 13
8 (i) [1 mark]
13 + 5 = 18
13
(ii) × 100 = 72.2% [2 marks]
18
[Total: 3 marks]
3
9 (i) 5 = 60% [1 mark]
(ii) LCM of 6 and 5 is 30, so lowest possible number of arrows fired is 30 each.
Linda’s hits to misses are 25 to 5, and Alan’s hits to misses are 18 to 12.
Least possible difference = 25 – 18 = 7 [2 marks]
[Total: 3 marks]

Exercise 1.2 Simplifying expressions

1 (i) x 2 + 2xy – xy + x2 = 2x2 + xy [1 mark]
(ii) 6p2 – 8pq – 7pq – 35q2 = 6p2 – 15pq – 35q2 [1 mark]
[Total: 2 marks]
2 (i) xy(x – y) [1 mark]
(ii) 2pq2(4p2 – 3q3) [1 mark]
[Total: 2 marks]
3 (i) a2 + 6a – 4a + a2 = 2a2 + 2a = 2a(a + 1) [1 mark]
(ii) p2 + pq – 3p – pq + 7p = p2 + 4p = p(p + 4) [1 mark]
[Total: 2 marks]
4 (i) 2 × 3 × a2 × a × b × b3 = 6a3b4 [1 mark]
(ii) 3 × 2 × 5 × x3 × x × y × y3 × y2 × z = 30x4y6z [1 mark]
[Total: 2 marks]

9
 p 6
1 8 m = 1.2n and
n=7

5m = 6n and 7p = 6n
5m = 7 p ⇒ p = 5 m so p is 71.4% of m
Number and algebra I

[3 marks]
7
9 0.6 ( 2m − 1) = 3 − m ⇒ 1.2m − 0.6 = 3 − m ⇒ 2.2m = 3.6 ⇒ m = 18  [2 marks]
11
Exercise 1.5 Expanding brackets
1 (i) x 2 + 2x + x + 2 = x 2 + 3x + 2  [1 mark]
(ii) 2x − 6x + 5x − 15 = 2x − x − 15 
2 2
[1 mark]
[Total: 2 marks]
2 (i) m 3 − m 2 + m + m 2 − m + 1 = m 3 + 1  [2 marks]
(ii) x 5 + x 4 + x 3 + x 2 + x − x 4 − x 3 − x 2 − x − 1 = x 5 − 1  [2 marks]
[Total: 4 marks]
3 (i) ( x + 3) ( x 2 − 1) = x 3 + 3x 2 − x − 3  [2 marks]
(ii) (6y − 7y − 3) ( y − 5) = 6y − 37y + 32y + 15 
2 3 2
[2 marks]
[Total: 4 marks]
4 (i) x 2 − x − 12 − ( x 2 + x − 2) = −2x − 10  [2 marks]
(ii) 2m 2 − 7m − 15 − (m 2 + m − 12) = m 2 − 8m − 3  [2 marks]
[Total: 4 marks]
5 (x 2
− 3x + a )( x 2 + bx − 1) = x 4 + bx 3 − x 2 − 3x 3 − 3bx 2 + 3x + ax 2 + abx − a
∴ x 4 + (b − 3) x 3 + (a − 3b − 1) x 2 + ( 3 + ab ) x − a ≡ x 4 − 2x 3 + 7x − 4

comparing x3 terms: b − 3 = −2 ⇒ b =1
comparing constant terms: −a = −4 ⇒ a=4
check the x 2 terms: a − 3b − 1 = 4 − 3 × 1 − 1 = 0 
check the x terms: 3 + ab = 3 + 4 × 1 = 7   [3 marks]
6 (i) ( 3m − 1)( 3m − 1) = 9m − 3m − 3m + 1 = 9m − 6m + 1 
2 2
[1 mark]
(ii) ( 3m − 1) (9m − 6m + 1) = 27m − 27m + 9m − 1 
2 3 2
[2 marks]
[Total: 3 marks]
7 (i) (a) x 5 + 5x 3 − 2x 2 − 10  [1 mark]
(b) 3x − 21 + x 4 − 7x 3 = x 4 − 7x 3 + 3x − 21  [1 mark]
(ii) x 5 + 5x 3 − 2x 2 − 10 − ( x 4 − 7x 3 + 3x − 21) = x 5 − x 4 + 12x 3 − 2x 2 − 3x + 11  [2 marks]
[Total: 4 marks]
8 (i) ( x + 1)( x − 2)( 2x + 1) = ( x 2 − x − 2) ( 2x + 1) = 2x 3 − x 2 − 5x − 2  [2 marks]
(ii) 2 ( x + 1)( x − 2) + 2 ( x + 1)( 2x + 1) + 2 ( x − 2)( 2x + 1)
= 2 ( x 2 − x − 2) + 2 ( 2x 2 + 3x + 1) + 2 ( 2x 2 − 3x − 2)
= 2 (5x 2 − x − 3) = 10x 2 − 2x − 6  [2 marks]
[Total: 4 marks]

10
9 (x + a )(bx + 1)(3x − 4 ) ≡ (bx 2 + x + abx + a )(3x − 4 )
≡ 3bx 3 − 4bx 2 + 3x 2 − 4 x + 3abx 2 − 4abx + 3ax − 4a 1
Comparing constant terms: −4a = 8 ⇒ a = − 2
Comparing x2 terms: −4b + 3 + 3ab = − 17 so −4b + 3 − 6b = − 17 ⇒ b=2

Number and algebra I

Comparing x3 terms: 3b = c so c = 6  [4 marks]

Exercise 1.6 Binomial expansions – using Pascal’s triangle only

1 x3 + 3x 22 + 3x22 + 23 = x3 + 6x2 + 12x + 8 [2 marks]
2 1( 2x )4 y 0 + 4 ( 2x )3 y1 + 6 ( 2x )2 y 2 + 4 ( 2x )1 y 3 + 1( 2x )0 y 4
= 16x 4 + 32x 3 y + 24 x 2 y 2 + 8xy 3 + y 4  [3 marks]
3 (i) a + 5a b + 10a b + 10a b + 5ab + b 
5 4 3 2 2 3 4 5
[2 marks]
(ii) ( 2x ) + 5 ( 2x ) ( −3y ) + 10 ( 2x ) ( −3y ) + 10 ( 2x ) ( −3y ) + 5 ( 2x ) ( −3y ) + ( −3y )
5 4 3 2 2 3 4 5

= 32x 5 − 240x 4 y + 720x 3 y 2 − 1080x 2 y 3 + 810xy 4 − 243y 5  [2 marks]

[Total: 4 marks]

4 (i) 1, 1 + 12 = 13, 12 + 66 = 78  [1 mark]

(ii) 1st term = 1 × 213 × x 0 = 8192
2nd term = 13 × 212 × x 1 = 53 248x
3rd term = 78 × 211 × x 2 = 159 744 x 2  [2 marks]
[Total: 3 marks]

5 The 3rd term (in ascending powers of x) is 15 × ( 2x )2 × 34 = 4860x 2

∴ the coefficient of x 2 is 4860 [2 marks]
4
35 × ( x 2 ) ×  x2  = 35 × x 6 × 16x −4 = 560x 2
3
6
 
coefficient = 560 [3 marks]
7 (i) n = 5 [1 mark]
(ii) 10 × (ax ) × y 2 = 80x 3 y 2
3
⇒ 10a 3 = 80 ⇒ a=2  [2 marks]
(iii) 10 × ( 2x )2 × y 3 = 40x 2 y 3 so coefficient is 40 [2 marks]
[Total: 5 marks]
5
252 × ( 3x )5 ×  − x  = −1 959 552 
2
8   [2 marks]

9 (i) 1 × 17 × (ax )0 + 7 × 16 × (ax )1 + 21 × 15 × (ax )2 = 1 + 7ax + 21a 2 x 2  [2 marks]

(ii) 21a 2 = 9 × 7a ⇒ a=3  [2 marks]
[Total: 4 marks]

11
 Certificate in
AQA Further
Mathematics
Level
Level 22

EXAM PRACTICE
Benefit from the expert input of experienced examiners and subject specialists in
this assessment-led Practice Book, tailored to the specification and packed with
exam-style questions.
• Thoroughly prepare for the exam with hundreds of exam-style questions.
• Get structured support and extra practice with questions focused on
reasoning and problem solving.
• Focus your practice as necessary: all questions that go beyond GCSE level are
clearly marked.
• Check your knowledge and practise independently with full step-by-step
worked solutions and mark schemes available for free online.
• Enhance learning with extra practice designed to supplement the textbook and
the My Revision Notes series.
Full worked solutions and mark schemes are available at
www.hachettelearning.com/answers-and-extras
Authors
Andrew Ginty has taught mathematics at Key Stages 3, 4 and 5 for over 30 years. He
has extensive experience as an examiner and lead examiner at GCSE and A level.
Val Hanrahan is an experienced author and teacher who was involved in the
development of MEI and chaired the Pure Maths development group.