Past paper practice · Mathematics Extension 2

2025 HSC
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16 questions47 parts100 marks

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Section I Multiple choice

Question 11 mark

A line through two points

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VectorsCoordinate geometry
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  1. The direction from (−3,1)(-3,1) to (1,4)(1,4) is (4,3)(4,3). Using (−3,1)(-3,1) as a point gives the line equation in option D.
Answer
D: (xy)=(−31)+λ(43)\begin{pmatrix}x\\y\end{pmatrix}=\begin{pmatrix}-3\\1\end{pmatrix}+\lambda\begin{pmatrix}4\\3\end{pmatrix}.

Question 21 mark

Negating an existential statement

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ProofLogic
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  1. Negating “there exists an integer whose square is odd” gives “for every integer, its square is not odd”. An integer square is either odd or even.
Answer
B: ∀x∈Z, x2 is even.\forall x\in\mathbb Z,\ x^2\text{ is even}.

Question 31 mark

Square roots of a complex number

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Complex numbers
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  1. Squaring 2−i2-i gives 4−4i+i2=3−4i4-4i+i^2=3-4i. Its negative is the other square root.
Answer
C: 2−i2-i and −2+i-2+i.

Question 41 mark

Amplitude from the speed equation

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MechanicsSimple harmonic motion
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  1. The speed is zero at the turning points: −x2+2x+8=0-x^2+2x+8=0, so x=−2x=-2 or x=4x=4. The midpoint is 11, and the distance from it to either turning point is 33.
Answer
B: 3 m.3\text{ m}.

Question 51 mark

Writing a contrapositive

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ProofLogic
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  1. For P⇒QP\Rightarrow Q, the contrapositive is ¬Q⇒¬P\neg Q\Rightarrow\neg P. Here ¬Q\neg Q is x>0x>0, and ¬P\neg P is x2−2x<0x^2-2x<0.
Answer
A: If x>0x>0, then x2−2x<0x^2-2x<0.

Question 61 mark

Moduli of sums and differences

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Complex numbers
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  1. For unit complex numbers, ∣z+w∣2+∣z−w∣2=2∣z∣2+2∣w∣2=4|z+w|^2+|z-w|^2=2|z|^2+2|w|^2=4. Therefore ∣z−w∣2=4−94=74|z-w|^2=4-\frac94=\frac74.
Answer
B: ∣z−w∣=72.|z-w|=\frac{\sqrt7}{2}.

Question 71 mark

Arguments subtended by a circle

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Complex numbersGeometry
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  1. The points z−2iz-2i form the circle of radius 11 centred at −2i-2i. From the origin, its tangent rays make angles arcsin⁡(1/2)=π/6\arcsin(1/2)=\pi/6 on either side of the direction −π/2-\pi/2.
Answer
D: −2π3≤Arg⁡(z−2i)≤−π3.-\frac{2\pi}{3}\leq\operatorname{Arg}(z-2i)\leq-\frac{\pi}{3}.

Question 81 mark

Acceleration as a function of displacement

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MechanicsCalculus
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  1. Since a=dvdt=dvdxdxdt=vdvdxa=\frac{dv}{dt}=\frac{dv}{dx}\frac{dx}{dt}=v\frac{dv}{dx}, acceleration is zero where the velocity is zero or has a stationary point. The displayed velocity curve has three zeros and two turning points, with acceleration negative at the far left and positive at the far right; graph A has this pattern.
Answer
A.

Question 91 mark

Classifying a complex quadrilateral

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Complex numbersGeometry
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  1. The relation v+z=u+wv+z=u+w says the diagonals have the same midpoint, so UVWZUVWZ is a parallelogram. Also u−w=ki(v−z)u-w=ki(v-z), so its diagonals are perpendicular. A parallelogram with perpendicular diagonals is a rhombus.
Answer
C: Rhombus.

Question 101 mark

Reparametrising a space curve

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VectorsParametric curves
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  1. Set the parameter in option D to s=2t+π/2s=2t+\pi/2. It ranges over all real values, and the coordinates become (cos⁡s,s,−sin⁡s)(\cos s,s,-\sin s), the same helix as (cos⁡t,−t,sin⁡t)(\cos t,-t,\sin t) after taking s=−ts=-t.
Answer
D.

Section II Written responses

Question 11(a)2 marks

Conjugate and rotated complex numbers

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Complex numbers
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  1. Write z=a+ibz=a+ib, with a,b>0a,b>0 as shown. Then zˉ=a−ib\bar z=a-ib, the reflection of zz in the real axis, while izˉ=b+iai\bar z=b+ia, at coordinates (b,a)(b,a). Mark both points on the diagram.
Solution sketch for Question 11(a); key values and curve behaviour are described in the steps above.
Original solution sketch; see the steps for key values.
Answer
zˉ\bar z is the reflection of zz across the real axis; izˉi\bar z is the point (b,a)(b,a), in the first quadrant.

Question 11(b)2 marks

Multiplying complex numbers in polar form

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Complex numbers
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  1. Multiply the moduli and add the arguments: wz=(2⋅3)ei(π/6+π/6)=6eiπ/3wz=(2\cdot3)e^{i(\pi/6+\pi/6)}=6e^{i\pi/3}.
Answer
Modulus 66; argument π3\frac{\pi}{3}.
Complex numbers
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  1. Expand (x+iy)2(x+iy)^2 and use i2=−1i^2=-1.
Answer
z2=(x2−y2)+2xyi.z^2=(x^2-y^2)+2xyi.

Question 11(c)(ii)2 marks

Taking a complex reciprocal

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Complex numbers
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  1. Multiply numerator and denominator by the conjugate x−iyx-iy to make the denominator real.
Answer
1z=x−iyx2+y2=xx2+y2−yx2+y2i.\displaystyle\frac1z=\frac{x-iy}{x^2+y^2}=\frac{x}{x^2+y^2}-\frac{y}{x^2+y^2}i. This requires z≠0z\ne0.

Question 11(d)(i)1 mark

Resolving a force along a vector

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VectorsMechanics
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  1. The direction vector has magnitude 22+(−2)2+12=3\sqrt{2^2+(-2)^2+1^2}=3. Scale it by 12/3=412/3=4 to obtain the force vector.
Answer
F1=8i−8j+4k.\mathbf F_1=8\mathbf i-8\mathbf j+4\mathbf k.
VectorsMechanics
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  1. Add the force components: (8,−8,4)+(−6,12,4)=(2,4,8)(8,-8,4)+(-6,12,4)=(2,4,8).
Answer
F3=2i+4j+8k.\mathbf F_3=2\mathbf i+4\mathbf j+8\mathbf k.

Question 11(d)(iii)1 mark

Dot product of force and displacement

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VectorsMechanics
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  1. Take the componentwise dot product with d=(1,1,2)\mathbf d=(1,1,2): 2+4+8⋅2=222+4+8\cdot2=22.
Answer
F3⋅d=22.\mathbf F_3\cdot\mathbf d=22.

Question 11(e)2 marks

Proof by contradiction with surds

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ProofInequalities
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  1. Assume the negation, 3+5≤11\sqrt3+\sqrt5\leq\sqrt{11}. Squaring positive sides gives 8+215≤118+2\sqrt{15}\leq11, hence 215≤32\sqrt{15}\leq3. Squaring again gives 60≤960\leq9, a contradiction.
Answer
Therefore 3+5>11\sqrt3+\sqrt5>\sqrt{11}.

Question 11(f)2 marks

Completing the square in an integral

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Integration
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  1. Complete the square: 7−x2−6x=16−(x+3)27-x^2-6x=16-(x+3)^2. Apply the standard inverse-sine integral with the substitution u=(x+3)/4u=(x+3)/4.
Answer
∫57−x2−6x dx=5sin⁡−1 ⁣(x+34)+C.\displaystyle\int\frac{5}{\sqrt{7-x^2-6x}}\,dx=5\sin^{-1}\!\left(\frac{x+3}{4}\right)+C.

Question 12(a)3 marks

A definite integral by parts

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Integration
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  1. Choose u=xu=x and dv=sin⁡x dxdv=\sin x\,dx, so du=dxdu=dx and v=−cos⁡xv=-\cos x. Integration by parts gives ∫0π/2xsin⁡x dx=[−xcos⁡x]0π/2+∫0π/2cos⁡x dx\int_0^{\pi/2}x\sin x\,dx=[-x\cos x]_0^{\pi/2}+\int_0^{\pi/2}\cos x\,dx.
  2. The product term is zero at both endpoints. The remaining integral is [sin⁡x]0π/2=1[\sin x]_0^{\pi/2}=1.
Answer
11.

Question 12(b)3 marks

Induction for higher derivatives

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ProofInductionCalculus
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  1. For n=1n=1, the product rule gives y′=(2x+1)e2xy^{\prime}=(2x+1)e^{2x}, agreeing with the proposed expression.
  2. Assume y(k)=(2kx+k2k−1)e2xy^{(k)}=(2^kx+k2^{k-1})e^{2x} for some integer k≥1k\ge1. Differentiating gives y(k+1)=[2k+2(2kx+k2k−1)]e2xy^{(k+1)}=[2^k+2(2^kx+k2^{k-1})]e^{2x}.
  3. Simplifying yields [2k+1x+(k+1)2k]e2x[2^{k+1}x+(k+1)2^k]e^{2x}, exactly the statement for k+1k+1. Therefore induction proves the formula for every positive integer.
Answer
y(n)=(2nx+n2n−1)e2xy^{(n)}=(2^nx+n2^{n-1})e^{2x}, for all integers n≥1n\ge1.

Question 12(c)3 marks

A half-plane from complex distances

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Complex numbers
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  1. Write z=x+iyz=x+iy. Squaring both non-negative distances gives (x+5)2+(y−1)2>(x−3)2+(y+3)2(x+5)^2+(y-1)^2>(x-3)^2+(y+3)^2.
  2. After cancellation, 16x−8y+8>016x-8y+8>0, or y<2x+1y<2x+1. Sketch the line through (−1/2,0)(-1/2,0) and (0,1)(0,1) as a dashed boundary, then shade the side below it. The origin is a useful test point in the shaded half-plane.
Solution sketch for Question 12(c); key values and curve behaviour are described in the steps above.
Original solution sketch; see the steps for key values.
Answer
The open half-plane y<2x+1y<2x+1; its boundary is excluded.

Question 12(d)4 marks

Partial fractions with a quadratic factor

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Integration
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  1. Write the fraction as A/(4−x)+(Bx+C)/(x2+1)A/(4-x)+(Bx+C)/(x^2+1). Multiplication by the denominator gives x2−2x+9=A(x2+1)+(Bx+C)(4−x)x^2-2x+9=A(x^2+1)+(Bx+C)(4-x).
  2. Substituting x=4x=4 gives A=1A=1. Setting x=0x=0 then gives C=2C=2; comparing the squared terms gives B=0B=0. Thus the integrand is 1/(4−x)+2/(x2+1)1/(4-x)+2/(x^2+1).
  3. Integrate each term, allowing for the negative derivative of 4−x4-x.
Answer
−ln⁡∣4−x∣+2tan⁡−1x+C-\ln|4-x|+2\tan^{-1}x+C.

Question 12(e)3 marks

Stopping distance under resistance

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MechanicsDifferential equations
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  1. Take distance ss along the initial direction of travel. Before the particle stops, Newton’s law and a=v dv/dsa=v\,dv/ds give v dv/ds=−(k+v2)v\,dv/ds=-(k+v^2), after cancelling the mass.
  2. Separate variables and integrate from initial speed V0V_0 to zero: S=−∫V00v/(k+v2) dv=−12[ln⁡(k+v2)]V00S=-\int_{V_0}^{0}v/(k+v^2)\,dv=-\tfrac12[\ln(k+v^2)]_{V_0}^{0}.
  3. The logarithms combine into a ratio. Since k>0k>0, the result is non-negative.
Answer
S=12ln⁡(k+V02k) mS=\frac12\ln\left(\frac{k+V_0^2}{k}\right)\text{ m}.

Question 13(a)3 marks

Reflecting the limits of an integral

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Integration
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  1. Use u=m−xu=m-x, so dx=−dudx=-du. The lower endpoint x=m−4x=m-4 becomes u=4u=4, and the upper endpoint x=m−2x=m-2 becomes u=2u=2.
  2. Also e−x=e−meue^{-x}=e^{-m}e^u and x−m+1=1−ux-m+1=1-u. Consequently the transformed integral is e−m∫42eu/(u−1) due^{-m}\int_4^2 e^u/(u-1)\,du.
  3. Reversing the endpoints introduces a minus sign, leaving the integral defining AA.
Answer
The integral equals −e−mA-e^{-m}A, so k=−e−mk=-e^{-m}.

Question 13(b)4 marks

A unit vector perpendicular to two vectors

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Vectors
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  1. Perpendicularity gives 2x+4y−3z=02x+4y-3z=0 and −4x−5y+3z=0-4x-5y+3z=0. Adding them gives y=−2xy=-2x; substituting into the first equation gives z=−2xz=-2x.
  2. The unit-length condition is x2+y2+z2=1x^2+y^2+z^2=1. Hence 9x2=19x^2=1, so x=±1/3x=\pm1/3, with yy and zz carrying the opposite signs.
Answer
c=±13(1,−2,−2)\mathbf c=\pm\frac13(1,-2,-2).

Question 13(c)(i)2 marks

Proving the arithmetic-geometric mean inequality

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ProofInequalities
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  1. Since a,b>0a,b>0, the square (a−b)2(\sqrt a-\sqrt b)^2 is non-negative. Expanding gives a+b−2ab≥0a+b-2\sqrt{ab}\ge0. Divide by 2.
  2. Equality holds exactly when a=ba=b.
Answer
a+b2≥ab\frac{a+b}{2}\ge\sqrt{ab}.

Question 13(c)(ii)2 marks

A strict inequality from distinct inputs

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ProofInequalities
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  1. Apply part (i) to a=2n+1a=2n+1 and b=2n+3b=2n+3. Both are positive for n≥0n\ge0, and they differ, so (2n+1)(2n+3)<2n+2\sqrt{(2n+1)(2n+3)}<2n+2.
  2. Divide by the positive quantity (2n+2)2n+3(2n+2)\sqrt{2n+3}, then multiply by 2n+1\sqrt{2n+1}, to obtain the required comparison.
Answer
2n+12n+2<2n+12n+3\frac{2n+1}{2n+2}<\frac{\sqrt{2n+1}}{\sqrt{2n+3}}, for every integer n≥0n\ge0.

Question 13(d)4 marks

Symmetry followed by a half-angle substitution

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IntegrationTrigonometry
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  1. Call the given integral JJ. First substitute u=π/2−xu=\pi/2-x. Since sine and cosine exchange, J=∫0π/2(π/2−x)/(1+sin⁡x+cos⁡x) dxJ=\int_0^{\pi/2}(\pi/2-x)/(1+\sin x+\cos x)\,dx.
  2. Adding this expression to the original gives 2J=(π/2)K2J=(\pi/2)K, where K=∫0π/2dx/(1+sin⁡x+cos⁡x)K=\int_0^{\pi/2}dx/(1+\sin x+\cos x). Thus J=πK/4J=\pi K/4.
  3. For KK, put t=tan⁡(x/2)t=\tan(x/2). The endpoints become 0 and 1, and the half-angle identities reduce the integrand to dt/(1+t)dt/(1+t). Hence K=[ln⁡(1+t)]01=ln⁡2K=[\ln(1+t)]_0^1=\ln2.
Answer
J=πln⁡24J=\frac{\pi\ln2}{4}.

Question 14(a)(i)3 marks

Reducing an integral of an even cotangent power

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IntegrationReduction formulasTrigonometry
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  1. Separate the final factor of cot⁡2θ\cot^2\theta, and replace it by csc⁡2θ−1\csc^2\theta-1:
  2. In=∫π/4π/2cot⁡2n−2θ csc⁡2θ dθ−In−1.I_n=\int_{\pi/4}^{\pi/2}\cot^{2n-2}\theta\,\csc^2\theta\,d\theta-I_{n-1}.
  3. The substitution u=cot⁡θu=\cot\theta integrates the first term as −cot⁡2n−1θ/(2n−1)-\cot^{2n-1}\theta/(2n-1). Its upper value is zero and its lower value is −1/(2n−1)-1/(2n-1).
Answer
In=12n−1−In−1,n>0\displaystyle I_n=\frac1{2n-1}-I_{n-1},\quad n>0.

Question 14(a)(ii)1 mark

Applying a reduction formula twice

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IntegrationReduction formulas
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  1. The starting integral is I0=π/4I_0=\pi/4. Thus I1=1−π/4I_1=1-\pi/4, and I2=1/3−I1I_2=1/3-I_1.
Answer
I2=π/4−2/3I_2=\pi/4-2/3.

Question 14(b)(i)2 marks

Velocity from acceleration as a function of position

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MotionDifferential equations
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  1. Use a=v dv/dxa=v\,dv/dx: v dv=32x(x2+3) dxv\,dv=32x(x^2+3)\,dx. Integration gives v2=16(x2+3)2+Cv^2=16(x^2+3)^2+C.
  2. The initial conditions x=0x=0, v=−12v=-12 give C=0C=0. The velocity starts negative and its magnitude never vanishes, so retain the negative branch throughout.
Answer
v=−4(x2+3) m s−1v=-4(x^2+3)\text{ m s}^{-1}.

Question 14(b)(ii)2 marks

Travel time with position-dependent velocity

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MotionIntegration
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  1. The velocity is always negative, so travelling 3 metres from the origin means reaching x=−3x=-3. Since dt=dx/vdt=dx/v,
  2. t=−14∫0−3dxx2+3=−143[tan⁡−1(x/3)]0−3.t=-\frac14\int_0^{-3}\frac{dx}{x^2+3}=-\frac1{4\sqrt3}\left[\tan^{-1}(x/\sqrt3)\right]_0^{-3}.
  3. The inverse tangent at the lower displacement is −π/3-\pi/3.
Answer
t=π123 st=\dfrac{\pi}{12\sqrt3}\text{ s}.

Question 14(c)(i)1 mark

Identifying a root of unity

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Complex numbersRoots of unity
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  1. Multiplying the given sum by w−1w-1 makes all intermediate powers cancel, leaving w7−1=0w^7-1=0. Also w≠1w\ne1, because substituting 1 into the original sum gives 7.
Answer
w7=1w^7=1, so ww is a non-trivial seventh root of unity.

Question 14(c)(ii)2 marks

Conjugate roots written as powers

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Complex numbersRoots of unityPolynomials
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  1. A non-real root of a polynomial with real coefficients comes with its complex conjugate. Hence the second root is w+w2+w4‾\overline{w+w^2+w^4}.
  2. Every root of unity has modulus 1, so w‾=1/w=w6\overline w=1/w=w^6. Reduce exponents modulo 7: w‾ 2=w12=w5\overline w^{\,2}=w^{12}=w^5 and w‾ 4=w24=w3\overline w^{\,4}=w^{24}=w^3.
Answer
The other root is w3+w5+w6w^3+w^5+w^6.

Question 14(c)(iii)1 mark

The product of conjugate roots

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Complex numbersRoots of unityPolynomials
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  1. The constant term is the product of the roots. Expanding (w+w2+w4)(w3+w5+w6)(w+w^2+w^4)(w^3+w^5+w^6) and using w7=1w^7=1 gives 3+w+w2+⋯+w63+w+w^2+\cdots+w^6. The original relation says the six non-constant powers sum to −1-1.
Answer
c=2c=2.

Question 14(d)3 marks

Comparing sums of reciprocal arithmetic terms

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ProofInequalities
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  1. Let u=1/a>0u=1/a>0. The four reciprocal terms are u,u+k,u+2k,u+3ku,u+k,u+2k,u+3k, so
  2. a+d−b−c=(1u−1u+k)−(1u+2k−1u+3k).a+d-b-c=\left(\frac1u-\frac1{u+k}\right)-\left(\frac1{u+2k}-\frac1{u+3k}\right).
  3. This is ku(u+k)−k(u+2k)(u+3k)\dfrac{k}{u(u+k)}-\dfrac{k}{(u+2k)(u+3k)}. The second denominator is strictly larger than the first because u,k>0u,k>0. The difference is therefore positive.
Answer
b+c<a+db+c<a+d.

Question 15(a)4 marks

Area of a parallelogram using a scalar product

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VectorsGeometry
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  1. The side lengths satisfy ∣a∣2=42+32+(−1)2=26|\mathbf a|^2=4^2+3^2+(-1)^2=26 and ∣b∣2=22+(−1)2+32=14|\mathbf b|^2=2^2+(-1)^2+3^2=14. Their scalar product is 8−3−3=28-3-3=2.
  2. If ϕ\phi is the angle between them, cos⁡ϕ=2/26⋅14\cos\phi=2/\sqrt{26\cdot14}. Hence
  3. Area2=∣a∣2∣b∣2sin⁡2ϕ=26⋅14−22=360.\text{Area}^2=|\mathbf a|^2|\mathbf b|^2\sin^2\phi=26\cdot14-2^2=360.
  4. Take the positive square root for an area.
Answer
The area is 6106\sqrt{10} square units.

Question 15(b)4 marks

Maximum acceleration in simple harmonic motion

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Simple harmonic motionMotion
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  1. Two cycles per second means frequency f=2f=2, so the angular frequency is ω=2πf=4π\omega=2\pi f=4\pi.
  2. For SHM, v2=ω2(A2−x2)v^2=\omega^2(A^2-x^2) and vmax⁡=ωAv_{\max}=\omega A. At ∣x∣=1/4|x|=1/4, the given half-speed condition gives ω2A2/4=ω2(A2−1/16)\omega^2A^2/4=\omega^2(A^2-1/16).
  3. Therefore 3A2/4=1/163A^2/4=1/16, so A=1/(23)A=1/(2\sqrt3). The acceleration is −ω2x-\omega^2x, whose largest positive value occurs at x=−Ax=-A.
Answer
amax⁡=ω2A=8π23 m s−2a_{\max}=\omega^2A=\dfrac{8\pi^2}{\sqrt3}\text{ m s}^{-2}.

Question 15(c)(i)3 marks

A complex ratio and the half-angle formula

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Complex numbersTrigonometry
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  1. Write cos⁡θ+isin⁡θ=eiθ\cos\theta+i\sin\theta=e^{i\theta}. Factoring out eiθ/2e^{i\theta/2} from numerator and denominator gives
  2. 1+eiθ1−eiθ=e−iθ/2+eiθ/2e−iθ/2−eiθ/2=2cos⁡(θ/2)−2isin⁡(θ/2).\frac{1+e^{i\theta}}{1-e^{i\theta}}=\frac{e^{-i\theta/2}+e^{i\theta/2}}{e^{-i\theta/2}-e^{i\theta/2}}=\frac{2\cos(\theta/2)}{-2i\sin(\theta/2)}.
  3. Since 1/(−i)=i1/(-i)=i, the result is icot⁡(θ/2)i\cot(\theta/2). Both expressions require θ∉2πZ\theta\notin2\pi\mathbb Z.
Answer
1+cos⁡θ+isin⁡θ1−cos⁡θ−isin⁡θ=icot⁡(θ/2)\displaystyle\frac{1+\cos\theta+i\sin\theta}{1-\cos\theta-i\sin\theta}=i\cot(\theta/2).

Question 15(c)(ii)2 marks

Sixth roots by De Moivre’s theorem

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Complex numbersRoots of unity
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  1. If w6=−1w^6=-1, then ∣w∣6=1|w|^6=1, so ∣w∣=1|w|=1. Write w=cos⁡ϕ+isin⁡ϕw=\cos\phi+i\sin\phi.
  2. De Moivre’s theorem gives w6=cos⁡6ϕ+isin⁡6ϕw^6=\cos6\phi+i\sin6\phi. To equal −1-1, the angle must satisfy 6ϕ=(2j+1)π6\phi=(2j+1)\pi. The six values j=0,…,5j=0,\ldots,5 give all distinct roots.
Answer
wj=cos⁡(2j+1)π6+isin⁡(2j+1)π6,j=0,…,5\displaystyle w_j=\cos\frac{(2j+1)\pi}{6}+i\sin\frac{(2j+1)\pi}{6},\quad j=0,\ldots,5.

Question 15(c)(iii)2 marks

Mapping the six roots to the required solutions

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Complex numbersRoots of unity
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  1. Put w=(z−1)/(z+1)w=(z-1)/(z+1). Then w6=−1w^6=-1, so use one of the six roots in part (ii). Rearranging gives z=(1+w)/(1−w)z=(1+w)/(1-w). No sixth root of −1-1 equals 1, so this denominator is non-zero.
  2. Apply part (i) with θ=(2j+1)π/6\theta=(2j+1)\pi/6. The half-angle is (2j+1)π/12(2j+1)\pi/12, producing six distinct values.
Answer
z=icot⁡(2j+1)π12,j=0,1,2,3,4,5\displaystyle z=i\cot\frac{(2j+1)\pi}{12},\quad j=0,1,2,3,4,5.

Question 16(a)4 marks

Bounding complex roots with the triangle inequality

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Complex numbersProofInequalities
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  1. Suppose, for a contradiction, that a solution has ∣z∣≤1/2|z|\le1/2. Write the left side as ∑j=1nzjcos⁡(jθ)\sum_{j=1}^{n}z^j\cos(j\theta).
  2. The triangle inequality and ∣cos⁡(jθ)∣≤1|\cos(j\theta)|\le1 imply
  3. 1=∣∑j=1nzjcos⁡(jθ)∣≤∑j=1n∣z∣j≤∑j=1n2−j=1−2−n<1.1=\left|\sum_{j=1}^{n}z^j\cos(j\theta)\right|\le\sum_{j=1}^{n}|z|^j\le\sum_{j=1}^{n}2^{-j}=1-2^{-n}<1.
  4. This is impossible. The finite geometric sum is strictly less than 1, so the contradiction excludes the boundary as well as the interior.
Answer
Every solution satisfies ∣z∣>1/2|z|>1/2.

Question 16(b)5 marks

Projectile motion with linear resistance

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Projectile motionDifferential equations
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  1. The launch components are x˙(0)=50(4/5)=40\dot x(0)=50(4/5)=40 and y˙(0)=−50(3/5)=−30\dot y(0)=-50(3/5)=-30. Solving x¨=−kx˙\ddot x=-k\dot x and using x(0)=0x(0)=0 gives
  2. x˙=40e−kt,x=40k(1−e−kt).\dot x=40e^{-kt},\qquad x=\frac{40}{k}(1-e^{-kt}).
  3. For the vertical component, y˙+10/k\dot y+10/k decays exponentially. The initial velocity and y(0)=0y(0)=0 therefore give
  4. y˙=(10/k−30)e−kt−10/k,y=10/k−30k(1−e−kt)−10tk.\dot y=(10/k-30)e^{-kt}-10/k,\quad y=\frac{10/k-30}{k}(1-e^{-kt})-\frac{10t}{k}.
  5. Eliminate time using e−kt=1−kx/40e^{-kt}=1-kx/40 and t=−ln⁡(1−kx/40)/kt=-\ln(1-kx/40)/k.
Answer
y=1−3k4kx+10k2ln⁡(1−kx40),0≤x<40/k\displaystyle y=\frac{1-3k}{4k}x+\frac{10}{k^2}\ln\left(1-\frac{kx}{40}\right),\quad0\le x<40/k.

Question 16(c)(i)2 marks

The closest point on a line

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VectorsOptimisation
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  1. Minimising distance is equivalent to minimising its square. Since ∣d∣=1|\mathbf d|=1,
  2. f(λ)2=∣a−b+λd∣2=∣a−b∣2+2λ(a−b)⋅d+λ2.f(\lambda)^2=|\mathbf a-\mathbf b+\lambda\mathbf d|^2=|\mathbf a-\mathbf b|^2+2\lambda(\mathbf a-\mathbf b)\cdot\mathbf d+\lambda^2.
  3. This quadratic opens upwards. Its derivative vanishes at 2(a−b)⋅d+2λ=02(\mathbf a-\mathbf b)\cdot\mathbf d+2\lambda=0, giving the unique minimum.
Answer
λ0=(b−a)⋅d\lambda_0=(\mathbf b-\mathbf a)\cdot\mathbf d.

Question 16(c)(ii)1 mark

The shortest connecting segment is perpendicular

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VectorsGeometry
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  1. The connecting vector is PB→=b−a−λ0d\overrightarrow{PB}=\mathbf b-\mathbf a-\lambda_0\mathbf d. Its scalar product with d\mathbf d is (b−a)⋅d−λ0∣d∣2=λ0−λ0=0(\mathbf b-\mathbf a)\cdot\mathbf d-\lambda_0|\mathbf d|^2=\lambda_0-\lambda_0=0.
Answer
PB→⋅d=0\overrightarrow{PB}\cdot\mathbf d=0, so PB is perpendicular to the line direction.

Question 16(c)(iii)3 marks

Distance between a line and a sphere

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VectorsGeometry
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  1. First find the line’s distance from the origin. Using part (i) with b=0\mathbf b=\mathbf0, the closest point has vector p0=a−(a⋅d)d\mathbf p_0=\mathbf a-(\mathbf a\cdot\mathbf d)\mathbf d.
  2. Because ∣d∣=1|\mathbf d|=1, its distance from the origin is D=∣a∣2−(a⋅d)2D=\sqrt{|\mathbf a|^2-(\mathbf a\cdot\mathbf d)^2}.
  3. If D>1D>1, move one unit from the origin towards this closest point to reach the sphere; the remaining gap is D−1D-1. If D≤1D\le1, the line intersects or touches the sphere, so the shortest distance is zero.
Answer
max⁡{0,∣a∣2−(a⋅d)2−1}\displaystyle\max\left\{0,\sqrt{|\mathbf a|^2-(\mathbf a\cdot\mathbf d)^2}-1\right\} units.