P1.

C7: Differentiation (Past Year Questions)

2002-2009 (6 Questions)
1. A hollow circular cylinder, open at one end, is constructed of thin sheet metal. The total external surface area
of the cylinder is 192𝜋 cm2 . The cylinder has a radius of 𝑟 cm and a height of ℎ cm.
(i) Express ℎ in terms of 𝑟 and show that the volume, 𝑉 cm3 , of the cylinder is given by
𝑉 = 12 𝜋(192𝑟 − 𝑟 3 ). [4]
Given that 𝑟 can vary,
(ii) find the value of 𝑟 for which 𝑉 has a stationary value, [3]

(iii) find this stationary value and determine whether it is a maximum or a minimum. [3]
[9709 s02 qp1 q8, Ans: (ii) 8; (iii) 1610 or 512𝜋, maximum.]

2.

The diagram shows a glass window consisting of a rectangle of height ℎ m and width 2𝑟 m and a semicircle of
radius 𝑟 m. The perimeter of the window is 8 m.
(i) Express ℎ in terms of 𝑟. [2]

(ii) Show that the area of the window, 𝐴 m2 , is given by

𝐴 = 8𝑟 − 2𝑟 2 − 12 𝜋𝑟 2 . [2]
Given that 𝑟 can vary,
(iii) find the value of 𝑟 for which 𝐴 has a stationary value, [4]

(iv) determine whether this stationary value is a maximum or a minimum. [2]

8
[9709 s04 qp1 q8, Ans: (i) = 4 − 𝑟 − 12 𝜋𝑟; (iii) (or 1.12; (iv) maximum.]
4+𝜋
3. The equation of a curve is 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 4.
(i) Show that the whole of the curve lies above the 𝑥-axis. [3]

(ii) Find the set of values of 𝑥 for which 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 4 is a decreasing function of 𝑥. [1]

The equation of a line is 𝑦 + 2𝑥 = 𝑘, where 𝑘 is a constant.

(iii) In the case where 𝑘 = 6, find the coordinates of the points of intersection of the line and the curve. [3]

(iv) Find the value of 𝑘 for which the line is a tangent to the curve. [3]
15
[9709 s05 qp1 q10, Ans: (ii) 𝑥 < 1.5; (iii) (−1, 8), (2, 2); (iv) 4 .]
4.

6
The diagram shows the graph of 𝑦 = f (𝑥), where f : 𝑥 ↦→ for 𝑥 > 0.
2𝑥 + 3
(i) Find an expression, in terms of 𝑥, for f 0 (𝑥) and explain how your answer shows that f is a decreasing
function. [3]

(ii) Find an expression, in terms of 𝑥, for f −1 (𝑥) and find the domain of f −1 . [4]

(iii) Copy the diagram and, on your copy, sketch the graph of 𝑦 = f −1 (𝑥), making clear the relationship
between the graphs. [2]

The function g is defined by g : 𝑥 ↦→ 21 𝑥 for 𝑥 > 0.

(iv) Solve the equation fg(𝑥) = 23 . [3]

12 3 3
[9709 s07 qp1 q11, Ans: (i) − 2
; (ii) − , 0 < 𝑥 6 2; (iv) 𝑥 = 1.]
(2𝑥 + 3) 𝑥 2
8
5. The equation of a curve is 𝑦 = 5 − .
𝑥
(i) Show that the equation of the normal to the curve at the point 𝑃 (2, 1) is 2𝑦 + 𝑥 = 4. [4]

This normal meets the curve again at the point 𝑄.

(i) Find the coordinates of 𝑄. [3]

(ii) Find the length of 𝑃𝑄. [2]

[9709 w08 qp1 q8, Ans: (ii) (−8, 6); (iii) 11.2.]
6.

(i) The diagram shows the line 2𝑦 = 𝑥 + 5 and the curve 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 7, which intersect at the points 𝐴 and
𝐵. Find
(a) the 𝑥-coordinates of 𝐴 and 𝐵, [3]

(b) the equation of the tangent to the curve at 𝐵, [3]

(c) the acute angle, in degrees correct to 1 decimal place, between this tangent and the line 2𝑦 = 𝑥 + 5.
[3]
(ii) Determine the set of values of 𝑘 for which the line 2𝑦 = 𝑥 + 𝑘 does not intersect the curve 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 7.
[4]

[9709 w09 qp12 q10, Ans: (i)(a) 3, 1.5; (b) 𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 2; (c) 36.9◦ ; (ii) 𝑘 < 3.875.]
2010-2015 (7 Questions)

1.

18
The diagram shows part of the curve 𝑦 = 2 − , which crosses the 𝑥-axis at 𝐴 and the 𝑦-axis at 𝐵. The
2𝑥 + 3
normal to the curve at 𝐴 crosses the 𝑦-axis at 𝐶.

(i) Show that the equation of the line 𝐴𝐶 is 9𝑥 + 4𝑦 = 27. [6]

(ii) Find the length of 𝐵𝐶. [2]

[9709 s10 qp11 q7, Ans: (ii) 10 43 .]

2.

The diagram shows a metal plate consisting of a rectangle with sides 𝑥 cm and 𝑦 cm and a quarter-circle of
radius 𝑥 cm. The perimeter of the plate is 60 cm.

(i) Express 𝑦 in terms of 𝑥. [2]

(ii) Show that the area of the plate, 𝐴 cm2 , is given by 𝐴 = 30𝑥 − 𝑥 2 . [2]

Given that 𝑥 can vary,

(iii) find the value of 𝑥 at which 𝐴 is stationary, [2]

(iv) find this stationary value of 𝐴, and determine whether it is a maximum or a minimum value. [2]
𝜋𝑥
[9709 w10 qp11 q8, Ans: (i) 𝑦 = 30 − 𝑥 − ; (iii) 14; (iv) 225, maximum.]
4
4
3. A curve has equation 𝑦 = and 𝑃 (2, 2) is a point on the curve.
3𝑥 − 4
(i) Find the equation of the tangent to the curve at 𝑃. [4]

(ii) Find the angle that this tangent makes with the 𝑥-axis. [2]

[9709 s11 qp12 q4, Ans: (i) 𝑦 = −3𝑥 + 8; (ii) 108.4◦ or 71.6◦ .]
 √ 2
4. The equation of a curve is 𝑦 = 4 𝑥 + √ .
𝑥
d𝑦
(i) Obtain an expression for . [3]
d𝑥
(ii) A point is moving along the curve in such a way that the 𝑥-coordinate is increasing at a constant rate of
0.12 units per second. Find the rate of change of the 𝑦-coordinate when 𝑥 = 4. [2]
2
[9709 s12 qp12 q2, Ans: (i) 𝑦 = √ − 𝑥 −1.5 ; (ii) 0.105.]
𝑥

5. It is given that f (𝑥) = (2𝑥 − 5) 3 + 𝑥, for 𝑥 ∈ R. Show that f is an increasing function. [3]

[9709 s13 qp11 q1]

6. The base of a cuboid has sides of length 𝑥 cm and 3𝑥 cm. The volume of the cuboid is 288 cm3 .

(i) Show that the total surface area of the cuboid, 𝐴 cm2 , is given by

768
𝐴 = 6𝑥 2 + . [3]
𝑥
(ii) Given that 𝑥 can vary, find the stationary value of 𝐴 and determine its nature. [5]

[9709 s14 qp13 q9, Ans: (ii) 288, minimum.]

7.

Fig. 1 shows an open tank in the shape of a triangular prism. The vertical ends 𝐴𝐵𝐸 and 𝐷𝐶𝐹 are identical
isosceles triangles. Angle 𝐴𝐵𝐸 = angle 𝐵𝐴𝐸 = 30◦ . The length of 𝐴𝐷 is 40 cm. The tank is fixed in position
with the open top 𝐴𝐵𝐶𝐷 horizontal. Water is poured into the tank at a constant rate of 200 cm3 s−1 . The
depth of water, 𝑡 seconds after filling starts, is ℎ cm (see Fig. 2).

when the depth of water in the tank is ℎ cm, the volume, 𝑉 cm3 , of water in the tank is given
(i) Show that, √
by 𝑉 = (40 3)ℎ2 . [3]

(ii) Find the rate at which ℎ is increasing when ℎ = 5. [3]

[9709 w15 qp12 q3, Ans: (ii) 0.289.]

2016-2019 (6 Questions)

1. A curve has equation 𝑦 = 8𝑥 + (2𝑥 − 1) −1 . Find the values of 𝑥 at which the curve has a stationary point and
determine the nature of each stationary point, justifying your answers. [7]

[9709 s16 qp13 q5, Ans: 14 , maximum; 43 , minimum.]

1 9
2. The point 𝑃 (3, 5) lies on the curve 𝑦 = − .
𝑥−1 𝑥−5
(i) Find the 𝑥-coordinate of the point where the normal to the curve at 𝑃 intersects the 𝑥-axis. [5]

(ii) Find the 𝑥-coordinate of each of the stationary points on the curve and determine the nature of each
stationary point, justifying your answers. [6]

[9709 w16 qp11 q11, Ans: (i) 13; (ii) −1, maximum; 2, minimum.]

3.

The diagram shows a water container in the form of an inverted pyramid, which is such that when the height
of the water level is ℎ cm the surface of the water is a square of side 12 ℎ cm.

(i) Express the volume of water in the container in terms of ℎ. [1]

[The volume of a pyramid having a base area 𝐴 and vertical height ℎ is 31 𝐴ℎ.]

Water is steadily dripping into the container at a constant rate of 20 cm3 per minute.

(ii) Find the rate, in cm per minute, at which the water level is rising when the height of the water level is 10
cm. [4]
1 3
[9709 m17 qp12 q3, Ans: (i) 12 ℎ ; (ii) 0.8.]

12
4. A curve has equation 𝑦 = 3 + .
2−𝑥
(i) Find the equation of the tangent to the curve at the point where the curve crosses the 𝑥-axis. [5]

(ii) A point moves along the curve in such a way that the 𝑥-coordinate is increasing at a constant rate of 0.04
units per second. Find the rate of change of the 𝑦-coordinate when 𝑥 = 4. [2]

[9709 s17 qp12 q5, Ans: (i) 4𝑦 = 3𝑥 − 18; (ii) 0.12.]

3
1
5. The function f is such that f (𝑥) = (2𝑥 − 1) 2 − 6𝑥 for 2 < 𝑥 < 𝑘, where 𝑘 is a constant. Find the largest value
of 𝑘 for which f is a decreasing function. [5]

[9709 w17 qp13 q4, Ans: 25 .]

6.

The diagram shows a solid cone which has a slant height of 15 cm and a vertical height of ℎ cm.

(i) Show that the volume, 𝑉 cm3 , of the cone is given by 𝑉 = 13 𝜋(225ℎ − ℎ3 ). [2]
1 2
[The volume of a cone of radius 𝑟 and vertical height ℎ is 3 𝜋𝑟 ℎ.]

(ii) Given that ℎ can vary, find the value of ℎ for which 𝑉 has a stationary value. Determine, showing all
necessary working, the nature of this stationary value. [5]
√
[9709 w19 qp12 q5, Ans: (ii) 5 3.]
2020 (3 Questions)

1. A weather balloon in the shape of a sphere is being inflated by a pump. The volume of the balloon is increasing
at a constant rate of 600 cm3 per second. The balloon was empty at the start of pumping.

(a) Find the radius of the balloon after 30 seconds. [2]

(b) Find the rate of increase of the radius after 30 seconds. [3]

[9709 s20 qp12 q3, Ans: (a) 16.3; (b) 0.181.]

√
2. The equation of a curve is 𝑦 = 2 + 25 − 𝑥 2 .

Find the coordinates of the point on the curve at which the gradient is 43 . [5]

[9709 w20 qp11 q6, Ans: (−4, 5).]

1
3. The equation of a curve is 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 1 + for 𝑥 > − 12 .
2𝑥 + 1
d𝑦 d2 𝑦
(a) Find and 2 . [3]
d𝑥 d𝑥
(b) Find the coordinates of the stationary point and determine the nature of the stationary point. [5]

[9709 w20 qp13 q8, Ans: (a) −2(2𝑥 + 1) −2 , 8(2𝑥 + 1) −3 ; (b) (0, 2), minimum.]