Cambridge International A Level

MATHEMATICS 9709/31
Paper 3 Pure Mathematics 3 May/June 2020
MARK SCHEME
Maximum Mark: 75

Published

Students did not sit exam papers in the June 2020 series due to the Covid-19 global pandemic.

This mark scheme is published to support teachers and students and should be read together with the
question paper. It shows the requirements of the exam. The answer column of the mark scheme shows the
proposed basis on which Examiners would award marks for this exam. Where appropriate, this column also
provides the most likely acceptable alternative responses expected from students. Examiners usually review
the mark scheme after they have seen student responses and update the mark scheme if appropriate. In the
June series, Examiners were unable to consider the acceptability of alternative responses, as there were no
student responses to consider.

Mark schemes should usually be read together with the Principal Examiner Report for Teachers. However,
because students did not sit exam papers, there is no Principal Examiner Report for Teachers for the June
2020 series.

Cambridge International will not enter into discussions about these mark schemes.

Cambridge International is publishing the mark schemes for the June 2020 series for most Cambridge
IGCSE™ and Cambridge International A & AS Level components, and some Cambridge O Level
components.

This document consists of 13 printed pages.

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Generic Marking Principles

These general marking principles must be applied by all examiners when marking candidate answers. They should be applied alongside the specific content of the
mark scheme or generic level descriptors for a question. Each question paper and mark scheme will also comply with these marking principles.

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 1:

Marks must be awarded in line with:
• the specific content of the mark scheme or the generic level descriptors for the question
• the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the generic level descriptors for the question
• the standard of response required by a candidate as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 2:

Marks awarded are always whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 3:

Marks must be awarded positively:
• marks are awarded for correct/valid answers, as defined in the mark scheme. However, credit is given for valid answers which go beyond the scope of the
syllabus and mark scheme, referring to your Team Leader as appropriate
• marks are awarded when candidates clearly demonstrate what they know and can do
• marks are not deducted for errors
• marks are not deducted for omissions
• answers should only be judged on the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar when these features are specifically assessed by the question as
indicated by the mark scheme. The meaning, however, should be unambiguous.

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 4:

Rules must be applied consistently e.g. in situations where candidates have not followed instructions or in the application of generic level descriptors.

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 5:

Marks should be awarded using the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme for the question (however; the use of the full mark range may be limited
according to the quality of the candidate responses seen).

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 6:

Marks awarded are based solely on the requirements as defined in the mark scheme. Marks should not be awarded with grade thresholds or grade descriptors in
mind.

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Mathematics-Specific Marking Principles

1 Unless a particular method has been specified in the question, full marks may be awarded for any correct method. However, if a calculation is required then no
marks will be awarded for a scale drawing.

2 Unless specified in the question, answers may be given as fractions, decimals or in standard form. Ignore superfluous zeros, provided that the degree of accuracy
is not affected.

3 Allow alternative conventions for notation if used consistently throughout the paper, e.g. commas being used as decimal points.

4 Unless otherwise indicated, marks once gained cannot subsequently be lost, e.g. wrong working following a correct form of answer is ignored (isw).

5 Where a candidate has misread a number in the question and used that value consistently throughout, provided that number does not alter the difficulty or the
method required, award all marks earned and deduct just 1 mark for the misread.

6 Recovery within working is allowed, e.g. a notation error in the working where the following line of working makes the candidate’s intent clear.

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Mark Scheme Notes

The following notes are intended to aid interpretation of mark schemes in general, but individual mark schemes may include marks awarded for specific reasons
outside the scope of these notes.

Types of mark

M Method mark, awarded for a valid method applied to the problem. Method marks are not lost for numerical errors, algebraic slips or errors in units.
However, it is not usually sufficient for a candidate just to indicate an intention of using some method or just to quote a formula; the formula or idea
must be applied to the specific problem in hand, e.g. by substituting the relevant quantities into the formula. Correct application of a formula
without the formula being quoted obviously earns the M mark and in some cases an M mark can be implied from a correct answer.

A Accuracy mark, awarded for a correct answer or intermediate step correctly obtained. Accuracy marks cannot be given unless the associated method
mark is earned (or implied).

B Mark for a correct result or statement independent of method marks.

DM or DB When a part of a question has two or more “method” steps, the M marks are generally independent unless the scheme specifically says otherwise;
and similarly, when there are several B marks allocated. The notation DM or DB is used to indicate that a particular M or B mark is dependent on
an earlier M or B (asterisked) mark in the scheme. When two or more steps are run together by the candidate, the earlier marks are implied and full
credit is given.

FT Implies that the A or B mark indicated is allowed for work correctly following on from previously incorrect results. Otherwise, A or B marks are
given for correct work only.

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Abbreviations

AEF/OE Any Equivalent Form (of answer is equally acceptable) / Or Equivalent

AG Answer Given on the question paper (so extra checking is needed to ensure that the detailed working leading to the result is valid)

CAO Correct Answer Only (emphasising that no “follow through” from a previous error is allowed)

CWO Correct Working Only

ISW Ignore Subsequent Working

SOI Seen Or Implied

SC Special Case (detailing the mark to be given for a specific wrong solution, or a case where some standard marking practice is to be varied in the
light of a particular circumstance)

WWW Without Wrong Working

AWRT Answer Which Rounds To

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Question Answer Marks

1 Use law of the logarithm of a product or power M1

Obtain a correct linear inequality in any form, e.g. ln 2 + (1 – 2x) ln 3 < x ln 5 A1

Solve for x M1

ln 6 A1
Obtain x >
ln 45

Question Answer Marks

2(a)  3 
−2 M1
State a correct unsimplified version of the x or x2 term of the expansion of (2 – 3x)–2 or  1 − x 
 2 

1 B1
State correct first term
4

3 27 2 A1 + A1
Obtain the next two terms x+ x
4 16

2(b) 2 B1
State answer x < , or equivalent
3

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Question Answer Marks

3 Use tan (A ± B) formula and obtain an equation in tan θ M1

Using tan 60° = 3 , obtain a horizontal equation in tan θ in any correct form A1

Reduce the equation to 3 tan 2 θ + 4 tan θ − 1 = 0 , or equivalent A1

Solve a 3-term quadratic for tan θ M1

Obtain a correct answer, e.g. 12.1° A1

Obtain a second correct answer, e.g. 122.9°, and no others in the given interval A1

Question Answer Marks

4(a) Use product rule M1

Obtain derivative in any correct form e.g. 2e 2 x ( sin x + 3 cos x ) + e 2 x ( cos x − 3sin x ) A1

Equate derivative to zero and obtain an equation in one trigonometric ratio M1

Obtain x = 1.43 only A1

4(b) Use a correct method to determine the nature of the stationary point M1
x = 1.42, y′ = 0.06e
2.84
>0
e.g.
x = 1.44, y′ = −0.07e
2.88
<0

Show that it is a maximum point A1

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Question Answer Marks

5(a) Commence division and reach quotient of the form 2x + k M1

Obtain quotient 2x – 1 A1

Obtain remainder 6 A1

5(b) Obtain terms x2 – x B1FT

(FT on quotient of the form 2x + k)

 x  M1
Obtain term of the form a tan −1  
 3

6  x  A1FT
Obtain term tan −1  
3  3
(FT on a constant remainder)

Use x = 1 and x = 3 as limits in a solution containing a term of the form a tan −1 ( bx ) M1

1 A1
Obtain final answer π + 6 , or exact equivalent
3

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Question Answer Marks

6(a) State or imply AT = r tan x or BT = r tan x B1

Use correct area formula and form an equation in r and x M1

Rearrange in the given form A1

6(b) Calculate the values of a relevant expression or pair of expressions at x = 1 and x = 1.4 M1

Complete the argument correctly with correct calculated values A1

6(c) Use the iterative formula correctly at least once M1

Obtain final answer 1.35 A1

Show sufficient iterations to 4 d.p. to justify 1.35 to 2 d.p. or show there is a sign change in the interval (1.345, 1.355) A1

Question Answer Marks

7(a) Use quotient or product rule M1

− sin x (1 + sin x ) − cos x ( cos x ) A1

Obtain derivative in any correct form e.g.
(1 + sin x ) 2

Use Pythagoras to simplify the derivative M1

Justify the given statement A1

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Question Answer Marks

7(b) State integral of the form a ln (1 + sin x) *M1

State correct integral ln (1 + sin x) A1

Use limits correctly DM1

4 A1
Obtain answer ln
3

8(a) dy y B1
State =k , or equivalent
dx x x

Separate variables correctly and attempt integration of at least one side M1

Obtain term ln y, or equivalent A1

1 A1
Obtain term −2k , or equivalent
x

b M1
Use given coordinates to find k or a constant of integration c in a solution containing terms of the form a ln y and , where
x
ab ≠ 0

Obtain k = 1 and c = 2 A1 + A1

 2  A1
Obtain final answer y = exp   − + 2  , or equivalent
 x 

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Question Answer Marks

8(b) State that y approaches eଶ B1FT

(FT their c in part (a) of the correct form)

1
   
9(a) ( ) ( )
State AB or BA and BC or CB in vector form B1

Calculate their scalar product M1

Show product is zero and confirm angle ABC is a right angle A1

9(b) Use correct method to calculate the lengths of AB and BC M1

Show that AB = BC and the triangle is isosceles A1

9(c) State a correct equation for the line through B and C, B1

e.g. r = i + j + k + λ (2i + j + 2k) or r = 3i + 2 j + 3k + μ ( −2i − j − 2k )
 
Taking a general point of BC to be P, form an equation in λ by either equating the scalar product of OP and BC to zero, M1

or applying Pythagoras to triangle OBP (or OCP), or setting the derivative of OP to zero

5 A1
Solve and obtain λ = –
9

1 A1
Obtain answer 2 , or equivalent
3

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Question Answer Marks

Alternative method for question 9(c)

Use a scalar product to find the projection CN (or BN) of OC (or OB) on BC M1

5 14  A1
Obtain answer CN =   or BN = 
3 3

Use Pythagoras to find ON M1

1 A1
Obtain answer 2 , or equivalent
3

Question Answer Marks

10(a)(i) Multiply numerator and denominator by a – 2i, or equivalent M1

Use i2 = –1 at least once A1

6 3ai A1
Obtain answer 2
+ 2
a +4 a +4

10(a)(ii) 1 B1
Either state that arg u =  − π or express u* in terms of a (FT on u)
3

Use correct method to form an equation in a M1

Obtain answer a =  −2 3 A1

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Question Answer Marks

10(b)(i) Show the perpendicular bisector of points representing 2i and 1 + i B1

Show the point representing 2 + i B1

Show a circle with radius 2 and centre 2 + i B1FT

(FT on the position of the point for 2 + i)

Shade the correct region B1

10(b)(ii) State or imply the critical point 2 + 3i B1

Obtain answer 56.3° or 0.983 radians B1

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