A2 Mathematics sample exam – Question paper

Paper 3 Pure Mathematics 3 Time Allowed: 1 hr 50 mins

Max Marks: /75

Estimated threshold for the exam (out of 75)

A B C D E

66 61 54 45 38

Questions:

1 If 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are consecutive positive integers and log(1 + 𝑎𝑐) = 2𝑘,

Show that 𝑘 = log 𝑏. [3]

2 Given that 𝑥 = sec ! 𝜃 and 𝑦 + 2 = cot ! 𝜃 , find 𝑦 in terms of 𝑥. [4]

"# ! $%&#'%&
3 (a) Express (!#$%)(#$&) in partial fractions. [5]

"# ! $%&#'%&
(b) It is given that 𝑓(𝑥) = (!#$%)(#$&).

State the values of 𝑥 for which the binomial expansion of 𝑓(𝑥) will be valid. [1]

4 Consider the equation 𝑧 " + 𝑎𝑧 & + 𝑏𝑧 ! + 𝑐𝑧 + 𝑑 = 0 where 𝑎,𝑏,𝑐 and 𝑑 are real and 𝑧 is a complex
number.

Two of the roots of the equation are log ! 6 and 𝑖√3 and the sum of all the roots is 3 + log ! 3.

Show that 6𝑎 + 𝑑 + 12 = 0. [7]

The diagram shows a water tank which is shaped as an inverted cone with semi-vertical angle 30°
and height 50 cm.

Initially the tank is full, and the depth of the water is 50 cm.

Water flows out of a small hole at the bottom of the tank. The rate at which the water flows out is
*+
modelled by *, = −2ℎ, where 𝑉 cm3 is the volume of water remaining and ℎ cm is the depth of water
in the tank 𝑡 seconds after the water begins to flow out.

Determine the time taken for the tank to become empty. [7]
6 A robotic arm which is attached to a flat surface at the origin 𝑂, is used to draw a graphic design.

The arm is made from two rods 𝑂𝑃 and 𝑃𝑄, each of length 𝑑, which are joined at 𝑃.

A pen is attached to the arm at 𝑄.

The coordinates of the pen are controlled by adjusting the angle 𝑂𝑃𝑄 and the angle 𝑦 between 𝑂𝑃
and the 𝑥-axis.

For this particular design the pen is made to move so that the two angles are always equal to each
-
other with 0 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ ! as shown in Figure below.

(a) Show that the 𝑥-coordinate of the pen can be modelled by the equation
𝜋
𝑥 = 𝑑 Fcos 𝜃 + sin F2𝜃 − JJ
2
[2]

(b) Hence, show that

𝑥 = 𝑑(1 + cos 𝜃 − cos ! 𝜃)

[2]

(c) It can be shown that

9𝑑 1 !
𝑥= − 𝑑 Mcos 𝜃 − O
8 4

State the greatest possible value of 𝑥 and the corresponding value of cos 𝜃.

[2]
 (d) Figure below shows the arm when the 𝑥-coordinate is at its greatest possible value.

Find, in terms of 𝑑, the exact distance 𝑂𝑄. [3]

7 Use integration by parts to find ∫ 2(ln 𝑥)! 𝑑𝑥. [8]

8 A lamp is suspended above the centre of a round table of radius 𝑟.

The height, ℎ, of the lamp above the table is adjustable.

Point P is on the edge of the table.

At point P the illumination 𝐼 is directly proportional to the cosine of angle θ in the above diagram, and
inversely proportional to the square of the distance, S, to the lamp.

. 012! 3
i.e. 𝐼 = 4!
, where 𝑘 is a constant.

5
Prove that the edge of the table will have maximum illumination when ℎ = . [7]
√!

9 The points A and B have position vectors 3i + 2j and 4i + 2j - 5k respectively.

Point 𝑃 has position vector 𝑝i – 3k , where 𝑝 is a constant.

𝑃 lies on the circumference of a circle of which AB is a diameter.

Find the two possible values of 𝑝. [4]

11

The diagram shows part of the line y = 1 and one complete period of the curve 𝑦 = 1 + cos 𝑥 , where
𝑥 is in radians. The line 𝑃𝑄 is a tangent to the curve at 𝑃 and at 𝑄. The line 𝑄𝑅 is parallel to the 𝑦-
axis. Area 𝐴 is enclosed by the line 𝑦 = 1 and the curve. Area 𝐵 is enclosed by the line 𝑦 = 1, the
line 𝑃𝑄 and the curve.

Given that area 𝐴 : area 𝐵 is 1 : 𝑘 find the exact value of 𝑘. [9]