Mathematics: 

applications and interpretation 
Practice paper 1 HL  Total 110  Commented [1]: Questions 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 (parts a, c and d
only) and 9 are common to HL and the SL papers—total
40 marks.
1.  [Maximum mark: 5] 

A school consists of 740 students divided into 5 grade levels. The numbers of students in 
each grade are shown in the table below. 

Grade  8  9  10  11  12 

Number of students  120  125  119  195  181 

The Principal of the school wishes to select a sample of 25 students. She wishes to ensure 
that, as closely as possible, the proportion of the students from each grade in the sample is  Commented [2]: Students should be aware that “as
the same as the proportions in the school.  closely as possible” implies here that the calculation may
not result in whole numbers.

(a)  Calculate the number of grade 12 students who should be in the sample.  [3] 

The Principal selects the students for the sample by asking those who took part in a 
previous survey if they would like to take part in another. She takes the first of those who 
reply positively, up to the maximum needed for the sample. 

(b) State which two of the sampling methods listed below best describe the method used.
[2] 

Stratified  Quota  Convenience  Systematic  Simple random 

2.  [Maximum mark: 7] 

A food scientist measures the weights of 760 potatoes taken from a single field and the 
distribution of the weights is shown by the cumulative frequency curve below. 

(a)  Find the number of potatoes in the sample with a weight of more than 200 grams. [2] Commented [3]: When given a cumulative frequency

graph, students often incorrectly use the highest number
on the vertical axis as the total amount of data. The total
(b) Find number is usually stated in the question and the curve
itself will always end at the total amount of data used.
(i) the median weight  Another error which is frequently seen in student
responses is that the scale on the x and y axes have been
(ii) the lower quartile ignored.
Commented [4]: When working with cumulative
(iii)  the upper quartile. [3]  frequency graphs, students should be encouraged to
draw, with a ruler, dashed lines directly on the graph as
evidence of how the median and quartiles were found.
The weight of the smallest potato in the sample is 20 grams and the weight of the largest is 
400 grams. 

(c)  Use the scale shown below to draw a box and whisker diagram showing the
distribution of the weights of the potatoes. You may assume there are no outliers. [2]  Commented [5]: If the question did not explicitly say
that there are no outliers it would be expected that the
student would consider the possibility of outliers, using
the formula 1.5  the interquartile range from the
nearest quartile. Note this formula is not in the formula
book so should be learned.
3.  [Maximum mark: 7] 

The water temperature (T) in Lake Windermere is measured on the first day of eight 
consecutive months (m) from January to August (months 1 to 8) and the results are shown 
below. The value for May (month 5) has been accidently deleted. 

Jan  Feb  March  April  May  June  July  August 

Month (m)  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8 
Temperature (T)(°C)  5.2  8.0  7.2  8.9 12.6  15.5  15.4 

(a)  Assuming the data follows a linear model for this period, find the regression line of T  Commented [6]: The term “the regression line” will
on m for the remaining data.  [2]  always be referring to the least squares regression line.
Commented [7]: This phrase will usually appear in the
question. Sometimes it might be omitted if the context
(b)  Use your line to find an estimate for the for the water temperature on the first day makes it clear which variable is the dependent variable.
of May.  [2]  Students need to be aware that the variables will not
always be x and y so need to be aware how to enter the
data into their graphic display calculators and how to
(c)  (i) Explain why your line should not be used to estimate the value of m at which  write their final answer.
the temperature is 10.0°C. 
Commented [8]: If told to “use the line” students do not
need to justify its use for example by saying that the data
(ii)  Explain in context why your line should not be used to predict the value for  appears to be linear from a scatter diagram.
December (month 12).  [2]  Commented [9]: The phrase “in context” means that
reference should be made to the particular context of the
question and a general mathematical statement, such as
(d) State a more appropriate model for the water temperature in the lake over an “you should not extrapolate”, will not be acceptable.
extended period of time. You are not expected to calculate any parameters. [1] 

4.  [Maximum mark: 7] 

Sophia pays $200 into a bank account at the end of each month. The annual interest paid on 
money in the account is 3.1% which is compounded monthly.  Commented [10]: Though it is not necessary in this
question it is expected that if monthly interest is required
then it can be found by simply dividing the yearly rate
(a)  Find the value of her investment after a period of 5 years.  [3]  given by 12.

The average rate of inflation per year over the 5 years was 2%. 

(b) Find an approximation for the real interest rate for the money invested in the  Commented [11]: As an average rate of inflation for each

account.  [2]  year is given the answer can only be an approximation.

(c)  Hence find the real value of Sophia’s investment at the end of 5 years.  [2] 

5.  [Maximum mark: 5]  Commented [12]: This early question is on HL material
and so is not one of the common questions between the
HL and SL papers. There is no expectation that the
A robot moves around the maze shown below.   common questions will be the first questions in a paper

Whenever it leaves a room it is equally likely to take any of the exits. 

The time interval between the robot entering and leaving a room is the same for all 
transitions. 

(a)  Find the transition matrix for the maze.  [3] 

A scientist sets up the robot and then leaves it moving around the maze for a long period of 
time.  Commented [13]: “A long period of time” or the phrase
“long term” indicates that the steady state matrix/vector
is required.
(b) Find the probability that the robot is in room B when the scientist returns. [2] 

6.  [Maximum mark: 8]  Commented [14]: The SL version of this question is

slightly different. Some of the questions that appear on
both SL and HL papers might include slight changes or
The diagram below shows part of the screen from a weather forecasting website showing  extra parts to make them appropriate to the level.
the data for town A. The percentages on the bottom row represent the likelihood of some 
rain during the hour leading up to the time given. For example, there is a 69% chance (a 
probability of 0.69) of rain falling on any point in town A between 0900 and 1000.  Commented [15]: This would be an example of the
requirement of “interpretation” within the course. The
beginning of the question explains how the information
given should be interpreted. This needs to be carefully
read by the student.
Paula works at a building site in the area covered by this page of the website from 0900 to 
1700. She has lunch from 1300 to 1400. 

(a)  Write down the probability it rains during Paula’s lunch break.  [1] 

In the following parts you may assume all probabilities are independent.  Commented [16]: A follow-up question might have been

about how reasonable this assumption is.

Paula needs to work outside between 1000 and 1300 and will also spend her lunchtime 
outside. 

(b) Find the probability it will not rain while Paula is outside. [2] 

(c)  Find the probability it will rain at least once while Paula is outside. [2]  Commented [17]: Students should be aware that the
events “no occurrences” and “at least one occurrence” are
complementary, and hence this question is best done
(d) Given it rains at least once while Paula is outside find the probability that it rains using the answer to part (b).
during her lunch hour.  [3] 

7.  [Maximum mark: 6] 

The position of a helicopter relative to a communications tower at the top of a mountain at 
time t (hours) can be described by the vector equation below. 

 20   4.2 
   
r   25   t  5.8    
 0   0.5 
   

The entries in the column vector give the displacements east and north from the 
communications tower and above/below the top of the mountain respectively, all 
measured in kilometres. 

(a)  Find the speed of the helicopter.  [2]  Commented [18]: In assessments “speed” should be

taken as the magnitude of the velocity.

(b) Find the distance of the helicopter from the communications tower at  t  0 .  [2]  Commented [19]: In assessment “distance” will be the

magnitude of the vector connecting two points.

(c)  Find the bearing on which the helicopter is travelling.  [2]  Commented [20]: Three figure bearings are part of prior
learning.
Interpretation is required here to realize that the bearing
is not affected by the motion up or down.
8.  [Maximum mark: 7] 

Let  f  x   a cos  b  x  c   , a, b, c  .  Commented [21]: Students should be aware of the

notation for the sets of numbers as given in the notation
list at the back of the guide.
Part of the graph of  y  f  x   is shown below. Point A is a local maximum and has  In other questions at HL the form of the equation might be
coordinates  1, 3  and point B is a local minimum with coordinates   2, 3 . given as f  x   a cos  bx  c   d
Commented [22]: Students should be aware of the term
“local” maximum or minimum.

(a)  Find

(i) the value of a 

(ii)  the value of b 

(iii)  the least value of c.  [4] 

(b) Write down a sequence of transformations that will transform the graph of
y  cos x  onto the graph of  y  f  x  .  [3] 
9.  [Maximum mark: 9] 

A farmer owns a triangular field ABC. The length of side [AB] is 85 m and side [AC] is  Commented [23]: Students should be familiar with all

110 m. The angle between these two sides is 55°.  notation given in the notation list at the back of the course
guide. The notation used here is read as the line segment
with end points at A and B.
(a)  Find the area of the field. [3] 

The farmer would like to divide the field into two equal parts by constructing a 
straight fence from A to a point D on [BC]. 

(b) Find BD. Fully justify any assumptions you make.  [6]  Commented [24]: The notation BD should be read as

“the length of [BD]” as described in the notation list in the
guide.

10.  [Maximum mark: 8]  Commented [25]: This question reflects the increased

emphasis in this subject on interpreting the meaning of
values obtained using calculus.
The production of oil (P), in barrels per day, from an oil field satisfies the differential 
dP 1000
equation    where t is measured in days from the start of production. 
dt 2  t

5 1000 Commented [26]: Definite integrals should normally be

(a)  (i) Find   dt .  found from a graphic display calculator. In this case the
0 2t integral can be calculated directly and this is asked for in
part (b).
(ii)  State in context what this value represents.  [2] 

The production of oil at  t  0  is 20,000 barrels per day.   Commented [27]: This information is given in a stem

directly above part (b) which means it is required for this
part. A common error in the past has been to forget to add
(b) Find an expression for P in terms of t.  [4]  the constant term when integrating and so this extra
information would not be used.
365
(c)  Determine  P  t  d t  and state what it represents. [2] 
0
11.  [Maximum mark: 7] 

Nymphenburg Palace in Munich has extensive grounds with 9 points of interest (stations) 
within them. 

These nine points, along with the palace, are shown as the vertices in the graph below. The 
weights on the edges are the walking times in minutes between each of the stations and 
the total of all the weights is 105 minutes.  Commented [28]: This information will often be given so
that students do not need to add the weight themselves.

A  Nymphenburg Palace 
B  Fountain 
C  Magdalenenklause 
D  Pagodenburg 
E  Large Cascade 
F  Pan with Spring 
G  Badenburg 
H  Amalienburg 
I  Summerhouse 
J  Bridge 

Anders decides he would like to walk along all the paths shown beginning and ending at the 
Palace (vertex A). 

Use the Chinese Postman algorithm, clearly showing all the stages, to find the shortest time  Commented [29]: It is important that steps are clearly

to walk along all the paths.  [7]  shown when using a named algorithm so that the
examiner can confirm that the correct algorithm was not
found through inspection.
12.  [Maximum mark: 7] 

It is believed that the power P of a signal at a point d km from an antenna is inversely 
proportional to  d n  where  n  .  Commented [30]: Students need to be aware that the
phrases “directly proportional to” and “inversely
proportional to” imply direct and inverse variation.
The value of P is recorded at distances of 1 m to 5 m and the values of  log10 d  and  log10 P  
Commented [31]: In examinations, with the exception of
are plotted on the graph below.  ln, the base of the log will always be shown.

(a)  Explain why this graph indicates that P is inversely proportional to  d n .  [2] 

The values of  log 10 d  and  log10 P  are shown in the table below. 

log10 d 0  0.301  0.477  0.602  0.699 

log10 P   ‐0.127  ‐0.740  ‐1.10  ‐1.36  ‐1.55 

(b) Find the equation of the least squares regression line of  log10 P  against  log10 d .  [2]

(c)  (i) Use your answer to part (b) to write down the value of n to the nearest 

integer.  Commented [32]: It is expected that the form for
linearizing exponential and power functions is known.

(ii) Find an expression for P in terms of d.  [3] 

13.  [Maximum mark: 6] 

Consider the second order differential equation  

x  4  x   2t  0   
2
 dx
Commented [33]: Questions may use x to signify
dt
where  x  is the displacement of a particle for  t  0 .  2
x to signify d 2x
and
dt
(a)  Write the differential equation as a system of coupled first order differential
equations. [2] 

When  t  0  , x  x  0   

(b)  Use Euler’s method with a step length of 0.1 to find an estimate for the value of the  Commented [34]: Euler’s method for a coupled system

displacement and velocity of the particle when  t  1 .  [4]  is given in the formula book.

14.  [Maximum mark: 5] 

(a)  Write down  2  5i  in exponential form.  [2]  Commented [35]: If the most efficient method of
answering a question is to use the inbuilt functionality of
a graphic display calculator then this route should be
taken. That would be the case here.

An equilateral triangle is to be drawn on the Argand plane with one of the vertices at the 
point corresponding to  2  5i and all the vertices equidistant from 0. 

(b) Find the points that correspond to the other two vertices. Give your answers in
Cartesian form.  [3] 
15.  [Maximum mark: 8]  Commented [36]: As seen in this question, not every
question will be set in practical context. In these non-
context questions it is still possible that the most efficient
Consider the function  f  x   ax2  x  a , a  . solution involves finding a value directly from the graphic
display calculator (as in part c).

(a)  
Find  f  x . [2] 


For  a  0 the curve  y  f x  has a single local maximum.

(b) Find in terms of a the value of x at which the maximum occurs.  [2] 

(c)  Hence find the value of a for which y has the smallest possible maximum value.  [4]

16.  [Maximum mark: 8] 

The cars for a fairground ride hold four people. They arrive at the platform for loading and 
unloading every 30 seconds. 

During the hour from 9 am the arrival of people at the ride in any interval of t minutes can 
be modelled by a Poisson distribution with a mean of  9t ( 0  t  60). 

When the 9 am car leaves there is no one in the queue to get on the ride. 

Shunsuke arrives at 9.01 am. 

(a)  Find the probability that more than 7 people arrive at the ride before Shunsuke.  [2]

(b) Find the probability there will be space for him on the 9.01 car.  [6]