YEAR 12 Trial Exam Paper
2023
GENERAL MATHEMATICS
Written examination 2
Worked solutions
This book presents:
➢ worked solutions
➢ mark allocations
➢ tips.
This trial examination produced by Insight Publications is NOT an official VCAA paper for the 2023 General Mathematics
written examination 2. The Publishers assume no legal liability for the opinions, ideas or statements contained in this trial
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2
Data analysis
Question 1a.
Worked solution
Numerical discrete
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for the correct answer: numerical discrete
Tip
• Discrete variables have distinct, countable values. Each discrete variable
has a distinct previous and distinct next value on a number line. By contrast,
continuous variables can take on any value and so can be placed anywhere
on a number line. For continuous variables, there is no set previous or next
value.
Question 1b.
Worked solution
The number of tickets purchased with the partially completed dot plot of 24 transactions is 77
(1 × 2 + 2 × 8 + 3 × 5 + 4 × 5 + 5 × 2 + 6 + 8), leaving a transaction of 3 tickets missing.
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for the correct placement of the additional dot
Question 1c.
Worked solution
80/25 = 3.2
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for the correct answer: 3.2
Tip
• If a terminating decimal is calculated, don’t round it unless it is requested
in the question.
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Question 1d.
Worked solution
Q1 = 2, Q3 = 4, so IQR = 2
Upper fence = Q3 + (1.5 × IQR) = 4 + (1.5 × 2) = 7
Since 8 > 7 it is considered to be an outlier.
Mark allocation: 2 marks
• 1 mark for calculating the upper fence: 7
• 1 mark for confirming that 8 is an outlier as it is greater than the upper fence
Question 2a.
Worked solution
65 – 45 = 20%
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for the correct answer: 20%
Question 2b.
Worked solution
Number of customers in each group:
• 18–30 years: 40% × 150 = 60
• 31–50 years: 40% × 150 = 60
• 51–70 years: 20% × 150 = 30
Number of tram users in each group:
• 18–30 years: 45% × 60 = 27
• 31–50 years: 40% × 60 = 24
• 51–70 years: 30% × 30 = 9
Total number of tram users = 27+ 24 + 9 = 60
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for the correct answer: 60
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Question 2c.
Worked solution
Yes, there is an association, as the percentage of use for each mode of transport differs
between the age groups:
• tram use decreases from 45% (18–30) to 40% (31–50) to 30% (51–70)
• car use increases from 20% (18–30), to 35% (31–50) to 60% (51–70)
• a preference for walking decreases from 35% (18–30) to 25% (31–50) to 10% (51–70).
Mark allocation: 2 marks
• 1 mark for stating that there is an association, as evidenced by a difference in travel
mode across the three age groups
• 1 mark for comparing the percentages of at least one mode of transport as evidence
Question 2d.
Worked solution
16%
2.5%
23 𝑥̅ 35
There are 3 standard deviations between these two ages, which is (35 – 23)/3 = 4 years as one
standard deviation.
The mean age is 31 – 4 = 27 years old.
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for the correct answer: 27
Question 3a.
Worked solution
Approximately 95% of the variation in sales can be explained by the variation in number of
customers.
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for the correct answer
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Question 3b.
Worked solution
r = √ 0.948 = 0.973
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for the correct answer: 0.97
Tip
• Don’t forget to check if r is negative or positive after finding the square root
of r2. This can be determined from the direction of the slope of the
scatterplot.
Question 3c.
Worked solution
8000 needs to be substituted with 8 in the equation for the least squares line, as the units are in
thousands.
This value must be rounded to 424, as a fraction of a ticket cannot be purchased.
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for the correct answer: 424
Question 3d.
Worked solution
Interpolation involves estimating values within a range of data, which in this case is from 80
to 320 customers. Hence, 80 ≤ number of customers ≤ 320.
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for giving the values of 80 and 320 (in that order)
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Question 3e.
Worked solution
When actual sales are lower than predicted, the residual value is negative: –170 is –0.17.
The predicted sales can be calculated to be 3.97 ($3970) with 200 customers, and then solve
can be used to determine what the unknown actual sales would be.
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for the correct answer: $3800
Question 4a.
Worked solution
The scatterplot has a negative direction and is non-linear in form.
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for the answer of negative and non-linear (in any order)
Question 4b.
Worked solution
The only options for this graph are x2 and y2 . When applying a squared
transformation on the explanatory variable, time spent rehearsing, the
equation would be:
time spent studying = 26 – 0.037 × (time spent rehearsing)2
Mark allocation: 2 marks
• 1 mark for giving the correct form of the equation:
time spent studying = a + b × (time spent rehearsing)2
or
time spent studying = b × (time spent rehearsing)2 + a
• 1 mark for obtaining the correct values: 26 and –0.037
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Question 5a.
Worked solution
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday all have sales values that fall below the weekly
sales average, which indicates they have a seasonal index below 1 (where 1 is the
average sales).
Although Thursday has one value equal to its weekly average (190), the seasonal index is still
less than 1. This is because the other value for Thursday (180) is sufficiently below its weekly
average. The calculation is shown below.
Mark allocation: 2 marks
• 1 mark for answering Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
• 1 mark for answering Thursday
Question 5b.
Worked solution
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for the correct answer: 0.81
Question 5c.
Worked solution
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for the correct answer: 195
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Question 5d.
Worked solution
actual sales = deseasonalised sales × seasonal index
Thursday: 250 × 0.96 = 240 Friday: 245 × 1.43 = 350
Saturday: 243 × 1.48 = 360 Sunday: 253 × 0.87 = 220
400
350
300
ticket sales
250
200
150
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
day number
sales deseasonalised sales
Mark allocation: 2 marks
• 2 marks for drawing a graph that is accurate, with no errors in values or lines
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9
Recursion and financial modelling
Question 6a.
Worked solution
0.93 × 800 = $744
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for the correct answer: $744
Question 6b.
Worked solution
n
Vn = 800 × 0.93
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for writing 800 and 0.93 (in that order)
Question 6c.
Worked solution
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for the correct answer: $202
Tip
• Read carefully to determine if the question is asking for the value after
depreciation or the amount of depreciation over a period of time.
Question 7a.
Worked solution
After fortnight 1: 360 × 1.0016 + 210 = 570.58
After fortnight 2: 570.58 × 1.0016 + 210 = 781.49
After fortnight 3: 781.49 × 1.0016 + 210 = 992.74
After fortnight 4: 992.74 × 1.0016 + 210 = 1204.33
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for the correct answer: 4
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Question 7b.
Worked solution
0.0016 × 26 × 100 = 4.16%
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for the correct answer: 4.16%
Question 7c.
Worked solution
Balance after 3 fortnights = 992.74
Amount invested = 360 + (210 × 3) = 990
Interest = 992.74 – 990 = 2.74
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for the correct answer: $2.74
Question 8a.
Worked solution
0.06/12 × 4000 = $20 per month = $240 for the year
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for the correct answer: $240
Question 8b.
Worked solution
$4247 – $4000 = $247 interest
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for the correct answer: $247
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Question 8c.
Worked solution
4000 – 102 = 3898 (or 3795.49 + 102.51 = 3898)
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for the correct answer: $3898
Question 8d.
Worked solution
Interest = 0.06/12 × 3795.49 = 18.98
Principal reduction = 122 – 18.98 = $103.02
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for the correct answer: $103.02
Question 8e.
Worked solution
Begin by finding the balance when the final 6 months of higher repayments begins:
Then use that balance (FV) to determine how many months of $122 payments were required:
26 + 6 = 32 months, which is 4 months less than the original 36 months
Mark allocation: 2 marks
• 2 marks for the correct answer: 4 months
Note: Award 1 mark if the answer is incorrect but there is evidence that $1179 was
obtained in calculations (or $1175.43, the amount owing for the last 6 months)
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12
Matrices
Question 9a.
Worked solution
The order of a matrix is the number of rows by the number of columns: in this case 3 × 1.
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for the correct answer: 3 × 1
Question 9b.
Worked solution
[1 1 1] × E = [297]
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for the correct answer: [1 1 1] × E = [297]
Question 10a.
Worked solution
The number of columns of A is equal to the number of rows of B.
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for the correct answer
Question 10b.
Worked solution
Element M12 is the total cost of grain eaten each week: $70.
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for the correct answer: the total cost of grain eaten per week ($70)
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Question 11
Worked solution
Det = ad − bc = 2 x − 8
1 x −2 −1.5 1
=
2 x − 8 −4 2 2 y
Taking one part of the calculation:
1
x = −1.5
2x − 8
Substituting x into the initial equation and solving gives:
−1
2 2 −1.5 1
4 3 = 2 −1
Thus the values are x = 3 and y = –1.
Mark allocation: 2 marks
• 1 mark for the correct answer for x: 3
• 1 mark for the correct answer for y: –1
Question 12a.
Worked solution
Using just the transition matrix with a high power for the long term shows the overall
percentage of cattle expected at each location. For paddock A, it is 39.6% (rounded to 40%).
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for the correct answer: 40%
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Question 12b.
Worked solution
The value of x can be used for the initial values in both A and C as they are the same.
If the number of cattle in both A and C is 40, then B must have 170 – (40 + 40) = 90 cattle.
Mark allocation: 1 mark
40 A
• 1 mark for the correct answer: So = 90 B
40 C
Question 13a.
Worked solution
Age Current Birth rate Survival rate
population
A: 0–3 months 80 0.0 0.6
B: 3–6 months 90 1.2 0.4
C: 6–9 months 50 1.8 0.3
D: 9–12 months 30 0.0 0.0
Mark allocation: 2 marks
• 2 marks for all five values calculated correctly
• 1 mark if there is no more than one error
Question 13b.
Worked solution
The age distribution after 1 period of 3 months is:
Thus there are 15 rodents aged 9–12 months.
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for the correct answer: 15
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Question 13c.
Worked solution
The total population increased from 250 to 297 (that is, 198 + 48 + 36 + 15). This increase is
47/250 × 100 = 18.8%, or 19% to the nearest whole number.
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for the correct answer: 19%
Networks and decision mathematics
Question 14a.
Worked solution
V+F–E=2
7 + 8 – 13 = 2
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for the correct answer: either 7, 8, 13 or 8, 7, 13
Question 14b.
Worked solution
Euler’s formula holds for planar graphs.
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for the correct answer: planar
Tip
• Be careful not to confuse Euler’s formula with Euler paths or circuits.
Question 15a.
Worked solution
C-D-B-A-G-F-E or C-B-A-G-F-D-E
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for identifying one of the paths listed
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Question 15b.
Worked solution
All vertices are even except C and E, so in order to create an Euler circuit where Maraika can
follow every edge and return to where she started, an extra edge is required between C and E.
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for drawing a line between C and E
Question 16a.
Worked solution
The Hungarian Algorithm used to identify the allocation with the minimum time is:
Team Job
A weeding
B watering
C mowing
D planting
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So the allocation that results in the least time is:
Team Job
A watering
B weeding
C planting
D mowing
Mark allocation: 2 marks
• 2 marks for allocating teams as shown in the table above
Note: Award 1 mark if two or three allocations are correct
Question 16b.
Worked solution
There are two solutions:
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for either of the spanning trees drawn above
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Question 16c.
Worked solution
The minimum cut is 14 + 5 = 19 litres per hour. The value of 10 (B to D) is running from the
sink side of the cut to source side of the cut (rather than source to sink) and so is not included.
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for the correct answer: 19 litres per hour
Question 17a.
Worked solution
Activity E cannot begin until A, B and C are completed, and together A, B and C
requires 9 hours.
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for the correct answer: E
Question 17b.
Worked solution
The critical path is A-B-D-F-G, which leaves C and E not on the critical path.
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for the correct answer: C and E
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Question 18a.
Worked solution
A-B-E-H-I, 21 hours
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for the correct answer: A-B-E-H-I, 21 hours
Question 18b.
Worked solution
There are three paths in the network, which means all three will be critical paths.
A-B-C-F-G-I already takes 18 hours, which means no reduction is required.
A-B-D-G-I takes 19 hours, which means it needs to be reduced by 1 hour. Without impacting
A-B-C-F-G-I, the only option is to reduce D by 1.
A-B-E-H-I takes 21 hours, which means it needs to be reduced by 3 hours. Only E and H can
be reduced by 3 hours on that path without further impacting the other two paths. H is only
2 hours, so it must be E that is reduced by 3.
Activity Reduction in hours
E 3
D 1
Mark allocation: 1 mark
• 1 mark for stating that E must be reduced by 3 hours and D must be reduced by 1 hour
Tip
• Reducing one edge may have a different impact on the minimum completion
of the project, as the critical path may shift. Always check every path to see
what has changed.
END OF WORKED SOLUTIONS
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