Edith Cowan University

2022 ATAR Revision Questions

ATAR Mathematics Methods

Examination Revision Questions

Prepared and presented by

Taylor Pervan
Mathematics Teacher
Question Number Topic Marks Resource
Free/Assumed
1 General Calculus 10 Free
2 General Calculus 6 Free
3 General Calculus 5 Free
4 General Calculus 6 Free
5 1st and 2nd derivatives 8 Free
st nd
6 1 and 2 derivatives 5 Free
7 Tangents 5 Free
8 General Calculus 5 Free
9 Exponential growth 8 Assumed
10 Rectilinear motion 6 Assumed
11 Small change 7 Assumed
12 Area under a curve 5 Free
13 Total change from rate 5 Assumed
of change
14 Rectilinear Motion 9 Assumed
15 Area between curves 5 Assumed
16 Binomial distribution 9 Assumed
17 Discrete random 9 Assumed
variables
18 Discrete random 9 Assumed
variables
19 Logarithmic Equations 11 Free
20 Rectilinear Motion 7 Free
21 Area under a curve 7 Free
22 Logarithmic functions 7 Assumed
23 Area between curves 7 Assumed
24 Uniform CRV 6 Free
25 Continuous random 6 Free
variables
26 Sampling 12 Assumed
27 Normal distribution 8 Assumed
28 Continuous random 11 Assumed
variables
29 Estimating areas 9 Assumed
30 Optimisation 9 Free
31 Optimisation 7 Assumed
32 Sampling 9 Free
TOTAL 238
Question 1 (10 marks)
Determine:

(i) ∫ 2𝑥(3 − 𝑥 2 )6 𝑑𝑥 [2]

𝑑 𝑥
(ii) [∫3 8 − 7𝑡 𝑑𝑡] [1]
𝑑𝑥

2
(iii) ∫−1 4𝑒 −𝑡 𝑑𝑡 [3]
 𝑘
(iv) the possible values of 𝑘, such that ∫𝜋 sin 2𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = −0.5 and −𝜋 ≤ 𝑘 ≤ 2𝜋. [4]
4
Question 2 (6 marks)
Determine:

𝑑 2 ln 𝑥
(i) ( ) [2]
𝑑𝑥 3𝑥

0.5−𝑥
(ii) ∫ 𝑥 2 −𝑥 𝑑𝑥 [2]

𝑑 ln 𝑥
(iii) (∫0 2𝑡 𝑑𝑡) [2]
𝑑𝑥
Question 3 (5 marks)
𝑑
(a) Show that (𝑥𝑒 3𝑥 ) = 𝑒 3𝑥 + 3𝑥𝑒 3𝑥 [1]
𝑑𝑥

(b) Using your answer from part (a) determine ∫ 𝑥𝑒 3𝑥 𝑑𝑥. [4]
Question 4 (6 marks)
6 9 10
Given that ∫−2 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = 5, ∫−2 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = −20 and ∫−2 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = −7, determine:

10
(i) ∫9 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 [2]

10 𝑓(𝑥)+𝑥
(ii) ∫6 𝑑𝑥. [4]
2
Question 5 (8 marks)
𝑒𝑥
(a) Determine the gradient of the curve 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 +1 at the point where 𝑥 = 2. [4]

(b) Determine the 𝑥 coordinates of the stationary points on the function 𝑦 = 𝑥(2𝑥 − 1)3.
[4]
Question 6 (5 marks)
Consider the function 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 + 𝑥 − 3.
(a) Using calculus, show that the function has zero stationary points. [2]

(b) Determine the coordinates of the point of inflection on 𝑔(𝑥), using calculus to prove that
it is a non-stationary point of inflection. Clearly state your reasoning. [3]
Question 7 (5 marks)
Determine the equation of the tangent to the curve 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑒 𝑥 sin(5𝑥) at the point where
𝑥 = 𝜋.
Question 8 (5 marks)
−11
The function 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 4 has a gradient of −17 at the point (1, 2 ). Determine the
values of 𝑎 and 𝑏.
Question 9 (8 marks) CA
A foreign substance is introduced into a pond. It affects the population of the fish in the pond
so that the population, 𝑃 varies with 𝑡 according to the rule
𝑑𝑃
= −0.15𝑃
𝑑𝑡

where 𝑡 is the number of hours since the substance was introduced.

(a) If the initial population of fish was 300 determine:

(i) an expression for 𝑃 in terms of 𝑡. [1]

(ii) the time taken for the population to halve. [2]

(iii) the rate of change of the population 1 day after the substance was introduced. [2]

(b) Determine the initial population if, after 50 hours, the population was decreasing by 0.025
fish per hour. [3]
Question 10 (6 marks) CA
A particle is moving in a straight line such that its displacement, 𝑥 cm, at time 𝑡 seconds is
given by
𝑥 = cos 𝑡 + 0.1𝑡 3 for 𝑡 ≥ 0.
(a) Determine the displacement of the particle when 𝑡 = 3. [1]

(b) Determine the velocity of the particle when it has an acceleration of 50𝑐𝑚𝑠 −2 for the first
time. [3]

(c) At what time(s) is the speed of the particle 0.5𝑐𝑚𝑠 −1? [2]
Question 11 (7 marks) CA
(a) Given that 𝑦 = √𝑥 + 𝑥, use calculus to approximate the small change in 𝑦 when 𝑥
changes from 5 to 5.01. [2]

𝛿𝑦 𝑑𝑦
(b) The incremental formula, 𝛿𝑥 ≈ 𝑑𝑥 , is used to approximate the small change in the
function 𝑦 = 𝑒 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑥. It approximates that the small change in 𝑦 when 𝑥 changes from
2 to 2.05 is 1.5 and the small change in 𝑦 when 𝑥 changes from 10 to 10.05 is 3.5.
Determine the values of 𝑎 and 𝑏, correct to 3 significant figures. [5]
Question 12 (5 marks)

Determine the area between the curve 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 4 and the 𝑥 axis between 𝑥 = 0 and
𝑥 = 2.
Question 13 (5 marks) CA
𝑑𝑉 3
The volume of a balloon, 𝑉 𝑐𝑚3 , is varying such that after 𝑡 minutes, = .
𝑑𝑡 √𝑡
(a) Determine, correct to 5 significant figures, the change in volume from 𝑡 = 10 to 𝑡 = 16.
[2]

(b) Determine the time time taken, to the nearest second, from when 𝑡 = 50 for the volume
to increase by 40 𝑐𝑚3 . [3]
Question 14 (9 marks) CA

A particle, with an initial displacement of −0.25 meters, is moving in a straight line such that
𝑡
at time 𝑡 seconds, its velocity is given by 𝑣(𝑡) = 4 sin(6) meters per second, where 𝑡 ≥ 0.

(a) Determine the average speed of the body in the first minute. [2]

(b) Determine the smallest value of 𝑞, such that the average velocity from 𝑡 = 1 to 𝑡 = 𝑞 is
1.75 𝑚/𝑠. [3]

(c) Determine the acceleration of the particle when it is at the origin for the first time. [4]
Question 15 (5 marks) CA

The graph below shows the functions 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 − 1 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏, intersecting at
√6 4√6
𝑥 = 3 . Given that the shaded area is equal to units squared, determine the values of 𝑎
3
and 𝑏.
Question 16 (9 marks) CA

When throwing a dart at a dart board, Taylor has a 0.18 chance of hitting the bulls eye.

(a) If Taylor has 30 throws at the dart board determine the probability that he hits:

(i) exactly 2 bulls eyes. [2]

(ii) more than 3 bulls eyes. [1]

(iii) no more than 6 bulls eyes, given he hits more than 3 bulls eyes. [2]

(b) Taylor plays 5 games of darts, each time throwing 30 darts. Determine the probability
he hits exactly 2 bulls eyes in at least 3 of the 5 games. [2]

(c) How many darts would Taylor need to throw so that he has at least a 75% chance of
hitting at least one bulls eye? [2]
Question 17 (9 marks) CA
Consider the probability function shown below.

𝑥 1 3 𝑚 8
𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) 0.15 𝑛 0.3 0.35

(a) Determine 𝑛. [1]

(b) If the expected value of 𝑋 is 5.65, determine:

(i) 𝑚. [2]

(ii) 𝑉𝑎𝑟(𝑋). [2]

(iii) 𝐸(3 − 1.5𝑋). [1]

(iv) 𝑎 and 𝑏 such that 𝐸(𝑎 + 𝑏𝑋) = 12 and 𝑉𝑎𝑟(𝑎 + 𝑏𝑥) = 26 and 𝑏 > 0.
[3]
Question 18 (9 marks) CA
At the Royal Show, a game stall operator offers prizes of $1, $3, and $10 with probabilities
of 0.45, 0.2 and 0.05 respectively. The operator charges $2 per game.

(a) Show that the probability of not winning a prize is 0.3.

[1]

(b) Determine the probability of a player winning $3, given that that win a prize.
[2]

(c) After 200 plays of the game, how much should the game stall operator expect to
profit? [2]

(d) If Sydney plays the game 35 times, what is the probability she gets a prize of exactly
$3 more than 5 times? [2]
(e) How much should the game stall operator charge if she wishes to make $150 profit in
200 plays of the game? [2]

Question 19 (11 marks)

(a) Determine the exact value of 𝑥 in each of the following equations.
 (i) 3𝑥 = 25−𝑥 [3]

𝜋
(ii) ln(tan 𝑥) + 0.5ln 3 = 0 for 0 < 𝑥 < 2 . [2]

(b) If log 2 9 = 𝑎 and log 2 6 = 𝑏 express the following in terms of 𝑎 and 𝑏.

(i) − log 2 54. [2]

 (ii) log 2 36. [1]

(iii) log 2 0.75 [3]

Question 20 (7 marks)
A particle moves in a straight line such that its displacement, 𝑥 metres, at time 𝑡 seconds is
given by
𝑥(𝑡) = −1 + ln(𝑡 2 − 2𝑡 + 2) for 𝑡 ≥ 0.

(a) Determine when the particle is stationary and its distance from the origin at this time.
[4]

(b) Determine the acceleration of the particle when 𝑡 = 3. [3]

Question 21 (7 marks)
 3𝑥 2
Consider 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3+1 graphed below.

(a) Determine the area bound by 𝑓(𝑥) and the 𝑥-axis from 𝑥 = 1 to 𝑥 = 3, expressing your
answer as a single logarithm. [3]

(b) The area bound by 𝑓(𝑥) and the 𝑥-axis from 𝑥 = 1 to 𝑥 = 𝑘 is ln 63 units squared.
Determine the value of 𝑘. [4]

Question 22 (7 marks) CA
The loudness of a sound, 𝐿 decibels, is related to the intensity of the sound, 𝐼 by the equation
𝐼
𝐿 = 10 log 𝐼
0
where 𝐼0 is a constant.

(a) Determine the loudness of a sound when its intensity is 150𝐼0 . [2]

(b) How many times more intense is a sound with a loudness of 75 decibels to that of a sound
with a loudness of 48 decibels, correct to 3 significant figures. [2]

(c) Use calculus to approximate the small change in 𝐿 when 𝐼 increases to 1.1 × 10−4 from
10−4. [3]

Question 23 (7 marks) CA
 𝑒 𝑥 ln 𝑥
The functions 𝑓(𝑥) = 5 ln 𝑥 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 2 and the line 𝑥 = 𝑏 are graphed on the axes
below. 𝑃 is a region bounded by 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑔(𝑥) and 𝑄 is the region bounded by the two
curves, the line 𝑥 = 𝑏 and the 𝑥-axis.

(a) Determine an integral that will give the exact area of region 𝑃, and state this area correct
to 3 significant figures. [4]

(b) Region 𝑄 is 5 units squared. Determine the value of 𝑏 correct to 3 significant figures. [3]

Question 24 (6 marks)
The probability density function of a continuous random variable 𝑋 is given by

0.2 𝑓𝑜𝑟 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 5
𝑓(𝑥) = {
0 𝑒𝑙𝑠𝑒𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒.

(a) Graph this distribution on the axes below, showing clearly the scale on each axis. [1]

(b) What type of distribution is this. [1]

(c) Determine:
(i) 𝑃(𝑋 ≤ 4). [1]

(ii) 𝑃(𝑋 ≤ 4|𝑋 ≥ 3). [1]

1
(iii) 𝑡 such that 𝑃(𝑡 < 𝑋 < 2𝑡) = 3. [2]

Question 25 (6 marks)
The probability density function for the continuous random variable 𝑋 is given by

𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐, 0≤𝑥≤3
𝑓(𝑥) = {
0 𝑒𝑙𝑠𝑒𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒

Given than 𝐸(𝑋) = 1, determine the values of 𝑚 and 𝑐.

Question 26 (12 marks) CA

A random sample of 400 fish from a large pond is caught. 15 of these fish have a defect with
their tail.

(a) Determine a point estimate for the proportion of fish in the entire pond that have a defect
with their tail. [1]

(b) Determine a 95% confidence interval for the proportion of fish in the pond that have a
defect with their tail. [3]

(c) From the sample taken, Andrea is 𝑥% confident that the proportion of fish in the pond
with a tail defect lies between 0.0175 and 0.0575. Determine the value of 𝑥 correct to one
decimal place. [5]
(d) Seventy samples are taken and the 97% confidence intervals for the proportion of fish in
the pond with a tail defect, 𝑝, are taken. If 𝑋 = the number of samples who confidence
interval contains the true value of 𝑝, state the distribution of 𝑋, stating its parameters and
mean and standard deviation. [3]

Question 27 (8 marks) CA

A tackle company sells sinkers. The weight of the sinkers is normally distributed with a mean
of 80𝑔 and a standard deviation of 2𝑔.
A sinker is selected at random.

(a) Determine the probability that the sinker weighs:

(i) more than 78𝑔, [1]

(ii) less than 81𝑔, given that it weighs more than 78𝑔. [2]

(b) If 70 sinkers were selected at random, determine the probability that exactly 50 of them
weigh more than 78𝑔. [2]

The machine that produces the sinkers is set to 80𝑔. What ever amount the machine is set to
will be the mean of the normal distribution, with the standard deviation always remaining at
2𝑔.

(c) What should the machine be set to, if the company wants 98.5% of the sinkers produced
to be more than 80𝑔? [3]
Question 28 (11 marks) CA

The continuous random variable, 𝑋, has probability density function

 √3𝑥
, 𝑓𝑜𝑟 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 3
𝑓(𝑥) = { 6 ,
0 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑥.

(a) Determine 𝑃(1 < 𝑋 < 2). [1]

(b) Determine 𝑞 such that 𝑃(0 < 𝑋 < 𝑞) = 0.5 [2]

(c) Determine:
(i) 𝐸(𝑋) [2]

(ii) 𝑉𝑎𝑟(𝑋) [2]

(iii) 𝐸(5𝑋 − 3) [1]

(d) Determine the cumulative distribution function for 𝑋. [3]

Question 29 (9 marks) CA
3𝑥
The function 𝑓(𝑥) = cos is graphed below.
7
(a) Complete the table below. [1]

𝑥 0 1 2 3

𝑓(𝑥) 1 0.9096 0.6546

(b) Use the inscribed rectangles of width 1 unit, shown on the axes above, to underestimate
the area between 𝑓(𝑥) and the 𝑥-axis from 𝑥 = 0 to 𝑥 = 3. [2]

(c) Use circumscribed rectangles of width 1unit to overestimate the area between 𝑓(𝑥) and
the 𝑥-axis from 𝑥 = 0 to 𝑥 = 3. [2]

(d) By averaging out your results from (b) and (c), determine a better estimate for the area
between 𝑓(𝑥) and the 𝑥-axis from 𝑥 = 0 to 𝑥 = 3. [1]

(e) Using calculus, determine the area of 𝑓(𝑥) and the x axis from 0 to 3. [3]
Question 30 (11 marks)

A picture frame (shaded below) is being designed with a 2𝑐𝑚 border at the top and bottom
and a 1𝑐𝑚 border at the sides, with the area for the picture being fixed at 200𝑐𝑚2 .
(a) Show that the area of the picture frame, 𝐴, can be modelled by the equation
400
𝐴= + 4𝑥 + 8 [3]
𝑥

𝑑2 𝐴
(b) Determine the values of 𝑥 and 𝑦 that will minimise 𝐴, using 𝑑𝑥 2 to prove it is a minimum.
[5]
(c) Using the incremental formula, approximate the change in 𝐴, when 𝑥 changes from 2𝑐𝑚
to 1.99𝑐𝑚. [3]

Question 31 (7 marks) CA

A tent in the shape of a cone is to be pitched. A bamboo frame is needed for the
circumference of the base and the height of the cone. 8 metres of bamboo to be used for the
framework, represented by the solid lines in the diagram below.
(a) Show that the volume 𝑉, of the tent in terms of its radius 𝑟, is given by [2]

8 2
𝑉 = 𝜋𝑟 2 − 𝜋 2 𝑟 3
3 3

(b) Determine the radius of the tent that will maximise the volume, leaving your answer in
terms of 𝜋. State this maximum volume and prove it is indeed a maximum. [5]

Question 32 (9 marks) CA

The spinner pictured below is such that each outcome (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) is equally likely. An
experiment consists of spinning the spinner 80 times.
(a) In the experiment, the frequencies of each outcome were noted. Which histogram below
is most likely to show this data, if the outcome is listed on the 𝑥-axis and the relative
frequency is listed on the 𝑦-axis? Explain your answer. [2]

A B C

(b) If 𝑋 is the number of times that an odd number is spun:

(i) describe the distribution of 𝑋, stating its parameters. [2]
 (ii) determine the probability that 𝑋 is greater than 40. [1]

(c) The experiment involving 80 spins of the spinner is repeated 760 times. In how many of
the 760 experiments, would you expect the proportion of odd numbers to be between
0.35 and 0.65 ? [4]