Cambridge Assessment International Education

Cambridge International Advanced Level

MATHEMATICS 9709/31
Paper 3 May/June 2018
MARK SCHEME
Maximum Mark: 75

Published

This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and candidates, to indicate the requirements of the
examination. It shows the basis on which Examiners were instructed to award marks. It does not indicate the
details of the discussions that took place at an Examiners’ meeting before marking began, which would have
considered the acceptability of alternative answers.

Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the question paper and the Principal Examiner Report for
Teachers.

Cambridge International will not enter into discussions about these mark schemes.

Cambridge International is publishing the mark schemes for the May/June 2018 series for most
Cambridge IGCSE™, Cambridge International A and AS Level and Cambridge Pre-U components, and
some Cambridge O Level components.

IGCSE™ is a registered trademark.

This document consists of 11 printed pages.

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Generic Marking Principles

These general marking principles must be applied by all examiners when marking candidate answers.
They should be applied alongside the specific content of the mark scheme or generic level descriptors
for a question. Each question paper and mark scheme will also comply with these marking principles.

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 1:

Marks must be awarded in line with:

• the specific content of the mark scheme or the generic level descriptors for the question
• the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the generic level descriptors for the question
• the standard of response required by a candidate as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 2:

Marks awarded are always whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 3:

Marks must be awarded positively:

• marks are awarded for correct/valid answers, as defined in the mark scheme. However, credit
is given for valid answers which go beyond the scope of the syllabus and mark scheme,
referring to your Team Leader as appropriate
• marks are awarded when candidates clearly demonstrate what they know and can do
• marks are not deducted for errors
• marks are not deducted for omissions
• answers should only be judged on the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar when these
features are specifically assessed by the question as indicated by the mark scheme. The
meaning, however, should be unambiguous.

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 4:

Rules must be applied consistently e.g. in situations where candidates have not followed
instructions or in the application of generic level descriptors.

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 5:

Marks should be awarded using the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme for the question
(however; the use of the full mark range may be limited according to the quality of the candidate
responses seen).

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 6:

Marks awarded are based solely on the requirements as defined in the mark scheme. Marks should
not be awarded with grade thresholds or grade descriptors in mind.

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Mark Scheme Notes

Marks are of the following three types:

M Method mark, awarded for a valid method applied to the problem. Method marks are not lost
for numerical errors, algebraic slips or errors in units. However, it is not usually sufficient for a
candidate just to indicate an intention of using some method or just to quote a formula; the
formula or idea must be applied to the specific problem in hand, e.g. by substituting the
relevant quantities into the formula. Correct application of a formula without the formula being
quoted obviously earns the M mark and in some cases an M mark can be implied from a
correct answer.

A Accuracy mark, awarded for a correct answer or intermediate step correctly obtained.
Accuracy marks cannot be given unless the associated method mark is earned (or implied).

B Mark for a correct result or statement independent of method marks.

• When a part of a question has two or more ‘method’ steps, the M marks are generally
independent unless the scheme specifically says otherwise; and similarly when there are several
B marks allocated. The notation DM or DB (or dep*) is used to indicate that a particular M or B
mark is dependent on an earlier M or B (asterisked) mark in the scheme. When two or more
steps are run together by the candidate, the earlier marks are implied and full credit is given.

• The symbol FT implies that the A or B mark indicated is allowed for work correctly following on
from previously incorrect results. Otherwise, A or B marks are given for correct work only. A and
B marks are not given for fortuitously ‘correct’ answers or results obtained from incorrect working.

• Note: B2 or A2 means that the candidate can earn 2 or 0.

B2/1/0 means that the candidate can earn anything from 0 to 2.

The marks indicated in the scheme may not be subdivided. If there is genuine doubt whether a
candidate has earned a mark, allow the candidate the benefit of the doubt. Unless otherwise
indicated, marks once gained cannot subsequently be lost, e.g. wrong working following a correct
form of answer is ignored.

• Wrong or missing units in an answer should not lead to the loss of a mark unless the scheme
specifically indicates otherwise.

• For a numerical answer, allow the A or B mark if a value is obtained which is correct to 3 s.f., or
which would be correct to 3 s.f. if rounded (1 d.p. in the case of an angle). As stated above, an A
or B mark is not given if a correct numerical answer arises fortuitously from incorrect working. For
Mechanics questions, allow A or B marks for correct answers which arise from taking g equal to
9.8 or 9.81 instead of 10.

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The following abbreviations may be used in a mark scheme or used on the scripts:

AEF/OE Any Equivalent Form (of answer is equally acceptable) / Or Equivalent

AG Answer Given on the question paper (so extra checking is needed to ensure that the
detailed working leading to the result is valid)

CAO Correct Answer Only (emphasising that no ‘follow through’ from a previous error is
allowed)

CWO Correct Working Only – often written by a ‘fortuitous’ answer

ISW Ignore Subsequent Working

SOI Seen or implied

SR Special Ruling (detailing the mark to be given for a specific wrong solution, or a case
where some standard marking practice is to be varied in the light of a particular
circumstance)

Penalties

MR –1 A penalty of MR –1 is deducted from A or B marks when the data of a question or part

question are genuinely misread and the object and difficulty of the question remain
unaltered. In this case all A and B marks then become ‘follow through’ marks. MR is not
applied when the candidate misreads his own figures – this is regarded as an error in
accuracy. An MR –2 penalty may be applied in particular cases if agreed at the
coordination meeting.

PA –1 This is deducted from A or B marks in the case of premature approximation. The PA –1

penalty is usually discussed at the meeting.

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Question Answer Marks

1 Use law for the logarithm of a product, quotient or power M1

Obtain a correct equation free of logarithms, e.g. 4( x 4 − 4) = x 4 A1

Solve for x M1

Obtain answer x = 1.52 only A1

Question Answer Marks

2(i) Use trig formulae and obtain an equation in sin x and cos x M1*

Obtain a correct equation in any form A1

Substitute exact trig ratios and obtain an expression for tan x M1(dep*)

Obtain answer tan x =

(
− 6+ 6 ) or equivalent A1

(6 − 2 )
4

2(ii) State answer, e.g. 118.5° B1

State second answer, e.g. 298.5° B1ft

Question Answer Marks

3 Use quotient or product rule M1

Obtain correct derivative in any form A1

Equate derivative to zero and obtain a quadratic in tan 1 x or an equation of the M1 *

2
form a sin x = b

Solve for x M1(dep*)

Obtain answer 0.340 A1

Obtain second answer 2.802 and no other in the given interval A1

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Question Answer Marks

4 EITHER: Commence division by x 2 − x + 1 and reach a partial quotient M1

of the form x 2 + kx

Obtain quotient x 2 + 3 x + 2 A1

Either Set remainder identically equal to zero and solve for a or for b, or M1
multiply given divisor and found quotient and obtain a or b

Obtain a = 1 A1

Obtain b = 2 A1

OR: Assume an unknown factor x 2 + Bx + C and obtain an equation M1

in B and/or C

Obtain B = 3 and A = 2 A1

Either Use equations to obtain a or b or multiply given divisor and M1

found factor to obtain a or b

Obtain a = 1 A1

Obtain b = 2 A1

Question Answer Marks

5(i) State or imply dx = −2cos θ sin θ dθ , or equivalent B1

Substitute for x and dx, and use Pythagoras M1

Obtain integrand ± 2cos 2θ A1

Justify change of limits and obtain given answer correctly A1

5(ii) Obtain indefinite integral of the form aθ + b sin 2θ M1*

1 A1
Obtain θ + sin 2θ
2

Use correct limits correctly M1(dep*)

Obtain answer 1 π with no errors seen A1

6

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Question Answer Marks

6(i) Separate variables correctly and integrate at least one side B1

Obtain term ln x B1

Obtain term − 2 kt t , or equivalent B1

3

Evaluate a constant, or use limits x = 100 and t = 0, in a solution containing M1

terms a ln x and b t t

Obtain correct solution in any form, e.g. 1n x = − 2 kt t + 1n 100 A1

3

6(ii) Substitute x = 80 and t = 25 to form equation in k M1

Substitute x = 40 and eliminate k M1

Obtain answer t = 64.1 A1

Question Answer Marks

7(i) Use quadratic formula, or completing the square, or the substitution z = x + iy to M1

find a root, using i 2 = −1

Obtain a root, e.g. − 6 − 2i A1

Obtain the other root, e.g. − 6 − 2i A1

7(ii) Represent both roots in relatively correct positions B1ft

7(iii) State or imply correct value of a relevant length or angle, e.g. OA, OB, AB, angle B1ft
between OA or OB and the real axis

Carry out a complete method for finding angle OAB M1

Obtain AOB = 60° correctly A1

7(iv) Give a complete justification of the given statement B1

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Question Answer Marks

8(i) 1
− x
1
− x M1*
Integrate by parts and reach l xe 2 +m∫e 2 dx

1
− x
1
− x A1
Obtain −2 xe 2 +2∫ e 2 dx

1
− x
1
− x A1
Complete the integration and obtain −2 xe 2 − 4e 2 , or equivalent

Having integrated twice, use limits and equate result to 2 M1(dep*)

Obtain the given equation correctly A1

8(ii) Calculate values of a relevant expression or pair of expressions at a = 3 and a = 3.5 M1

Complete the argument correctly with correct calculated values A1

8(iii) Use the iterative formula an +1 = 21n( an + 2) correctly at least once M1

Obtain final answer 3.36 A1

Show sufficient iterations to 4 d.p. to justify 3.36 to 2 d.p., or show there is a sign A1
change in the interval (3.355, 3.365)

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Question Answer Marks

9(i) B C B1
State or imply the form A + +
x − 1 3x + 2

State or obtain A = 4 B1

Use a correct method to obtain a constant M1

Obtain one of B = 3, C = – 1 A1

Obtain the other value A1

9(ii) Use correct method to find the first two terms of the expansion of ( x − 1) −1 or
M1
(3x + 2)−1 , or equivalent

Obtain correct unsimplified expansions up to the term in x 2 of each partial fraction A1ft + A1ft

Add the value of A to the sum of the expansions M1

1 9 33 A1
Obtain final answer − x − x2
2 4 8

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Question Answer Marks

JJJG JJJG
10(a) EITHER: Find PQ (or QP ) for a general point Q on l, e.g. B1
(1 + µ ) i + ( 4 + 2µ ) j + ( 4 + 3µ ) k
JJJG
Calculate the scalar product of PQ and a direction vector for l M1
and equate to zero

3 A1
Solve and obtain correct solution e.g. µ = −
2

Carry out method to calculate PQ M1

Obtain answer 1.22 A1

JJJG JJJG
OR1: Find PQ (or QP ) for a general point Q on l B1

Use a correct method to express PQ 2 (or PQ) in terms of µ M1

Obtain a correct expression in any form A1

Carry out a complete method for finding its minimum M1

Obtain answer 1.22 A1

JJJG JJJG
OR2: Calling (4, 2, 5) A, state PA (or AP ) in component form, e.g. i + 4j + 4k B1
JJJG JJJG
Use a scalar product to find the projection of PA (or AP ) on l M1

Obtain correct answer 21 / 14 , or equivalent A1

Use Pythagoras to find the perpendicular M1

Obtain answer 1.22 A1

JJJG JJJG
OR3: State PA (or AP ) in component form B1
JJJG
Calculate vector product of PA and a direction vector for l M1

Obtain correct answer, e.g. 4i + j – 2k A1

Divide modulus of the product by that of the direction vector M1

Obtain answer 1.22 A1

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Question Answer Marks

10(ii) EITHER: Use scalar product to obtain a relevant equation in a, b and c, B1

e.g. a + 2b + 3c = 0
JJJG
Obtain a second relevant equation, e.g. using PA a + 4b + 4c = 0, M1
and solve for one ratio

Obtain a : b : c = 4 : 1 : – 2, or equivalent A1

Substitute a relevant point and values of a, b, c in general equation M1

and find d

Obtain correct answer, 4x + y – 2z = 8, or equivalent A1

OR1: Attempt to calculate vector product of relevant vectors, e.g. M1

(i + 4j + 4k) × (i + 2j + 3k)

Obtain two correct components A1

Obtain correct answer, e.g. 4i + j – 2k A1

Substitute a relevant point and find d M1

Obtain correct answer, 4x + y – 2z = 8, or equivalent A1

OR2: Using a relevant point and relevant vectors form a 2-parameter M1

equation for the plane

State a correct equation, e.g. A1

r = 4i + 2j + 5k + λ(i + 4j + 4k) + µ(i + 2j + 3k)

State three correct equations in x, y, z, λ and µ A1

Eliminate λ and µ M1

Obtain correct answer 4x + y – 2z = 8, or equivalent A1

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