Voronoi [93 marks]

Points A(3, 1), B(3, 5), C(11, 7), D(9, 1) and E(7, 3) represent snow shelters in the
Blackburn National Forest. These snow shelters are illustrated in the following
coordinate axes.
Horizontal scale: 1 unit represents 1 km.
Vertical scale: 1 unit represents 1 km.

1a. Calculate the gradient of the line segment AE. [2 marks]

 Markscheme
3−1
7−3
(M1)

= 0.5 A1
[2 marks]

The Park Ranger draws three straight lines to form an incomplete Voronoi
diagram.

1b. Find the equation of the line which would complete the Voronoi cell [3 marks]
containing site E.
Give your answer in the form ax + by + d = 0 where a, b, d ∈ Z.
 Markscheme
y − 2 = −2 (x − 5) (A1) (M1)
Note: Award (A1) for their −2 seen, award (M1) for the correct substitution of
(5, 2) and their normal gradient in equation of a line.
2x + y − 12 = 0 A1
[3 marks]

1c. In the context of the question, explain the significance of the Voronoi cell [1 mark]
containing site E.

Markscheme
every point in the cell is closer to E than any other snow shelter A1
[1 mark]
 The living accommodation on a university campus is in the shape of a rectangle
with sides of length 200 m and 300 m .
There are three offices for the management of the accommodation set at the
points A, B and C. These offices are responsible for all the students in the areas
closest to the office. These areas are shown on the Voronoi diagram below. On
this coordinate system the positions of A, B and C are (100, 160), (100, 40) and
(250, 100) respectively.

The equation of the perpendicular bisector of [AC] is 5x − 2y = 615.

The manager of office C believes that he has more than one third of the area of
the campus to manage.

2a. Find the area of campus managed by office C. [3 marks]

 Markscheme
Divides area into two appropriate shapes
For example,
Area of triangle ( 12 × 200 × 40 =) 4000 m2 (A1)

Area of rectangle (200 × 97)= 19400 m2 (A1)

23400 (m2 ) A1

Note: The area can be found using different divisions. Award A1 for any two
correct areas found and A1 for the final answer.

[3 marks]

2b. Hence or otherwise find the areas managed by offices A and B. [3 marks]
 Markscheme
EITHER
200×300−23400
2 = 18300 m2 (M1)A1

OR
1
2 × 100 ×(203 + 163)= 18300 m2 (M1)A1

THEN
Area managed by both offices A and B is 18300 m2 A1

[3 marks]

2c. State a further assumption that must be made in order to use area [1 mark]
covered as a measure of whether or not the manager of office C is
responsible for more students than the managers of offices A and B.

Markscheme
Density of accommodation/students is uniform R1

[1 mark]

A B C
2d. A new office is to be built within the triangle formed by A, B and C, at a [2 marks]
point as far as possible from the other three offices.
Find the distance of this office from each of the other offices.

Markscheme
250 − 163 = 87 (m) (M1)A1

Note: M1 is for an attempt to find the distance from the intersection point to
one of the offices.

[2 marks]

3. The diagram below is part of a Voronoi diagram. [9 marks]

Diagram not to scale

A and B are sites with B having the co-ordinates of (4, 6). L is an edge; the
equation of this perpendicular bisector of the line segment from A to B is
y = −2x + 9
Find the co-ordinates of the point A.
Markscheme
Line from A to B will have the form y = 12 x + c M1A1

Through (4, 6) ⇒ c = 4 so line is y = 12 x + 4 M1A1

Intersection of y = −2x + 9 and y = 12 x + 4 is (2, 5) M1A1

Let A = (p, q) then (2, 5) = ( p+4

2 , 2 )
q+6
⇒ p = 0, q = 4 M1A1A1

A = (0, 4)
[9 marks]
 A king rules a small mountain kingdom which is in the form of a square of length 4
kilometres. The square is described by the co-ordinate system
0 ⩽ x ⩽ 4, 0 ⩽ y ⩽ 4.
The king has four adult children, each of which has a luxury palace located at the
points (1, 1) , (3, 1) , (1, 3) , (3, 3). Each child owns all the land that is nearer
their palace than any other palace.

4a. Sketch a Voronoi diagram to represent this information. [2 marks]

Markscheme

A2

[2 marks]
 The king has a fifth (youngest) child who is now just growing up. He installs her in
a new palace situated at point (2, 2). The rule about ownership of land is then
reapplied.

4b. Sketch a new Voronoi diagram to represent this new situation. [2 marks]

Markscheme

A2

[2 marks]
4c. State what the shape of the land, owned by the youngest child, is. [1 mark]

Markscheme
By symmetry a square A1
[1 mark]

4d. Find the area of the youngest child’s land. [4 marks]

 Markscheme
Distance from (2, 2) to (1, 3) is √12 + 12 = √2 M1A1
√2
So length of youngest child’s square is 2 2 = √2 and thus area is 2.
M1A1
[4 marks]

4e. Find how much land an older child has lost. [1 mark]

Markscheme
By symmetry each older child must lose 24 = 1
2 A1
[1 mark]

4f. State, with a reason, if all five children now own an equal amount of [2 marks]
land.
 Markscheme
No, youngest child has less as each older child has 2 × 2 − 12 = 3 12 A1R1
[2 marks]

The Voronoi diagram below shows four supermarkets represented by points with
coordinates A(0, 0), B(6, 0), C(0, 6) and D(2, 2). The vertices X, Y, Z are also
shown. All distances are measured in kilometres.

5a. Find the midpoint of [BD] . [2 marks]

 Markscheme
( 2+6
2 , 2 )
2+0
(M1)

(4, 1) A1

Note: Award A0 if parentheses are omitted in the final answer.

[2 marks]

5b. Find the equation of (XZ). [4 marks]

Markscheme
attempt to substitute values into gradient formula (M1)

( 0−2
6−2
=)− 12 (A1)

therefore the gradient of perpendicular bisector is 2 (M1)

so y − 1 = 2(x − 4) (y = 2x − 7) A1

[4 marks]
 The equation of (XY) is y = 2 − x and the equation of (YZ) is y = 0. 5x + 3. 5.

5c. Find the coordinates of X. [3 marks]

Markscheme
identifying the correct equations to use: (M1)
y = 2 − x and y = 2x − 7
evidence of solving their correct equations or of finding intersection point
graphically (M1)
(3, − 1) A1

Note: Accept an answer expressed as “x = 3, y = −1”.

[3 marks]

Y (−1, 3) Z (7, 7)
 The coordinates of Y are (−1, 3) and the coordinates of Z are (7, 7).

5d. Determine the exact length of [YZ]. [2 marks]

Markscheme
attempt to use distance formula (M1)

YZ = √(7 −(−1))2 + (7 − 3)2

= √80 (4√5) A1

[2 marks]

[XY] √32 XŶZ

5e. Given that the exact length of [XY] is √32, find the size of XŶZ in [4 marks]
degrees.
Markscheme
METHOD 1 (cosine rule)

length of XZ is √80 (4√5, 8. 94427 …) (A1)

Note: Accept 8. 94 and 8. 9.

attempt to substitute into cosine rule (M1)

cos XŶZ = 80+32−80
(= 0. 316227 …) (A1)
2×√80√32

Note: Award A1 for correct substitution of XZ, YZ, √32 values in the cos
rule. Exact values do not need to be used in the substitution.

(XŶZ =) 71. 6° (71. 5650 … °) A1

Note: Last A1 mark may be lost if prematurely rounded values of XZ, YZ

and/or XY are used.

METHOD 2 (splitting isosceles triangle in half)

length of XZ is √80 (4√5, 8. 94427 …) (A1)

Note: Accept 8. 94 and 8. 9.

cos−1 ( )
√32
required angle is (M1)(A1)
2√80

√32
Note: Award A1 for correct substitution of XZ (or YZ), 2 values in the cos
rule. Exact values do not need to be used in the substitution.

(XŶZ =) 71. 6° (71. 5650 … °) A1

Note: Last A1 mark may be lost if prematurely rounded values of XZ, YZ

and/or XY are used.

[4 marks]

XYZ
5f. Hence find the area of triangle XYZ. [2 marks]

Markscheme
(area =) 12 √80√32 sin 71. 5650 … OR (area =) 12 √32√72 (M1)

= 24 km2 A1

[2 marks]

A town planner believes that the larger the area of the Voronoi cell XYZ, the
more people will shop at supermarket D.

5g. State one criticism of this interpretation. [1 mark]

 Markscheme
Any sensible answer such as:
There might be factors other than proximity which influence shopping choices.
A larger area does not necessarily result in an increase in population.
The supermarkets might be specialized / have a particular clientele who visit
even if other shops are closer.
Transport links might not be represented by Euclidean distances.
etc. R1

[1 mark]

This question is about a metropolitan area council planning a new town

and the location of a new toxic waste dump.

A metropolitan area in a country is modelled as a square. The area has four towns,
located at the corners of the square. All units are in kilometres with the x-
coordinate representing the distance east and the y-coordinate representing the
distance north from the origin at (0, 0).
Edison is modelled as being positioned at E(0, 40).
Fermitown is modelled as being positioned at F(40, 40).
Gaussville is modelled as being positioned at G(40, 0).
Hamilton is modelled as being positioned at H(0, 0).

6a. The model assumes that each town is positioned at a single point. [1 mark]
Describe possible circumstances in which this modelling assumption is
reasonable.
 Markscheme
the size of each town is small (in comparison with the distance between the
towns)
OR
if towns have an identifiable centre
OR
the centre of the town is at that point R1

Note: Accept a geographical landmark in place of “centre”, e.g. “town hall” or

“capitol”.

[1 mark]

6b. Sketch a Voronoi diagram showing the regions within the metropolitan [1 mark]
area that are closest to each town.
 Markscheme

A1

Note: There is no need for a scale / coordinates here. Condone boundaries

extending beyond the metropolitan area.

[1 mark]

The metropolitan area council decides to build a new town called Isaacopolis
located at I(30, 20).
A new Voronoi diagram is to be created to include Isaacopolis. The equation of the
perpendicular bisector of [IE] is y = 32 x + 15
2 .

6c. Find the equation of the perpendicular bisector of [IF] . [4 marks]

Markscheme
40−20
the gradient of IF is 40−30 =2 (A1)

negative reciprocal of any gradient (M1)

gradient of perpendicular bisector = 12

Note: Seeing − 23 (for example) used clearly as a gradient anywhere is

evidence of the “negative reciprocal” method despite being applied to an
inappropriate gradient.

midpoint is ( 40+30
2 , 2 )=(35,
40+20
30) (A1)

equation of perpendicular bisector is y − 30 = − 12 (x − 35) A1

Note: Accept equivalent forms e.g. y = − 12 x + 952 or 2y + x − 95 = 0.

Allow FT for the final A1 from their midpoint and gradient of perpendicular
bisector, as long as the M1 has been awarded

[4 marks]
6d. Given that the coordinates of one vertex of the new Voronoi diagram are [4 marks]
(20, 37. 5), find the coordinates of the other two vertices within the
metropolitan area.

Markscheme
the perpendicular bisector of EH is y = 20 (A1)

Note: Award this A1 if seen in the y-coordinate of any final answer or if 20 is

used as the y-value in the equation of any other perpendicular bisector.

attempt to use symmetry OR intersecting two perpendicular bisectors

(M1)
( 25
3
, 20) A1

(20, 2. 5) A1

[4 marks]
6e. Sketch this new Voronoi diagram showing the regions within the [2 marks]
metropolitan area which are closest to each town.
Markscheme

M1A1

Note: Award M1 for exactly four perpendicular bisectors around I (IE, IF, IG
and IH) seen, even if not in exactly the right place.
Award A1 for a completely correct diagram. Scale / coordinates are NOT
necessary. Vertices should be in approximately the correct positions but only
penalized if clearly wrong (condone northern and southern vertices appearing
to be very close to the boundary).
Condone the Voronoi diagram extending outside of the square.
Do not award follow-though marks in this part.

[2 marks]
 The metropolitan area is divided into districts based on the Voronoi regions found
in part (c).

6f. A car departs from a point due north of Hamilton. It travels due east at [4 marks]
constant speed to a destination point due North of Gaussville. It passes
through the Edison, Isaacopolis and Fermitown districts. The car spends 30% of
the travel time in the Isaacopolis district.
Find the distance between Gaussville and the car’s destination point.
 Markscheme
30% of 40 is 12 (A1)
recognizing line intersects bisectors at y = c (or equivalent) but different x-
values (M1)
c = 32 x1 + 15
2 and c = − 12 x2 + 95
2
finding an expression for the distance in Isaacopolis in terms of one variable
(M1)
x2 − x1 =(95 − 2c)− 2c−15
3
= 100 − 8c
3
equating their expression to 12
8c
100 − 3
= 0. 3 × 40 = 12
c = 33
distance = 33 (km) A1

[4 marks]

A toxic waste dump needs to be located within the metropolitan area. The council
wants to locate it as far as possible from the nearest town.

6g. Find the location of the toxic waste dump, given that this location is not [4 marks]
on the edge of the metropolitan area.
 Markscheme
must be a vertex (award if vertex given as a final answer) (R1)
attempt to calculate the distance of at least one town from a vertex (M1)

Note: This must be seen as a calculation or a value.

correct calculation of distances A1

65
3
OR 21. 7 AND √406. 25 OR 20. 2
( 25
3
, 20) A1

Note: Award R1M0A0A0 for a vertex written with no other supporting

calculations.
Award R1M0A0A1 for correct vertex with no other supporting calculations.
The final A1 is not dependent on the previous A1 . There is no follow-through
for the final A1 .
Do not accept an answer based on “uniqueness” in the question.

[4 marks]

6h. Make one possible criticism of the council’s choice of location. [1 mark]
Markscheme
For example, any one of the following:
decision does not take into account the different population densities
closer to a city will reduce travel time/help employees
it is closer to some cites than others R1

Note: Accept any correct reason that engages with the scenario.
Do not accept any answer to do with ethical issues about whether toxic waste
should ever be dumped, or dumped in a metropolitan area.

[1 mark]

T
 The toxic waste dump, T, is connected to the towns via a system of sewers.
The connections are represented in the following matrix, M , where the order of
rows and columns is (E, F, G, H, I, T).

⎛1 0 1 1 0 0⎞
⎜
⎜
0 1 0 0 0 1⎟
⎟
⎜1 0⎟
M =⎜
⎜ ⎟
⎟
0 1 0 1
⎜
⎜ 1⎟
⎟
⎜
1 0 0 1 0
⎜0 ⎟
0 1 0 1 0⎟
⎝0 1 0 1 0 1⎠
A leak occurs from the toxic waste dump and travels through the sewers. The
pollution takes one day to travel between locations that are directly connected.
The digit 1 in M represents a direct connection. The values of 1 in the leading
diagonal of M mean that once a location is polluted it will stay polluted.

6i. Find which town is last to be polluted. Justify your answer. [3 marks]
 Markscheme
METHOD 1
attempting M3 M1
attempting M 4 M1
e.g.
last row/column of M 3 =(3 5 1 6 0 7)
last row/column of M 4 =(10 12 4 16 1 18)
hence Isaacopolis is the last city to be polluted A1

Note: Do not award the A1 unless both M 3 and M 4 are considered.

Award M1M0A0 for a claim that the shortest distance is from T to I and that
it is 4, without any support.

METHOD 2
attempting to translate M to a graph or a list of cities polluted on each day
(M1)
correct graph or list A1

hence Isaacopolis is the last city to be polluted A1

Note: Award M1A1A1 for a clear description of the graph in words leading to
the correct answer.

[3 marks]

6j. Write down the number of days it takes for the pollution to reach the last [1 mark]
town.
 Markscheme
it takes 4 days A1

[1 mark]

6k. A sewer inspector needs to plan the shortest possible route through [2 marks]
each of the connections between different locations. Determine an
appropriate start point and an appropriate end point of the inspection route.
Note that the fact that each location is connected to itself does not correspond to
a sewer that needs to be inspected.
Markscheme
EITHER
the orders of the different vertices are:
E 2
F 1
G 2
H 2
I 1
T 2 (A1)

Note: Accept a list where each order is 2 greater than listed above.

OR
a correct diagram/graph showing the connections between the locations
(A1)

Note: Accept a diagram with loops at each vertex.

This mark should be awarded if candidate is clearly using their correct diagram
from the previous part.

THEN
“Start at F and end at I” OR “Start at I and end at F” A1

Note: Award A1A0 for “it could start at either F or I”.

Award A1A1 for “IGEHTF” OR “FTHEGI”.
Award A1A1 for “F and I” OR “I and F”.

[2 marks]
 There are four stations used by the fire wardens in a national forest.
On the following Voronoi diagram, the coordinates of the stations are
A(6, 2), B(14, 2), C(18, 6) and D(10. 8, 11. 6) where distances are measured
in kilometres.
The dotted lines represent the boundaries of the regions patrolled by the fire
warden at each station. The boundaries meet at P(10, 6) and Q(13, 7).

To reduce the areas of the regions that the fire wardens patrol, a new station is to
be built within the quadrilateral ABCD. The new station will be located so that it
is as far as possible from the nearest existing station.

7a. Show that the new station should be built at P . [3 marks]

Markscheme
(the best placement is either point P or point Q )
attempt at using the distance formula (M1)

AP = √(10 − 6)2 + (6 − 2)2 OR

BP = √(10 − 14)2 + (6 − 2)2 OR

DP = √(10 − 10. 8)2 + (6 − 11. 6)2 OR

BQ = √(13 − 14)2 + (7 − 2)2 OR

CQ = √(13 − 18)2 + (7 − 6)2 OR

DQ = √(13 − 10. 8)2 + (7 − 11. 6)2

(AP or BP or DP=) √32 = 5. 66 (5. 65685 …) AND
(BQ or CQ or DQ=) √26 = 5. 10 (5. 09901 …) A1
√32 > √26 OR AP (or BP or DP) is greater than BQ (or CQ or DQ)
A1
point P is the furthest away AG

Note: Follow through from their values provided their AP (or BP or DP) is
greater than their BQ (or CQ or DQ).

[3 marks]
 The Voronoi diagram is to be updated to include the region around the new
station at P. The edges defined by the perpendicular bisectors of [AP] and [BP]
have been added to the following diagram.

7b. Write down the equation of the perpendicular bisector of [PC]. [1 mark]

Markscheme
x = 14 A1

[1 mark]

P
7c. Hence draw the missing boundaries of the region around P on the [2 marks]
following diagram.

Markscheme

A1A1

Note: Award A1 for each correct straight line. Do not FT from their part (b)(i).

[1 mark]

T1, T2
 The Voronoi diagram below shows three identical cellular phone towers, T1, T2
and T3. A fourth identical cellular phone tower, T4 is located in the shaded
region. The dashed lines in the diagram below represent the edges in the Voronoi
diagram.
Horizontal scale: 1 unit represents 1 km.
Vertical scale: 1 unit represents 1 km.

Tim stands inside the shaded region.

8a. Explain why Tim will receive the strongest signal from tower T4. [1 mark]

Markscheme
every point in the shaded region is closer to tower T4 R1

Note: Specific reference must be made to the closeness of tower T4.

[1 mark]

T2 (−9, 5) A B
 Tower T2 has coordinates (−9, 5) and the edge connecting vertices A and B has
equation y = 3.

8b. Write down the coordinates of tower T4. [2 marks]

Markscheme
(−9, 1) A1A1

Note: Award A1 for each correct coordinate. Award at most A0A1 if

parentheses are missing.

[2 marks]

T1 (−13, 3)
 8c. Tower T1 has coordinates (−13, 3). [3 marks]
Find the gradient of the edge of the Voronoi diagram between towers T1 and T2.

Markscheme
correct use of gradient formula (M1)
5−3
e.g. (m =) −9−−13 (= 12 )

taking negative reciprocal of their m (at any point) (M1)

edge gradient = −2 A1

[3 marks]

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