Exam Style Questions on Functions.

[49 marks]

1. [Maximum mark: 5] SPM.1.SL.TZ0.5

The functions f and g are defined such that f (x) =
x+3

4
and
g (x) = 8x + 5.

(a) Show that (g ∘ f ) (x) = 2x + 11. [2]

Markscheme

attempt to form composition M1

correct substitution g ( x+3

4
) = 8(
x+3

4
) + 5 A1

(g ∘ f ) (x) = 2x + 11 AG

[2 marks]

(b) Given that (g ∘ f )

−1
(a) = 4, find the value of a. [3]

Markscheme

attempt to substitute 4 (seen anywhere) (M1)

correct equation a = 2 × 4 + 11 (A1)

a= 19 A1

[3 marks]
2. [Maximum mark: 5] 23N.1.SL.TZ1.2
Consider the functions f (x) = x + 2 and g(x) = x
2
− k , where k is a real
2

constant.

(a) Write down an expression for (g ∘ f ) (x). [2]

Markscheme

attempt to form (g ∘ f ) (x) (M1)

2 2 2 2
((g ∘ f )(x)) = (x + 2) − k (= x + 4x + 4 − k )

A1

[2 marks]

(b) Given that (g ∘ f )(4) = 11 , find the possible values of k. [3]

Markscheme

substituting x = 4 into their (g ∘ f )(x) and setting their expression = 11

(M1)

2
= 11 OR 4
2 2 2
(4 + 2) − k + 4(4) + 4 − k = 11

= 25 OR −k (A1)
2 2
k = − 25

k = ±5 A1

[3 marks]
3. [Maximum mark: 7] 22N.1.SL.TZ0.1
Let f (x) = −2x + 3, for x ∈ R.

(a) The graph of a linear function g is parallel to the graph of f and

passes through the origin. Find an expression for g(x). [2]

Markscheme

gradient of g is −2 (may be seen in function, do not accept −2x + 3)

(A1)

g(x) = −2x A1

[2 marks]

(b) The graph of a linear function h is perpendicular to the graph of

fand passes through the point (−1, 2) . Find an expression for
h(x). [3]

Markscheme

gradient is 1

2
(may be seen in function) (A1)

attempt to substitute their gradient and (−1, 2) into any form of equation
for straight line (M1)

y − 2 =
1

2
(x + 1) OR 2 =
1

2
⋅ (−1) + c

h(x) =
1

2
(x + 1) + 2 (=
1

2
x +
5

2
) A1

[3 marks]

(c) Find (g ∘ h)(0). [2]

Markscheme

(g ∘ h)(x) = −2(
1

2
x +
5

2
) OR h(0) =
5

2
OR g(
5

2
) (A1)

(g ∘ h)(0) = −5 A1

[2 marks]
4. [Maximum mark: 5] 22M.1.SL.TZ2.1
The following table shows values of f (x) and g(x) for different values of x.

Both f and g are one-to-one functions.

(a) Find g(0). [1]

Markscheme

g(0) = −2 A1

[1 mark]

(b) Find (f ∘ g)(0). [2]

Markscheme

evidence of using composite function (M1)

f (g(0)) OR f (−2)

(f ∘ g)(0) = 8 A1

[2 marks]

(c) Find the value of x such that f (x) = 0. [2]

Markscheme
x = 3 A2

[2 marks]
5. [Maximum mark: 7] 21N.1.SL.TZ0.1
Consider the function f (x) = −2(x − 1)(x + 3), for x ∈ R. The following

diagram shows part of the graph of f .

For the graph of f

(a.i) find the x-coordinates of the x-intercepts. [2]

Markscheme

setting f (x) = 0 (M1)

x = 1, x = −3 (accept (1, 0), (−3, 0)) A1

[2 marks]

(a.ii) find the coordinates of the vertex. [3]

Markscheme

METHOD 1
 x = −1 A1

substituting their x-coordinate into f (M1)

y = 8 A1

(−1, 8)

METHOD 2

attempt to complete the square (M1)

2
−2((x + 1) − 4) (M1)

x = −1, y = 8 A1A1

(−1, 8)

[3 marks]

(b) The function f can be written in the form

2
f (x) = −2(x − h) + k.

Write down the value of h and the value of k. [2]

Markscheme

h = −1 A1

k = 8 A1

[2 marks]
6. [Maximum mark: 14] 21M.1.SL.TZ1.7
Let f (x) = mx
2
− 2mx, where x ∈ R and m ∈ R. The line y = mx − 9

meets the graph of f at exactly one point.

(a) Show that m = 4. [6]

Markscheme

METHOD 1 (discriminant)

mx
2
− 2mx = mx − 9 (M1)

2
mx − 3mx + 9 = 0

recognizing Δ = 0 (seen anywhere) M1

2
Δ = (−3m) − 4(m)(9) (do not accept only in quadratic formula for
x) A1

valid approach to solve quadratic for m (M1)

√ 2
36± 36 −4×9×0
9m(m − 4) = 0 OR m =
2×9

both solutions m = 0, 4 A1

m ≠ 0 with a valid reason R1

the two graphs would not intersect OR 0 ≠ −9

m = 4 AG

METHOD 2 (equating slopes)

mx
2
− 2mx = mx − 9 (seen anywhere) (M1)

f ′(x) = 2mx − 2m A1

equating slopes, f ′(x) = m (seen anywhere) M1

2mx − 2m = m

x =
3

2
A1

substituting their x value (M1)

2
3 3 3
( ) m − 2m × = m × − 9
2 2 2

4
m −
12

4
m =
6

4
m − 9 A1

−9m
= −9
4

m = 4 AG

METHOD 3 (using −b

2a
)

mx
2
− 2mx = mx − 9 (M1)

2
mx − 3mx + 9 = 0

attempt to find x-coord of vertex using

−b

2a
(M1)

−(−3m)

2m
A1

x =
3

2
A1

substituting their x value (M1)

2
3 3
( ) m − 3m × + 9 = 0
2 2

9 9

4
m −
2
m + 9 = 0 A1

−9m = −36

m = 4 AG

[6 marks]
The function f can be expressed in the form f (x) = 4(x − p)(x − q), where

p, q ∈ R.

(b) Find the value of p and the value of q. [2]

Markscheme

4x(x − 2) (A1)

p = 0 and q = 2 OR p = 2 and q = 0 A1

[2 marks]

2
The function f can also be expressed in the form f (x) = 4(x − h) + k,

where h, k ∈ R.

(c) Find the value of h and the value of k. [3]

Markscheme

attempt to use valid approach (M1)

0+2 −(−8)

2
,
2×4
, f (1), 8x − 8 = 0 OR
2 2
4(x − 2x + 1 − 1)(= 4(x − 1) − 4)

h = 1, k = −4 A1A1

[3 marks]

(d) Hence find the values of x where the graph of f is both negative
and increasing.
 [3]

Markscheme

EITHER

recognition x = h to 2 (may be seen on sketch) (M1)

OR

recognition that f (x) < 0 and f ′(x) > 0 (M1)

THEN

1 < x < 2 A1A1

Note: Award A1 for two correct values, A1 for correct inequality signs.

[3 marks]
7. [Maximum mark: 6] 20N.1.SL.TZ0.S_5
Let f (x) = −x
2
+ 4x + 5 and g(x) = −f (x) + k.

Find the values of k so that g(x) = 0 has no real roots. [6]

Markscheme

* This question is from an exam for a previous syllabus, and may contain
minor differences in marking or structure.

METHOD 1 – (discriminant)

correct expression for g (A1)

eg −(−x
2
+ 4x + 5) + k , x
2
− 4x − 5 + k = 0

evidence of discriminant (M1)

eg 2
b − 4ac, Δ

correct substitution into discriminant of g (A1)

2
eg (−4) − 4(1)(−5 + k) , 16 − 4(k − 5)

recognizing discriminant is negative (M1)

eg
2
Δ < 0 , (−4) − 4(1)(−5 + k) < 0 , 16 < 4(k − 5) , 16 − 4(−1)(5) < 0

correct working (must be correct inequality) (A1)

eg −4k < −36 , k − 5 > 4 , 16 + 20 − 4k < 0

k > 9 A1 N3

METHOD 2 – (transformation of vertex of f )

valid approach for finding f (x) vertex (M1)

eg
b
− = 2 , f ′(x) = 0
2a

correct vertex of f (x) (A1)

eg (2, 9)

correct vertex of −f (x) (A1)

eg (2, − 9)

correct vertex of g(x) (A1)

2 0
eg ( ) + ( ) , (2, − 9 + k)
−9 k

recognizing when vertex is above x-axis (M1)

eg −9 + k > 0, sketch

k > 9 A1 N3

METHOD 3 – (transformation of f )

recognizing vertical reflection of f (x) (M1)

eg −f (x) , x
2
− 4x − 5 , sketch

correct expression for g(x) (A1)

eg x
2
− 4x − 5 + k

valid approach for finding vertex of g(x) (M1)

eg
b
− = 2 , g′(x) = 0
2a

correct y coordinate of vertex of g(x) (A1)

eg y = −9 + k , (2, − 9 + k)

recognizing when vertex is above x-axis (M1)

eg −9 + k > 0 , sketch

k > 9 A1 N3

[6 marks]

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