Math AA SL
Questionbank
Topic 1
Number & Algebra
Paper 1
All Sub-topics
Sequences, Series & Financial Math
Exponents & Logarithms
The Binomial Theorem
Deductive Proofs
All Questions
Paper 1 Questions
Paper 2 Questions
Question difficulty level:
Basic
Moderate
Challenging
Difficult
Genius :)
Basic
Moderate
Challenging
Difficult
Genius :)
Question 1
Paper 1 – No Calculator
[Maximum mark: 5]
The first three terms of an arithmetic sequence are 2, 5, and 8.
(a) Write down d, the common difference of the sequence.
[1]
(b) Find the 11th term of the sequence.
[2]
(c) Find the sum of the first 11 terms of the sequence.
[2]
Markscheme
(a)
d = 5 - 2
{\boldsymbol{\color{Purple} d = 3}}
(b)
Using the nth term of an arithmetic sequence formula, we get that:
u_{11} = 2 + (11-1)(3) = 2 + 30
\boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} u_{11} = 32}}
(c)
Using the sum of n terms of an arithmetic sequence formula (the second version in the Formula Booklet), we get that:
S_{11} = \frac{11}{2}\left ( 2 + 32 \right ) = 11 \times 17
\boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} S_{11} = 187}}
.
Video Solution (a)
Video Solution (b)
Video Solution (c)
Question 2
Paper 1 – No Calculator
[Maximum mark: 3]
Expand and simplify (x + 2)^{3}.
Markscheme
Using Pascal’s triangle or the Binomial Theorem formula:
(x + 2)^{3} = x^{3} + (3)(x^{2})(2) + (3)(x)(2^{2}) + 2^{3} =
\boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} = x^{3} + 6x^{2} + 12x + 8}}
.
Video Solution
Question 3
Paper 1 – No Calculator
[Maximum mark: 3]
Consider two positive integers, k and k + 2.
Show that the sum of these integers is even.
Markscheme
The sum of the integers is:
k + (k + 2) = 2k + 2 = 2(k + 1)
Therefore the sum of these integers is even.
.
Video Solution
Question 4
Paper 1 – No Calculator
[Maximum mark: 5]
In this question, give all your answers as an integer.
Find the value of
(a) \log_{4}4.
[1]
(b) \log_{4}2 + \log_{4}32.
[2]
(c) \log_{4}48 - \log_{4}3.
[2]
Markscheme
(a)
The base and the number inside the logarithm are the same, so:
\boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} \log_{4}4 = 1}}
(b)
Using logarithmic laws we get that:
\log_{4}2 + \log_{4}32 = \log_{4}(2 \times 32) = \log_{4}64
Rewriting the expression and using logarithmic laws, we get:
\log_{4}64 = \log_{4}4^{3} = 3\log_{4}4, therefore:
\boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} \log_{4}2 + \log_{4}32 = 3}}
(c)
Using logarithmic laws we get that:
\log_{4}48 - \log_{4}3 = \log_{4}(\frac{48}{3}) = \log_{4}16
Rewriting the expression and using logarithmic laws, we get:
\log_{4}16 = \log_{4}4^{2} = 2\log_{4}4, therefore:
\boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} \log_{4}48 - \log_{4}3 = 2}}
.
Video Solution
Question 5
Paper 1 – No Calculator
[Maximum mark: 4]
Expand and simplify (1 - 2p)^{4} in descending powers of p.
Markscheme
(1 - 2p)^{4} = 1^{4} + 4(1)^{3}(-2p)^{1} + 6(1)^{2}(-2p)^{2} + 4(1)^{1}(-2p)^{3} + (-2p)^{4}
\boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} 16p^{4} - 32p^{3} + 24p^{2} - 8p + 1}}
.
Video Solution
Question 6
Paper 1 – No Calculator
[Maximum mark: 7]
Given that x = \ln2 and y = \ln20, find, in terms of x and y, an expression for
(a) \ln40.
[2]
(b) \ln10.
[2]
(c) \ln80.
[3]
Markscheme
(a)
Using logarithmic laws we can write that:
\ln40 = \ln(2 \times 20) = \ln2 + \ln20 =
\boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} = x + y}}
(b)
Using logarithmic laws we can write that:
\ln10 = \ln(\frac{20}{2}) = \ln20 - \ln2 =
\boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} = y - x}}
(c)
Using logarithmic laws we can write that:
\ln80 = \ln(4 \times 20) = \ln(2^{2} \times 20) = \ln2^{2} + \ln20) = 2\ln2 + \ln20) =
\boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} = 2x + y}}
.
Video Solution
Question 7
Paper 1 – No Calculator
[Maximum mark: 5]
Let a and b represent two positive integers.
Show that the product of the sum and the difference of these integers is equal to the difference of their squares.
Markscheme
To express the product of the sum and the difference of these integers we can write:
(a + b)(a - b)
Working further and simplifying, we get:
(a + b)(a - b) = a^{2} + ab - ab - b^{2} = a^{2} - b^{2}
Therefore the product of the sum and the difference of these integers is equal to the difference of their squares.
.
Video Solution
Question 8
Paper 1 – No Calculator
[Maximum mark: 5]
Consider the expansion of (x + 2)^{6}.
(a) Write down the number of terms in this expansion.
[1]
(b) Find the coefficient of the x^{4} term.
[4]
Markscheme
(a)
The number of terms is one more than the expoinent in the expansion, so:
\boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} 7\: \textbf{terms}}}
(b)
Using the general term of the Binomial Theorem formula, for the x^{4} term we get:
^{6}C_{2} \times x^{6 - 2} \times 2^{2}
Using the formula for ^{n}C_{r}, we get that:
^{6}C_{2} = \frac{6!}{2!\times (6-2)!} = \frac{6 \times 5 \times 4!}{2!\times 4!} = \frac{6 \times 5}{2} = 15
So for the x^{4} term we get:
15 \times x^4 \times 4 = 60x^{4}
Therefore the coefficient of the x^{4} term is:
\boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} 60}}
.
Video Solution
Question 9
Paper 1 – No Calculator
[Maximum mark: 5]
Solve the equation \ln8 = 3\ln x - 12.
Give your answer in the form pe^{q} where p and q are positive integers.
Markscheme
Rearranging and using logarithmic laws, we get:
\ln x^{3} - \ln8 = 12
\ln \left ( \frac{x^{3}}{8} \right ) = 12
Changing the equation from logarithmic to exponential form, we get:
\frac{x^{3}}{8} = e^{12}
Solving for x gives us that:
x = \sqrt[3]{8e^{12}}, hence:
\boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} x = 2e^{4}}}
.
Video Solution
Question 10
Paper 1 – No Calculator
[Maximum mark: 4]
Consider two consecutive integers, n and n + 1.
Show that the sum of the squares of these integers is odd.
Markscheme
The sum of the squares of the integers is:
n^{2} + (n + 1)^{2} = n^{2} + n^{2} + 2n + 1 =
= 2n^{2} + 2n + 1 = 2(n^{2} + n) + 1
Therefore the sum of these integers is odd.
.
Video Solution
Question 11
Paper 1 – No Calculator
[Maximum mark: 6]
The sixth term of an arithmetic sequence is -5 and the sum of the first six terms of the sequence is 15.
(a) Find the value of the first term.
[3]
(b) Find the value of the tenth term.
[3]
Markscheme
(a)
15 = \frac{6}{2} (u_{1} + (-5))
15 = 3u_{1} -15
\boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} u_{1} = 10}}
(b)
Finding the common difference:
-5 = 10 + (6-1)d
d = -3
Finding the tenth term:
u_{10} = 10 + (10 - 1)(-3)
\boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} u_{10} = -17}}
.
Video Solution
Question 12
Paper 1 – No Calculator
[Maximum mark: 6]
(a) Show that -2\ln\left ( \frac{1}{3} \right ) + 3\ln2 = \ln72.
[3]
(b) Hence solve the equation -2\ln\left ( \frac{1}{3} \right ) + 3\ln2 = \ln(4x + 8).
[3]
Markscheme
(a)
Using logarithmic laws, we get:
-2\ln\left ( \frac{1}{3} \right ) + 3\ln2 = \ln\left ( \frac{1}{3} \right )^{-2} + \ln2^{3} = \ln9 + \ln8, therefore:
\boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} -2\ln\left ( \frac{1}{3} \right ) + 3\ln2 = \ln72}}
(b)
Using our answer from part (a) we can get that:
\ln72= \ln(4x + 8)
72= 4x + 8
\boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} x = 16}}
.
Video Solution
Question 13
Paper 1 – No Calculator
[Maximum mark: 5]
The first term of an arithmetic sequence is 8.
Given that the fifth term of the sequence is \log_{2}81, find the common difference of the sequence. Give your answer in the form \log_{2}p, where p\, \epsilon \, \mathbb{Q}.
Markscheme
Using the nth term of an arithmetic sequence formula we can write that:
u_{5} = u_{1} + (5-1)d
\log_{2}81 = 8 + 4d
Using logarithmic laws and simplifying we get that:
\log_{2}3^{4} = 8 + 4d
4\log_{2}3 = 8 + 4d
d = \log_{2}3 - 2
d = \log_{2}3 - 2\log_{2}2
d = \log_{2}3 - \log_{2}2^{2}
d = \log_{2}3 - \log_{2}4
\boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} d = \log_{2}\left ( \frac{3}{4} \right )}}
.
Video Solution
Question 14
Paper 1 – No Calculator
[Maximum mark: 6]
Four consecutive integers are n, n+1, n+2 and n+3.
(a) Prove that the sum of these integers is an even number.
[2]
(b) Prove that the sum of the squares of these integers is not divisible by 4.
[4]
Markscheme
(a)
Finding the sum of the integers:
n + n + 1 + n + 2 + n + 3 = 4n + 6
Factorising we get 2(2n + 3), therefore the sum of these four integers is divisible by 2, so it is an even number.
(b)
Finding the sum of the squares:
n^{2} + (n + 1)^{2} + (n + 2)^{2} + (n + 3)^{2}
n^{2} + (n^{2} + 2n + 1) + (n^{2} + 4n + 4) + (n^{2} + 6n + 9)
4n^{2} + 12n + 14
4n^{2} + 12n + 12 + 2 = 4(n^{2} + 3n + 3) + 2
Since 4(n^{2} + 3n + 3) is divisible by 4, 4(n^{2} + 3n + 3) + 2 is not divisible by 4.
.
Video Solution (a)
Video Solution (b)
Question 15
Paper 1 – No Calculator
[Maximum mark: 4]
Consider two consecutive positive odd integers, n and n + 2.
Show that the sum of their squares is an even number.
Markscheme
Sum of squares:
n^{2} + (n+2)^{2} = n^{2} + n^{2} + 4n + 4
Collecting terms and factorising 2:
2(n^{2} + 2n + 2)
Therefore the sum of the squares is divisible by two, hence it is an even number.
.
Video Solution
Question 16
Paper 1 – No Calculator
[Maximum mark: 5]
The third term of an arithmetic sequence is 8, and the fifth term of the sequence is 14.
(a) Find
(i) the common difference of the sequence.
(ii) the first term of the sequence.
[3]
The nth term of the sequence is 35.
(b) Find the value of n.
[2]
Markscheme
.(a) (i)
d = \frac{u_{5} - u_{3}}{2} = \frac{14-8}{2}
\boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} d = 3}}
(a) (ii)
u_{1} = u_{3} - 2d = 8 - 2(3)
\boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} u_{1} = 2}}
(b)
Using the nth term of an arithmetic sequence formula:
35 = 2 + (n - 1)(3)
35 = 3n - 1
\boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} n = 12}}
.
Video Solution (a)
Video Solution (b)
Question 17
Paper 1 – No Calculator
[Maximum mark: 5]
One of the terms in the expansion of (2x + a)^{8} is 224x^{2}, where a\, \epsilon \, \mathbb{R}.
Find the possible values of a.
Markscheme
Using the binomial expansion formula:
^{8}\textup{C}_{2} \times (2x)^{2} \times a^{6} = 224x^{2}
Calculating ^{8}\textup{C}_{2}:
\frac{8!}{2!(8-2)!} = \frac{8 \times 7 \times 6!}{2! \times 6!} = \frac{56}{2} = 28
So we get:
28 \times 4x^{2} \times a^{6} = 224x^{2}
a^{6} = 2
\boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} a = \pm \sqrt[6]{2}}}
.
Video Solution
Question 18
Paper 1 – No Calculator
[Maximum mark: 7]
Find the value of
(a) 27^{\log_{3}5}.
[3]
(b) \log_{6}144 + \log_{6}6 - 2\log_{6}2.
[4]
Markscheme
(a)
Using exponential and logarithmic laws we get:
27^{\log_{3}5} = \left ( 3^{3} \right )^{\log_{3}5} =
= 3^{3\log_{3}5} = 3^{\log_{3}5^{3}} = 3^{\log_{3}125} =
\boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} = 125}}
(b)
Using logarithmic laws and rearranging the terms we get:
\log_{6}144 + \log_{6}6 - 2\log_{6}2 = \log_{6}144 - \log_{6}2^{2} + \log_{6}6 =
= \log_{6}144 - \log_{6}4 + 1 = \log_{6}\left ( \frac{144}{4} \right ) + 1 =
=\log_{6}36 + 1 = \log_{6}6^{2} + 1 = 2\log_{6}6 + 1 = 2 + 1 =
\boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} 3}}
.
Video Solution (a)
Video Solution (b)
Question 19
Paper 1 – No Calculator
[Maximum mark: 4]
Show that the difference of the squares of two consecutive positive integers is equal to the sum of the integers.
Markscheme
Let’s represent the integers as n and n + 1
For the difference of the squares of the integers we get:
(n + 1)^{2} - n^{2} = (n^{2} + 2n + 1) - n^{2} =
= n^{2} + 2n + 1 - n^{2} = 2n + 1
For the sum of the integers we get:
n + (n + 1) = 2n + 1
Since 2n + 1 = 2n + 1, the difference of the squares of two consecutive positive integers is equal to the sum of the integers.
.
Video Solution
Question 20
Paper 1 – No Calculator
[Maximum mark: 7]
Solve \log_{2}(2x - 3) + \log_{2}(x + 5) = \log_{2}(3x - 3) + 2.
Markscheme
Using logarithmic laws we get:
\log_{2}(2x - 3) + \log_{2}(x + 5) = \log_{2}(3x - 3) + 2
\log_{2}((2x - 3)(x + 5)) = \log_{2}(3x - 3) + 2\log_{2}2
\log_{2}(2x^{2} + 7x - 15) = \log_{2}(3x - 3) + \log_{2}4
\log_{2}(2x^{2} + 7x - 15) = \log_{2}(4(3x - 3))
2x^{2} + 7x - 15 = 4(3x - 3)
Expanding, rearranging for zero and factorizing we get:
2x^{2} - 5x - 3 = 0
(2x + 1)(x - 3) = 0, therefore x = -\frac{1}{2} or x = 3
Checking the original equation we can see that if x = -\frac{1}{2}, then 2x - 3 < 0 and 3x - 3 < 0, hence:
\boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} x = 3}}
.
Video Solution
Question 21
Paper 1 – No Calculator
[Maximum mark: 4]
Show that \frac{1}{\sqrt{x} - 1} - \frac{1}{\sqrt{x} + 1} = \frac{2}{x - 1}
Markscheme
Finding the common denominator and simplifying:
\frac{1}{\sqrt{x} - 1} - \frac{1}{\sqrt{x} + 1} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{x} - 1} \times \frac{\sqrt{x} + 1}{\sqrt{x} + 1} - \frac{1}{\sqrt{x} + 1} \times \frac{\sqrt{x} - 1}{\sqrt{x} - 1} =
= \frac{\sqrt{x} + 1}{(\sqrt{x} + 1)(\sqrt{x} - 1)} - \frac{\sqrt{x} - 1}{(\sqrt{x} + 1)(\sqrt{x} - 1)} = \frac{\sqrt{x} + 1}{x - 1} - \frac{\sqrt{x} - 1}{x - 1} =
= \frac{\sqrt{x} + 1 - (\sqrt{x} - 1)}{x - 1} = \frac{2}{x - 1}
.
Video Solution
Question 22
Paper 1 – No Calculator
[Maximum mark: 6]
Solve 4^{x} = 3 - 2^{x + 2}. Give your answer in the form \log_{p}(q + \sqrt{r}), where p,q,r\, \epsilon \, \mathbb{Z}.
Markscheme
Using exponent laws and rearranging we get that:
\left ( 2^{2} \right )^{x} = 3 - 2^{2} \times 2^{x}
\left ( 2^{x} \right )^{2} + 4 \times 2^{x} - 3 = 0
Using the substitution a = 2^{x}, we get:
a^{2} + 4a - 3 = 0
Using the quadratic formula to solve for a:
a = \frac{-4 \pm \sqrt{4^{2} - 4(1)(-3)}}{2(1)} = \frac{-4 \pm \sqrt{28}}{2} = \frac{-4 \pm 2\sqrt{7}}{2} = -2 \pm \sqrt{7}
Since 2^{x} > 0, we get that:
2^{x} = -2 + \sqrt{7}
Changing from an exponential to a logarithmic form:
\boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} x = \log_{2}(-2 + \sqrt{7})}}
.
Video Solution
Question 23
Paper 1 – No Calculator
[Maximum mark: 6]
Consider three consecutive positive integers.
Show that
(a) the sum of these integers is divisible by 3.
[2]
(b) the sum of the squares of these integers is never divisible by 3.
[4]
Markscheme
Let’s represent the integers as n, n + 1, and n + 2
(a)
The sum of the integers is:
n + (n + 1) + (n + 2) = 3n + 3
Factorising, we get that the sum is 3(n + 1), therefore the sum of three consecutive integers is divisible by 3.
(b)
The sum of the squares of the integers is:
n^{2} + (n + 1)^{2} + (n + 2)^{2} =
= n^{2} + (n^{2} + 2n + 1) + (n^{2} + 4n + 4)
= 3n^{2} + 6n + 5
Factorising 3 from the first two terms we get:
3(n^{2} + 2n) + 5
Since 3(n^{2} + 2n) is divisible by 3 while 5 is not divisible by 3, the sum of the squares of three consecutive integers is never divisible by 3.
.
Video Solution (a)
Video Solution (b)
Question 24
Paper 1 – No Calculator
[Maximum mark: 5]
Consider a positive even integer.
Show that if you multiply this integer by the sum of its square and its reciprocal and subtract 1 from the result, you get a number that is divisible by 8.
Markscheme
Let’s represent the integer as n.
Based on the information given in the question we can write:
\left ( n^{2} + \frac{1}{n} \right ) \times n - 1= n^{3} + 1 - 1 = n^{3}
Since n is an even integer so divisible by 2, n^{3} is divisible by 8.
.
Video Solution
Question 25
Paper 1 – No Calculator
[Maximum mark: 8]
The terms in a geometric sequence and in an arithmetic sequence are u_{1},\: u_{2}, \: u_{3},... and v_{1},\: v_{2}, \: v_{3},..., respectively.
Given that u_{1} = v_{1} = 5, u_{2} = v_{4} and u_{3} = v_{16}, find the common ratio of the geometric sequence and the common difference of the arithmetic sequence.
Markscheme
Using the nth term of a geometric sequence formula we get that:
u_{2} = 5r and u_{3} = 5r^{2}
Using the nth term of an arithmetic sequence formula we get that:
v_{4} = 5 + (4-1)d = 5 + 3d and v_{16} = 5 + (16-1)d = 5 + 15d
Since u_{2} = v_{4} and u_{3} = v_{16}, we can write that:
5r = 5 + 3d and 5r^{2} = 5 + 15d
Multiplying the first equation by 5 and subtracting the result from the second equation gives us:
5r^{2} - 25r = -20
Rearranging for zero and dividing by 5 we get that:
r^{2} - 5r + 4 = 0
Solving for r we get that:
(r - 4)(r - 1) = 0, and since r \neq 1
\boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} r = 4}}
Substituting 4 for r into 5r = 5 + 3d we get:
5(4) = 5 + 3d and solving for d we get that:
\boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} d = 5}}
.
Video Solution
Question 26
Paper 1 – No Calculator
[Maximum mark: 14]
The first three terms of a sequence are 2\textup{log}_{a}x\: ,\: k\textup{log}_{a}x\: ,\: \textup{log}_{a}x where x\: ,\: a\: ,\: k\: \epsilon \: \mathbb{R} and x > 1\: ,\: a > 1\: ,\: k \neq 0.
(a) Assume that the sequence is arithmetic.
(i) Find the value of k.
(ii) Given that the common difference is m\textup{log}_{a}x where m\: \epsilon \: \mathbb{R}, write down the value of m.
(iii) Given that a = \sqrt{3} and S_{8} = 4, find the value of x.
[7]
(b) Now assume that the sequence is geometric.
(i) Given that k < 0, find the value of k.
(ii) Hence find an expression for a in terms of x, given that S_{\infty } = \frac{5 \sqrt{2}}{1 + \sqrt{2}}.
[7]
Markscheme
(a) (i)
d = u_{2} - u_{1} = u_{3} - u_{2}
k\textup{log}_{a}x - 2\textup{log}_{a}x = \textup{log}_{a}x - k\textup{log}_{a}x
k - 2 = 1 - k, therefore:
\boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} k = \frac{3}{2}}}
(a) (ii)
d = u_{2} - u_{1} = \frac{3}{2}\textup{log}_{a}x - 2\textup{log}_{a}x = -\frac{1}{2}\textup{log}_{a}x
\boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} m = -\frac{1}{2}}}
(a) (iii)
Substituting into the sum of the first n terms of an arithmetic sequence formula:
4 = \frac{8}{2}\left ( 2 \times 2\textup{log}_{\sqrt{3}}\, x + (8-1)\left ( -\frac{1}{2}\textup{log}_{\sqrt{3}}\, x \right ) \right )
Simplifying and solving for x:
1 = 4\textup{log}_{\sqrt{3}}\, x - 3.5\textup{log}_{\sqrt{3}}\, x
\textup{log}_{\sqrt{3}}\, x = 2
x = (\sqrt{3})^{2}, so:
\boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} x = 3}}
(b) (i)
r = \frac{u_{2}}{u_{1}} = \frac{u_{3}}{u_{2}}
\frac{k\textup{log}_{a}x}{2\textup{log}_{a}x} = \frac{\textup{log}_{a}x}{k\textup{log}_{a}x}
k^{2} = 2 \Rightarrow k = \pm \sqrt{2}
\boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} k = -\sqrt{2}}}
(b) (ii)
r = \frac{\textup{log}_{a}x}{-\sqrt{2}\textup{log}_{a}x} = -\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}
Using the sum of an infinite geometric sequence formula:
\frac{5 \sqrt{2}}{1 + \sqrt{2}} = \frac{2\textup{log}_{a}x}{1 - \left ( -\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} \right )}
Simplifying and multiplying the fraction on the right-hand side by \frac{\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{2}}:
\frac{5 \sqrt{2}}{1 + \sqrt{2}} = \frac{2 \sqrt{2}\textup{log}_{a}x}{1 + \sqrt{2}}
\textup{log}_{a}x = \frac{5}{2}\Rightarrow x = a^{\frac{5}{2}}
\boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} a = x^{\frac{2}{5}}}}
.
Video Solution (a)
Video Solution (b)
Question 27
Paper 1 – No Calculator
[Maximum mark: 6]
Consider the expansion (2x + k)^{5} = 32x^{5} + px^{4} + qx^{3} + ... + k^{5} where x \neq 0 and k\:,\: p,\: q\: \epsilon \: \mathbb{Z}.
Given that q - p = 480, find the possible values of k.
Markscheme
Finding expressions for p and for q:
p = ^{5}\textrm{C}_{1} \times (2x)^{4} \times k = 80kx^{4}
q = ^{5}\textrm{C}_{2} \times (2x)^{3} \times k^{2} = \frac{5!}{2! \times 3!} \times (2x)^{3} \times k^{2} =80k^{2}x^{3}
q - p = 80k^{2} - 80k = 480
k^{2} - k - 6 = 0\Rightarrow (k - 3)(k + 2) = 0
\boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} k = 3}} or \boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} k = - 2}}
.
Video Solution
Question 28
Paper 1 – No Calculator
[Maximum mark: 5]
Prove that the mean of four consecutive positive integers is equal to the median of these integers.
Markscheme
Let’s represent the integers as n, n + 1, n + 2, and n + 3
The mean of the integers can be written as:
\frac{n +(n + 1)+(n + 2)+(n + 3)}{4} = \frac{4n + 6}{4} = \frac{2n + 3}{2}
The median of the four integers is:
\frac{(n + 1)+(n + 2)}{2} = \frac{2n + 3}{2}
Since \frac{2n + 3}{2} = \frac{2n + 3}{2}, the mean of four consecutive positive integers is equal to the median of these integers.
.
Video Solution
Question 29
Paper 1 – No Calculator
[Maximum mark: 9]
Consider the arithmetic sequence where \textup{log}_{b}32\, ,\, \textup{log}_{b}m\, ,\,\textup{log}_{b}n\, ,\,\textup{log}_{b}108 are four consecutive terms of the sequence.
(a) Show that 32\, , \,m\, , \,n and 108 are four consecutive terms of a geometric sequence.
[4]
(b) Hence or otherwise, find the value of m and the value of n.
[5]
Markscheme
(a)
Using the concept of the common difference:
d = u_{2} - u_{1} = u_{3} - u_{2} = u_{4} - u_{3}
\textup{log}_{b}m - \textup{log}_{b}32 = \textup{log}_{b}n - \textup{log}_{b}m = \textup{log}_{b}108 - \textup{log}_{b}n
Using the logarithmic law \textup{log}_{a}\frac{x}{y} = \textup{log}_{a}x - \textup{log}_{a}y:
\textup{log}_{b}\frac{m}{32} = \textup{log}_{b}\frac{n}{m} = \textup{log}_{b}\frac{108}{n}
Therefore \frac{m}{32} = \frac{n}{m} = \frac{108}{n} = r so 32\, , \,m\, , \,n and 108 are four consecutive terms of a geometric sequence.
(b)
Using the nth term of a geometric sequence formula:
u_{4} = u_{1} \times r^{3}
108 = 32 \times r^{3}\Rightarrow r = \frac{3}{2}
Based on what we found in part (a):
\frac{m}{32} = \frac{3}{2}\Rightarrow \boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} m = 48}}
\frac{108}{n} = \frac{3}{2}\Rightarrow \boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} n = 72}}
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Video Solution (a)
Video Solution (b)
Question 30
Paper 1 – No Calculator
[Maximum mark: 8]
Consider function g(x) = \log_{(p-2)}(x^{2} - 4x + 13) where p>2 and p \neq 3. There is exactly one point on the graph of g where x = 2.
Find the value of p.
Markscheme
The information that there is exactly one point on the graph of g where x = 2 means that the equation g(x) = 2 has exactly one solution.
So we will start by writing that:
\log_{(p-2)}(x^{2} - 4x + 13) = 2
Converting from logarithmic to exponential form and working further we get that:
(p - 2)^{2} = x^{2} - 4x + 13
p^{2} - 4p + 4 = x^{2} - 4x + 13
x^{2} - 4x - p^{2} + 4p + 9 = 0
This equation still has exactly one solution, therefore its discriminant is equal to zero.
Hence we get that:
(-4)^{2} - (4)(1)(- p^{2} + 4p + 9) = 0
p^{2} - 4p - 5 = 0
(p + 1)(p - 5) = 0
p = -1 or p = 5
Since p>2, the final answer is:
\boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} p = 5}}
.
Video Solution
Question 31
Paper 1 – No Calculator
[Maximum mark: 16]
The first three terms of an arithmetic sequence are \ln(x^{5})\, ,\, \ln(2x^{5})\, ,\,\ln(4x^{5}) where x > 0.
(a) Show that the common difference of the sequence is \ln2.
[2]
(b) When x = a, the 6th term of the sequence is 10. Find the value of a.
[5]
The first three terms of a geometric sequence are \ln(2x + 7), \frac{\ln(2x + 7)}{5}, \frac{\ln(2x + 7)}{25}.
(c) Show that the sum to infinity of the sequence exists.
[3]
(d) Find the value of x, given that the 11th term of the arithmetic sequence is four times the sum to infinity of the geometric sequence.
[6]
Markscheme
(a)
d = u_{2} - u_{1} = \ln(2x^{5}) - \ln(x^{5}) = \ln\left ( \frac{2x^{5}}{x^{5}} \right )
\boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} \textbf{Therefore} \, d = \ln2.}}
(b)
Using the nth term of an arithmetic sequence formula we can write that:
u_{6} = u_{1} + (n-1)d
10 = \ln(a^{5}) + (6-1)(\ln2)
10 = \ln(a^{5}) + 5\ln2
10 = \ln(a^{5}) + \ln2^{5}
10 = \ln(2^{5} \times a^{5})
Changing from logarithmic to exponential form:
2^{5} \times a^{5} = e^{10}
a^{5} = \frac{e^{10}}{2^{5}}
\boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} a= \frac{e^{2}}{2}}}
(c)
Let’s begin by finding the common ratio:
r = \frac{u_{2}}{u_{1}} = \frac{\frac{\ln(2x + 7)}{5}}{\ln(2x + 7)}
r = \frac{1}{5}
{\color{Purple} \textbf{Since} \: \boldsymbol{\left | r \right | < 1,} \: \textbf{the sum to infinity exists.}}
(d)
Using the sum of an infinite geometric sequence formula we get that:
S_{\infty} = \frac{\ln(2x + 7)}{1 - \frac{1}{5}} = \frac{\ln(2x + 7)}{\frac{4}{5}} = \frac{5\ln(2x + 7)}{4}
Using the nth term of an arithmetic sequence formula we get that:
u_{11} = \ln(x^{5}) + (11-1)(\ln2) = \ln(x^{5}) + 10\ln2 = \ln(2^{10} \times x^{5})
The 11th term of the arithmetic sequence is four times the sum to infinity of the geometric sequence, so based on the two expressions that we found above we can write that:
4 \times \frac{5\ln(2x + 7)}{4} = \ln(2^{10} \times x^{5})
Working further we get that:
5\ln(2x + 7) = \ln(2^{10} \times x^{5})
\ln(2x + 7)^{5} = \ln(2^{10} \times x^{5})
(2x + 7)^{5} = 2^{10} \times x^{5}
2x + 7 = 2^{2} \times x
\boldsymbol{{\color{Purple} x = \frac{7}{2}}}
.