Revision Practice on Functions [67 marks]

1. [Maximum mark: 7]
The size of the population (P ) of migrating birds in a particular town can be
approximately modelled by the equation
P = a sin(bt) + c, a, b, c ∈ R
+
, where t is measured in months from
the time of the initial measurements.

In a 12 month period the maximum population is 2600 and occurs when

t = 3 and the minimum population is 800 and occurs when t = 9.

This information is shown on the graph below.

(a.i) Find the value of a. [2]

Markscheme

* This sample question was produced by experienced DP mathematics

senior examiners to aid teachers in preparing for external assessment in the
new MAA course. There may be minor differences in formatting compared
to formal exam papers.
 2600−800

2
= 900 (M1)A1

[2 marks]

(a.ii) Find the value of b. [2]

Markscheme

360

12
= 30 (M1)A1

2π
Note: Accept 12
= 0. 524 (0. 523598 …).

[2 marks]

(a.iii) Find the value of c. [1]

Markscheme

2600+800

2
= 1700 A1

[1 mark]

(b) Find the value of t at which the population first reaches 2200. [2]

Markscheme

Solve 900 sin(30t) + 1700 = 2200 (M1)

t = 1. 12 (1. 12496 …) A1
 [2 marks]

2. [Maximum mark: 4]
Consider the following function:

2 1
h(x) = +
2
, for x > 1.
√ x−1

(a) Find h−1(1). [2]

Markscheme

setting h(x) = 1 (M1)

(h
−1
(1) =)17 A1

[2 marks]

(b) Find the domain of h−1(x). [2]

Markscheme

x >
1

2
A1A1

Note: Award A1 for 1

2
seen, A1 for completely correct answer.

[2 marks]

3. [Maximum mark: 9]
An athlete on a horizontal athletic field throws a discus. The height of the discus
above the field, in metres, after it is thrown can be modelled using a quadratic
function of the form f (x) = ax
2
+ bx + c, where x represents the

horizontal distance, in metres, that the discus has travelled from the athlete.

A specialized camera tracks the initial path of the discus after it is thrown by the
athlete. The camera records that the discus travels through the three points
(3 , 2. 82), (6 , 4. 25) and (9 , 5. 30), as shown in Diagram 1.

(a) Use the coordinates (3 , 2. 82) to write down an equation in

terms of a, b and c. [1]

Markscheme

2
2. 82 = a(3) + b(3) + c OR 2. 82 = 9a + 3b + c A1

[1 mark]

(b) Use your answer to part (a) and two similar equations to find
the equation of the quadratic model for the height of the
discus. [3]

Markscheme

finding other equations to solve simultaneously (M1)

 2
4. 25 = a(6) + b(6) + c AND
2
5. 30 = a(9) + b(9) + c

OR 4. 25 = 36a + 6b + c AND 5. 30 = 81a + 9b + c

any one coefficient in equation correct (A1)

f (x) = − 0. 0211x
2
+ 0. 667x + 1. 01 A1

2
(f (x) = − 0. 0211111 … x + 0. 666666 … x + 1. 01)

19 2 2 101
(f (x) = − x + x + )
900 3 100

Note: Award at most (M1)(A1)A0 if answer is not expressed as an equation.

[3 marks]

A 1. 8-metre-high wall is 30 metres from where the athlete threw the discus, as
shown in Diagram 2.

(c) Show that the model predicts that the discus will go over the
wall. [3]

Markscheme

attempt to substitute 30 into their equation (M1)

(f (30) =) 2. 01 A1
 2. 01 > 1. 8 OR therefore the discus will go over the wall R1

Note: Do not award A0R1; their value must be seen to credit a correct
conclusion.

[3 marks]

(d) Find the horizontal distance that the discus will travel, from the
athlete until it first hits the ground, according to this model. [2]

Markscheme

setting their equation equal to zero OR graph with the zero indicated
(M1)

0 = −0. 0211111 … x
2
+ 0. 666666 … x + 1. 01 … OR
f (x) = 0

33. 0 (33. 0275 …) (m) A1

[2 marks]

4. [Maximum mark: 7]
“Password entropy” is a measure of the predictability of a computer password.
The higher the entropy, the more difficult it is to guess the password.

The relationship between the password entropy, p, (measured in bits) and the
number of guesses, G, required to decode the password is given by
0. 301p = log10 G.

(a) Calculate the value of p for a password that takes 5000

guesses to decode. [2]

Markscheme
 attempt to substitute 5000 for G (M1)

0. 301p = log10 5000

(p =) 12. 3 (bits) (12. 2889 …) A1

[2 marks]

(b) Write down G as a function of p. [1]

Markscheme

(G =)10
0.301p
OR 2
p
A1

[1 mark]

(c) Find the number of guesses required to decode a password that

has an entropy of 28 bits. Write your answer in the form
a × 10
k
, where 1 ≤ a < 10, k ∈ Z. [3]

Markscheme

attempt to substitute 28 for p in given equation or G(p) (M1)

0. 301 × 28 = log10 G OR (G =) 10
0.301×28

8 8
(G =) 2. 68 × 10 (2. 67916 … × 10 ) A1A1

8
Note: Award A1 for 2. 68, A1 for 10 . Award M1A1A0 for a correct final
answer not written in scientific notation or written incorrectly in scientific
notation (e.g., 268 000 000 or 26. 8 × 107 or 2. 68E08).
 [3 marks]

There is a point on the graph of the function G(p) with coordinates (0, 1).

(d) Explain what these coordinate values mean in the context of

computer passwords. [1]

Markscheme

If a password has an entropy of 0 (bits), then the password can be guessed

in one try / then the password is known R1

Note: Reference must be made to both entropy and number of

guesses/password known for R1 to be awarded.

Do not accept "no password" as this contradicts the context.

[1 mark]

5. [Maximum mark: 8]
A player throws a basketball. The height of the basketball is modelled by

+ 8. 75t + 1. 5, t ≥ 0,
2
h(t) = −4. 75t

where h is the height of the basketball above the ground, in metres, and t is the
time, in seconds, after it was thrown.
(a) Find how long it takes for the basketball to reach its maximum
height. [2]

Markscheme

METHOD 1

correct sketch with some indication of maximum point (M1)

0. 921 (seconds) (0. 921052 … , A1

35
)
38

METHOD 2

correct substitution into equation for line of symmetry (M1)

8.75
(t =) −
2×−4.75

35
0. 921 (seconds) (0. 921052 … , ) A1
38

METHOD 3

equating the correct derivative to 0 (M1)

−9. 5t + 8. 75 = 0

35
0. 921 (seconds) (0. 921052 … , ) A1
38
 Note: Award M1A0 for a final answer of 0. 92 seen with no working.

[2 marks]

(b) Assuming that no player catches the basketball, find how long
it would take for the basketball to hit the ground. [2]

Markscheme

METHOD 1

correct sketch with some indication of x-intercept

(M1)

Note: May be seen in part (a).

2 (seconds) A1

METHOD 2
 setting the equation to zero (M1)

2
−4. 75t + 8. 75t + 1. 5 = 0

2 (seconds) A1

Note: If both roots are given, with or without working, award (M1)A0.

[2 marks]

Another player catches the basketball when it is at a height of 1. 2 metres.

(c) Find the value of t when this player catches the basketball. [2]

Markscheme

METHOD 1

correct sketch of quadratic function and a straight line in approximate

correct position (M1)

1. 88 (seconds) ( 1. 87577 … (seconds)) A1

METHOD 2
 setting the equation equal to 1.2 (M1)

2
−4. 75t + 8. 75t + 1. 5 = 1. 2

1. 88 (seconds) ( 1. 87577 … (seconds)) A1

Note: Award (M1)A0 if −0. 0336702 … seen as (part of ) a final answer.

Award M1A0 for answer of 1. 9 seen without working.

[2 marks]

(d) Write down two limitations of using h(t) to model the height
of the basketball. [2]

Markscheme

Award R1 for a sensible reason in the context of the question: R1R1

e.g.

The model ignores air resistance (or wind)

The model treats the ball as a point

The model assumes gravity is constant

The model assumes that the ball continues to follow the trajectory even
after hitting the ground

This model ignores the bouncing back of the ball after hitting the ground

Note: Do not accept generic criticisms of any mathematical model, such as:
There are assumptions being made
 Models are never accurate / It is only a model

[2 marks]

6. [Maximum mark: 15]

The depth of water, w metres, in a particular harbour can be modelled by the
function w(t) = a cos (bt°) + d where t is the length of time, in minutes,
after 06 : 00.

On 20 January, the first high tide occurs at 06 : 00, at which time the depth of
water is 18 m. The following low tide occurs at 12 : 15 when the depth of
water is 4 m. This is shown in the diagram.

(a) Find the value of a. [2]

Markscheme

18−4

2
(M1)

(a =) 7 A1
 [2 marks]

(b) Find the value of d. [2]

Markscheme

OR OR (M1)
18+4
18 − 7 4 + 7
2

(d =) 11 A1

[2 marks]

(c) Find the period of the function in minutes. [3]

Markscheme

(time between high and low tide is) 6h15m OR 375 minutes (A1)

multiplying by 2 (M1)

750 minutes A1

[3 marks]

(d) Find the value of b. [2]

Markscheme

EITHER

360°

b
= 750 (A1)

OR
 7 cos(b × 375) + 11 = 4 (A1)

THEN

(b =) 0. 48 A1

2π π
Note: Award A1A0 for an answer of 750
(=
375
= 0. 00837758 …).

[2 marks]

Naomi is sailing to the harbour on the morning of 20 January. Boats can enter or
leave the harbour only when the depth of water is at least 6 m.

(e) Find the latest time before 12 : 00, to the nearest minute, that
Naomi can enter the harbour. [4]

Markscheme

equating their cos function to 6 OR graphing their cos function and 6

(M1)

7 cos(0. 48t) + 11 = 6

⇒ t = 282. 468 … (minutes) (A1)

= 4. 70780 … (hr) OR 4hr 42 mins (4hr 42. 4681 … mins) (A1)

so the time is 10 : 42 A1

[4 marks]
 (f ) Find the length of time (in minutes) between 06 : 00 and
15 : 00 on 20 January during which Naomi cannot enter or

leave the harbour. [2]

Markscheme

next solution is t = 467. 531. . . (A1)

467. 531. . . − 282. 468. . .

185 (mins) (185. 063. . . ) A1

Note: Accept an (unsupported) answer of 186 (from correct 3 sf values for

t)

[2 marks]

7. [Maximum mark: 6]
Celeste heated a cup of coffee and then let it cool to room temperature. Celeste
found the coffee’s temperature, T , measured in °C, could be modelled by the
following function,

+ 23, t ≥ 0,
−0.0514t
T (t) = 71e

where t is the time, in minutes, after the coffee started to cool.

(a) Find the coffee’s temperature 16 minutes after it started to cool. [2]

Markscheme

71e
−0.0514(16)
+ 23 (M1)
 54. 2 °C (54. 1956 …) A1

[2 marks]

The graph of T has a horizontal asymptote.

(b) Write down the equation of the horizontal asymptote. [1]

Markscheme

T = 23 A1

Note: Condone y = 23.

[1 mark]

(c) Write down the room temperature. [1]

Markscheme

23 °C A1

[1 mark]

(d) Given that T −1(50) = k, find the value of k. [2]

Markscheme

(M1)
−0.0514(k)
50 = 71e + 23
 k = 18. 8 (
−5000

257
ln(
27

71
), 18. 8101 …) A1

Note: Award M1 for a sketch showing a point of intersection between the

exponential function and y = 50.

[2 marks]

8. [Maximum mark: 6]
A cat runs inside a circular exercise wheel, making the wheel spin at a constant
rate in an anticlockwise direction. The height, h cm, of a fixed point, P, on the
wheel can be modelled by h(t) = a sin(bt) + c where t is the time in

seconds and a, b, c ∈ R
+
.

When t = 0, point P is at a height of 78 cm.

(a) Write down the value of c. [1]

Markscheme

78 A1

[1 mark]
When t = 4, point P first reaches its maximum height of 143 cm.

(b.i) Find the value of a. [1]

Markscheme

65 A1

[1 mark]

(b.ii) Find the value of b. [2]

Markscheme

EITHER

(period =) 16 (could be seen on sketch) (M1)

2π
b =
16
OR b =
360°

16

π
(b =) 0. 393 (0. 392699 … ,
8
) OR (b =) 22. 5°

A1

OR

143 = 65 sin(4b) + 78 (M1)

(sin(4b) = 1)

π
(4b =
2
OR 4b = 90°)

π
(b =) 0. 393 (0. 392699 … ,
8
) OR (b =) 22. 5°

A1
 [2 marks]

(c) Write down the minimum height of point P. [1]

Markscheme

13 A1

Note: Apply follow through marking only if their final answer is positive.

[1 mark]

Later, the cat is tired, and it takes twice as long for point P to complete one
revolution at a new constant rate.

(d) Write down the new value of b. [1]

Markscheme

π
(b =) 0. 196 (0. 196349 … ,
16
) OR (b =) 11. 3° (11. 25°)

A1

[1 mark]

9. [Maximum mark: 5]
The height of a baseball after it is hit by a bat is modelled by the function
 2
h(t) = −4. 8t + 21t + 1. 2

where h(t) is the height in metres above the ground and t is the time in
seconds after the ball was hit.
(a) Write down the height of the ball above the ground at the
instant it is hit by the bat. [1]

Markscheme

1. 2 metres A1

[1 mark]

(b) Find the value of t when the ball hits the ground. [2]

Markscheme

−4. 8t
2
+ 21t + 1. 2 = 0 (M1)

(t =) 4. 43 s (4. 431415 … s) A1

Note: If both values for t are seen do not award the A1 mark unless the
negative is explicitly excluded.

[2 marks]

(c) State an appropriate domain for t in this model. [2]

Markscheme

0 ≤ t ≤ 4. 43 OR [0, 4. 43] A1A1

Note: Award A1 for correct endpoints and A1 for expressing answer with
correct notation. Award at most A1A0 for use of x instead of t.

[2 marks]

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