_______________________

Name:
_
Cosine rule
_______________________
Class:
_

_______________________
Date:
_

Time: 129 min.

Marks: 107 marks

Comments:

Page 1 of 28
Q1.
A wooden frame is to be made to support some garden decking. The frame is to be in the
shape of a sector of a circle. The sector OAB is shown in the diagram, with a wooden
plank AC added to the frame for strength. OA makes an angle of θ with OB.

(a) Show that the exact value of sinθ is

(3)

(b) Write down the value of θ in radians to 3 significant figures.

(1)

(c) Find the area of the garden that will be covered by the decking.
(2)
(Total 6 marks)

Q2.
The diagram shows a triangle ABC.

The lengths of AC and BC are 5 cm and 6 cm respectively.

The area of triangle ABC is 12.5 cm2, and angle ACB is obtuse.

(a) Find the size of angle ACB, giving your answer to the nearest 0.1°.
(3)

(b) Find the length of AB, giving your answer to two significant figures.
(3)
(Total 6 marks)

Q3.

Page 2 of 28
 The triangle ABC, shown in the diagram, is such that AB is 10 metres and angle BAC is
150°.

The area of triangle ABC is 40 m2.

(a) Show that the length of AC is 16 metres.

(2)

(b) Calculate the length of BC, giving your answer, in metres, to two decimal places.
(3)

(a) Calculate the smallest angle of triangle ABC, giving your answer to the nearest 0.1°.
(3)
(Total 8 marks)

Q4.
The triangle ABC, shown in the diagram, is such that AB = 26 cm and
BC = 31.5 cm.

The acute angle ABC is θ, where sin θ = .

(a) Calculate the area of triangle ABC.

(2)

(b) Find the exact value of cos θ.

(1)

(c) Calculate the length of AC.

(3)
(Total 6 marks)

Q5.
The triangle ABC, shown in the diagram, is such that AB = 5 cm, AC = 8 cm, BC = 10 cm
and angle BAC = θ.

Page 3 of 28
 (a) Show that θ = 97.9°, correct to the nearest 0.1°.
(3)

(b) (i) Calculate the area of triangle ABC, giving your answer, in cm2, to three
significant figures.
(2)

(ii) The line through A, perpendicular to BC, meets BC at the point D. Calculate
the length of AD, giving your answer, in cm, to three significant figures.
(3)
(Total 8 marks)

Q6.
The diagram shows a sector OAB of a circle with centre O.

The radius of the circle is 15 cm and angle AOB = 1.2 radians.

(a) (i) Show that the area of the sector is 135 cm2.
(2)

(ii) Calculate the length of the arc AB.

(2)

(b) The point P lies on the radius OB such that OP = 10 cm, as shown in the diagram
below.

Page 4 of 28
 Calculate the perimeter of the shaded region bounded by AP, PB and the arc AB,
giving your answer to three significant figures.
(5)
(Total 9 marks)

Q7.
The diagram shows a triangle ABC.

The size of angle A is 63°, and the lengths of AB and AC are 7.4 m and 5.26 m
respectively.

(a) Calculate the area of triangle ABC, giving your answer in m2 to three significant
figures.
(2)

(b) Show that the length of BC is 6.86 m, correct to three significant figures.
(3)

(c) Find the value of sin B to two significant figures.

(2)
(Total 7 marks)

Q8.
The triangle ABC, shown in the diagram, is such that AB = 7 cm, AC = 5 cm, BC = 8 cm
and angle ABC = θ.

Page 5 of 28
 (a) Show that θ = 38.2°, correct to the nearest 0.1°.
(3)

(b) Calculate the area of triangle ABC, giving your answer, in cm2, to three significant
figures.
(2)
(Total 5 marks)

Q9.
The diagram shows a triangle ABC.

The size of angle BAC is 65°, and the lengths of AB and AC are 7.6 m and 8.3 m
respectively.

(a) Show that the length of BC is 8.56 m, correct to three significant figures.
(3)

(b) Calculate the area of triangle ABC, giving your answer in m2 to three significant
figures.
(2)

(c) The perpendicular from A to BC meets BC at the point D.

Calculate the length of AD, giving your answer to the nearest 0.1 m.
(3)
(Total 8 marks)

Q10.
The triangle ABC, shown in the diagram, is such that BC = 6 cm, AC = 5 cm and
AB = 4 cm. The angle BAC is θ.

Page 6 of 28
 (a) Use the cosine rule to show that .
(3)

(b) Hence use a trigonometrical identity to show that

(3)

(c) Hence find the area of the triangle ABC.

(2)
(Total 8 marks)

Q11.
The diagram shows a sector OAB of a circle with centre O and radius 20 cm. The angle
between the radii OA and OB is θ radians.

The length of the arc AB is 28 cm.

(a) Show that θ = 1.4.

(2)

(b) Find the area of the sector OAB.

(2)

(c) The point D lies on OA. The region bounded by the line BD, the line DA and the
arc AB is shaded.

Page 7 of 28
 The length of OD is 15 cm.

(i) Find the area of the shaded region, giving your answer to three significant
figures.
(3)

(ii) Use the cosine rule to calculate the length of BD, giving your answer to three
significant figures.
(3)
(Total 10 marks)

Q12.
The triangle ABC, shown in the diagram, is such that AC = 8 cm, CB = 12 cm and angle
ACB = θ radians.

The area of triangle ABC = 20 cm2.

(a) Show that θ = 0.430 correct to three significant figures.

(3)

(b) Use the cosine rule to calculate the length of AB, giving your answer to two
significant figures.
(3)

(c) The point D lies on CB such that AD is an arc of a circle centre C and radius 8 cm.
The region bounded by the arc AD and the straight lines DB and AB is shaded in
the diagram.

Page 8 of 28
 Calculate, to two significant figures:

(i) the length of the arc AD;

(2)

(ii) the area of the shaded region.

(3)
(Total 11 marks)

Q13.
The diagram shows a triangle ABC and the arc AB of a circle whose centre is C and
whose radius is 24 cm.

The length of the side AB of the triangle is 32 cm. The size of the angle ACB is θ radians.

(a) Show that θ = 1.46 correct to three significant figures.

(3)

(b) Calculate the length of the arc AB to the nearest cm.

(2)

(c) (i) Calculate the area of the sector ABC to the nearest cm2.
(2)

(ii) Hence calculate the area of the shaded segment to the nearest cm2.
(3)
(Total 10 marks)

Q14.
The diagram shows a triangle ABC.

Page 9 of 28
The lengths of AC and BC are 5 cm and 4.8 cm respectively.

The size of the angle BCA is 30°.

(a) Calculate the area of the triangle ABC.

(2)

(b) Calculate the length of AB, giving your answer to three significant figures.
(3)
(Total 5 marks)

Page 10 of 28
Mark schemes

Q1.

Marking Instructions AO Marks Typical Solution

(a) Makes clear attempt to AO3.1a M1 62 = 32 + 52 − 2 × 3 ×

use the cosine rule 5cosθ

Uses trig identity with AO1.1a M1

‘their’ cos θ

Constructs rigorous AO2.1 R1

argument leading to
correct result AG
Only award if they have a
completely correct
solution, which is clear, (AG)
easy to follow and
contains no slips

(b) Writes down correct angle AO2.2a B1 1.64

(c) AO1.1a M1
Uses ‘their’ angle in

Correct area AO1.1b A1F = 20.5 m2

FT use of incorrect obtuse
angle provided both M1
marks awarded in part (a)
and M1 awarded in (c)

Total 6 marks

Q2.

(a) × 5 × 6sin C = 12.5

(Area =) × 5 × 6 sin C

M1

sin C = 0.833(3..)
AWRT 0.83 or 5 / 6 OE
PI by e.g. seeing 56 or better

A1

(C is obtuse) C = 123.6°
AWRT 123.6

Page 11 of 28
 A1
3

(b) {AB2 =}52 + 62 − 2 × 5 × 6 cos C

RHS of cosine rule used

M1

= 61 − 60 × (−0.553…) = 94.1(66…)
Correct ft evaluation, to at least 2 sf, of AB2 or AB
using c’s value of C.

m1

(AB =) 9.7 (cm to 2sf)

If not 9.7 accept AWRT 9.70 or AWRT 9.71

A1
3
[6]

Q3.

(a) Area = × 10 × AC sin150

× 10 × ACsin150

M1

40 = 2.5 AC so AC = 16 (m)
AG Be convinced
A1

(b) {BC2 =}102 + 162 − 2 × 10 × 16 × cos150

RHS of cosine rule used

M1

= 100 + 256 + 277.128…

Correct order of evaluation

M1

BC = =25.162…= 25.16m
AWRT 25.16

A1

(c)
A correct equation using sine rule or cosine rule or
area formula for either B or C. Subst of BC or

Page 12 of 28
 AC not required for this M.
M1

sin C = (= 0.1987 …)
Correct rearrangement to either sinC or cosC
or sinB or cosB equal to numerical expression ft on
c’s numerical value for BC. PI by correct C or
(by correct B if Mscored)

M1

(or sinB = (= 0.317 … or 0.318))

Smallest angle, (C =) 11.5 ° to 1dp

Accept a value 11.4 to 11.5 inclusive.

A1
3
[8]

Q4.

(a) (Area) = (26)(31.5)sin θ

(26)(31.5)sin (θ) stated or used

M1

(26)(31.5) × = 157.5 (cm2)

OE eg
Condone AWRT 157.50
NMS: 157.5 or AWRT 157.50 scores B2

A1
2

(b) (cos θ =)

OE exact fraction

B1
1

(c) {AC2 =}
31.52 + 262 − 2 x 31.5 x 26 x cos (θ) = 992.25 + 676 − 1512
RHS of cosine rule

M1

Page 13 of 28
 = 1668.25 − 1512 = 156.25
Correct order of evaluation. Do not award if evaluation
leads to or would lead to RHS value being outside
interval 120 to 195

m1

AC = = 12.5 (cm)
12.5 OE with no sight of premature approximation
clearly used

A1
3

Alternative

{AC2 =} (26 sin θ )2 + (31.5 − 26 cos θ )2

(M1)

= 102 + 7.52

(m1)

AC = = 12.5 (cm)

(A1)
(3)
[6]

Q5.
(a) 102 = 82 + 52 − 2 × 8 × 5cosθ
Use of the cosine rule PI by next line

M1

Rearrangement

m1

θ = 97.90(32...) = 97.9° (to nearest 0.1°)

CSO (Must see either exact value for cosθ
orat least 4sf value for either cosθ or θ
before the printed answer 97.9º) AG

A1
3

(b) (i)
OE

Page 14 of 28
 M1

= 19.810… = 19.8 (cm2) to 3sf

Condone > 3sf

A1
2

(ii) Area of triangle = 0.5 × BC × AD

Or valid method to find sin B or sin C
or B or C

M1

AD = [Ans.(b)(i)] ÷ [0.5 × BC]

Or AD = 5 sin B; or AD = 8 sin C OE

m1

Condone > 3sf

A1
3
[8]

Q6.

(a) (i) {Area of sector =}

Stated or explicitly used

M1

AG Must see some substitution

A1
2

(ii) {Arc =} rθ
PI

M1

…. = 18 (cm)

A1
2

(b) PB = 5 (cm)

Page 15 of 28
 Accept even if only on a diagram or
within an expression for the perimeter

B1

{AP2 =} 152 + 102 – 2 × 15 × 10 cos 1.2

RHS of cosine rule used

M1

= 325 – 300 cos 1.2 = 216.2926 ...

Correct order of evaluation

m1

AP = 14.7(068..)
PI eg within an expression for perimeter

A1

Perimeter = 5 + 18 + 14.7.... = 37.7 (cm)

3 sf or better

A1
5
[9]

Q7.

(a) {Area =}

M1

= 17.3(407...) {m2}
Accept any value from 17.3 to 17.341

A1
2

(b) {BC2 =} 5.262 + 7.42 – 2 × 5.26 × 7.4 cos 63

RHS of cosine rule used

M1

….. = 27.66(76) + 54.76 – 35.34(22…)

Correct order of evaluation

m1

Page 16 of 28
 BC = 6.86 {m} to 3sf
AG. Cand. must show a 4th sf in either

or 6.861(8) before giving the

printed answer 6.86

A1
3

(c)
Sine rule involving ‘sin B’ [If valid cosine
rule used to find cos B, no marks awarded
until stage of converting to sin B]

M1

sin B = 0.68 to 2sf

If not 0.68, accept AWRT any value from
0.682 to 0.684 inclusive

A1

ALTn

(6.86 ..) could be c’ s ans (b)

(M1)

sin B = 0.68 to 2sf

If not 0.68, accept AWRT any value from
0.682 to 0.684 inclusive

(A1)
2
[7]

Q8.
(a) 52 = 72 + 82 – 2 × 7 × 8 cos θ
Use of the cosine rule – must be correct
(PI by the correct line below)

M1

Rearrangement

m1

θ = 38.21... = 38.2° (to nearest 0.1°)

Page 17 of 28
 CSO (Must see either exact value for
cos θ or at least 4sf value for either cos θ
or θ before the printed answer 38.2°) AG

A1
3

(b) Area =

OE eg Area =

M1

= 17.3 {cm2} to 3 sf
Condone 17.31 to 17.33 inclusive

A1
2
[5]

Q9.
(a) {BC2 =} 7.62 + 8.32 – 2 × 7.6 × 8.3 cos 65
RHS of cosine rule used

M1

….. = 57.76 + 68.89 – 53.3175...

Correct order of evaluation

m1

BC = = 8.563.. (= 8.56 m)

AG; must see or > 3sf value

A1
3

(b) Area triangle = × 7.6 × 8.3 × sin 65

Use of sin A OE

M1

= 28.58… = 28.6 (m2)

Condone > 3sf

A1
2

Page 18 of 28
 (c) Area of triangle = 0.5 × BC × AD
Or valid method to find sinB or sinC

M1

AD = [Ans (b)] ÷ [0.5 × Ans (a)]

Or AD = 7.6sinB; Or AD = 8.3 sinC

m1

AD = 6.67.. = 6.7 (m)

If not 6.7 accept 6.65 to 6.69 inclusive.

A1
3
[8]

Q10.
(a) 62 = 42 + 52 – 2(4)(5) cos θ
Use of the cosine rule

M1

Rearrangement

m1

CSO AG (be convinced)

A1
3

(b) cos2θ + sin2θ = 1

Stated or used (PI)

M1

Or better

A1

AG (be convinced)

Page 19 of 28
 A1
3

(c) Area of triangle = 0.5 × 4 × 5 × sin θ.

M1

…..
OE (Condone 9.92)

A1
2
[8]

Q11.
(a) Arc = rθ
For rθ or 20θ or PI by 20 × 1.4

M1

28 = 20θ θ = 1.4
AG

A1
2

(b) Area of sector =

OE seen

M1

(cm2)
Condone absent cm2
A1
2

(c) (i) Area triangle =

Use of OE

M1

(= 147.8….)

Shaded area = Area of sector – area of triangle

M1

Page 20 of 28
 = 280 – 147.8 = 132 (cm2) (3sf)
Ft on [ans (b) – 147.8…] to 3sf
provided [.…] > 0

A1ft
3

(ii) {BD2}152 + 202 – 2 × 15 × 20 cos1.4

RHS of cosine rule used

M1

= 225 + 400 – 101.98

Correct order of evaluation

m1

= 22.9 (cm) to 3 sf
Condone absent cm

A1
3
[10]

Q12.
[Note: Calc. set in wrong mode, penalise only once on the paper.]
Condone missing units throughout the question]

(a) Area of triangle = (12)(8)sinθ

Use of ab sin C or full equivalent

M1

sinθ = [=0.41(666...)]
OE (giving 0.412 to 0.42)

A1

θ = 0.4297(7...) = 0.430 to 3sf

AG(need to see >3sf value)

A1
3

(b) {AB2 =}82 +122 − 2 × 8 × 12 × cosθ

M1

= 64 + 144 − 174.5....
Accept 33 to 34 inclusive if three values

Page 21 of 28
 not separate

m1

AB = 5.78... = 5.8 cm to 2sf

If not 2sf condone 5.78 to 5.79 inclusive.
Condone ±

A1
3

(c) (i) Arc AD = 8θ

M1

= 3.44.. = 3.4 cm to 2sf

If not 2sf condone 3.438 to 3.44 inclusive

A1
2

(ii) Area of sector = r2θ

Stated or used [or 13.7(6..) seen]

M1

Shaded area = Area of triangle − sector area

Difference of areas

M1

Shaded area = 20 − 0.5 × 82 × θ

= 6.2 cm2 to 2sf
Condone 6.24 to 6.2472

A1
3
[11]

Q13.
(a)

M1

or

Page 22 of 28
 m1

or (= 0.7297..)

θ = 1.459... = 1.46 to 3sf

CSO AG (be convinced)

A1
3

(b) Arc

M1

= 24 × 1.459… = 35 cm
Condone absent cm; 35 to 35.04

A1
2

(c) (i) Area of sector =

Seen

M1

= = 420.3 = 420 cm2

Condone absent cm2; 420 to 420.48

A1
2

(ii) Area of triangle =

OE

M1

[= 286. (….)]

Shaded area = area of sector – area of triangle

Dep on at least one of the previous two M marks. PI

m1

cm2

Condone absent cm2

A1
3

Page 23 of 28
 [10]

Q14.

(a) Area = × 5 × 4.8 × sin 30°

Use of ab sin C OE

M1

6 cm2.
Condone absent cm2.
[Note: Calculator set in wrong mode,
penalise only once on the paper.]

A1
2

(b) AB 2 = 52 + 4.82 – 2 × 5 × 4.8 cos30°

RHS of cosine rule used

M1

= 25 + 23.04 – 41.569
Correct order of evaluation

m1

= 6.4707 ..

AB = = 2.5437

= 2.54 cm to 3 sf
Accept ‘better’ than 2.54
Condone absent cm

A1
3
[5]

Page 24 of 28
Examiner reports

Q2.

As expected, this question which tested the area of a triangle formula absin C and the
cosine rule, applied to the case of finding and using an obtuse angle, generally proved to
be a challenge to all but the better students. Approximately one quarter of the students
answered both parts correctly. With method marks in part (b) being available to those
students who used an incorrect angle from part (a), more than half the entry scored 4
marks for Question 3, usually after using the corresponding acute angle satisfying the
equation sin C = 5 / 6. It is worth recording that a common error to find the obtuse angle in
part (a) is illustrated by ‘90 + 56.4’ rather than the correct method ‘180 – 56.4’.

Q3.
This question, which examined trigonometry based around the cosine rule etc, was
another good source of marks for most candidates. In part (a), many used the given area
to convincingly show that the length of AC was 16 metres, and then, in part (b), applied
the cosine rule correctly to find the correct value for BC. Some less able candidates
attempted to use Pythagoras’s Theorem to find BC. In part (c), it was clear that many
candidates did not appreciate that the smallest angle was opposite the side with the
smallest length. A significant number of solutions consisted of applying the sine rule twice
to find both angle B and angle C, even in preference to using the sum of the angles of a
triangle to find the size of the remaining angle.

Q4.
This question, which tested the basic trigonometry section of the specification, gave the
value of sin θ , enabling the area of the triangle in part (a) to be evaluated simply and
exactly. This was misinterpreted as a value of the angle θ by some students, for which
generous allowance was made in this and the final part. Part (b) specifically asked for the
exact value of cos θ , the significance of which was ignored by many. Those who used the
identity cos2 θ = 1 – sin2 θ generally obtained the correct value and full credit was also
given for a correct exact value straight from the calculator. The cosine formula was
generally well- known and correctly written down in part (c), but there was a substantial
minority of students who used the wrong order of evaluation, which resulted in AC2 =
30.25cosθ . A higher proportion of students than usual seemed to have their calculators
set in the wrong mode. The final mark was reserved for those calculating the length of AC
without unnecessary approximation.

Q5.
In part (a), most candidates started by writing a correct cosine rule which they then
rearranged correctly. A greater proportion of candidates than in previous series seemed to
take heed of previous advice and qualified the printed answer of 97.90 with either greater
accuracy or by giving its cosine value in exact form. Almost all candidates were aware of
the relevant formula for the area of a triangle and a very large majority scored full marks
for part (b)(i). The most

common error was to apply the formula incorrectly by writing area = × 10 × 8 × sin97.9.
In part (b)(ii), those candidates who recognised the relevance of their answer to part (b)(i)

Page 25 of 28
 produced a correct solution in a couple of lines to find the length of the perpendicular AD.
However, such candidates were in a minority and many more tackled this part by using
the sin e rule to find either angle B or angle C and then applying basic trigonometry to a
relevant right-angled triangle. Although this was a multi-step approach there were many
successful outcomes. A common wrong method was to assume that AD bisected angle
BAC. Many less able candidates made no attempt to answer part (b)(ii).

Q6.
Most candidates quoted the general formulae for the area of a sector and the arc length,
showed the correct substitution and evaluated each correctly to score full marks for part
(a)(i) and part (a)(ii). A significant minority of candidates, far more than anticipated, found
the area of the shaded region for which no credit was awarded. Those candidates who
attempted to find the perimeter almost always gained the mark for stating PB = 5cm.

The majority also realised that the cosine rule was required, although some incorrectly
assumed that OPA was a right-angle and applied Pythagoras’ Theorem to find the wrong
value for the length of AP. The usual errors in applying the cosine rule were seen: wrong
order of evaluation and calculators set in the wrong mode. However, for many of the
candidates, this question turned out to be their best answered on the paper.

Q7.
The vast majority of candidates were able to recall and use the correct formula for the
area of the triangle. In part (b), candidates almost always showed correct substitutions
into the cosine rule, which appears in the formulae booklet, and the majority went on to
score all three marks. However, there were other candidates who, having substituted
values into the cosine rule, just wrote down the printed answer ‘6.86’. Such candidates
were only awarded one of the three marks because they failed to show sufficient working
to the necessary degree of accuracy to justify the printed value for the length of BC.

In part (c), most candidates used the sine rule as their method rather than the alternative
approach of using the area of triangle ABC. Incorrect rearrangement of the sine rule was
seen in a minority of cases, but most other candidates gave a correct value for sin B
although many then went on to find the value for B as their final answer; this further work
was not penalised, but clearly time had been wasted. There were a small number of
candidates who clearly had their calculators set in the wrong mode (normally radians).
Such candidates did not always make good use of the printed answer in part (b) to
recover, as they continued to use radians in part (c).

Q8.
Most candidates recognised that the cosine rule was required in part (a) but some
misquoted it despite the formula being available in the formulae booklet. Those
candidates who substituted values into the formula before rearranging were generally
more successful than those who rearranged before substituting the given lengths. Some
candidates failed to score all three marks because they did not show values to a sufficient
degree of accuracy to justify the printed statement. There were some candidates who tried
to verify the result by using 38.2 with a = 8 and c = 7 in a cosine rule to show that b was
approximately 5. This approach could score no more than 1 mark.

Although the correct answer for the area of the triangle was seen many times in part (b),
there was a significant minority of candidates who did not apply a correct formula. The

Page 26 of 28
 most common error was the omission of the in ac sin B.

Q9.
Most candidates correctly used the cosine rule in part (a) but some failed to show
sufficient detail in their working to be able to justify the printed answer to the degree of
accuracy stated.

In part (b) most candidates found the correct answer for the area of the triangle although

the incorrect expression × 8.3 × 8.56 × sin 65 was seen more often than any other
errors.

Part (c) was not answered well with many candidates assuming that the perpendicular

was also the bisector of angle B. Those who used BC × AD = answer (b) usually went
on to score full marks in part (c).

Q10.
Most candidates applied the cosine rule correctly, and convincingly obtained the printed
result in part (a). Part (b) was beyond the capabilities of many candidates. A significant

number tried to use the identity without success. Those who quoted the
correct identity, sin θ + cos θ = 1, gained a mark but it was disappointing to see some
2 2

then take the square root of each term. In general only the better candidates reached the
printed answer legitimately. It was pleasing to see many candidates recover to obtain the
correct area of triangle ABC.

Q11.
This question proved to be a good source of marks for most candidates. A small minority
of candidates failed to gain the marks in parts (a) and (b) because either they showed
insufficient detail in their solution or they worked in degrees with some premature
approximation at an earlier stage. Others quoted incorrect formulae; in particular r2 θ was
sometimes stated for the area of the sector. The required method for finding the area of
the shaded region in part (c)(i) was generally well understood. However, in a minority of
cases full marks were not gained due to calculators being set in degree mode.

The final part, using the cosine rule, was usually well answered, although a few could not
manipulate the arithmetic correctly, some used degree mode and, perhaps more
alarmingly, some candidates thought the cosine rule (as stated in the question) involved
the used of sin(1.4). Candidates should be aware that the cosine rule is in the AQA
formulae booklet.

Q12.
For many candidates this was their best answered question. In part (a) weaker candidates

seemed to be unaware of the formula ab sin C for the area of the triangle but the most
common reason for the loss of a mark was not showing a value for θ other than the
printed value and hence not showing that the result was correct to three significant

Page 27 of 28
 figures. It was disappointing to see some candidates quoting the cosine rule with sin θ
instead of cos θ (candidates should be aware that the cosine rule is given in the formulae
booklet) but in general this part of the question was answered very well. Most candidates
were able to quote the correct formulae for arc length and sector area but some
recalculated the area of the triangle, quite often not getting the value 20 as given in the

question. Some candidates quoted and used the incorrect formula r2(θ – sin θ) to
answer part (c)(ii).

Q13.
With the cosine rule in the formulae booklet, candidates normally used the cosine rule

rather than using “ “. Some weaker candidates applied the rule incorrectly as
illustrated by 242 = 24 + 322 – 2 × 24 × 32cos θ”. Candidates need to be aware that in
order to “show that θ = 1.46 correct to three significant figures”, they should have supplied
a value for θ to a greater degree of accuracy. The vast majority of candidates found the
length of the arc and it was particularly pleasing to see weaker candidates use the printed
answer from part (a) to answer part (b). It was surprising to find a significant number of
candidates giving the answer for the area of triangle ABC rather than the area of sector
ABC in part (c)(i) and then producing a fully correct solution in part (c)(ii). The formula,

, for the area of a triangle did not seem to be as well known as it might have
been.

Q14.
Many candidates were able to find the area of the triangle, although not all quoted and

used the formula ab sin C. Some candidates had their calculators set in the wrong
mode; both radians and grads were used.

Such candidates, in this examination, were penalised by no more than one mark. In part
(b) it was disappointing to see so many candidates failing to gain all three marks. It was
not uncommon to see the cosine rule quoted with cos C replaced by sin C.

A very common error was to forget to take the square root and give the answer for AB as
6.47. It would have been advantageous for such candidates to realise that the side
opposite the angle of 30° cannot be the largest side of the triangle.

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