AS Level/Year 1 A Level Maths

Exam Questions Algebra and Functions

Mark Scheme
Types of marks: Abbreviations:
M method marks cao correct answer only
A accuracy marks ft follow through
B unconditional accuracy marks oe or equivalent
(independent of M marks) dep dependent on previous marks
C communication marks

Multiple Choice Questions [10 marks]

Q Details Marks Typical solution

1 C B1 y

2 D B1 y = 3x – 2

3 C B1 x–3

4 A B1 5
y

x
-5 R 5

-3

5 B B1 2x2 – 3x – 2

6 C B1 y ≥ 3x – 2, y + x < 1 and x ≥ 0

7 B B1 x= 3
,x=- 3
3 3

8 B B1 b = -12 or b = 8

9 C B1 A stretch of scale factor 13, parallel to the x-axis.

10 C B1 y = (x + 2)(1 – x)(x – 3)

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 AS Level Pure Maths Algebra and Functions Mark Scheme

AO1 Questions [28 marks]

Q Details Marks Typical solution

1a As (x + 2) is a factor, sets f(-2) = 0. M1 f(-2) = 0

dep M1 3(-2) – 11(-2) – 24(-2) + c = 0

3 2
Solves linear equation.
c = 20
Correct value for c. A1

1b Attempts to factorise out (x + 2) using M1 f(x) = (x + 2)(3x2 – 17x + 10)

polynomial division or inspection. = (3x – 2)(x + 2)(x – 5)
Correct expression for quadratic. A1

Attempts to factorise quadratic. M1

Fully correct solution. A1

2ai Translation by two units to the right. M1 y

A(1, 3)
Fully correct shape and coordinates for A1
turning points.
x

B(5, -2)

2aii Stretch by scale factor 2 in y-direction. M1 A(-1, 6)

y

Fully correct shape and coordinates for A1

turning points.
x

B(3, -4)

2aiii Reflection in y-axis. M1 y

A(1, 3)
Fully correct shape and coordinates for A1
turning points.
x

B(-3, -2)

2b Correct value for a. B1 a=4

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 AS Level Pure Maths Algebra and Functions Mark Scheme

3 Uses a substitution or other method M1 5x – 2 x – 4 = 0

to write equation as a quadratic and
Let u = x
attempts to solve.
5u2 – 2u – 4 = 0
Correct values for x. A1
21 21
Correct values for x. A1 u = 1 +5 or u = 1 – 5
21 21
x = 1 +5 or x = 1 – 5
2 21 2 21
x = 22 +25 or x = 22 –25

x = 1.25 (3s.f.) or x = 0.513 (3s.f.)

4a Curve drawn for y = x2 – 2x – 6. M1 8

y

Line drawn for y = 3x + 1. M1 6

Line drawn for y + x = 3. M1 4

Fully correct region labelled with correct A1 2

dotted and solid lines. x

-8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 8

-2
R
-4

-6

-8

4b Correct coordinates with no extra B1 (1, 1)

incorrect ones.
5a Draws correctly orientated quadratic B1 y
graph.
Marks correct x-intercepts at (1, 0) and B1
(-2, 0). -2 1
x

Marks correct y-intercept at (0, -18). B1

-18

5b Draws correct shape for graph of form B1 y

a
y = x2 + b.
x = 0 given as an asymptote. B1
x
y = -3 given as an asymptote. B1

-3

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 AS Level Pure Maths Algebra and Functions Mark Scheme
AO2 Questions [29 marks]

Q Details Marks Typical solution

6a Writes the equation in the form of M1 (x + 3)2 = x2 + 6x + 9
(x + a)2 + b.
A translation of ( -30 ).
Describes transformation as a B1
translation.
Describes translation with a vector of ( -30 ) B1
or three units to the left.
6b Describes transformation as a B1
translation.
Describes translation with a vector of ( -90 ) B1
or nine units down.
7 Calculates y-coordinate when x = 5. B1 When x = 5, y = 25.

Substitutes x and y values into y = mx + c M1 The tangent has equation y = mx + c

to find an expression for c. and passes through (5, 25).

Begins to solve simultaneous equations M1 25 = 5m + c, so c = 25 – 5m.

by eliminating y. y = x2 and y = mx + 25 – 5m intersect
Rearranges to make a quadratic equal M1 once, so there is one solution to the
to 0. pair of simultaneous equations.
Calculates discriminant in terms of m. M1 x2 – mx – 25 + 5m = 0
b2 – 4ac = m2 – 4(5m – 25)
Solves quadratic to find value for m. M1
m2 – 20m + 100 = 0
Correct value for m. A1
m = 10
Correct equation of tangent. A1 y = 10x – 25
8 Sets up equation using f(-5) = 0. M1 As x + 5 is a factor:

Sets up equation using f(2) = 0. M1 2(-5)3 + 3(-5)2 + a(-5) + b = 0

-5a + b = 175 (1)
Solves simultaneous equations to find M1
values for a and b. As x – 2 is a factor:
Correct values for a and b. A1 2(2)3 + 3(2)2 + a(2) + b = 0
2a + b = -28 (2)
Finds third factor using polynomial M1
division or inspection.
Fully correct factorised form. A1 Solving the simultaneous equations
(1) and (2):

a = -29 and b = 30

f(x) = 2x3 + 3x2 – 29x + 30

= (x + 5)(x – 2)(2x – 3)

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 AS Level Pure Maths Algebra and Functions Mark Scheme

9 Rewrites 24x as (22x)2. B1 2 × 24x + 23 × 22x – 133 120 = 0

Uses a substitution of u = 22x or M1 Let u = 22x

otherwise to set up a quadratic equal to 2u2 + 8u – 133 120 = 0
0 and begins to solve.
u = 256 or -260
Correct values for 2 . 2x M1
22x = 256
Discards 22x = -260 with a reason. C1 No solutions for 22x = -260.
Correct value for x. A1 2x = 8
x=4
10a Correct values for w. B1 w>0

10b Sets up equations of form M1 The graph is cubic and has a repeated
V = cw2(w + 3). root at 0 and a single root at -3.
Substitutes in x = -2, y = 12 to set up M1 The equation is of the form
equation in terms of ‘c’. V = cw2(w + 3).
Correct value for ‘c’. A1 The graph passes through (-2, 12).
Correct expression for h in terms of w. A1 12 = 4c(1)
c=3
V = 3w2(w + 3)
= w2 × (3w + 9)
h = 3w + 9

AO3 Questions [46 marks]

Q Details Marks Typical solution

11a Correct inequality or equivalent. B1 v ≤ -0.5c + 10

11b Correct line at v = 3. M1 10

v

Correct line at c = 2. M1

Correct line at c – v = 1. M1 5

Fully correct region shaded with correct A1

dotted and solid lines.
c
0 5 10 15 20

11c List all the correct values with no extra A1 4, 5, 6, 7

incorrect ones.

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 AS Level Pure Maths Algebra and Functions Mark Scheme

12a Sets up equation for surface area. M1 A = 2x2 + 4xy

Sets up equation for volume. M1 V = x 2y

y = xV2
Eliminates ‘y’ variable. M1 V
A = 2x2 + 4x x2 ( )
Rearranges to get requested form. A1 4V
A = 2x2 + x2
Ax = 2x3 + 4V
2x3 – Ax + 4V = 0
12b Substitutes equations for surface area M1 A = 2b2 + 4bh
and volume into 2x3 – Ax + 4V = 0. V = b 2h
2x3 – Ax + 4V = 2x3 – (2b2 + 4bh)x
+ 4b2h
12c Explains that as f(b) = 0, x – b will be a C1 Let f(x) = 2x3 – (2b2 + 4bh)x + 4b2h.
factor. f(b) = 0 and so x – b is a factor of f(x).
Divides by x – b using polynomial M1
(2x3 – (2b2 + 4bh)x + 4b2h) ÷ (x – b) =
division or inspection.
2x2 + 2bx – 4bh
Correct quadratic factor. A1
(x – b)(2x2 + 2bx – 4bh) = 0
Solves quadratic equation. M1 2x2 + 2bx – 4bh = 0
(2b)2 – 4 × 2 × -4bh
Explains why you reject the negative C1 x = -2b ± 2×2
length.
b2 + 8bh
Correct solution. A1 = -2b ± 2
b2 + 8bh
= -2b + 2
(as lengths have to
be positive)
13ai Correct times. B1 03:12 and 15:12

13aii Correct water height. B1 3.6m

13b Translates the graph by ( -10 ). M1 4

Water Height (w) (metres)

Fully correct graph. A1 3

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
Number of hours after 0:00 (h)

13ci Correct equation. A1 y = f(h + 1.4)

13cii Correct high and low tide times. B1 High tide is at 09:12 and 21:12
and the water height at high tide is
Correct water height for high tide. B1 5.76m.
Correct water height for low tide. B1 Low tide is at 03:12 and 15:12 and
the water height at low tide is 2.56m.

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 AS Level Pure Maths Algebra and Functions Mark Scheme

14a Correct value for b. B1 b = 22(3) + 2(3) + 3 + 3

= 131
14b Rewrites 22t as (2t)2 and 2t + 3 as 8(2t). B1 22t + 2t + 3 + 3 = 1 056 771

Uses a substitution or other method to M1 (2t)2 + 8(2t) – 1 056 768 = 0

write as a quadratic equal to zero and 2t = 1024 or 2t = -1032
begins to solve.
2t = -1032 has no real solutions.
Correct values of 2t. A1
2t = 1024
Explains correctly why the negative C1 t = 10
solution is rejected.
It will take ten hours.
Correct answer in context. A1

14ci Substitutes t = 0 into both equations. M1 When t = 0,

Gives correct initial amount for both in A1 b = 22(0) + 20 + 3 + 3

context. = 12
p = 22(0) +1
– 2(0) + 11
= 12
They both have 12 bacteria at the
start of the experiment.
14cii Sets up inequality. M1 22t + 1 – 2t + 11 > 22t + 2t + 3 + 3

Rearranges to get a quadratic inequality M1 2(2t)2 – 2t + 11 > (2t)2 + 8(2t) + 3

with all terms on one side of the (2t)2 – 9(2t) + 8 > 0
inequality.
2t < 1 and 2t > 8
Correct range of values for 2t. A1
t < 0 and t > 3
Correct range of values for t. A1 The second petri dish has more
bacteria when the experiments have
Fully correct solution in context. C1
been running for more than three
Note: an answer of 3 hours only is hours.
incorrect.
15a Uses trigonometry to calculate M1 a = 24 × cos(60°)
x-coordinate of end of bridge. = 12
24m
Uses trigonometry to calculate M1 b
b = 24 × sin(60°)
y-coordinate of end of bridge.
= 12 3 60°
Calculates the gradient of the bridge. M1 a

Correct equation of the bridge. A1

The bridge passes through the points
(0, 0) and (12, 12 3 ).
12 3
m = 12
= 3
y = 3x

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 AS Level Pure Maths Algebra and Functions Mark Scheme

15b Sets the equation of the bridge and M1 If the arrow hits the bridge,
the equation of the arrow’s path equal y = -x2 + 22x – 105 and y = 3 x will
to each other and rearranges to get a intersect.
quadratic equal to zero.
3 x = -x2 + 22x – 105
Calculates discriminant. M1
x2 + ( 3 – 22)x + 105 = 0
Correct value of discriminant. A1 b2 – 4ac = ( 3 – 22)2 – 4 × 1 × 105
Uses negative value of discriminant to C1 = -9.21 (3s.f.)
explain that the arrow doesn’t hit the As the discriminant is negative, there
bridge. are no real solutions. Therefore, the
arrow will not hit the bridge.

Challenge Question [7 marks]

16 Sets up cubic equation for the volume. M1 w(w + 4)(2w + 4) = 630

Correctly identifies x – 5 as a factor. A1 2w3 + 12w2 + 16w = 630

w3 + 6w2 + 8w – 315 = 0
Divides cubic by x – 5 using polynomial M1
division or inspection. w = 1 gives w3 + 6w2 + 8w – 315 =
-300
Correct quadratic factor. A1
w = 2 gives w3 + 6w2 + 8w – 315 =
Calculates discriminant of quadratic M1 -267
factor.
w = 3 gives w3 + 6w2 + 8w – 315 =
Correct value of discriminant. A1 -210
Explanation for why Marian is correct C1 w = 4 gives w3 + 6w2 + 8w – 315 =
with correct dimensions for the cuboid. -131
w = 5 gives w3 + 6w2 + 8w – 315 = 0
w3 + 6w2 + 8w – 315 ÷ (w – 5) = w2 +
11w + 63.
For w2 + 11w + 63,
b2 – 4ac = 121 – 252
= -131
b2 – 4ac < 0
There is only one solution.
Marian is correct.
w = 5cm. The length is 9cm and the
height is 14cm.

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