MAA EXTRA SPECIMEN QUESTIONS

1a. Explain why any integer can be written in the form 4𝑘𝑘 or 4𝑘𝑘 + 1 or 4𝑘𝑘 + 2
or 4𝑘𝑘 + 3, where 𝑘𝑘 ∈ ℤ.
1b. Hence prove that the square of any integer can be written in the form 4𝑡𝑡 or 4𝑡𝑡 +
1, where 𝑡𝑡 ∈ ℤ+ .
2a. A set of data comprises of five numbers 𝑥𝑥1  ,  𝑥𝑥2 ,  𝑥𝑥3 ,  𝑥𝑥4 ,  𝑥𝑥5 which have been
placed in ascending order.
𝑛𝑛+1
Recalling definitions, such as the Lower Quartile is the 𝑡𝑡ℎ piece of data with the
4
data placed in order, find an expression for the Interquartile Range.
2b. Hence, show that a data set with only 5 numbers in it cannot have any outliers.
2c. Give an example of a set of data with 7 numbers in it that does have an outlier,
justify this fact by stating the Interquartile Range.
 1
3. Let 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = for −1 < 𝑥𝑥 < 1. Use partial fractions to find ∫ 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑.
1−𝑥𝑥 2
 𝑡𝑡 −1
4a. Consider the integral ∫1 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 for 𝑡𝑡 > 1.
𝑥𝑥+𝑥𝑥 2

Very briefly, explain why the value of this integral must be negative.
−1
4b. Express the function 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = in partial fractions.
𝑥𝑥+𝑥𝑥 2

4c. Use parts (a) and (b) to show that ln(1 + 𝑡𝑡) − ln 𝑡𝑡 < ln 2.
 4𝑥𝑥−5
5a. Let 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = 𝑥𝑥 ≠ 1,  𝑥𝑥 ≠ 2.
𝑥𝑥 2 −3𝑥𝑥+2

Express 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) in partial fractions.

5b. Use part (a) to show that 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) is always decreasing.
0
5c. Use part (a) to find the exact value of ∫−1 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥)𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑, giving the answer in the
form ln 𝑞𝑞, 𝑞𝑞 ∈ ℚ.
 2𝑥𝑥+6
6a. Let 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = ,   𝑥𝑥 ∈ ℝ.
𝑥𝑥 2 +6𝑥𝑥+10

Show that 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) has no vertical asymptotes.

6b. Find the equation of the horizontal asymptote.
1
6c. Find the exact value of ∫0 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥)  𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑, giving the answer in the form ln 𝑞𝑞,   𝑞𝑞 ∈ ℚ.
 2𝑥𝑥 2 −5𝑥𝑥−12
7a. Let 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = ,   𝑥𝑥 ∈ ℝ,   𝑥𝑥 ≠ −2.
𝑥𝑥+2

Find all the intercepts of the graph of 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) with both the 𝑥𝑥 and 𝑦𝑦 axes.
7b. Write down the equation of the vertical asymptote.
7c. As 𝑥𝑥 → ±∞ the graph of 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) approaches an oblique straight line asymptote.
Divide 2𝑥𝑥 2 − 5𝑥𝑥 − 12 by 𝑥𝑥 + 2 to find the equation of this asymptote.
 𝑥𝑥 2 −10𝑥𝑥+5
8a. Let 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = ,   𝑥𝑥 ∈ ℝ,   𝑥𝑥 ≠ −1.
𝑥𝑥+1

Find the co-ordinates of all stationary points.

8b. Write down the equation of the vertical asymptote.
8c. With justification, state if each stationary point is a minimum, maximum or
horizontal point of inflection.
9a. The principal of a high school is concerned about the effect social media use
might be having on the self-esteem of her students. She decides to survey a random
sample of 9 students to gather some data. She wants the number of students in each
grade in the sample to be, as far as possible, in the same proportion as the number
of students in each grade in the school.
State the name for this type of sampling technique.
9b. The number of students in each grade in the school is shown in table.

Show that 3 students will be selected from grade 12.

9c. Calculate the number of students in each grade in the sample.
9d. In order to select the 3 students from grade 12, the principal lists their names in
alphabetical order and selects the 28th, 56th and 84th student on the list.
State the name for this type of sampling technique.
9e. Once the principal has obtained the names of the 9 students in the random
sample, she surveys each student to find out how long they used social media the
previous day and measures their self-esteem using the Rosenberg scale. The
Rosenberg scale is a number between 10 and 40, where a high number represents
high self-esteem.

Calculate Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient, 𝑟𝑟.

9f. Interpret the meaning of the value of 𝑟𝑟 in the context of the principal’s concerns.
9g. Explain why the value of 𝑟𝑟 makes it appropriate to find the equation of a
regression line.
9h. Another student at the school, Jasmine, has a self-esteem value of 29.
By finding the equation of an appropriate regression line, estimate the time Jasmine
spent on social media the previous day.
10a. Write down and simplify the first three terms, in ascending powers of 𝑥𝑥, in the
1
Extended Binomial expansion of (1 − 𝑥𝑥)3 .
1 3
10b. By substituting 𝑥𝑥 = find a rational approximation to √9.
9
11a. This question will investigate power series, as an extension to the Binomial
Theorem for negative and fractional indices.
A power series in 𝑥𝑥 is defined as a function of the form 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = 𝑎𝑎0 + 𝑎𝑎1 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑎𝑎2 𝑥𝑥 2 +
𝑎𝑎3 𝑥𝑥 3 +. .. where the 𝑎𝑎𝑖𝑖 ∈ ℝ.
It can be considered as an infinite polynomial.
Expand (1 + 𝑥𝑥)5 using the Binomial Theorem.
11b. This is an example of a power series, but is only a finite power series, since
only a finite number of the 𝑎𝑎𝑖𝑖 are non-zero.
Consider the power series 1 − 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑥𝑥 2 − 𝑥𝑥 3 + 𝑥𝑥 4 −. ..
By considering the ratio of consecutive terms, explain why this series is equal
to (1 + 𝑥𝑥)−1 and state the values of 𝑥𝑥 for which this equality is true.
11c. Differentiate the equation obtained part (b) and hence, find the first four terms
in a power series for (1 + 𝑥𝑥)−2 .
11d. Repeat this process to find the first four terms in a power series for (1 + 𝑥𝑥)−3 .
11e. Hence, by recognising the pattern, deduce the first four terms in a power series
for (1 + 𝑥𝑥)−𝑛𝑛 , 𝑛𝑛 ∈ ℤ+ .
11f. We will now attempt to generalise further.
Suppose (1 + 𝑥𝑥)𝑞𝑞 ,   𝑞𝑞 ∈ ℚ can be written as the power series 𝑎𝑎0 + 𝑎𝑎1 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑎𝑎2 𝑥𝑥 2 +
𝑎𝑎3 𝑥𝑥 3 +. ...
By substituting 𝑥𝑥 = 0, find the value of 𝑎𝑎0 .
11g. By differentiating both sides of the expression and then substituting 𝑥𝑥 = 0, find
the value of 𝑎𝑎1 .
11h. Repeat this procedure to find 𝑎𝑎2 and 𝑎𝑎3 .
11i. Hence, write down the first four terms in what is called the Extended Binomial
Theorem for (1 + 𝑥𝑥)𝑞𝑞 ,   𝑞𝑞 ∈ ℚ.
1
11j. Write down the power series for .
1+𝑥𝑥 2

11k. Hence, using integration, find the power series for arctan 𝑥𝑥, giving the first four
non-zero terms.
12a. This question will explore connections between complex numbers and regular
polygons.
The diagram below shows a sector of a circle of radius 1, with the angle subtended
𝜋𝜋
at the centre 𝑂𝑂 being 𝛼𝛼,   0 < 𝛼𝛼 < . A perpendicular is drawn from point 𝑃𝑃 to
2
intersect the 𝑥𝑥-axis at 𝑄𝑄. The tangent to the circle at 𝑃𝑃 intersects the 𝑥𝑥-axis at 𝑅𝑅.

By considering the area of two triangles and the area of the sector show that
sin 𝛼𝛼
cos 𝛼𝛼 sin 𝛼𝛼 < 𝛼𝛼 < .
cos 𝛼𝛼
𝛼𝛼
12b. Hence show that lim = 1.
𝛼𝛼→0 sin 𝛼𝛼

12c. Let 𝑧𝑧 𝑛𝑛 = 1,   𝑧𝑧 ∈ ℂ,   𝑛𝑛 ∈ ℕ,   𝑛𝑛 ≥ 5. Working in modulus/argument form find the
𝑛𝑛 solutions to this equation.
12d. Represent these 𝑛𝑛 solutions on an Argand diagram. Let their positions be
denoted by 𝑃𝑃0 ,  𝑃𝑃1 ,  𝑃𝑃2 , … 𝑃𝑃𝑛𝑛−1 placed in order in an anticlockwise direction round
the circle, starting on the positive 𝑥𝑥-axis. Show the positions of 𝑃𝑃0 ,  𝑃𝑃1 ,  𝑃𝑃2 and 𝑃𝑃𝑛𝑛−1 .
𝜋𝜋
12e. Show that the length of the line segment 𝑃𝑃0 𝑃𝑃1 is 2 sin .
𝑛𝑛

12f. Hence, write down the total length of the perimeter of the regular 𝑛𝑛 sided
polygon 𝑃𝑃0 𝑃𝑃1 𝑃𝑃2 … 𝑃𝑃𝑛𝑛−1 𝑃𝑃0 .
12g. Using part (b) find the limit of this perimeter as 𝑛𝑛 → ∞.
12h. Find the total area of this 𝑛𝑛 sided polygon.
12i. Using part (b) find the limit of this area as 𝑛𝑛 → ∞.
13a. This question will investigate methods for finding definite integrals of powers
of trigonometrical functions.
𝜋𝜋
Let 𝐼𝐼𝑛𝑛 = ∫02 sin𝑛𝑛 𝑥𝑥 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑,   𝑛𝑛 ∈ ℕ.

Find the exact values of 𝐼𝐼0 , 𝐼𝐼1 and 𝐼𝐼2 .

𝑛𝑛−1
13b. Use integration by parts to show that 𝐼𝐼𝑛𝑛 = 𝐼𝐼𝑛𝑛−2 ,   𝑛𝑛 ≥ 2.
𝑛𝑛

13c. Explain where the condition 𝑛𝑛 ≥ 2 was used in your proof.

13d. Hence, find the exact values of 𝐼𝐼3 and 𝐼𝐼4 .
𝜋𝜋
13e. Let 𝐽𝐽𝑛𝑛 = ∫02 cos𝑛𝑛 𝑥𝑥 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑,   𝑛𝑛 ∈ ℕ.
𝜋𝜋
Use the substitution 𝑥𝑥 = − 𝑢𝑢 to show that 𝐽𝐽𝑛𝑛 = 𝐼𝐼𝑛𝑛 .
2

13f. Hence, find the exact values of 𝐽𝐽5 and 𝐽𝐽6

𝜋𝜋
13g. Let 𝑇𝑇𝑛𝑛 = ∫04 tan𝑛𝑛 𝑥𝑥 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑,   𝑛𝑛 ∈ ℕ.

Find the exact values of 𝑇𝑇0 and 𝑇𝑇1 .

1
13h. Use the fact that tan2 𝑥𝑥 = sec 2 𝑥𝑥 − 1 to show that 𝑇𝑇𝑛𝑛 = − 𝑇𝑇𝑛𝑛−2 ,   𝑛𝑛 ≥ 2.
𝑛𝑛−1

13i. Explain where the condition 𝑛𝑛 ≥ 2 was used in your proof.

13j. Hence, find the exact values of 𝑇𝑇2 and 𝑇𝑇3 .
14a. This question investigates some applications of differential equations to
modeling population growth.
One model for population growth is to assume that the rate of change of the
d𝑃𝑃
population is proportional to the population, i.e. = 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘, where 𝑘𝑘 ∈ ℝ, 𝑡𝑡 is the time
d𝑡𝑡
(in years) and 𝑃𝑃 is the population
Show that the general solution of this differential equation is 𝑃𝑃 = 𝐴𝐴e𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 , where 𝐴𝐴 ∈
ℝ.
14b. The initial population is 1000.
Given that 𝑘𝑘 = 0.003, use your answer from part (a) to find
the population after 10 years
14c. the number of years it will take for the population to triple.
14d. lim 𝑃𝑃
𝑡𝑡→∞

14e. Consider now the situation when 𝑘𝑘 is not a constant, but a function of time.
Given that 𝑘𝑘 = 0.003 + 0.002𝑡𝑡, find
the solution of the differential equation, giving your answer in the form 𝑃𝑃 = 𝑓𝑓(𝑡𝑡).
14f. the number of years it will take for the population to triple.
14g. Another model for population growth assumes
• there is a maximum value for the population, 𝐿𝐿.
𝑃𝑃
• that 𝑘𝑘 is not a constant, but is proportional to �1 − �.
𝐿𝐿

d𝑃𝑃 𝑚𝑚
Show that = 𝑃𝑃(𝐿𝐿 − 𝑃𝑃), where 𝑚𝑚 ∈ ℝ.
d𝑡𝑡 𝐿𝐿
d𝑃𝑃 𝑚𝑚
14h. Solve the differential equation = 𝑃𝑃(𝐿𝐿 − 𝑃𝑃), giving your answer in the form
d𝑡𝑡 𝐿𝐿
𝑃𝑃 = 𝑔𝑔(𝑡𝑡).
14i. Given that the initial population is 1000, 𝐿𝐿 = 10000 and 𝑚𝑚 = 0.003, find the
number of years it will take for the population to triple.
15a. This question investigates the sum of sine and cosine functions
Sketch the graph 𝑦𝑦 = 3 sin 𝑥𝑥 + 4 cos 𝑥𝑥, for −2𝜋𝜋 ≤ 𝑥𝑥 ≤ 2𝜋𝜋
15b. Write down the amplitude of this graph
15c. Write down the period of this graph
15d. The expression 3 sin 𝑥𝑥 + 4 cos 𝑥𝑥 can be written in the form 𝐴𝐴 cos(𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 + 𝐶𝐶) + 𝐷𝐷,
where 𝐴𝐴,   𝐵𝐵 ∈ ℝ+ and 𝐶𝐶,   𝐷𝐷 ∈ ℝ and −𝜋𝜋 < 𝐶𝐶 ≤ 𝜋𝜋.
Use your answers from part (a) to write down the value of 𝐴𝐴, 𝐵𝐵 and 𝐷𝐷.
15e. Find the value of 𝐶𝐶.
3
15f. Find arctan , giving the answer to 3 significant figures.
4

15g. Comment on your answer to part (c)(i).

15h. The expression 5 sin 𝑥𝑥 + 12 cos 𝑥𝑥 can be written in the form 𝐴𝐴 cos(𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 + 𝐶𝐶) +
𝐷𝐷, where 𝐴𝐴,   𝐵𝐵 ∈ ℝ+ and 𝐶𝐶,   𝐷𝐷 ∈ ℝ and −𝜋𝜋 < 𝐶𝐶 ≤ 𝜋𝜋.
By considering the graph of 𝑦𝑦 = 5 sin 𝑥𝑥 + 12 cos 𝑥𝑥, find the value of 𝐴𝐴, 𝐵𝐵, 𝐶𝐶 and 𝐷𝐷.
15i. In general, the expression 𝑎𝑎 sin 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑏𝑏 cos 𝑥𝑥 can be written in the
form 𝐴𝐴 cos(𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 + 𝐶𝐶) + 𝐷𝐷, where 𝑎𝑎,   𝑏𝑏,   𝐴𝐴,   𝐵𝐵 ∈ ℝ+ and 𝐶𝐶,   𝐷𝐷 ∈ ℝ and −𝜋𝜋 < 𝐶𝐶 ≤ 𝜋𝜋.
Conjecture an expression, in terms of 𝑎𝑎 and 𝑏𝑏, for 𝐴𝐴.
15j. Conjecture an expression, in terms of 𝑎𝑎 and 𝑏𝑏, for 𝐵𝐵.
15k. Conjecture an expression, in terms of 𝑎𝑎 and 𝑏𝑏, for 𝐶𝐶.
15l. Conjecture an expression, in terms of 𝑎𝑎 and 𝑏𝑏, for 𝐷𝐷.
15m. The expression 𝑎𝑎 sin 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑏𝑏 cos 𝑥𝑥 can also be written in the
𝑎𝑎 𝑏𝑏
form √𝑎𝑎2 + 𝑏𝑏 2 � 2 2 sin 𝑥𝑥 + 2 2 cos 𝑥𝑥�.
√𝑎𝑎 √𝑎𝑎
+𝑏𝑏 +𝑏𝑏
𝑎𝑎
Let = sin 𝜃𝜃
√𝑎𝑎2 +𝑏𝑏2
𝑏𝑏
Show that = cos 𝜃𝜃.
√𝑎𝑎2 +𝑏𝑏2
𝑎𝑎
15n. Show that = tan 𝜃𝜃.
𝑏𝑏

15o. Hence prove your conjectures in part (e).