Practice exam mathematics A - solutions

[72 marks in total]

22 september 2022

General:
• sign error: −0.5 mark.

• The student did not write ′ = 0′ in an equation of the form ax2 +bx+c = 0
before applying the quadratic formula: -0.5 marks for each time it occurs.
(For example, a student has written 2x2 +3x−4 without the ′ = 0′ behind
it and instantly applies the quadratic formula).
• No worked-out solution = no marks

1
Exercise 1
a) [3 marks]
The given functions are f (x) = x2 + 4x + 6 and g(x) = 1 − 2x.
We have to solve f (x) = g(x) thus x2 + 4x + 6 = 1 − 2x =⇒
x2 + 6x + 5 = 0
Quadratic formula: √
2
x = −6± √62 −4·1·5
−6± 36−20
= 2√
−6± 16
= 2
−6±4
= 2
−6+4 −6−4
The intersection points of f and g are located at x = 2 = −1 en x = 2 =
−5.

Remark: When we have applied the quadratic formula, we always simplify the
answer as much as possible. This means: to a whole number, an irreducible
fraction or an answer containing a root in standard form.

b) [2 marks]


f (x) · g(x) = x2 +
4x + 6 · (1 − 2x)

= x2 + 4x + 6 + −2x3 − 8x2 − 12x
= x2 + 4x + 6 − 2x3 − 8x2 − 12x
= −2x3 − 7x2 − 8x + 6

c) [3 marks]
We have to determine the location of the extreme values of h(x) = f (x) · g(x).
To this end we have to solve h′ (x) = 0.
h′ (x) = −6x2 − 14x − 8.
Thus we solve −6x2 − 14x − 8 = 0
Quadratic formula: √
2 −4·−6·−8
x = 14± 14 √−12
14± 196−192
= −12 √
14± 4
= −12
14±2
= −12
14−2 12
The x coordinates of the extreme values of h(x) are x = −12 = −12 = −1 and
x = 14+2 16 4
−12 = −12 = − 3 .

Remark: When we have applied the quadratic formula, we always simplify the
answer as much as possible. This means: to a whole number, an irreducible
fraction or an answer containing a root in standard form.

2
d) [3 marks]
On the given interval g(x) > f (x). The distance function is therefore
d(x) = g(x) − f (x)
= (1 − 2x) − (x2 + 4x + 6)
= 1 − 2x − x2 − 4x − 6
= −x2 − 6x − 5
We need to solve d′ (x) = 0
d′ (x) = −2x − 6.
So, we solve −2x − 6 = 0.
Thus −2x = 6
6
x = −2 = −3.
Now, we need to show that there indeed is a maximum in distance at the found
x-coordinate. To this end, we use the second derivative:
d′′ (x) = −2
d′′ (x) < 0 for all values x, which means that there is a maximum in distance at
x = 3.

3
Exercise 2
a) [1 mark]
The amount of duckweed doubles every three days.
The growth factor per three days is therefore g3 days = 2.
Now: 1 1
g1 day = g33 days = 2 3 .

b) [2 marks]
 1 t  1

The general formula is: N (t) = N (0) · g1t day = 0.5 · 2 3 = 0.5 · 2 3 ·t .

c) [3 marks]
In this case we have to solve:
1
13 = 0.5 · 2 3 ·t thus
13 1
= 23t
( 12 )
1
26 = 2 3 t
We apply the ground rule for exponents and logarithms: g a = b ⇔ a = logg (b).
In this case g = 2, a = 31 t and b = 26, so
1
3 t = log2 (26)
t = 3 · log2 (26)
After 3 · log2 (26) days an area of 13m2 of the pond is covered by duckweed.

Note: With the logarithm we always simplify logg (1) = 0. Furthermore, we sim-
plify powers of the ground number. For example, we would simplify logg (g k ) = k
by applying the rules for logarithms. If the question requires to rewrite the lo-
log (a)
garithm to a certain ground number, we first apply the rule logc (a) = logg (c) ,
g
after which simplify the logarithms.

d) [2 marks]
The decrease is 30% a week. This means that 70% of the former amount of
duckweed is left after each week.
7
Thus gweek = 0.7 = 10 .
2
7 2 49


The growth factor per two weeks is g2 weeks = gweek
1
= 10 = 100 .

4
Exercise 3
a) [6 marks]
The given function is f (x) = −2x3 + x2 + 4x
We have to determine the zeros, maxima, minima, domain, and range of this
function.

For the zeros we solve f (x) = 0

−2x3 + x2 + 4x
= 0
x −2x2 + x + 4 = 0
Thus x = 0 or −2x2 + x + 4 = 0
For the second equation we aply the quadratic formula:
√
−1± 12 −4·−2·4
x = −4
√
−1± 1+32
= −4√
−1± 33
= −4√
1 1
= 4 ∓ 4 33

√
The zeros of the function are therefore located at x = 0, x = − 14 + 1
33 and
√ 4
− 14 − 14 33.

Remark: When we have applied the quadratic formula, we always simplify the
answer as much as possible. This means: to a whole number, an irreducible
fraction or an answer containing a root in
√ standard√form. In this case we the-
refore write the asnwer in the form c ± a b with a b a root in standard form,
and c a whole number or simplified fraction.
For the extreme values we solve f ′ (x) = 0, after which we apply the second
derivative criterion to determine the nature of the extreme value:
f ′ (x) = −6x2 + 2x + 4
f ′′ (x) = −12x + 2
Solving f ′ (x) = 0:
−6x2 + 2x + 4 = 0
Quadratic formula:
√
−2± 22 −4·−6·4
x = −12
√
−2± 4+96
= −12
√
−2± 100
= −12
−2±10
= −12
−2 10
= −12 ± −12
1 5
= 6 ± 6

Remark: When we have applied the quadratic formula, we always simplify the
answer as much as possible. This means: to a whole number, an irreducible

5
fraction or an answer containing a root in standard form.

Thus x = 61 + 56 = 66 = 1 or x = 61 − 56 = − 64 = − 32 .
Now we determine which of these is a maximum and which is a minimum:
f ′′ (1) =
−12 · 1 + 2 = −10 < 0 which means this is a maximum
f ′′ − 23 = −12 · − 32 + 2 = 24 3 + 2 = 8 + 2 = 10 > 0 which means this is a
minimum
Now we determine the domain and range:
There are no restrictions for substituting values for x in this function. The
domain is R. (can also be written as: (−∞, ∞))
This function does not have asymptotes or global minima/maxima. All values
of y are reached. The range is the full R. (can also be written as: (−∞, ∞))

b) [5 marks]
4x−5
The given function is g(x) = 10−3x
We have to determine the zeros, maxima, minima, domain, and range of this
function.

For the zeros we solve g(x) = 0

4x−5
10−3x = 0
4x − 5 = 0
4x = 5
x = 54 .
This function has a zero at x = 45 .
For the extreme values we solve g ′ (x) = 0, after which we apply the second
derivative criterium to determine the nature of the extreme value:
d·n′ −n·d′
g ′ (x) = d2
(10−3x)·(4x−5)′ −(4x−5)·(10−3x)′
= (10−3x)2
(10−3x)·4−(4x−5)·−3
= (10−3x)2
40−12x−(−12x+15)
= (10−3x)2
40−12x+12x−15
= (10−3x)2
25
= (10−3x)2

(the second derivative does not have to be determined in this case)

We solve g ′ (x) = 0 thus (10−3x)
25
2 = 0.

This would imply that 25 = 0, which is not possible. There are no solutions.
We conclude that this function does not have extreme values.
(You can also conclude that a linear fractional function does not have extreme
values and that this implies that there are no solutions to g ′ (x) = 0, but this
must be written in a clear and neat way).
We determine the domain and range:
For the domain we determine the vertical asymptote of g(x):

6
This is the value of x which canot be substituted into the function.
The denominator cannot be zero, therefore we solve:
10 − 3x = 0
−3x = −10
3x = 10
x = 10
3
This means that the domain of the function isR\ 10

3 .

• This can also be written as: −∞, 10 and 10

3 3 ,∞ .

For the range we determine the horizontal asymptote.

We need to divide the coefficient of x in the numerator by the coefficient of x
in the denominator. This gives:
4
yasym = −3 = − 43 .
Therefore, the range is R\ − 43 .


• This can also be written as: −∞, − 34 and 34 , ∞ .

7
Exercise 4

a) [4 marks]
√
6x − 2 = 2x
2
6x − 2 = (2x)
2
6x − 2 = 4x
4x2 − 6x + 2 = 0

We apply the quadratic formula:

(Determining the determinant firstly is correct as well)
√
6± (−6)2 −4·4·2
x = √8
6± 36−32
= 8√
6± 4
= 8
6±2
= 8
6+2 6−2
Thus x = 8 = 1 and x = 8 = 21 .

Remark: When we have applied the quadratic formula, we always simplify the
answer as much as possible. This means: to a whole number, an irreducible
fraction or an answer containing a root in standard form.

Now we have to check these solutions by substituting them into the left-hand
side and right-hand side of the original equation:
The solution x = 1:
√ √
• Left: 6 · 1 − 2 = 4 = 2.

• Right: 2 · 1 = 2.
• Left = Right, so this is a solution to the original equation.
The solution x = 12 :
q √ √
• Left: 6 · 12 − 2 = 3 − 2 = 1 = 1.
1
• Right: 2 · 2 = 1.
• Left-hand = Right-hand, so this is a solution to the original equation.
The solutions of the equation are therefore x = 1 and x = 12 .

8
b) [4 marks]
Method 1:
We apply the ground rule for exponents and logarithms.
When g a = b ⇔ a = logg (b)
√
71−x = 7 1 
1 − x = log7 7 2
= 12 log7 (7)
1
= 2

−x = − 12
1
x = 2

Method 2:
√
71−x = 7
1
71−x = 72

1
1−x = 2
−x = − 12
1
x = 2

9
Exercise 5 [5 marks]
A sine wave with amplitude A, equilibrium B, frequency f and phase ϕ is written
as:
s(t) = B + A · sin(2π · f · t + ϕ)
The period T is given byT = f1 and thus the frequnecy is f = 1
T . In addition,
the coordinates of a starting point are 
given by 

ϕ
t, s(t) = − ,B
2πf
We start by determining the amplitude. The amplitude is equal to half of the
distance, in the y direction, between two extreme values. In this case we see from
the graph that the function values range from −6 up until 2. The distance in
y direction between the extreme values is therefore 8. Therefore, the amplitude
equals A = 28 = 4.
The equilibrium B lies on the mean value between −6 end 2, and therefore
equals B = −6+22 = −2.

To determine the frequency we first read the period, after which we use f = T1 .
We see that the function has a minimum at t = 13 and at t = 13 3 . Thus the
period is T = 13
3 − 1
3 = 12
3 = 4. Which means that the frequency is f = 14 .
1 π
The factor 2πf = 2π · 4 = 2 .

To determine the phase ϕ we use a starting point. In this case you can choose
the starting point located at t = 43 or the one located at t = 163 . Both are
correct (you just get another value for ϕ). In this solution we will work with
the one located at t = 43 . This implies that:

ϕ· 4
− =
2πf 3
ϕ 4
− π
=
2
3
4 π
−ϕ = ·
3 2
2π
−ϕ =
3
2π
ϕ=−
3
We substitute the values of the variables into the general formula for a sine wave
(and simplify the factor 2πf ):
 
1 2π
s(t) = −2 + 4 · sin πt − .
2 3

10
Exercise 6
a) [4 marks]
Method 1:
f (x) = log3 (2x) − 4
′
f ′ (x) (log3 (2x)) − (4)′
=
′
=(log3 (2x))
1
= ·2
2x · ln(3)
2
=
2x ln(3)
1
=
x ln(3)
The last step in gray is not required.
Method 2:
Substitute u = 2x
′
f ′ (x) (log3 (2x)) − (4)′
=
′
= (log3 (2x))
′
(log3 (u)) · u′
=
1
= ·2
u ln(3)
2
=
 2x ln(3) 
1
=
x ln(3)
The last step in gray is not required.

b) [2 marks]
√
g(x) = x x
Method 1:
√ 1 3
g(x) = x x = x · x 2 = x 2
Thus:
3 32 −1
g ′ (x) = 2x 1
3 2
= 2x
Method 2: (using the product rule):
′ √ √ ′
g ′ (x) = (x) · x + x · ( x)
′ √
 1
′
= (x) · x + x · x 2
√ 1
= 1 · x + x · 12 x− 2
√ 1
= x + 12 x 2
3 21
= 2x

11
Exercise 7 [4 marks]
This is a geometric sequence.
In this case, k does not start at 0, but at 3.
Let b = k − 3 , and thus k = b + 3. Then:
8
X 5
X
k
3·2 = 3 · 2b+3
k=3 b=0
5
X
= 3 · 23 · 2b
b=0
X5
= 3 · 8 · 2b
b=0
X5
= 24 · 2b
b=0

Now we have a geometric sequence starting at b = 0 with a0 = 24, r = 2 and

n = 5 thus n + 1 = 6. Applying the sum formula:
5

X
b 24 1 − 26
24 · 2 =
1−2
b=0
24 (1 − 64)
=
−1
24 · −63
=
−1
= 24 · 63
= 10 · 63 + 10 · 63 + 4 · 63
= 630 + 630 + 252
= 1260 + 252
= 1512
The sum is therefore 1512.

12
Exercise 8
a) [3 marks]
We have 25 lemons and 5 limes. The total number of fruits is therefore 30. We
grab five times. Requested is the probability that we grab 5 limes.

P (5 limes) = N umber of possible sequences · P (one sequence)

The number of possible sequences for 5 limes is: 1.
The probability for this one sequence is:
5 4 3 2 1
P (LLLLL) = · · · ·
30 29 28 27 26
Thus:
5 4 3 2 1
P (5 limes) = 1· 30 · 29 · 28 · 27 · 26

You can leave this as it is.

b) [3 marks]
Now we need to calculate the probability we grab more than 3 limes.
This means the probability P (4 limes OR 5 limes)

P (4 limes OR 5 limes) = P (4 limes) + P (5 limes)

In iten (a) we already determined the probability to grab 5 limes. So we only
have to determine the probability to grab 4 limes.

P (4 limes) = N umber of possible sequences · P (one sequence)

The number of possible sequences for 4 limes and 1 lemon is:

 
5! 1·2·3·4·5
= =5
4!1! 1·2·3·4·1
The probability of one of these sequences is:
5 4 3 2 25
P (LLLLC) = · · · ·
30 29 28 27 26
Thus:
5! 5 4 3 2 25
P (5 limes) = ·
4!1! 30 · 29 · 28 · 27 · 26

5 4 3 2 25
=5· 30 · 29 · 28 · 27 · 26

Therefore
P (4 limes OR 5 limes) = P (4 limes) + P (5 limes)
5! 5 4 3 2
= 4!1! · 30 · 29 · 28 · 27 · 25 5 4
26 + 1 · 30 · 29 ·
3
28 · 2
27 · 1
26

13
Exercise 9 [2 marks]
We have 20 tiles in five different colours (4 tiles of each color). The edge of tile
on a wall also has a length of 20 tiles, which means we will use all the tiles.
Furthermore, tiles of the same colour may sit next to each other.
This implies that we have to calculate the number of ways in which we can order
20 tiles. There are five groups of 4 tiles each which cannot be distinguished from
each other.
The number of sequences is therefore:
20!
4!4!4!4!4!

14
Exercise 10 [2 marks]
The test consists of 20 questions with 4 choices each. You guess all twenty
questions. We have to calculate the probability that you answered half of the
questions correctly, thus
P (10 C).
This problem corresponds to a binomial distribution (using an urn model is
possible as well but will be more complicated).
For each question there is a 14 chance to quess it correclty.
Now, call succes = quessed correctly, then:
n = 20
p = 41
k = 10
Thus
   10  10
20 1 3
P (10 C) =
10 4 4
It is also correct to write this as:
 
20
P (10 C) = 0.2510 0.7510
10

15
Exercise 11
a) [4 marks]
We have to calculate P (X > 335).

P (X > 335) = 1 − P (X < 335)

The value of 335 is located above the mean value, therefore we can apply the
transformation rule for a normal distribution:

P (X > 335) = 1 − P (X < 335)

= 1 − P Z < 335−330
10

5
= 1 − P Z < 10
= 1 − P (Z < 0.5)
= 1 − 0.6915
= 0.3085
= 0.309

b) [4 marks]
Now we need to determine the following probability:

P (X < 315 or X > 345) = P (X < 315) + P (X > 345)

= P (X > 345) + P (X > 345)
= 2 · P (X > 345)
= 2 · (1 − P (X < 345))


= 2 · 1 − P Z < 345−330 10


= 2 · 1 − P Z < 15 10
= 2 · (1 − P (Z < 1.5))
= 2 · (1 − 0.9332)
= 2 · 0.0668
= 0.1336
= 0.134

16