MATHEMATICS (ELECTIVE) 2

1. STANDARD OF THE PAPER

The Chief Examiner for Mathematics (Elective) reported that the standard of the paper
compared favourably with that of the previous years.

Candidates’ performance was a notch higher than the previous year.

2. SUMMARY OF CANDIDATES’ STRENGTHS

The Chief Examiner for Mathematics (Elective) listed the strengths of candidates as
follows; ability to:
(1) find identity element and inverse of a binary operation;
(2) find composite functions;
(3) resolve forces into components;
(4) find the magnitude of the resultant of various forces;
(5) resolve functions into partial fractions;
(6) solve problems in probability;
(7) identify nature of roots of a quadratic function.

3. SUMMARY OF CANDIDATES’ WEAKNESSES

The Chief Examiner for Mathematics (Elective) listed some of the weakness of candidates
as difficulty in:
(1) drawing a Histogram;
(2) calculating of Spearman’s Rank Correlation Coefficient;
(3) solving problems involving both Arithmetic/Geometric Progression;
(4) using properties of the scalar (Dot) Product to solve problems;
(5) drawing accurate tree-body diagrams to represent problems in mathematics;
(6) using of cosine/sine ranks appropriately in a triangle.

4. SUGGESTED REMEDIES FOR THE WEAKNESSES

(1) Teachers should give equal attention to all topics in the syllabus rather than
specializing on some topics.
(2) Candidates should be given more exercises for them to have good command of the
topics in the syllabus.
(3) Candidates should be encouraged to show all steps used in solving a problem clearly
without jumping the steps in arriving at the solution.
(4) In general, teachers should pay attention to the weaknesses outlined above.

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5. DETAILED COMMENTS

QUESTION 1
A binary operation ∆ is defined on the set of real numbers, R, by x 𝚫 y = x + y + 10.
Find the:
(a) identity element;
(b) inverses of 3 and – 5 under 𝚫

Candidates were required to find the identity element for the binary operation x Δ y = x +
y +10 and to find the inverse of 3 and -5 under the operation. The question was attempted
by most candidates and was well handled. Thus, a good number of them were able to find
the identity element and the inverse.

Candidates were required to solve (a) and (b) as follows:

(a) 𝑥∆𝑦 = 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 10
𝑥∆ 𝑒 = 𝑥 + 𝑒 + 10 = 𝑥
𝑥 + 𝑒 + 10 = 𝑥
𝑒 = −10

(b) 3 ∆ 𝑥 −1 = 3 + 𝑥 −1 + 10 = −10
3 + 𝑥 −1 + 10 = −10 ⇒ 𝑥 −1 = −23
−5∆ 𝑥 −1 = −5 + 𝑥 −1 + 10 = −10
−5 + 𝑥 −1 + 10 = −10 ⇒ 𝑥 −1 = −15

QUESTION 2
𝟒 𝒙𝟑 + 𝟑
Evaluate ∫𝟐 ( )dx.
𝒙𝟐
4 𝑥3+ 3
Candidates were required to evaluate the integral ∫2 ( )dx. The question was attempted
𝑥2
by most of the candidates and performance was good. Few candidates could not divide
through by x2 to obtain x +3x-2 before integrating. Such candidates found it difficult to
integrate.

Candidates were required to solve question 2 as follows:

4 4
𝑥3 + 3
∫ 𝑑𝑥 = ∫ (𝑥 + 3𝑥 −2 ) 𝑑𝑥
2 𝑥2 2
𝑥2 3𝑥 −1 4
= [ 2 + −1 ]
2
𝑥2 3 4
= [ 2 − 𝑥]
2
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 3 3
= (8 − 4) − (2 − 2)
= 7.25 − 0.5
= 6.75

QUESTION 3
(a) Two functions f and g are defined on the set of real numbers, R by f: x ⟶x2 –
1 and g : x→x+2. Find f o g(-2)
(b) A bus has 6 seats and there are 8 passengers. In how many ways can the bus
be filled?

The question was in two parts, (a) and (b).

The question was attempted by most of the candidates. The part (a) was answered very
well; the second part posed a problem for some of them. That part (b) required the use of
permutation instead of combination. Candidates were required to answer the question as
follows:

𝑓: 𝑥 → 𝑥 2 − 1, 𝑔: 𝑥 → 𝑥 + 2
(a) 𝑓 𝑜 𝑔 = (𝑥 + 2)2 − 1
= 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 4 − 1
= 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 3
𝑓 𝑜 𝑔(−2) = (−2)2 + 4(−2) + 3
=4−8+3
= −1

8! 8!
8𝑃6 = (8−6)! = 2!
(b)
= 20160𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠

QUESTION 4
𝟏
Express in partial fractions.
𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏𝟔

A good number of candidates attempted the question and were able to resolve the
expression in partial fractions.

Candidates were required to answer the question as follows:

1 1
2
=
𝑥 − 16 (𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 + 4)

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 1 𝑃 𝑄
≡ +
(𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 + 4) 𝑥 − 4 𝑥 + 4
1
= 𝑃(𝑥 + 4) + 𝑄(𝑥 − 4)
𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑥 = 4
1 = 8𝑃
1
𝑃=8
𝑁𝑒𝑥𝑡 𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑥 = −4, 1 = −8𝑄
1
∴𝑄= −
8
1 1
1 −8
≡ 8 +
𝑥 2 − 16 𝑥 − 4 𝑥 + 4
1 1
≡ 8(𝑥−4) − 8(𝑥+4)

QUESTION 5
The table shows the marks scored by some students in a class test.

Marks 11 – 14 15 - 18 19 – 22 23 - 26 27 - 30 31 - 34 35 - 38
No. of 4 5 18 31 25 14 3
students
(a) Draw a histogram for the distribution.
(b) Use the histogram to estimate the modal score, correct to one decimal place.

Candidates were required to draw a histogram from a frequency table and use the histogram
to estimate the modal mark. The question was attempted by most of the candidates. They
were able to construct the table but could not draw the histogram correctly by using either
the midpoints or the class boundaries. They could not show the exact positions of the class
boundaries or the midpoints. Candidates’ performance was generally very poor.

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Candidates were required to answer the question as follows:
(a)
f
Class
Boundary
10.5 – 14.5 4
14.5 – 18.5 5
18.5 – 22.5 18
22.5 –26.5 31
26.5 – 30.5 25
30.5 – 34.5 14
34.5 – 38.5 3

From the graph

(b)
Mode = 25.2 ± 0.1

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QUESTION 6
A bag contains 10 black and 5 yellow identical balls. Two balls are picked at random
from the bag one after the other without replacement. Calculate the probability that
they are:
(a) both black;
(b) of the same colour.

Candidates were required to find the probability of picking two balls at random from a bag
without replacement. Almost all candidates who attempted the question got the answer
correct. Most candidates used combination to solve the problem.

Candidates were required to answer the question as follows:

(a) 𝑏𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑘 = 10, 𝑦𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 = 5, 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 15

10 5
( )( ) 45×1
P(both black) 215 0 =
( ) 105
2
45
= 105
3
= 7 or 0.4286
10 5 10 5
( )( ) + ( )( )
2 0 0 2
(b) P(the same colour) = 15
( )
2
(45×1)+(1×10)
= 105
45+10
= 105
55
= 105
11
= 21 or 0.5238

QUESTION 7
Force F1 (24 N, 1200), F2(18N, 2400) and F3(12N,3000) act at a point. Find, correct to
two decimal places, the magnitude of their resultant force.

Candidates were required to find the magnitude of the resultant of three forces acting at a
point. A good number of candidates attempted this question and it was well answered by
most of them. They were able to resolve the forces into components, simplified and
obtained the magnitude of the forces. Few candidates interchanged the x and y components
of the forces which led to loss of marks.

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Candidates were required to answer the question as follows:
𝐹𝑅 = 𝐹1 + 𝐹2 + 𝐹3

0 0
𝐹𝑅 = ( 24𝑠𝑖𝑛120 0 ) + ( 18𝑠𝑖𝑛240 0 ) +
24𝑐𝑜𝑠120 18𝑐𝑜𝑠240
0
( 12𝑠𝑖𝑛300 )
12𝑐𝑜𝑠3000

= (12√3) + (−9√3) + (−6√3)

−12 −9 6
= (−3√3)
−15
2
|𝐹𝑅 | = √(3√3) + (15)2 = √27 + 225 = √252
= 15.87𝑁

QUESTION 8
The vectors p, q and r are mutually perpendicular with |𝒒| = 3 and |𝒓| = √𝟓. 𝟒. If the
vectors X = 3p + 5q + 7r and Y = 2p + 3q – 5r are perpendicular, find |𝒑|.

Candidates were required to find one of three mutually perpendicular vectors. In the
process they were required to apply the properties of the dot product. Most of the
candidates avoided the question. Very few of them who attempted gave answers which
showed that they have little knowledge of dot product of (perpendicular) vectors which the
question required. The question was poorly answered.

Candidates were required to answer the question as follows:

𝑋 = 3𝑝 = 5𝑞 + 7𝑟 and 𝑌 = 2𝑝 + 3𝑞 − 5𝑟
𝑋 ∙ 𝑌 = (3𝑝 + 5𝑞 + 7𝑟) ∙ (2𝑝 + 3𝑞 − 5𝑟) = 0
= 6𝑝 ∙ 𝑝 + 9𝑝 ∙ 𝑞 − 15𝑝 ∙ 𝑟 + 10𝑞 ∙ 𝑝 + 15𝑞 ∙ 𝑝
−25𝑞 ∙ 𝑟 + 14𝑟 ∙ 𝑝 + 21𝑟 ∙ 𝑞 − 35𝑟 ∙ 𝑟 = 0
6|𝑝|2 + 15|𝑞 2 | − 35|𝑟 2 | = 0
6|𝑝2 | = 54
∴ |𝑝| = 3

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QUESTION 9
(a) If (p + 1) x2 + 4px + (2p + 3) = 0 has equal roots, find the integral value of p.
(b) Solve for x and y in the equations: log (x – 1) + 2 log y = 2 log 3;
log x + log y = log 6

Most of the candidates attempted this question and scored good marks for the part (a).
A good number of the candidates could not remove the logs in the part (b).

Candidates were required to answer the question as follows:

(a) (𝑝 + 1)𝑥 2 + 4𝑝𝑥 + (2𝑝 + 3) = 0

For equal roots: 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 = 0
16𝑝2 − 4(𝑝 + 1)(2𝑝 + 3) = 0
8𝑝2 − 20𝑝 − 12 = 0
2𝑝2 − 5𝑝 − 3 = 0
(𝑝 − 3)(2𝑝 + 1) = 0
1
𝑝 = − 𝑜𝑟 𝑝 = 3
2
∴𝑝=3

(b) log(𝑥 − 1) + 2log 𝑦 = 2 log 3

log(𝑥 − 1) + log 𝑦 2 = log 32
𝑦 2 (𝑥 − 1) = 9 …………….… (1)
log 𝑥 + log 𝑦 = log 6
𝑥𝑦 = 6 ……………… (2)
6
𝑥=
𝑦
6
𝑦 2 ( − 1) = 9
𝑦
2
𝑦 − 6𝑦 + 9 = 0
2
𝑦 − 3𝑦 − 3𝑦 + 9 = 0
𝑦(𝑦 − 3) − 3(𝑦 − 3) = 0
(𝑦 − 3)(𝑦 − 3) = 0
𝑦=3
6
𝑥=3
∴𝑥=2

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QUESTION 10
𝟑𝒙
(a) Differentiate y = 𝟏+ 𝒙𝟐 with respect to x.
(b) Find the equation of the circle that passes through (2,3), (4,2) and (1,11).

(a) The part (a) was attempted by most of the candidates. Some candidates could not use
the quotient rule correctly.
(b) The part (b) was correctly answered by most of the candidates. Candidates did the
correct substitution to generate the three equations but were unable to solve the three
equations well.

Candidates were required to answer the question as follows:

3𝑥
𝑦=
(a) 1 + 𝑥2
𝑑𝑦 (1+𝑥 2 )∙3−3𝑥 ∙(2𝑥)
= (1+𝑥 2 )2
.
𝑑𝑥
3+3𝑥 2 −6𝑥 2
= (1+𝑥 2 )2

3−3𝑥 2
= (1+𝑥 2)2

3(1−𝑥 2 )
= (1+𝑥2 )2

(b)
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2𝑔𝑥 + 2𝑓𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0
At (2,3), 4 + 9 + 4𝑔 + 6𝑓 + 𝑐 = 0
4𝑔 + 6𝑓 + 𝑐 = −13 ……(i)
At (4,2), 16 + 4 + 8𝑔 + 4𝑓 + 𝑐 = 0
8𝑔 + 4𝑓 + 𝑐 = −20……(ii)
At (1,11), 1 + 121 + 2𝑔 + 22𝑓 + 𝑐 = 0
2𝑔 + 22𝑓 + 𝑐 = −122.....(iii)
(ii) – (i), 4𝑔 + 2𝑓 = −7……..(iv)
(ii) – (iii), −6𝑔 + 18𝑓 = −102….(v)
−11
𝑔= 2
𝑓 = −15
𝑐 = 54
11 15
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2 (− ) 𝑥 + 2 (− ) 𝑦 + 6 = 0
2 2
2 2
𝑥 + 𝑦 − 11𝑥 − 15𝑦 + 54 = 0

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QUESTION 11
When the terms of a Geometric Progression (G.P.) with common ratio r = 2 is added
to the corresponding terms of an Arithmetic Progression (A.P.), a new sequence is
formed. If the first terms of the G. P. and A. P. are the same and the first three terms
of the new sequence are 3, 7 and 11 respectively, find the nth term of the new sequence.

The question was on AP and GP was answered by most of the candidates. A few of the
candidates who attempted it could not make any headway. Candidates were required to
answer the question as follows:
G. P = a, 2a, 4a
A. P = a, a+d, a+2d.

G. P + A. P = 2a + 3a+d + 5a+2d

2a = 3
3
a=2
3a + d = 7
7
d=4

For new sequence

a = 3, d = 4
an= 3 + 4(n-1)
= 4𝑛 − 1

QUESTION 12
𝟏 𝟐 𝟏
(a) The probabilities that Golu, Kofi and Barry will win a competition are 𝟑, 𝟓 and 𝟐
respectively. Find the probability that only two of them wins the competition
(b) Ten eggs are picked successively with replacement from a lot containing 10%
defective eggs. Find the probability that at least two are defective.

Candidates were required to find the probabilities of events in different statement and
cases. The part (a) was well answered by most of the candidates.

The part (b) however, which required the binomial probability was poorly answered.

338
Candidates were required to answer the question as follows:
(a) 1 2 1
𝑃(𝐺) = , 𝑃(𝐾) = , 𝑃(𝐵) =
3 5 2
2 3 1
𝑃(𝐺 1 ) = , 𝑃(𝐾 1 ) = , 𝑃(𝐵1 ) =
3 5 2
1 2 1 1
G wins, K wins, B lose = 3 × 5 × 2 = 15
1 3 1 1
G wins, K lose, B wins = 3 × 5 × 2 = 10
2 2 1 2
G lose, K wins, B wins = 3 × 5 × 2 = 15
1 1 2 9
P(only two wins) = 15 + 10 + 15 = 30

3
= 10 or 0.3
1 9
𝑛 = 10, 𝑝= , 𝑞=
10 10
𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 2) = 1 − 𝑃(𝑋 < 2 )
(b)
= 1 − [𝑃(𝑋 = 0) + 𝑃(𝑋 = 1)]
0
10 1 9 10
𝑃(𝑋 = 0) = ( ) ( ) ( ) = 0.3487
0 10 10
1
10 1 9 9
𝑃(𝑋 = 1) = ( ) ( ) ( ) = 0.3874
1 10 10
𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 2) = 1 − (0.3487 + 0.3874) )
= 1 − 0.7361
∴ 𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 2) = 0.2639

QUESTION 13
The marks awarded by three examiners are given in the table:

Candidate A B C D E F G H I J
Examiner I 90 88 71 65 32 72 70 41 38 14
Examiner II 89 92 70 68 35 66 72 39 40 16
Examiner III 88 89 71 67 36 70 69 38 39 15
(a) Calculate the Spearman’s correlation coefficient of the marks awarded by:
(i) Examiners I and II;
(ii) Examiners I and III;
(iii) Examiners II and II.
(b) Use your results in (a) to determine which of the examiners agree most.

Candidates were required to calculate the spearman’s rank correlation coefficient of the
marks awarded by some examiners and conclude which examiners agreed most.

339
 (a) Very few of the candidates attempted this question. The performance of the
candidates was very poor. Most of the candidates could not do the ranking and squaring
to be used in the formula. Most of them could not write the formular correctly and
therefore mixed up the calculations.

Those who managed to solve the problem could not use their results to conclude which of
the examiners agreed most.

Candidates were required to answer the question as follows:

13.(a)
Student RI RII RIII d2I,II=(RI – d2I, III = (RI – d2II,III = (RII –
RII)2 RIII)2 RIII)2
A 1 2 2 1 1 0
B 2 1 1 1 1 0
C 4 4 3 0 1 1
D 6 5 6 1 0 1
E 9 9 9 0 0 0
F 3 6 4 9 1 4
G 5 3 5 4 0 4
H 7 8 8 1 1 0
I 8 7 7 1 1 0
J 10 10 10 0 0 0
∑ 𝑑 2 I, II = 18 ∑ 𝑑 2 I, III = 6 ∑ 𝑑 2 II, III = 10

6 ∑ 𝑑𝑖 2
𝑟12 = 1 −
𝑛(𝑛2 − 1)
6 × 18 49
1 − 10 ×99 = 55 = 0.8909
6×6 53
𝑟13 = 1 − 10 ×99 = 55 = 0.9636
6 × 10 31
𝑟23 = 1 − 10 ×99 = 33 = 0.9394

Examiners I and III agree most

(b) Examiners I and III agree most

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QUESTION 14
The ends X and Y of an inextensible string 27 m long are fixed at two points on the
same horizontal line which are 20 m apart. A particle of mass 7.5 kg is suspended
from a point p on the string 12 m from X
(a) Illustrate this information in a diagram.
(b) Calculate, correct to two decimal places, ∠𝒀𝑿𝑷 and ∠𝑿𝒀𝑷.
(c) Find, correct to the nearest hundredth, the magnitudes of the tensions in the
string.
[Take g = 10 m s-2]

Candidates were required to illustrate forces in a diagram, use it to calculate angles and
then to find the tensional forces in the string.

Most candidates could not draw the diagram and use it to solve the problem. Also, most
candidates could not use the cosine and sine rules to solve the problem.

Candidates’ performance was average.

341
Candidates were required to answer the question as follows:

14.(a)

202 + 122 − 152

𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼 =
(2)(20)(12)
400+144−225 319
= = 480 = 0.6646
480
𝛼 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 0.6646 = 48.350
−1

202 + 152 − 122

𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽 =
(2)(20)(15)
400+225−144 481
= = 600 = 0.8017
600
−1
𝛽 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 0.8017 = 36.710

(b) Using Lami’s theorem

𝑇1 𝑇2 75
= =
𝑠𝑖𝑛126.710 𝑠𝑖𝑛138.350 𝑠𝑖𝑛94.940
𝑇1 75
0
=
𝑠𝑖𝑛126.71 𝑠𝑖𝑛94.940
75×𝑠𝑖𝑛126.710 75×0.8017
𝑇1 = =
𝑠𝑖𝑛94.940 0.9963
𝑇1 = 60.3495𝑁
= 60.35N

𝑇2 75
=
(c) 𝑠𝑖𝑛138.350 𝑠𝑖𝑛94.940

342
 75 × 𝑠𝑖𝑛138.350 75 × 0.6646
𝑇2 = =
𝑠𝑖𝑛94.940 0.9963
𝑇2 = 50.0301𝑁
= 50.03N

343
QUESTION 15
A particle P moves in a plane such that at time t seconds, its velocity,
v = (2ti – t3j) m s-1.
(a) Find, when t = 2, the magnitude of the:
(i) velocity of P.
(ii) acceleration of P.
(b) Given that P is at the point with position vector (3i + 2j) when t = 1, find the
position vector of P when t = 2.

Candidates were required to use differentiation and integration of vectors (in i, j, k) to solve
the problem. Most of the candidates scored good marks in the part (a). the part (b) was
poorly done as a good number of the candidates could not integrate the velocity vector to
obtain the position vector.

Candidates were required to answer the question as follows:

(a)(i) 𝑣 = 2𝑡𝑖 − 𝑡 3 𝑗
When 𝑡 = 2, 𝑣 = 4𝑖 − 8𝑗
|𝑣| = √42 + (−8)2 = √80
= 4√5𝑚𝑠 −1 𝑜𝑟 8.944𝑚𝑠 −1
𝑎 = 2 − 3𝑡 2
𝑎 = 2𝑖 − 3𝑡 2 𝑗
= 2𝑖 − 12𝑗

(ii) |a| = √22 + (−12)2 = √148

= 2√37𝑚𝑠 −2 𝑜𝑟 12.166𝑚𝑠 −2
2𝑡 2 𝑡4
𝑆= 𝑖− 𝑗
2 4
𝑡4
𝑆 = 𝑡2 − +𝑘
4
1
When t = 1, (3𝑖 + 2𝑗) = 1𝑖 − 4 𝑗 + 𝑘
1
3𝑖 − 𝑖 + 2𝑗 + 4 𝑗 = 𝑘
9
(2𝑖 + 4 𝑗) = 𝑘
(b) 𝑡4 9
𝑆 = 𝑡2𝑖 − 𝑗 + 2𝑖 + 4 𝑗
4
9 𝑡4
= (𝑡 2 + 2)𝑖 + (4 − 4 ) 𝑗
9
When t = 2, 𝑆 = 6𝑖 + (4 − 4) 𝑗
7
𝑆 = 6𝑖 + − 4 𝑗
7
𝑆 = 6𝑖 − 4 𝑗

344