1 The curve C has equation x 2  y 2  y ( x  3) .

Find the coordinates of the points on C at which the

tangents are parallel to the y-axis. [4]
Suggested solution

x 2  y 2  y ( x  3) ----------(1)

Differentiating throughout with respect to x, we have

dy dy
2x  2 y  y  ( x  3) .
dx dx
dy
  2 y  x  3  y  2 x
dx
dy y  2x
 
dx 2 y  x  3

For tangent to be parallel to y-axis, gradient must be undefined.

So 2 y  x  3  0 .

 x  2y  3

Sub into (1): (2 y  3)2  y 2  y (2 y )

 3 y 2  12 y  9  0
 ( y  3)( y  1)  0

 y  3 or 1

The points at which the tangents are parallel to the y-axis are
(3,  3) and (1,  1) .

Alternatively:
2y  x  3  0

x3
y
2

 x 3  x 3
2

Sub into (1): x   2

   ( x  3)
 2   2 

 x2  6 x  9 
 x2     3x  6 x  9  0
2

 4 
 x2  2x  3  0
 x  1 or  3
 y  1 or  3

The points at which the tangents are parallel to the y-axis are
(3,  3) and (1,  1)
  x sec x dx .
3 2 2
2 State the derivative of tan x 2 . Hence, or otherwise, find [4]

Suggested solution
d  tan x 2 
 2 x sec 2 x 2
dx

 x sec x dx  2  x  2 x sec x  d
3 2 2 1 2 2 2

du
u  x2   2x
dx
dv
 2 x sec 2 x 2  v  tan x 2
dx
Therefore,

1
 x sec x dx  2  x tan x 2   2 x tan x 2 d 
3 2 2 2


1 2
2

x tan x 2  ln sec x 2  c 
where c is an arbitrary constant

2020 JC2 H2 Mathematics Preliminary Examination

 4 3
3 [It is given that a sphere of radius r has surface area 4 r 2 and volume  r .]
3
Air is being blown into a spherical balloon at a constant rate of 12 cm 3 per minute. Initially there is no
air in the balloon.
(i) Find the rate at which the radius of the balloon is changing when the radius of the balloon is
5 cm. [2]
(ii) Find the rate at which the surface area of the balloon is changing 10 minutes after air is blown
into the balloon. [4]

Suggested solution
(i)
dr dr dV
 
dt dV dt
4 dV
V   r3   4 r 2
3 dr
dr dr dV
 
dt dV dt
dV
Given  12 (constant)
dt
dr 12 3
  2
dt 4 r 2
r

At r= 5
dr 3 3
   0.0382 cm/min
dt  (5) 2
25
(ii) A  4 r 2
dA
 8 r
dr
dA dA dr
 
dt dr dt
3
  8 r  2
r
24

r

In 10 min, the volume of the balloon V  12 10  120 cm 3 .

4
V   r 3  120
3
90
r 3  3.0598

dA  24
At t=10 min,  24 3   7.84 cm/min
dt 90 3.0598
 ab
4 (i) On the same axes, sketch the graphs of y  and y  b x  a , where a and b are positive
x 1
constants such that 0  a  1  b . It is given that the two graphs intersect exactly twice. [3]
a
(ii) Hence, solve the inequality x  a  . [3]
x 1

Suggested solution

(i)For 3  2 2  a  1

(a+1, b)
(0,ab)

O (a,0) y =0 x

x =1

2020 JC2 H2 Mathematics Preliminary Examination

 a ab
(ii)Multiplying b to x  a  gives b x  a  ( b0 )
x 1 x 1

Hence from the graph,

b
xa   0  x  a  1, x  1
x 1
 ex
5 You are given that F   dx.
e x  e x

(i) Use the substitution y  e x to find another expression for F. [2]

(ii) By considering e x  A(e x  e x )  B(e x  e  x ) where A and B are real constants to be

determined, find an expression for F. [3]
(iii) Show algebraically that your answers to parts (i) and (ii) differ by a constant. [1]
Suggested solution
(i)
dy
y  ex   ex
dx
y 1 1 2y
F    dy   2 dy
 1  y 2 y 1
y y
 
 ln  y 2  1  d  y 2  1  0 
1
2
 ln  e 2 x  1  d
1
2
where d is an arbitrary constant.
(ii)
1 x x 1 x x
ex  (e  e )  (e  e )
2 2

1 (e x  e  x )  (e x  e  x ) 1  e x  e x 
F  dx   1  x  x  dx
2 e x  e x 2  e e 
1
  x  ln(e x  e  x )   c
2
 e x  e x  0 

where c is an arbitrary constant.

(iii) From (ii),
1 1 1  e2 x  1 
F  x  ln(e x  e  x )   c  x  ln  x   c
2 2 2  e 
1 1 1 1 1 1
 x  ln(e 2 x  1)  ln(e x )  c  x  ln(e 2 x  1)  x  c
2 2 2 2 2 2
1
 ln(e 2 x  1)  c
2

The difference is c  d , where c and d are the arbitrary constants for the answers in (ii) and
(i) respectively.
6 The functions f and g are defined by

2020 JC2 H2 Mathematics Preliminary Examination

 2
f :x a for x  , x  a,
3 x  a 
2
a  a 
g:x   x   1  for x  0
2  2 

where a is a positive constant.

(i) Define, in a similar form, the inverse function f 1 and show that f 2  x   x .
[3]

(ii) Hence, find f 2k 1 (2a) for positive integer k, giving your answer in terms of a. [2]

(iii) Show that the composite function fg exists and find the range of fg . [3]

Suggested solution
(i)
2
Let y  a 
3 x  a 
2
ya 
3 x  a 
2
xa 
3 y  a 
2
x a
3 y  a 
D  Rf  \ a
f 1

2
f 1 : x a , x  , x  a,
3 x  a 
Method 1
Since f 1  f, f 2 ( x)  ff 1 ( x)  x

Method 2
 2 
f 2 ( x)  f  a  
 3  x  a  
2 2
a a  a   x  a  x
 2   2 
3 a   a 3 
 3  x  a    3 x  a  
 (ii)
f 2 k 1 ( x)  ff 2 k ( x)  f ( x)
2
f 2 k 1 (2a)  f (2a)  a 
3a
(iii)
2
a  a 
For maximum value of g  x     x  1 ,
2  2 
2
a  a 
It occurs at x   1 [when  x   1   0 ]
2  2 

 a
From the sketch, R g   ,   \ a  Df
 2
Therefore, fg exists

 a
When we restrict Df   , 
 2
ya

a 4 
 ,a  
2 3a 

 4 
Range of fg =  a  , a 
 3a 

2020 JC2 H2 Mathematics Preliminary Examination

7 The sum, S n , of the first n terms of a sequence u1 , u2 , u3 , is given by Sn  a  3n   bn  c , where a,
b and c are constants and n  1 .
(i) Given that u1  5, u2  9 and u3  33 , find a, b and c. [4]

(ii) Show that un 1  A  3n   B , where A and B are constants to be determined. [3]

n
(iii) Using your answer in part (ii), find u
r 2
r 1 in terms of n. (You need not simplify your

answer.) [3]
Suggested solution
S1  5  3a  b  c
S2  14  9a  2b  c
S3  47  27 a  3b  c
u1  S1  5  3a  b  c
OR u2  S2  S1  9  6a  b
u3  S3  S 2  33  18a  b

Using GC, a  2, b  3 and c  2

Hence Sn  2  3n   3n  2
un 1  S n 1  S n
 2  3n 1   3  n  1  2   2  3n   3n  2 

 2  3n 1   3n  3  2  2  3n   3n  2
 2  3  1  3n   3
 4  3n   3

   4  3r   3
n n

u
r 2
r 1
r 2

 4  3r   31
n n

r 2 r 2

 3  3  1 
2 n 1

 4   3  n  2  1
 3  1 
 18  3n 1  1  3  n  1
 6  3n   3n  15
8 Do not use a calculator in answering this question.
(a) The complex number z1 is given by 1  i .
(i)  
Given that z1 is a root of the equation z 2  az  1  3  bi  0 , find the values of
the real numbers a and b. [3]
(ii) Using these values of a and b, find the second root of this equation in exact form. [2]

(b) The complex numbers w1 and w2 are given by 2  2i and  3  i respectively.

(i) Find the modulus and argument of w1w2 in exact form. [3]
7 1 3
(ii) Hence, or otherwise, show that cos  [2]
12 2 2

Suggested solution
(a)(i)
Since z1  1  i is a root,
 1  i 
2
 
 a  1  i   1  3  bi  0


2i  a  1  i   1  3  bi  0 
 
a  1  3   a  b  2  i  0
Comparing Re and Im parts
 
a  1  3  0  a  1  3

a  b  2  0  b  1 3

(ii)
     
z2  1 3 z  1 3  1 3 i  0
z2  1 3  z  1  3   1  3  i   z   1  i    z  z 
2

Method 1: Comparing z
1  3   z2   1  i   z2  3  i

Method 2: Comparing “constant”

   
1  3  1  3 i = z2  1  i 

1  3   1  3  i 1  3   1  3  i   1  i 
 z2  
 1  i  2

  
  1  3  1  3 i  1  i 
    3 i

2
Method 3: Sum of roots
Sum of roots =  1  3  

2020 JC2 H2 Mathematics Preliminary Examination

1  i  z2   1  3  
z2  3  i

Method 4: General formula

  1  3   4 1 1  3   1  3  i 
2
 1 3 
z2 
2


 
 1  3  1  2 3  3  4  4 3  4i  4 3i
2


 
 1  3  2 3  4 3i  4i
2

  1  
2
 1 3  3  2i

2


  
 1  3  1  3  2i 
2
 1  i (rej) or 3 i

(b)(i)
Method 1:

  
 i   
w1  2  2i  2 2e or 2 2  cos     i sin    
4

  4  4 
5
i  5 5 
w2   3+i  2e 6 or 2  cos  i sin 
 6 6 
  5  7
  i i
w1w2  4 2e  4 6 
 4 2e 12
7
w1w2  4 2 and arg  w1w2  
12

Method 2:

w1w2  2 1  3  2 1  3 i   
     32  4
2 2
w1w2  4 1  3  4 1  3 2

arg  w w     tan
1  3   7 1
1 2
 3  1 12
(ii)
Method 1:
From (ii),
 7
i   7   7  
w1w2  4 2e 12 or 4 2  cos    i sin   
  12   12  
  
w1w2  2 1  3  2 1  3 i 
Hence
1 3
4 2 cos
7
12
 7
  2 1  3  cos  
12 2 2

Otherwise
Method 2:
Student using geometry approach on
  
w1w2  2 1  3  2 1  3 i 
Method 3:
Student using special angles and addition formula

2020 JC2 H2 Mathematics Preliminary Examination

 dy
9 (a) (i) Given x and y are related by the differential equation x 2  xy  k for k  , show
dx
k  ln x   
that y  is a solution of the differential equation where  is an arbitrary
x
constant. [2]

k  ln x   
(ii) Hence, show that  e1 , ke 1  is a stationary point of the curve y  . [2]
x
dy
(b) It is given that x and y are related by the differential equation y  x  x 2  y 2 and that
dx
y  0 when x  2 .

(i) By substituting v  x 2  y 2 , show that the differential equation can be written as

dv
2 v. [2]
dx
(ii) Find v in terms of x and hence show that y 2  f  x  where f  x  is to be determined.
[4]
Suggested solution
(a)(i)
dy
To prove x 2  xy  k    *
dx
Consider

k  ln x   
y  xy  k  ln x     (1)
x
Diff (1) wrt x,

dy 1 dy
x  y  k    x 2  xy  k [shown]
dx x dx

k  ln x   
(a)(ii) y 
x
dy
At stationary point,  0  xy  k [from (*)]
dx

k k  ln x   
So   ln x  1    x  e1
x x
k k
When x  e1 , y   1  ke 1 .
x e

k  ln x   
Therefore,  e1 , ke 1  is a stationary point of the curve y  .
x
 dy
(b)(i) Given y  x  x 2  y 2 ---(**)
dx
dv dy
v  x2  y 2   2x  2 y
dx dx
Sub into (**):
dy 1 dv dv
y  x  x2  y 2   v  2 v [shown]
dx 2 dx dx
(b)(ii)
dv 1 dv 1
2 v 1  dv   1 dx
dx 2 v dx 2 v

 v  xC

Since y  0 when x  2 , we have v  4 .

4  2  C  C  4

v  x  4  v   x  4
2

 y 2   x  4   x 2  8 x  16
2

Hence f  x   8 x  16 .

2020 JC2 H2 Mathematics Preliminary Examination

 1
10 The diagram shows the graph of y  when x > 0.
x 1
2

(0,1)

O x

k 1 1
(i) Evaluate k x 1
2
dx for k  0 , leaving your answer in terms of k. [2]

By considering appropriate rectangles on the interval  k , k  1 for the curve y 

1
(ii) , show
x 1
2

that
1 1
 tan 1  k  1  tan 1 k  for k  
. [2]
 k  1 1 k 1
2 2

tan A  tan B
(iii) Use the identity tan  A  B   to show that
1  tan A tan B
x y
tan 1 x  tan 1 y  tan 1 , where x  y  0. [2]
1  xy
(iv) By considering parts (ii) and (iii), prove by the method of differences that
1  n  n 1
n
1
k 1  k  1  1
2
 tan   2
 n  2  k 1 k  1
. [4]

Suggested solution
(i)
k 1
k 1 1  x
 dx   tan 1   tan 1  k  1  tan 1 k
k x 1
2
 1 k

(ii)

(0,1)

O k k+1 x
From the diagram, we can see that
Area of rectangle ABCD < Area under curve from x=k to x=k +1 < Area of rectangle ABEF
1 k 1 1 1
Hence 1  k dx  2 1
 k  1 1 x 1 k 1
2 2

1 1
  tan 1  k  1  tan 1 k  [from (i)] [shown]
 k  1 1 k 1
2 2

Alternative (For one side)

(0,1)

O x

k 1
1  1  2
[f  k    f  k    ....f  k  1]   f  x  dx --- (1)
n  n  n k

Note that

1  1  2
[f  k    f  k    ....f  k  1]
n  n  n
1 1
 [nf  k  1]  f  k  1     (2)
 k  1  1
2
n

 1  2  n 1 
Since f  k   , f  k   ,...f  k    f  k  1
 n  n  n 
k 1
1
Thus from (1) and (2), we have
 k  1
2
1
  f  x  dx .
k

(iii)

Let A  tan 1 x; B  tan 1 y

tan  A  B   tan  tan 1 x  tan 1 y 

tan  tan 1 x   tan  tan 1 y  x y
 
1  tan  tan x  tan  tan y 
1 1
1  xy

 x y 
Hence tan 1 x  tan 1 y  tan 1   [shown]
 1  xy 

2020 JC2 H2 Mathematics Preliminary Examination

(iv)
1 1
With  tan 1  k  1  tan 1 k 
 k  1 1 k 1
2 2

Sum the inequalities for k  1 to n . (This way we are actually considering the area under the curve from
x  1 to x  n  1 , which can be divided to n sections, each with unit base.)

   tan 1  k  1  tan 1 k   
n n n
1 1

 k  1 1 k 1 k  1
2 2
k 1 k 1

  tan  k  1  tan k 
n
1 1

k 1

 tan 1  2   tan 1 1 

 
  tan 1  3  tan 1  2  
 
 
  tan  4   tan  3 
1 1


 
 
  tan 1  n   tan 1  n  1 
 
  tan 1 n  1  tan 1 n 
    
 tan 1  n  1  tan 1 1
  n  1  1 
 tan 1  
 1   n  11 
 n 
 tan 1   From (iii)
n2
Hence

1  n  n 1
n
1

k 1  k  1  1
2
 tan   2
 n  2  k 1 k  1
[proven]
11 (a) The angular diameter of an object is the angle the object makes (subtends) as seen by an
observer.
As shown in the diagram below,  denotes the angular diameter (measured in radians) of a
circle whose plane is perpendicular to the line between the point of view (point P) and the
centre of said circle. D denotes the distance from point P to the centre of the circle and d
denotes the diameter of the circle.

P  D d

(i) Show that, if  is sufficiently small,  D  d . [2]

The equation in (i) is often used in astronomy to estimate the diameters of stars from the
angular diameter, assuming their shapes to be approximately circular.

(ii) If the angular diameter of a star is measured to be 0.00873 rad and the distance of the
star from the earth is 9.46  1012 km, estimate the diameter of the star. [1]
(b) An astronaut A is at a large distance x km from the surface of the earth. The radius of the earth
is assumed to be a constant R km. The furthest point on the earth’s surface that the astronaut
can see is a point P such that AP = y km and the angle OAP =  , where O is the centre of the
earth (see diagram).

x y

R P
R
O

1
 2R  2
(i) Show that y  x 1   . [3]
 x 

R
(ii) It is given that R is small compared to x. Show that, if   , tan      2  1.5 3 . [4]
x

2020 JC2 H2 Mathematics Preliminary Examination

(iii) It is also given that   0.0345 rad and the astronaut A is 180,000 km from the surface of
the earth, find  and hence estimate the radius of the earth. Leave your answer to the
nearest km. [3]
Suggested solution
  d
(a)(i) tan   
 2  2D
Since  is small,
 d
  D  d
2 2D
(ii)
d  (0.00873)  9.46 1012   8.26 1010 km
(b)(i)
R2  y2   x  R 
2

R 2  y 2  x 2  2 xR  R 2
y 2  x 2  2 xR
1
 2R   2R  2
y 2  x 2 1    y  x 1  
 x   x 
(ii)
1

R R  2R  1
  1  2 
2 
tan    1   2
y x x 
R
Since R is small relative to x, then   is small
x
1
tan    1  2 

2

  1  3  
  1      
  1      2   
2  2 
 2   ... 
2

  2 2! 
 
 
  1    1.5 2 
    2  1.5 3
(iii)
  0.0345
tan  0.0345      2  1.5 3
From GC, we have   0.0357
R
 0.0357
x
R  0.0357 180000   6426 km
12 One of the highlights of the grand opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo is a tightrope
walking contest. For this contest, as shown in the diagram, a glass pyramid is constructed beside the
museum building, with a rectangular base OABC and vertex V. Points ( x, y, z ) are defined relative
to O (0, 0, 0) , where units are metres. As the ground is uneven, the pyramid is tilted slightly with A,
C and V at (8, 1,  1) , (1, 9, 1) and (5, 4, 14) respectively.

z
Museum Building
V

B
O

A
x

(i) Find a cartesian equation of the plane containing the triangular face ABV. [2]

 29 15 1
The contestant walks on rope R1 which is firmly secured to the starting point S  , , a   on
 2 2 2
the museum building such that a  0 . The taut rope R1 penetrates through the glass face ABV of the
pyramid, and leads all the way to M, the mid-point of OC.
(ii) To comply with safety requirements, the rope used in the first stage of the contest could either
be horizontal or inclined at angle to the horizontal plane not more than 30 . Find the range of
possible values of a. [4]
For the rest of the question, a = 3.
(iii) Find the coordinates of the point X on the face ABV, at which we need to drill a hole to allow
the rope to penetrate through. [4]
Upon reaching the point X, the contestants venture into the pyramid via a glass door and continue to
walk on another rope R2 that is tied from point X to a finishing point on the face OCV. Understanding
that there is a need to minimise exhaustion during this final stage of the contest, the organiser intends
to let contestants take the shortest path possible.
(iv) Find the desired length of rope R2 to be used for this final stage of the contest. [3]

2020 JC2 H2 Mathematics Preliminary Examination

 Suggested solution
(i)  1  3 
 ,  
AB  OC   9  AV   3 
 1  15 
   
 1  3  11
     
AB  AV   9    3   12  1 
 1  15  2
     
 11
A normal to the face ABV is  1  .
2
 
 8   11
  
 1  1   87
 1  2 
  
A Cartesian equation of the face ABV is 11x  y  2 z  87 .
(ii)  14.5   1  15 
  1   
MS   7.5    9    3 
 a  0.5  2  1  a 
     

Acute angle between line MS and horizontal plane (or xy-plane)

15   0 
  
 3  0
 a  1
1   
 sin
15   0 
   
 3  0
 a  1
   
a
 sin 1
234  a 2

a a 1
Since 0  sin 1  30 , 0   .
234  a 2 234  a 2 2
 0  4a 2  234  a 2
 0  a  78
(iii) 14.5   1  5
  1   
MS   7.5    9   3  1 
 3.5  2  1 1
     
A vector equation of line MS is
 0.5   5
   
r   4.5     1  ,   . ----------(1)
 0.5  1
   
 11
Plane ABV: r  1   87 ----------(2)
2
 
 0.5   5   11
     
Sub (1) into (2):  4.5     1    1   87
 0.5   1   2 
   
 58  87
3
 
2
 X is (7, 6, 2) .
(iv) A normal to the plane OCV is
 1  5   122 
     
n  OC  OV   9    4    19  .
 1 14   49 
     

Shortest distance from X to plane OCV

 7   122 
  
 6   19 
 2   49 
   870
 OX nˆ  
122  19  49
2 2 2
17646
 6.55 (3 s.f.).

Desired length of rope is 6.55 metres.

2020 JC2 H2 Mathematics Preliminary Examination