Instructions Attempt all the questions.

1. State whether the given relation is a function or not and why. If it is a function,
write its domain and its range.

f = {(−4, 1), (−2, 0), (0, 3), (2, 0), (4, 5)}

Answer: The relation is function since we have that each element has only one
outgoing arrow. Thus
Dom = {−4, −2, 0, 2, 4}
and
Range = {1, 0, 3, 5}.
[2marks]

2. What do you understand by TAUTOLOGY?

Answer:In mathematical logic, a tautology is a formula or assertion that is true in
every possible interpretation. [1mark]

3. When solving a simultaneous system of equation graphically, how do you recognise

that

a. It has infinitely many solutions

b. It has a unique solution

Answer:We recognize graphically that a simultaneous system of equation has

a. It has infinitely many solutions if the lines are parallel

b. It has a unique solution if the lines intersects in just one and only one point.

[2marks]

4. True or False? Justify your answer with a proof or a counterexample.

a. A function is always one-to-one.

b. A relation that passes the horizontal and vertical line tests is a one-to-one
function
c. f ◦ g = g ◦ f assuming f and g are functions.

Answer:

a. A function is always one-to-one. False, because all functions are not invertible.
b. A relation that passes the horizontal and vertical line tests is a one-to-one
function. Yes, because the tests indicate that we have a function and moreover
it is invertible.
c. f ◦ g = g ◦ f assuming f and g are functions. False, because the operation is not
commutative.

[3marks]

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Mathematics Mathematics — Comprehensive Assessment Page 2 of 14

5. When measuring angles, how do you represent any angle that is greater than 360◦ ?
Answer: Any angle greater that 360◦ is represented as

α = β + k · 360◦

with α > 360◦ and β ≤ 360◦ with k an integer. [2marks]

6. How do you express the area of right angled and a non right angled triangle in terms
of the sides and interior angle?
Answer If we take any triangle with two given sides a and b about a given (acute)
angle θ, then the area of the triangle is

1
Area = a · b · sin θ.
2
This formula also holds when θ is obtuse. [2marks]

7. What does the following statement express

a. limx→a+ f (x) = f (a)

b. limx→a f (x) = DN E

Answer: We have

a. limx→a+ f (x) = f (a). This means that the function is right continuous at a.
b. limx→a f (x) = DN E. This means that the function is not continuous at x = a.

[2marks]

8. What is the derivative of any function f (x) at x.

Answer: the derivative of a function f at any point is a function given by

f (x + h) − f (x)
f ′ (x) = lim .
h→0 h

[1mark]

9. For which values of the parameter m does the quadratic equation x2 +(m+1)x+1 = 0
have

a. Two distinct roots with opposite signs

b. Two roots where the greatest in absolute value is positive

Answer: The quadratic formula gives that

∆ = (m + 1)2 − 4 = m2 + 2m − 3 = (m + 3)(m − 1).

a. To get this we must have that ∆ > 0 and P < 0. This condition can not be
fulfilled since we have that always P > 0.

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Mathematics Mathematics — Comprehensive Assessment Page 3 of 14

b. We must have that ∆ > 0 and S > 0.

∆ > 0 ⇔ m ∈] − ∞, −3[∪]1, +∞[.

The sum S is given by S = −(m + 1). and

S > 0 ⇔ m ∈] − ∞, −1[.

Thus the condition is satisfied if we have

m ∈] − ∞, −3[∪]1, +∞[∩] − ∞, −1[=] − ∞, −1[.

[4marks]

10. With an example, show how a simultaneous system of equation has no solution.
Answer: Take the system 
−4x + 10y = 6,
2x − 5y = 3, .
The first step to solve a system is ALWAYS simplify, reduce, and rearrange. We
want the simplest form of each equation, and the same order of variables. The first
equation can be written as 2x − 5y = −3 and the second is simplified as 2x − 5y = 3.
Notice that both equations are in standard form. Now, from the first equation we
have 2x = −3 + 5y. Plug this value in the second (simplified) to get that 0 = 6, and
this is impossible. Thus our equation has no solution. [2marks]

11. The circle x2 + y 2 − 6x − 8y − 9 = 0 has a tangent at the point (−2, 7). Find the equation
of this tangent.
Answer: To find the equation o this tangent we need an other point so that our line
passes through this points is perpendicular to our tangent. Finding the center

x2 + y 2 − 6x − 8y − 9 = 0
(x2 − 6x) + (y 2 − 8y) = 9
(x − 3)2 + (y − 4)2 = 34
√
Thus we get that our circle has center C(3, 4) and radius r = 34. The line passing
through C and the point (−2, 7) is given by

3 3 11
y − 4 = − (x − 3) ↔ y = − x − .
5 5 5
Since our line must be perpendicular to this one we have that its slope is 53 . We seek
a aline of the form y = 53 x + n. Since our line passes through (−2, 7) we have that
n = 31
3 and thus the line is
5 31
y = x+ .
3 3
[3marks]

12. Construct a truth table for (P → Q) ∧ (Q → R).

Answer: We have the following table [4marks]

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Mathematics Mathematics — Comprehensive Assessment Page 4 of 14

13. Give the number of rows that a truth table will have when we have 2, 3 or n propositions.
Show how connectors ∨ and ∧ work with means of an example.
Answer: If we ha different propositions then

• If we have 2 propositions, then the number of rows are 4

• If we have 3 propositions, then the number of rows are 8
• If we have n propositions, then the number of rows are 2n .

Now given two propositions p and q, We show how connectors work in the following
table.

p q p∨q p∧q
T T T T
T F T F
F T T F
F F F F

[2marks]

14. Show that if A, B and C are points on the circle such that AB is the diameter of the
circle, then necessarily the triangle △ABC is right angled.
Answer: We consider the following figures From the figure b we have that the sum

of the interior angles is 180◦ . Thus we have that

α + α + β + β = 180◦ ⇒ 2(α + β) = 180◦

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Mathematics Mathematics — Comprehensive Assessment Page 5 of 14

and thus
α + β = 90◦
which completes the proof. [3marks]
2 2 2
15. From a given right angled triangle ABC, show that AC = AB + BC .
Answer: We consider the following figure Recall that triangles are similar if their

corresponding angles are equal, and that similarity implies that corresponding sides
are proportional. Thus, since △ABC is similar to △CBD, by proportionality of
corresponding sides we see that AB is to CB (hypotenuses) as BC is to BD (vertical
legs)
c
⇒ cd = a2 .
a
Since △ABC is similar to △ACD, comparing horizontal legs and hypotenuses gives

b c
= ⇒ b2 = c2 − cd = c2 − a2 ⇒ a2 + b2 = c2 .
c−d b
hence proved. [2mark]

16. Let ∗ be a binary operation on the set Z of integers defined by a ∗ b = ab − 2 with

a, b ∈ Z. Evaluate (−5) ∗ (6 ∗ 8) and (−5 ∗ 6) ∗ 8. Is ∗ associative and commutative?
Answer:The calculations are as follows:

a. We have

(−5) ∗ (6 ∗ 8) = (−5) ∗ ((6 × 8) − 2)

(−5) ∗ 46 = ((−5 × 46) − 2) = −232.

For (−5 ∗ 6) ∗ 8, we have (−5 ∗ 6) ∗ 8 = ((−5 × 6) − 2)

(−5 ∗ 6) ∗ 8 = ((−5 × 6) − 2) ∗ 8
(−32) ∗ 8 = −256

b. From the calculations here above we can conclude that the operation is not
associative. To prove for commutativity, we take two integers 4 and 5 for
example and check that 4∗5 is the same as 5∗4. Doing so we ge 4∗5 = (4×5)−2 =
18 and 5 ∗ 4 = (5 × 4) − 2 = 18. And thus the operation is commutative.

[5marks]

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Mathematics Mathematics — Comprehensive Assessment Page 6 of 14

17. Simplify the expression

1 2
x−4 + x2 −16
1 .
3+ x+4

Answer:
1 2 (x+4)+2
x−4 + x2 −16 x2 −16 x+6 x+4
1 = 3(x+4)+1
= 2
·
3+ x+4
x − 16 3x + 13
x+4
(x + 6)(x + 4) x+6
= = .
(x − 4)(x + 4)(3x + 13) (x − 4)(3x + 13)

[2marks]

18. Calculate the derivatives of the following functions

dy √
a. dx , if y = 4u + 1 and u = x2 − 6x.
 7
dy
b. dx , if y = x7 + x7 .

Answer: We have the following

a. To find this derivative we need to use the Chain rule. i.e

dy dy du
= × .
dx du dx
Calculating
dy d(4u + 1) 2 du
= √ =√ and = 2x − 6
du 2 4u + 1 4u + 1 dx
and thus we get

dy 2 4x − 12
=√ · 2x − 6 = p .
dx 4u + 1 4(x2 − 6x) + 1

b. For this function we will use the generalized power rule i.e.

d d
[f (x)]n = n [f (x)] · [f (x)]n−1 .
dx dx
Applying this formula to get

dy d  x 7   x 7 6
=7 + × +
dx dx 7 x 7 x
and thus we have
dy 1 7   x 7 6
=7× − 2 × + .
dx 7 x 7 x
[6marks]

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Mathematics Mathematics — Comprehensive Assessment Page 7 of 14

19. Solve the equation x5 − 1−3x

m+2 = 1, where m is a real parameter.
Answer: First of all we must have the condition m ̸= 2 to guarantee the existence of
the equation. Now solving by taking the LCD we have

x(m + 2) − 5(1 − 3x) = 5(m + 2)

(m + 17)x = 5m + 15

We discuss about the existence of the solution

5m+15
a. If m ̸= −17 we have that x = m+17 , and thus S = { 5m+15
m+17 }.
b. If m ̸= −17 then no x and thus S = ∅.

[3marks]

20. What are the dimensions of a rectangular tract of land when its perimeter is 50
kilometers and its area is 150 square kilometers?
Answer:Let ′ x′ and ′ y ′ represent the width and the length of the rectangular tract.
The perimeter is 50 km means:

2x + 2y = 50 ↔ y = 25 − x.

The area is 150km2 means:

xy = 150.
Plug y = 25 − x into the last equation yields a quadratic equation

x(25 − x) = 150 ⇔ 25x − x2 = 150.

Solving this equation we obtain x1 = 10km and x2 = 15 km. For x = 10 km we have

y = 25 − 10 = 15 km and for x = 15 km we have y = 25 − 15 = 10 km. The dimensions
of the rectangular tract are 10 km and 15 km. [3marks]

21. Prove that the linear map F : R2 → R2 defined by F (x, y) = (x − y, x − 2y) is non
singular, and hence find F −1 (x, y).
Answer: Given that F (x, y) = (x − y, x − 2y). We have that F (1, 0) = (1, 1) and F (0, 1) =
(−1, −2). Thus the matrix of our transformation is
 
1 −1 1 −1
⇒ |MF | = = −1 ̸= 0.
1 −2 1 −2

We have that our transformation is non singular since the determinant is non zero.
To find the inverse we need to use the inverse of MF .
    
−1 2 −1 −1 2 −1 x
MF = ⇒ F (x, y) =
1 −1 1 −1 y

and thus
F −1 (x, y) = (2x − y, x − y).
[4marks]

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Mathematics Mathematics — Comprehensive Assessment Page 8 of 14

22. Let k be a real numbers and f a function such that

kx + 11

f (x) = 4 ,x ≤ 1 ;
2x+3
x+1 , x >1 .

Calculate limx→1− f (x) and limx→1+ f (x). Find the value of k such that limx→1 f (x)
exists.
Answer: To calculate these limits we have to consider different parts (intervals
where the functions are defined.)
11 11
lim f (x) = lim kx + =k+
x→1− x→1− 4 4
and
2x + 3 5
lim f (x) = lim = .
x→1+ x→1+ x+1 2
If the limit at one exists, then the left hand limit is equal to the right hand limit,
and thus we have that
11 5 1
k+ = ⇒k=−
4 2 4
[3marks]

23. Solve the equation

6x4 − 35x3 + 62x2 − 35x + 6 = 0.

Answer: It is a even degree reciprocal equation as p(x) = xn p( x1 ). Dividing equation

by x2 to get
35 6
6x2 − 35xx + 62 − + 2 = 0.
x x
Grouping to get
 1  1
6 x2 + 2 − 35 x + + 62 = 0.
x x
   
Now let y = x + x1 ⇒ y 2 − 2 = x2 + x12 and so we get

6(y 2 − 2) + 35y + 62 = 0 ⇔ 6y 2 − 35y + 50 = 0.

We solve this equation by grouping to get (3y − 10)(2y − 5) = 0, which gives 3y = 10 or

2y = 5.

i. The case  1
3y = 10 ⇒ 3 x + = 10 ⇒ 3x2 − 10x + 3 = 0.
x
Solving this quadratic to get x = 3, or x = 13 .
ii. The case  1
2y = 5 ⇒ 2 x + = 5 ⇔ (2x − 1)(x − 2) = 0.
x
Solving to get the roots x = 2, or x = 12 . Thus the solution for this equation is
{2, 3, 12 , 31 }.

Year 1: Please go on to the next page. . .

Mathematics Mathematics — Comprehensive Assessment Page 9 of 14

[4marks]

24. An island is 2 mi due north of its closest point along a straight shoreline. A visitor
is staying at a cabin on the shore that is 6 mi west of that point. The visitor is
planning to go from the cabin to the island. Suppose the visitor runs at a rate of 8
mph and swims at a rate of 3 mph. How far should the visitor run before swimming
to minimize the time it takes to reach the island?
Answer: Let x be the distance running and let y be the distance swimming. Let T be
the time it takes to get from the cabin to the island. The following figure illustrates
the situation The problem is to minimize T. To find the time spent traveling from

the cabin to the island, add the time spent running and the time spent swimming.
Since Distance = Rate × T ime (D = R × T ), the time spent running is

Drunning x
Trunning = =
Rrunning 8

and
Dswimming y
Tswimming = = .
Rswimming 3
Therefore, the total time spent traveling is
x y
T = + .
8 3
From our figure the line segment of y miles forms the hypotenuse of a right triangle
with legs of length 2mi and 6 −p xmi. Therefore, by the Pythagorean theorem, 22 +
2 2
(6 − x) = y , and we obtain y = (6 − x)2 + 4. Thus, the total time spent traveling is
given by the function p
x (6 − x)2 + 4
T (x) = + .
8 3
From our figure, we see that 0 ≤ x ≤ 6. Therefore, [0, 6] is the domain of consideration.
Since T (x) is a continuous function over a closed, bounded interval, it has a maximum
and a minimum. Let’s begin by looking for any critical points of T over the interval
[0, 6]. The derivative is
1 6−x
T ′ (x) = − p .
8 3 (6 − x)2 + 4

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Mathematics Mathematics — Comprehensive Assessment Page 10 of 14

If T ′ (x) = 0 p
3 (6 − x)2 + 4 = 8(6 − x)
Solving to get x = 6 ± √6 . Since we must have that x ∈ [0, 6], the value x = 6 + √6 is
55 55
rejected. We remain with x = 6 − √6 and the maximum time is now given by
55

6
T (6 − √ ) ≈ 1.368h.
55

Therefore, we conclude that T has a local minimum at x ≈ 5.19 mi. [5marks]

25. Use graphing utility to graph the lines in the system. Use the graph to determine if
the system is consistent or inconsistent.

−7x + 6y = −4 ;
y + 76 x = −1 .

Answer: Thus we observe that the lines intersects in any case. We conclude that

the system is consistent. [5marks]

26. Solve the quadratic equation 6x2 − 48x − 54 = 0 by

a. By completing square
b. By quadratic formula

Answer: We have the following steps

a. Factorizing the equation

6(x2 − 8x − 9) = 0 ↔ x2 − 8x − 9 = 0

Now completing the square to get

(x2 − 8x) = 9
(x − 4)2 − 16 = 9
√
x − 4 = ± 25 = ±5

Now we have that x = −1 or x = 9 are our two roots.

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Mathematics Mathematics — Comprehensive Assessment Page 11 of 14

b. All equations of the form ax2 + bx + c = 0 can be solved using the quadratic
formula √
−b ± b2 − 4ac
.
2a
The quadratic formula gives two solutions, one when ± is addition and one
when it is subtraction. Substitute 6 for a, −48 for b, and −54 for c in the above
quadratic formula we get
p
−(−48) ± (−48)2 − 4 × 6(−56)
x=
2×6
to get the roots
48 ± 60
x= = −1, 9
12
which is the same as the above results using the completing square method.

[5marks]

27. Consider the graph of the function y = f (x) and attempt the following questions.

a. Find all values for which the function is discontinuous.

b. For each value in part a., state why the formal definition of continuity does not
apply.
c. Classify each discontinuity as either jump, removable, or infinite.

Answer:

a. We have discontinuities at x = −8, x = −2 and x = 6.

b. We calculate limits

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Mathematics Mathematics — Comprehensive Assessment Page 12 of 14

– at x = −8 we have
lim f (x) = −6 ̸= f (−8)
x→−8
– at x = −2 we have that
lim f (x) = DN E
x→−2
– we have that at x = 6
lim f (x) = DN E
x→6
• We classify the discontinuities as
– x = −8 is a removable discontinuity
– x = −2 is an infinite discontinuity and
– x = 6 is a jump discontinuity.
[10marks]
28. The centers of two circles are 7 cm apart, with one circle having a radius of 5cm and
the other a radius of 4cm. Find the area K of their intersection.

Figure 1: The shaded area K.

Answer:By symmetry, we see that ∠BAC = 21 ∠CAD and ∠ABC = 1

2 ∠CBD. So let
α = ∠BAC and β = ∠ABC. By the Law of Cosines, we have
72 + 5 2 − 42
cos α = = 0.8286 ⇒ α = 0.594rad ⇒ ∠CAD = 2(0.594) = 1.88rad
2(7)(5)
72 + 4 2 − 52
cos β = = 0.7143 ⇒ α = 0.775rad ⇒ ∠CBD = 2(0.775) = 1.550rad
2(7)(4)
Thus, the area K is
(Area of segment CD in circle at A)
+ (Area of segment CD in circle at B)
and thus
1 2 1
K = (5) (1.88 − sin 1.88) + (4)2 (1.550 + sin 1.550)
2 2
2
= 7.656cm .

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Mathematics Mathematics — Comprehensive Assessment Page 13 of 14

[8marks]

29. For each of the following functions, find the absolute maximum and absolute minimum
over the specified interval and state where those values occur.

a. f (x) = −x2 + 3x − 2 over [1, 3].

1
b. f (x) = x(1−x) over [2, 3].

Answer: We have

a. We need to proceed as follows. Evaluate f at the endpoints x = 1 and x = 3,

doing this we get that f (1) = 0 and f (3) = −2. Since f ′ (x) = −2x + 3, f ′ is
defined for all real numbers x. Therefore, there are no critical points where the
derivative is undefined. It remains to check that f ′ (x) = 0. Since
3
f (x) = 0 ⇔ −2x + 3 = 0 ⇒ x = .
2
is a stationary point. We summarize our result in the following table

Figure 2: The first derivative table

 
3 1
Thus we have an absolute maximum point M 2, 4 and an absolute minimum
at x = 3, which is m(3, −2).
b. Note that the domain of f (x) does not contain x = 0 and x = 1, and these points
are not in the interval [2, 3]. Finding critical points. Compute
1 − 2x 2x − 1
f ′ (x) = − = 2 .
x2 (1− x)2 x (1 − x)2

Therefore, the only possible critical point is 21 . As this point is not in the interval
[2, 3], it is not a critical point. To make conclusions, f (x) attains its absolute
maximum value f (3) = − 16 at x = 3 and f (x) attains its absolute minimum value
f (2) = − 21 at x = 2.

[7marks]

30. Let F and G be the linear operators defined on R2 by F (x, y) = (y, x) and G(x, y) =
(0, x). Find the formulas defining

Year 1:
Mathematics Mathematics — Comprehensive Assessment Page 14 of 14

a. F + G c. F G and GF
b. 2F − 3G d. F 2 and G2 .

Answer: We use algebra of linear transformations

a. (F + G)(x, y) = F (x, y) + G(x, y) = (y, x) + (0, x) = (y, 2x).

b. (3F + 2G)(x, y) = 3F (x, y) + 2G(x, y) = 3(y, x) + 2(0, x) = (3y, 3x) = 3(y, x).
c. F G(x, y) = F (G(x, y)) = F (0, x) = (x, 0).
d. GF (x, y) = G(F (x, y)) = G(y, x) = (0, y).
e. F 2 (x, y) = F (F (x, y)) = F (y, x) = (x, y)
f. G2 (x, y) = G(G(x, y)) = G(0, x) = (0, 0).

[10marks]

END...

Year 1: End of exam