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MATHEMATICAL METHODS UNITS 3 & 4

2022

DIAGNOSTIC TEST 1: Basic Functions

STUDENT NAME _______________________________________________

Reading time: 10 minutes

Writing time: 60 minutes

QUESTION AND ANSWER BOOK

Structure of book

Number of
Section Number of questions
marks

1 Short Answer 3 15

2 Multiple Choice 7 7

3 Extended Response 2 18

Instructions

• Time Allowed: 10 minutes of reading time followed by 60 minutes of writing time

• Section 1 is technology free: only writing equipment and a formula sheet may be used
• Sections 2 and 3 are technology active: a bound reference and CAS calculator may be used
• All responses must be written in English in the allocated working out space

Maths Methods Units 3&4 Diagnostic Tests 2022

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SECTION 1 – Short Answer Questions

Instructions
Answer all questions in the spaces provided.
In questions where a numerical answer is required, an exact value is required, unless otherwise specified.
In questions where more than one mark is available, appropriate working must be shown.
Unless otherwise indicated, the diagrams in this book are not drawn to scale.

Question 1 (5 marks)

a. Find the equation of the line that is the perpendicular bisector of the line segment connecting
the coordinates (2, 5) and (4, 9)

3 marks

b. A line with the equation 𝑘𝑦 + 3𝑥 = 4 has no intersections with the line found in part a)

Find the value(s) of 𝑘 where the above condition is true

2 marks

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Question 2 (8 marks)

Let 𝑓: 𝐷 → 𝑅, 𝑓(𝑥) = 2 + (3 − 𝑥)!" , where 𝐷 is the domain of 𝑓(𝑥)

a. State the maximal domain and range of 𝑓(𝑥)

2 marks

b. Let 𝑔: 𝐸 → 𝑅, 𝑔(𝑥) = V4 − (𝑥 − 2)" .

Find 𝐸, the maximal domain of 𝑔(𝑥). Hence find the domain restriction of 𝑓(𝑥) such that the
composite function 𝑔X𝑓(𝑥)Y exists.

3 marks

c. On the set of axis below, sketch the graphs of 𝑓over the maximal domains such that 𝑔X𝑓(𝑥)Y
exists. Label all endpoints and axial intercepts, and asymptotes.
3 marks_____

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Question 3 (2 marks)

Let 𝑓(𝑥) = √𝑥 − 1 + 2
Find the coordinates of the intersection between 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑓 !# (𝑥)

2 marks

END OF SECTION 1

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SECTION 2 – Multiple Choice Questions

Instructions for Section 2

Choose the response that is correct for the question by circling the corresponding letter
A correct answer scores 1; an incorrect answer scores 0.
Marks will not be deducted for incorrect answers.
No marks will be given if more than one answer is completed for any question.
Unless otherwise indicated, the diagrams in this section are not drawn to scale.

Question 1

If 𝑥 − 1 is a factor of 𝑥 $ − 𝑎𝑥 " − 5𝑥 + 3𝑎, the value of 𝑎 is

A 1
B 2
C 3
#
D "
"
E $

Question 2

The equation (𝑎 − 2)𝑥 " − 2𝑥 + 1 = 0 has no real roots when

A 4 − 4(𝑎 − 2) < 0
B 4𝑎" − 12𝑎 + 12 > 0
C 4 − 4(𝑎 − 2)(1 + 𝑎) > 0
D 𝑎" − 3𝑎 + 3 < 0
E 4 − 4(𝑎 − 2) < 𝑎

Question 3

The graph of 𝑦 = 𝑘𝑥 − 1 does not intersect with the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥 " − 𝑥 + 1 for
A 𝑘 ∈ (−3, 1)
B 𝑘 ∈ (−∞, −3) ∪ (1, ∞)
C 𝑘 ∈ (−6, 2)
D 𝑘 ∈ (−∞, −6) ∪ (2, ∞)

E 𝑘 ∈ (−1 − √8, −1 + √8)

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Question 4

The graph of a cubic function 𝑓 has a local maximum at (𝑎, 2) and a local minimum at (𝑏, −3). The
values of 𝑐, such that the equation 𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑐 = 1 has exactly one solution are
A 2 ≤ 𝑐 ≤ −3
B −1 ≤ 𝑐 ≤ 4
C 𝑐 < 1 or 𝑐 > 4
D 𝑐 < −2 or 𝑐 > 3
E 𝑐 < −1 or 𝑐 > 4


Question 5

The rule for a function with the graph above could be

A 𝑦 = (𝑥 − 𝑏)" (𝑥 − 𝑐)(𝑑 − 𝑥)
B 𝑦 = (𝑥 − 𝑐)" (𝑥 − 𝑏)(𝑑 − 𝑥)

C 𝑦 = (𝑥 − 𝑐)" (𝑥 + 𝑏)(𝑥 − 𝑑)
D 𝑦 = −(𝑥 + 𝑏)" (𝑥 + 𝑐)(𝑥 + 𝑑)
E 𝑦 = (𝑥 + 𝑐)" (𝑏 − 𝑥)(𝑥 + 𝑑)

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Question 6
!
Suppose 𝑃(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 " + 𝑏𝑥 + 3, 𝑃(1) = 0, 𝑃(8) = −29. The sum of 𝑎 and 𝑏 is:
A 7
B −3
C 2
D 5
E −5


Question 7
% #
The inverse of the function 𝑓: r" , ∞s → ℝ, 𝑓(𝑥) = " √2𝑥 − 5 + 4 can be expressed as

% %
A 𝑓 !# : r" , ∞s → ℝ, 𝑓 !# (𝑥) = 2(𝑥 − 4)" + "
%
B 𝑓 !# : [4, ∞) → ℝ, 𝑓 !# (𝑥) = 2(𝑥 − 4)" +
"
%
C 𝑓 !# : (4, ∞) → ℝ, 𝑓 !# (𝑥) = 2(𝑥 − 4)" +
"

("'())! (%
D 𝑓 !# : (4, ∞) → ℝ, 𝑓 !# (𝑥) = "

%
E 𝑓 !# : (0, ∞) → ℝ, 𝑓 !# (𝑥) = 2(𝑥 − 4)" + "

END OF SECTION 2

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SECTION 3 – Extended Response Questions

Instructions for Section 3

Answer all questions in the spaces provided.
In questions where a numerical answer is required, an exact value is required, unless otherwise specified.
In questions where more than one mark is available, appropriate working must be shown.
Unless otherwise indicated, the diagrams in this section are not drawn to scale.

Question 1 (9 marks)
An open box is made from a sheet of cardboard with dimensions 20cm by 25cm by cutting out four
squares of side length 𝑥 from the corner, as shown in the diagram below. All units are given in cm

𝑥

𝑥

a. State the equation and maximal domain of 𝑉(𝑥), which gives the volume of the box.

2 marks

b. The customer requires the volume of the box to be at least 700cm3. Find the values of 𝑥, correct
to the nearest mm, that will satisfy her requirements.

2 marks

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c. In order to reduce the cost of production, the area of cardboard (i.e. the surface area) must also
be considered.

i. Express 𝐴(𝑥), the area of cardboard used in cm2, using functions notation

2 marks

ii. Find the values of 𝑥, correct to 2 decimal places, such that the volume of the box in cm3 is
less than the surface area of the box in cm2

3 marks

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Question 2 (9 marks)
The path a surveillance drone, in km relative to a control tower at (0, 0), is given by the function
"
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎(𝑥 − 𝑏)# + 𝑐, where 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 are constants used to control the path of the drone

a. The drone starts takes off at (−1, 3) (i.e. endpoint of the function) and passes a landmark which
is 5km due north of the control tower.

Find the values of 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐

2 marks

b. Hence, state the implied domain and range of 𝑓(𝑥)

2 marks

c. An identical drone has its flight path given by 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑓 !# (𝑥)

i. Find the equation of the function 𝑔(𝑥)

1 mark

ii. The two drones collide at the intersection of their paths. Find the coordinates of the
collision site, correct to 2 decimal places

1 mark

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d. The engineer, stationed 3km due west of the control tower, immediately travels in a straight line
towards the collision site in order to recover the drones. If his average speed is 20km/h, how
long would it take for him to reach the drones? Give your answer to the nearest minute.

3 marks

END OF SECTION 3

Maths Methods Units 3&4 Diagnostic Tests 2022