Theory paper · 15 questions

WAEC · 2014 · May/June · Further Maths · Paper 2

Topics include Indices, logarithms & surds, Binary operations, Polynomials & quadratic roots, Differentiation, Vectors, Permutation & combination.

Sit this paper

Answer every question in order, timed if you like (suggested 3 h 45 min). You're marked when you hand in, then you see where to focus and the working for each question.

Or read it here: every question below has a worked solution.

Question 1

  1. (a)

    Solve (log⁡2m)2−log⁡2m3=10(\log_2 m)^2 - \log_2 m^3 = 10.

    Separate values with commas, e.g. 3, −2

Worked solution (try it first)

(a)

  1. Use log⁡2m3=3log⁡2m\log_2 m^3 = 3\log_2 m: the equation becomes (log⁡2m)2−3log⁡2m−10=0(\log_2 m)^2 - 3\log_2 m - 10 = 0.
  2. Let y=log⁡2my = \log_2 m: y2−3y−10=0y^2 - 3y - 10 = 0.
  3. Factorise: (y−5)(y+2)=0(y - 5)(y + 2) = 0, so y=5y = 5 or y=−2y = -2.
  4. log⁡2m=5\log_2 m = 5 gives m=25=32m = 2^5 = 32.
  5. log⁡2m=−2\log_2 m = -2 gives m=2−2=14m = 2^{-2} = \frac14.
  6. So m=32m = 32 or m=14m = \frac14.

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Question 2

A binary operation ∗* is defined on the set of rational numbers by m∗n=m2−n22mnm * n = \dfrac{m^2 - n^2}{2mn}, n≠0n \ne 0 and m≠0m \ne 0.

  1. (a)

    Find −3∗2-3 * 2.

  2. (b)

    Show whether or not ∗* is associative.

    Show the answer

    ∗* is not associative

Worked solution (try it first)

(a)

  1. Put m=−3m = -3 and n=2n = 2: −3∗2=(−3)2−222(−3)(2)-3 * 2 = \dfrac{(-3)^2 - 2^2}{2(-3)(2)}.
  2. Work it out: 9−4−12=−512\dfrac{9 - 4}{-12} = -\dfrac{5}{12}.

(b)

  1. ∗* is associative if m∗(n∗p)=(m∗n)∗pm * (n * p) = (m * n) * p for all mm, nn and pp.
  2. Left side: n∗p=n2−p22npn * p = \dfrac{n^2 - p^2}{2np}, so m∗(n∗p)=m2−(n2−p22np)22m(n2−p22np)m * (n * p) = \dfrac{m^2 - \left(\frac{n^2 - p^2}{2np}\right)^2}{2m\left(\frac{n^2 - p^2}{2np}\right)}.
  3. Right side: (m∗n)∗p=(m2−n22mn)2−p22p(m2−n22mn)(m * n) * p = \dfrac{\left(\frac{m^2 - n^2}{2mn}\right)^2 - p^2}{2p\left(\frac{m^2 - n^2}{2mn}\right)}.
  4. These are not the same expression.
  5. For example, with m=1m = 1, n=2n = 2, p=3p = 3 the left side is −119120-\frac{119}{120} and the right side is 158\frac{15}{8}.
  6. So ∗* is not associative.

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Question 3

  1. (a)

    If α\alpha and β\beta are the roots of 3x2+5x+1=03x^2 + 5x + 1 = 0, evaluate 27(α3+β3)27(\alpha^3 + \beta^3).

Worked solution (try it first)

(a)

  1. For 3x2+5x+1=03x^2 + 5x + 1 = 0: α+β=−ba=−53\alpha + \beta = -\frac{b}{a} = -\frac53 and αβ=ca=13\alpha\beta = \frac{c}{a} = \frac13.
  2. Use α3+β3=(α+β)3−3αβ(α+β)\alpha^3 + \beta^3 = (\alpha + \beta)^3 - 3\alpha\beta(\alpha + \beta).
  3. Substitute: α3+β3=(−53)3−3(13)(−53)\alpha^3 + \beta^3 = \left(-\frac53\right)^3 - 3\left(\frac13\right)\left(-\frac53\right).
  4. Work it out: −12527+53=−12527+4527-\frac{125}{27} + \frac53 = -\frac{125}{27} + \frac{45}{27}
    =−8027= -\frac{80}{27}.
  5. Multiply by 27: 27(α3+β3)=−8027(\alpha^3 + \beta^3) = -80.

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Question 4

  1. (a)

    Find the gradient of xy2+x2y=4xyxy^2 + x^2y = 4xy at the point (1,3)(1, 3).

Worked solution (try it first)

(a)

  1. Differentiate each term with the product rule: ddx(xy2)=y2+2xydydx\frac{d}{dx}(xy^2) = y^2 + 2xy\frac{dy}{dx}.
  2. ddx(x2y)=2xy+x2dydx\frac{d}{dx}(x^2y) = 2xy + x^2\frac{dy}{dx} and ddx(4xy)=4y+4xdydx\frac{d}{dx}(4xy) = 4y + 4x\frac{dy}{dx}.
  3. So y2+2xydydx+2xy+x2dydx=4y+4xdydxy^2 + 2xy\frac{dy}{dx} + 2xy + x^2\frac{dy}{dx} = 4y + 4x\frac{dy}{dx}.
  4. Collect the dydx\frac{dy}{dx} terms: (2xy+x2−4x)dydx=4y−y2−2xy(2xy + x^2 - 4x)\frac{dy}{dx} = 4y - y^2 - 2xy.
  5. Put x=1x = 1, y=3y = 3: (6+1−4)dydx=12−9−6(6 + 1 - 4)\frac{dy}{dx} = 12 - 9 - 6, so 3dydx=−33\frac{dy}{dx} = -3.
  6. The gradient at (1,3)(1, 3) is −1-1.

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Question 5

The position vectors of points PP, QQ and RR are 11i+j11\mathbf i + \mathbf j, 5i+133j5\mathbf i + \frac{13}{3}\mathbf j and 2i+6j2\mathbf i + 6\mathbf j respectively.

  1. (a)

    Show that PP, QQ and RR lie on a straight line.

    Show the answer

    PQ→=2QR→\overrightarrow{PQ} = 2\overrightarrow{QR}, so PP, QQ, RR are collinear

  2. (b)

    Find the ratio ∣PQ→∣:∣QR→∣|\overrightarrow{PQ}| : |\overrightarrow{QR}|.

Worked solution (try it first)

(a)

  1. PQ→=q−p\overrightarrow{PQ} = \mathbf q - \mathbf p, which is (5−11)i+(133−1)j=−6i+103j(5 - 11)\mathbf i + \left(\frac{13}{3} - 1\right)\mathbf j = -6\mathbf i + \frac{10}{3}\mathbf j.
  2. QR→=r−q\overrightarrow{QR} = \mathbf r - \mathbf q, which is (2−5)i+(6−133)j=−3i+53j(2 - 5)\mathbf i + \left(6 - \frac{13}{3}\right)\mathbf j = -3\mathbf i + \frac53\mathbf j.
  3. So PQ→=2QR→\overrightarrow{PQ} = 2\overrightarrow{QR}: the two vectors are parallel.
  4. They share the point QQ, so PP, QQ and RR lie on a straight line.

(b)

  1. ∣PQ→∣=36+1009|\overrightarrow{PQ}| = \sqrt{36 + \frac{100}{9}}
    =21063= \frac{2\sqrt{106}}{3}.
  2. ∣QR→∣=9+259|\overrightarrow{QR}| = \sqrt{9 + \frac{25}{9}}
    =1063= \frac{\sqrt{106}}{3}.
  3. So ∣PQ→∣:∣QR→∣=2:1|\overrightarrow{PQ}| : |\overrightarrow{QR}| = 2 : 1.

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Question 6

A committee of 3 is formed from a panel of 5 men and 3 women. Find the:

  1. (a)

    number of ways of forming the committee;

  2. (b)

    probability that at least one woman is on the committee.

Worked solution (try it first)

(a)

  1. The panel has 5+3=85 + 3 = 8 people.
  2. Choose 3 of them: 8C3=8×7×63×2×1{}^8C_3 = \dfrac{8 \times 7 \times 6}{3 \times 2 \times 1}
    =56= 56 ways.

(b)

  1. A committee with no woman is chosen from the 5 men: 5C3=10{}^5C_3 = 10 ways.
  2. So P(no woman) =1056= \dfrac{10}{56}.
  3. P(at least one woman) =1−1056=4656= 1 - \dfrac{10}{56} = \dfrac{46}{56}.
  4. Simplify: the probability is 2328\dfrac{23}{28}.

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Question 7

The table shows the distribution of the lengths of 20 iron rods measured in metres.

Length (m) 1.0 – 1.1 1.2 – 1.3 1.4 – 1.5 1.6 – 1.7 1.8 – 1.9
Frequency 2 3 8 5 2
  1. (a)

    Using an assumed mean of 1.45, calculate the mean of the distribution.

Worked solution (try it first)

(a)

  1. The class mid-points are 1.05, 1.25, 1.45, 1.65 and 1.85.
  2. With A=1.45A = 1.45, the deviations d=x−Ad = x - A are −0.4-0.4, −0.2-0.2, 00, 0.20.2 and 0.40.4.
  3. Multiply by the frequencies: fd=−0.8fd = -0.8, −0.6-0.6, 00, 1.01.0 and 0.80.8.
  4. Add: ∑fd=0.4\sum fd = 0.4 and ∑f=20\sum f = 20.
  5. Mean =A+∑fd∑f= A + \dfrac{\sum fd}{\sum f}, so the mean is 1.45+0.4201.45 + \dfrac{0.4}{20}.
  6. That is 1.45+0.02=1.471.45 + 0.02 = 1.47.
  7. The mean length is 1.47 m1.47\text{ m}.

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Question 8✱

xy10 N8√2 N20 N30°45°60°
  1. (a)

    Find the direction of the resultant of the forces in the diagram. Give the direction as a bearing.

Worked solution (try it first)

(a)

  1. Take xx to the right and yy upwards.
  2. The 10 N force is 30∘30^\circ from the yy-axis, the 828\sqrt2 N force is 45∘45^\circ from the yy-axis, and the 20 N force is 60∘60^\circ below the negative xx-axis.
  3. Vertical components: Y=10cos⁡30∘+82cos⁡45∘−20sin⁡60∘Y = 10\cos30^\circ + 8\sqrt2\cos45^\circ - 20\sin60^\circ.
  4. That is Y=53+8−103Y = 5\sqrt3 + 8 - 10\sqrt3
    =8−53= 8 - 5\sqrt3
    ≈−0.660 N\approx -0.660\text{ N}.
  5. Horizontal components: X=82sin⁡45∘−10sin⁡30∘−20cos⁡60∘X = 8\sqrt2\sin45^\circ - 10\sin30^\circ - 20\cos60^\circ.
  6. That is X=8−5−10=−7 NX = 8 - 5 - 10 = -7\text{ N}.
  7. Both components are negative, so the resultant points down and to the left.
  8. tan⁡θ=0.6607\tan\theta = \dfrac{0.660}{7}
    ≈0.0943\approx 0.0943, so θ≈5.39∘\theta \approx 5.39^\circ below the negative xx-axis.
  9. As a bearing, this is 270∘−5.39∘≈264.6∘270^\circ - 5.39^\circ \approx 264.6^\circ, about 265∘265^\circ (S84.6∘84.6^\circW).

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Question 9

  1. (a)

    Differentiate (x−3)(x2+5)(x - 3)(x^2 + 5) with respect to xx.

  2. (b)(i)

    If (x+1)2(x + 1)^2 is a factor of f(x)=x3+ax2+bx+3f(x) = x^3 + ax^2 + bx + 3, where aa and bb are constants, find the values of aa and bb.

    Separate values with commas, e.g. 3, −2

  3. (b)(ii)

    Find the zeros of f(x)f(x).

    Separate values with commas, e.g. 3, −2

Worked solution (try it first)

(a)

  1. Expand first: (x−3)(x2+5)=x3−3x2+5x−15(x - 3)(x^2 + 5) = x^3 - 3x^2 + 5x - 15.
  2. Differentiate term by term: dydx=3x2−6x+5\dfrac{dy}{dx} = 3x^2 - 6x + 5.

(b)(i)

  1. Divide x3+ax2+bx+3x^3 + ax^2 + bx + 3 by (x+1)2=x2+2x+1(x + 1)^2 = x^2 + 2x + 1: the quotient is x+(a−2)x + (a - 2).
  2. The remainder is (b−2a+3)x+(5−a)(b - 2a + 3)x + (5 - a).
  3. (x+1)2(x + 1)^2 is a factor, so the remainder is zero: 5−a=05 - a = 0 and b−2a+3=0b - 2a + 3 = 0.
  4. So a=5a = 5, and then b=2(5)−3=7b = 2(5) - 3 = 7.

(ii)

  1. f(x)=x3+5x2+7x+3f(x) = x^3 + 5x^2 + 7x + 3
    =(x+1)2(x+3)= (x + 1)^2(x + 3), since the quotient is x+(5−2)=x+3x + (5 - 2) = x + 3.
  2. So the zeros of f(x)f(x) are −1-1 (twice) and −3-3.

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Question 10

  1. (a)

    Express 5+23−2−5−23+2\dfrac{5 + \sqrt2}{3 - \sqrt2} - \dfrac{5 - \sqrt2}{3 + \sqrt2} in the form a+b2a + b\sqrt2.

  2. (b)

    Solve the following equations simultaneously using the determinant method:

    3x−y−z=−23x - y - z = -2

    x+5y+2z=5x + 5y + 2z = 5

    2x+3y+z=02x + 3y + z = 0

    Separate values with commas, e.g. 3, −2

Worked solution (try it first)

(a)

  1. Use the common denominator (3−2)(3+2)=9−2=7(3 - \sqrt2)(3 + \sqrt2) = 9 - 2 = 7.
  2. First numerator: (5+2)(3+2)=15+52+32+2(5 + \sqrt2)(3 + \sqrt2) = 15 + 5\sqrt2 + 3\sqrt2 + 2
    =17+82= 17 + 8\sqrt2.
  3. Second numerator: (5−2)(3−2)=15−52−32+2(5 - \sqrt2)(3 - \sqrt2) = 15 - 5\sqrt2 - 3\sqrt2 + 2
    =17−82= 17 - 8\sqrt2.
  4. Subtract: (17+82)−(17−82)7=1627\dfrac{(17 + 8\sqrt2) - (17 - 8\sqrt2)}{7} = \dfrac{16\sqrt2}{7}.
  5. In the form a+b2a + b\sqrt2: 0+16720 + \frac{16}{7}\sqrt2, so a=0a = 0 and b=167b = \frac{16}{7}.

(b)

  1. Δ=∣3−1−1152231∣\Delta = \begin{vmatrix} 3 & -1 & -1 \\ 1 & 5 & 2 \\ 2 & 3 & 1 \end{vmatrix}
    =3(5−6)+1(1−4)−1(3−10)= 3(5 - 6) + 1(1 - 4) - 1(3 - 10).
  2. So Δ=−3−3+7=1\Delta = -3 - 3 + 7 = 1.
  3. Replace the first column by (−2,5,0)(-2, 5, 0): Δx=−2(5−6)+1(5−0)−1(15−0)\Delta_x = -2(5 - 6) + 1(5 - 0) - 1(15 - 0)
    =−8= -8.
  4. Replace the second column: Δy=∣3−2−1152201∣\Delta_y = \begin{vmatrix} 3 & -2 & -1 \\ 1 & 5 & 2 \\ 2 & 0 & 1 \end{vmatrix}
    =15−6+10= 15 - 6 + 10
    =19= 19.
  5. Replace the third column: Δz=∣3−1−2155230∣\Delta_z = \begin{vmatrix} 3 & -1 & -2 \\ 1 & 5 & 5 \\ 2 & 3 & 0 \end{vmatrix}
    =−45−10+14= -45 - 10 + 14
    =−41= -41.
  6. Divide each by Δ=1\Delta = 1: x=−8x = -8, y=19y = 19 and z=−41z = -41.
  7. Check in the third equation: 2(−8)+3(19)+(−41)=02(-8) + 3(19) + (-41) = 0 ✓.

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Question 11

  1. (a)

    If f(x)=x−32x−1f(x) = \dfrac{x - 3}{2x - 1}, x≠12x \ne \frac12 and g(x)=x−1x+1g(x) = \dfrac{x - 1}{x + 1}, x≠−1x \ne -1, find g∘fg \circ f.

  2. (b)(i)

    Sketch the curve y=9x−x3y = 9x - x^3.

    Model answer
    xy−33O(√3, 6√3)(−√3, −6√3)

    Mark the crossings at x=−3x = -3, 00 and 33, the minimum (−3,−63)(-\sqrt3, -6\sqrt3) and the maximum (3,63)(\sqrt3, 6\sqrt3), and join them with a smooth curve that rises from the bottom right to the top left overall.

  3. (b)(ii)

    Calculate the total area bounded by the xx-axis and the curve y=9x−x3y = 9x - x^3.

Worked solution (try it first)

(a)

  1. g∘f(x)=g(f(x))g \circ f(x) = g(f(x))
    =f(x)−1f(x)+1= \dfrac{f(x) - 1}{f(x) + 1}.
  2. Top: x−32x−1−1\dfrac{x - 3}{2x - 1} - 1 has numerator x−3−(2x−1)=−x−2x - 3 - (2x - 1) = -x - 2 over 2x−12x - 1.
  3. Bottom: x−32x−1+1\dfrac{x - 3}{2x - 1} + 1 has numerator x−3+(2x−1)=3x−4x - 3 + (2x - 1) = 3x - 4 over 2x−12x - 1.
  4. Divide.
  5. The 2x−12x - 1 cancels: g∘f(x)=−(x+2)3x−4g \circ f(x) = \dfrac{-(x + 2)}{3x - 4}, x≠43x \ne \frac43.

(b)(i)

  1. On the xx-axis y=0y = 0: x(3−x)(3+x)=0x(3 - x)(3 + x) = 0, so the curve crosses at x=−3x = -3, 00 and 33.
  2. Turning points: dydx=9−3x2=0\dfrac{dy}{dx} = 9 - 3x^2 = 0 gives x=±3x = \pm\sqrt3.
  3. At x=3x = \sqrt3: y=93−33y = 9\sqrt3 - 3\sqrt3
    =63= 6\sqrt3
    ≈10.4\approx 10.4, a maximum.
  4. At x=−3x = -\sqrt3: y=−63≈−10.4y = -6\sqrt3 \approx -10.4, a minimum.
  5. Sketch a smooth curve from the top left, down through (−3,0)(-3, 0) to (−3,−63)(-\sqrt3, -6\sqrt3), up through the origin to (3,63)(\sqrt3, 6\sqrt3), and down through (3,0)(3, 0).

(ii)

  1. The curve is below the axis for −3<x<0-3 < x < 0 and above it for 0<x<30 < x < 3, so find the two areas separately.
  2. ∫03(9x−x3) dx=[9x22−x44]03\int_0^3 (9x - x^3)\,dx = \left[\frac{9x^2}{2} - \frac{x^4}{4}\right]_0^3
    =812−814= \frac{81}{2} - \frac{81}{4}
    =814= \frac{81}{4}.
  3. ∫−30(9x−x3) dx=−814\int_{-3}^0 (9x - x^3)\,dx = -\frac{81}{4}, so that area is also 814\frac{81}{4}.
  4. Total area =814+814=40.5= \frac{81}{4} + \frac{81}{4} = 40.5 square units.

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Question 12

The histogram represents the scores of some candidates in an examination.

8.518.528.538.548.558.568.578.588.5246810121416MarksNumber of students
  1. (a)

    Using the histogram, construct a frequency distribution table, indicating clearly the class intervals.

    Model answer
    Class interval Class boundaries Frequency
    9 – 18 8.5 – 18.5 4
    19 – 28 18.5 – 28.5 6
    29 – 38 28.5 – 38.5 8
    39 – 48 38.5 – 48.5 13
    49 – 58 48.5 – 58.5 15
    59 – 68 58.5 – 68.5 10
    69 – 78 68.5 – 78.5 3
    79 – 88 78.5 – 88.5 1
    Total 60
  2. (b)

    Draw a cumulative frequency curve of the distribution and use it to estimate the: (i) median; (ii) quartile deviation.

    Separate values with commas, e.g. 3, −2

    Model answer
    8.518.528.538.548.558.568.578.588.5102030405060Q₁ ≈ 34.8median ≈ 47.7Q₃ ≈ 57.8Marks (upper class boundary)Cumulative frequency
Worked solution (try it first)

(a)

  1. The bars stand on the class boundaries 8.5, 18.5, …, 88.5 (width 10), so the class intervals are 9–18, 19–28, 29–38, 39–48, 49–58, 59–68, 69–78 and 79–88.
  2. Read the bar heights for the frequencies: 4, 6, 8, 13, 15, 10, 3 and 1, a total of 60.

(b)

  1. Add up the frequencies for the cumulative frequencies: 4, 10, 18, 31, 46, 56, 59 and 60.
  2. Plot each cumulative frequency at its upper class boundary (18.5, 28.5, …, 88.5), start at (8.5,0)(8.5, 0), and join the points with a smooth curve.

(i)

  1. The median is at the 602=30\frac{60}{2} = 30th score: reading across at 30 gives about 47.7.

(ii)

  1. Q1Q_1 is at the 604=15\frac{60}{4} = 15th score: about 34.8.
  2. Q3Q_3 is at the 45th score: about 57.8.
  3. Quartile deviation =12(Q3−Q1)= \frac12(Q_3 - Q_1), which is 12(57.8−34.8)≈11.5\frac12(57.8 - 34.8) \approx 11.5.
  4. The median is about 47.7 and the quartile deviation is about 11.5.

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Question 13

The probabilities that Kofi, Kwasi and Ama will pass a certain examination are 910\frac{9}{10}, 45\frac45 and xx respectively. If the probability that only one of them will pass the examination is 950\frac{9}{50}, find the:

  1. (a)

    value of xx;

  2. (b)

    probability that at least one of them will pass the examination.

Worked solution (try it first)

(a)

  1. Only one passes means Kofi only, Kwasi only, or Ama only.
  2. In each case the other two fail.
  3. So 910×15(1−x)+110×45(1−x)+110×15x=950\frac{9}{10} \times \frac15(1 - x) + \frac{1}{10} \times \frac45(1 - x) + \frac{1}{10} \times \frac15x = \frac{9}{50}.
  4. Simplify: 950(1−x)+450(1−x)+150x=950\frac{9}{50}(1 - x) + \frac{4}{50}(1 - x) + \frac{1}{50}x = \frac{9}{50}.
  5. Multiply by 50: 13(1−x)+x=913(1 - x) + x = 9, so 13−12x=913 - 12x = 9.
  6. So 12x=412x = 4 and x=13x = \frac13.

(b)

  1. P(none pass) =110×15×23= \frac{1}{10} \times \frac15 \times \frac23
    =175= \frac{1}{75}.
  2. P(at least one passes) =1−175= 1 - \frac{1}{75}
    =7475= \frac{74}{75}
    ≈0.987\approx 0.987.

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Question 14

  1. (a)

    Given that x=3i−j\mathbf x = 3\mathbf i - \mathbf j, y=2i+kj\mathbf y = 2\mathbf i + k\mathbf j and the cosine of the angle between x\mathbf x and y\mathbf y is 55\frac{\sqrt5}{5}, find the values of the constant kk.

    Separate values with commas, e.g. 3, −2

  2. (b)

    In the quadrilateral ABCDABCD, AB→=(−5−1)\overrightarrow{AB} = \begin{pmatrix} -5 \\ -1 \end{pmatrix}, AC→=(−6−9)\overrightarrow{AC} = \begin{pmatrix} -6 \\ -9 \end{pmatrix} and BD→=(4−7)\overrightarrow{BD} = \begin{pmatrix} 4 \\ -7 \end{pmatrix}. Show whether or not ABCDABCD is a parallelogram.

    Show the answer

    ABCDABCD is a parallelogram

Worked solution (try it first)

(a)

  1. x⋅y=3(2)+(−1)(k)\mathbf x \cdot \mathbf y = 3(2) + (-1)(k)
    =6−k= 6 - k, ∣x∣=10|\mathbf x| = \sqrt{10} and ∣y∣=4+k2|\mathbf y| = \sqrt{4 + k^2}.
  2. So 6−k104+k2=55\dfrac{6 - k}{\sqrt{10}\sqrt{4 + k^2}} = \dfrac{\sqrt5}{5}, which gives 5(6−k)=504+k25(6 - k) = \sqrt{50}\sqrt{4 + k^2}.
  3. Square both sides: 900−300k+25k2=200+50k2900 - 300k + 25k^2 = 200 + 50k^2.
  4. Rearrange: 25k2+300k−700=025k^2 + 300k - 700 = 0, so k2+12k−28=0k^2 + 12k - 28 = 0.
  5. Factorise: (k−2)(k+14)=0(k - 2)(k + 14) = 0, so k=2k = 2 or k=−14k = -14.
  6. Both make 6−k6 - k positive (4 and 20), so both satisfy the original equation.

(b)

  1. BC→\overrightarrow{BC} is AC→−AB→\overrightarrow{AC} - \overrightarrow{AB}, which is (−1−8)\begin{pmatrix} -1 \\ -8 \end{pmatrix}.
  2. AD→\overrightarrow{AD} is AB→+BD→\overrightarrow{AB} + \overrightarrow{BD}, which is (−1−8)\begin{pmatrix} -1 \\ -8 \end{pmatrix}.
  3. So AD→=BC→\overrightarrow{AD} = \overrightarrow{BC}: ADAD and BCBC are equal and parallel.
  4. Also DC→\overrightarrow{DC} is AC→−AD→\overrightarrow{AC} - \overrightarrow{AD}, which is (−5−1)\begin{pmatrix} -5 \\ -1 \end{pmatrix}, the same as AB→\overrightarrow{AB}.
  5. Both pairs of opposite sides are parallel, so ABCDABCD is a parallelogram.

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Question 15✱

  1. (a)

    A(−1,2)A(-1, 2), B(3,5)B(3, 5) and C(4,8)C(4, 8) are the vertices of triangle ABCABC. Forces whose magnitudes are 5 N5\text{ N} and 310 N3\sqrt{10}\text{ N} act along AB→\overrightarrow{AB} and CB→\overrightarrow{CB} respectively. Find the direction of the resultant of the forces. Give the direction as a bearing.

  2. (b)(i)

    A particle starts from rest and moves in a straight line. It attains a velocity of 20 m s−120\text{ m s}^{-1} after covering a distance of 8 metres. Calculate its acceleration.

  3. (b)(ii)

    Calculate the time it will take to cover a distance of 40 metres.

Worked solution (try it first)

(a)

  1. AB→=(43)\overrightarrow{AB} = \begin{pmatrix} 4 \\ 3 \end{pmatrix}, of length 5, so the 5 N force is (43)\begin{pmatrix} 4 \\ 3 \end{pmatrix} N.
  2. CB→=(−1−3)\overrightarrow{CB} = \begin{pmatrix} -1 \\ -3 \end{pmatrix}, of length 10\sqrt{10}, so the 3103\sqrt{10} N force is 3(−1−3)=(−3−9)3\begin{pmatrix} -1 \\ -3 \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} -3 \\ -9 \end{pmatrix} N.
  3. Add: the resultant is (1−6)\begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ -6 \end{pmatrix} N.
  4. It points right and down, at tan⁡−16≈80.5∘\tan^{-1}6 \approx 80.5^\circ below the positive xx-axis.
  5. As a bearing, this is 90∘+80.5∘≈170.5∘90^\circ + 80.5^\circ \approx 170.5^\circ, about 171∘171^\circ (S9.5∘9.5^\circE).

(b)(i)

  1. Use v2=u2+2asv^2 = u^2 + 2as: 202=0+2a(8)20^2 = 0 + 2a(8), so 400=16a400 = 16a.
  2. So a=25 m s−2a = 25\text{ m s}^{-2}.

(ii)

  1. Use s=ut+12at2s = ut + \frac12at^2: 40=0+12(25)t240 = 0 + \frac12(25)t^2, so t2=3.2t^2 = 3.2.
  2. So t=3.2≈1.8 st = \sqrt{3.2} \approx 1.8\text{ s}.

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