AMUS COLLEGE SCHOOL

A LEVEL PURE MATHEMATICS SEMINAR QUESTIONS 2023

ALGEBRA
1. (a) Find the square root of 14 + 6√5
1
(b) Given 𝑦 = 𝑥 + 𝑥 , Solve for 𝑥 in the equation 4𝑥 4 + 17𝑥 3 + 8𝑥 2 + 17𝑥 + 4 = 0

(c) Find the first three terms of the Binomial expansion of √(1 + 𝑥)(1 + 𝑥 2 )
𝑘 𝑙
(d) Given that the equation 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 2 = 0 has roots 𝑘 and 𝑙, find the equation whose roots are 𝑙2 and 𝑘 2

2. (a) Prove by induction that for all positive integer∑𝑛𝑟=1(3𝑟 + 1)(𝑟 + 2) = 𝑛(𝑛 + 2)(𝑛 + 3)
(b) Prove by induction that for all positive odd integers, 𝑛, 𝑓(𝑛) = 4𝑛 + 5𝑛 + 6𝑛 is divisible by 15
(c) Use Demoivre’s theorem to prove that 𝑠𝑖𝑛5𝜃 = 5𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 − 20𝑠𝑖𝑛3 𝜃 + 16𝑠𝑖𝑛5 𝜃
(d) Hence or otherwise, find the distinct roots of the equation 2 + 10𝑥 − 40𝑥 2 + 32𝑥 5 = 0 giving your answer
correct to 3 dps where appropriate.

3. (a) The sum of 𝑛 terms of the sequence is 𝑆𝑛 = 22𝑛 − 𝑛 where 𝑛 a natural numbers is 61. Find the first three
terms of the sequence.
(b)From a class of 14 boys and 10 girls, 10 students are to be selected for a competition in which 5 boys and 5girls
or 2girls and 8boys are to go for it. In how many ways can they be selected?
1
(c) The roots 𝑝 and 𝑞 of a quadratic equation are such that 𝑝3 + 𝑞 3 = 4 and 𝑝𝑞 = (𝑝3 + 𝑞 3 ) + 1. Find a quadratic
2
equation with integral coefficients whose roots are 𝑝6 and 𝑞 6 .
(d). Mary operates an account with a bank which offers a compound interest of 5% per annum. She opened the
account at beginning of 2019 with 𝑠ℎ𝑠 800,000 and continue to deposit the same amount at beginning of every year.
How much will she receive at the end of 2022. If she made no withdrawal with in this period?

𝑥+3 𝑥+1
4. (a) Solve the inequality 𝑥−2
≥ 𝑥−2

𝑥 2 +𝑥−2
(b) Given the curve 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 −7𝑥2 +14𝑥−8

(i) Give the coordinates of the hole

(ii) Find the equations of the asymptotes
(iii) Determine the turning points and their nature
(iv) Find the intercepts and sketch the curve.

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 TRIGONOMETRY
3 𝑥
5. (a) Given the function, 𝑓(𝑥) = 13+6𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥−5𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 use the substitution 𝑡 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 (2), to show that 𝑓(𝑥) can be written
3(1+𝑡 2 )
in the form
2 (3𝑡+1)2 +6

(b) Given that 𝑐𝑜𝑡 2 𝜃 + 3𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 𝜃 = 7, show that 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 = ±1

(c) (i) Express the function 𝑦 = 3𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 − √3𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥 in the form 𝑅𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝜃 + 𝛼)where 𝑅 is a constant and 0 ≤ 𝛼 ≤ 2𝜋
(ii) Hence find the coordinates of the minimum point of 𝑦
(iii) State the values of 𝑥 at which the curve cuts the 𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠

1 1 1
6. (a) Show that 𝑐𝑜𝑠3𝜃 = 4𝑐𝑜𝑠 3 𝜃 − 3𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃. Hence if 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = (𝑎 + ), prove that 𝑐𝑜𝑠3𝜃 = (𝑎3 + )
2 𝑎 𝑎3

(b) Given that A, B, and C are angles of a triangle, prove that; 𝑆𝑖𝑛2 𝐴⁄2 + 𝑆𝑖𝑛2 𝐵⁄2 + 𝑆𝑖𝑛2 𝐶⁄2 = 1 −
2𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝐴⁄2 𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝐵⁄2 𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝐶⁄2

(c) Given that 𝑆𝑖𝑛(𝜃 + 𝛼) = 𝑎 and 𝑆𝑖𝑛(𝜃 + 𝛽) = 𝑏. Show that 𝐶𝑜𝑠2(𝛼 − 𝛽) − 4𝑎𝑏𝐶𝑜𝑠(𝛼 − 𝛽) = 1 − 2𝑎2 − 2𝑏 2 .

1 10 1
7. (a) Given that 𝑐𝑜𝑠450 = . Show without using a calculator or tables that 𝑆𝑖𝑛 (292 2 ) = − 2 √2 + √2
√2
2 5
(b) If 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽 = 3 and 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛽 = 6, find the value of;
1
(i) 𝑆𝑖𝑛 2 (𝛼 + 𝛽) (ii) 𝐶𝑜𝑠(𝛼 + 𝛽)
𝑎 2 +𝑏2 −𝑐 2
I(i) Given that A,B and C are angles of 𝑎 2 −𝑏2 +𝑐 2
= 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝐵𝑐𝑜𝑡𝐶.

(ii) Find all the sides of a triangle ABC whose area is 1008𝑐𝑚2 and 𝑎 = 65𝑐𝑚, 𝑏 + 𝑐 = 97𝑐𝑚

𝑋−𝑌 𝑥−𝑦 𝑍
8. (a) Given that 𝑋, 𝑌, 𝑍 are angles of a triangle, Prove that 𝑡𝑎𝑛 ( 2
) = (𝑥+𝑦) 𝐶𝑜𝑡 (2), hence solve the triangle if
𝑥 = 9𝑐𝑚, 𝑦 = 5.7𝑐𝑚 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑍 = 570.
𝐶𝑜𝑠110 +𝑠𝑖𝑛110
(b) Prove that 𝐶𝑜𝑠110 −𝑆𝑖𝑛110 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛560
𝑥−4𝑦
(c) In triangle ABC, 𝐴𝐵 = 𝑥 − 𝑦, 𝐵𝐶 = 𝑥 + 𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐶𝐴 = 𝑥 Show that 𝐶𝑜𝑠𝐴 =
2(𝑥−𝑦)

1 1 7
(d)(i) Show that 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 (2) + 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 (5) = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 (9).

(ii) Prove that 𝑆𝑖𝑛(2𝑠𝑖𝑛−1 𝑥 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠 −1 𝑥) = √1 − 𝑥 2

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 ANALYSIS

1
9. (a) Use the method of small changes to find the value of correct to 3dps
√0.97
1 8𝑥−8
(b) Evaluate ∫0 (𝑥+1)2(𝑥−3)2
𝑑𝑥

𝑥 4 +𝑥 3 −6𝑥 2 −13𝑥−6
(c)(i) Given that 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 −7𝑥−6
, Express 𝑓(𝑥) into partial fractions
5
(ii) Hence evaluate ∫4 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑑𝑥
𝜋
4
(d) Evaluate ∫04 1+𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝑥 𝑑𝑥

10(a)(i). On the same axes, sketch the curve 𝑦 = 𝑥(𝑥 + 2) and 𝑦 = 𝑥(4 − 𝑥).
(ii). Find the area enclosed by the two curves in 𝑎(𝑖) above
(iii). Determine the volume generated when the area enclosed by the two curves in 𝑎(𝑖) above is rotated about the𝑥 −
𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠.
6 √𝑥−2
(b) Evaluate∫2 𝑥
𝑑𝑥

(c) A match box consists of an outer cover open at both both ends into which a rectangular box without a top. The
length of the box is 1.5 times the width. The thickness of the material is negligible and the volume of the match box
is 25𝑐𝑚3. If the width is 𝑥𝑐𝑚, find interms of 𝑥 the area of the material used. Hence show that if the least area of the
material is to be used to make the box then the length should be approximately 3.7𝑐𝑚

11.(a) In order to post a parcel, the sum of the circumference of a cylindrical parcel and its height should add up
to 6𝑐𝑚. Find the dimensions of the largest parcel that can be accepted.
(b) A sample of bacteria in a sealed container is being studied. The number of bacteria, 𝑃 in thousands, is given by
𝑑𝑝
the differential equation (1 + 𝑡) 𝑑𝑡 + 𝑝 = (1 + 𝑡)√𝑡 where 𝑡 the time in hours after the start of the study is. Initially,
there are exactly 5,000 bacteria in the container.
(i) Determine, according to the differential equation, the number of bacteria in the container 8ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠 after the start
of the study.
(ii) Find, according to the differential equation, the rate of change of the number of bacteria in the container 4 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠
after the start of the study.

𝜋 𝑥 𝑑𝑦
12. (a) Given that 𝑦 = log 𝑒 tan ( 4 − 2), prove that 𝑑𝑥 = −𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑥

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 𝑑𝑦
(b) Solve the differential equation𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = 2𝑥 − 𝑦

(c) In an agricultural plantation the proportion of the total area that has been destroyed by a bacterial disease is 𝑥.
The rate of the destruction of the plantation is proportional to the product of the proportion already destroyed and
that not yet. It was initially noticed that half of the plantation had been destroyed by the disease and that at this rate
another quarter of the plantation would be destroyed in the next 6ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠.
(i) Form a differential equation relating 𝑥 and time 𝑡
(ii) Calculate the percentage of the population destroyed 12 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠 after the disease was noticed.

VECTORS
13. (a) Find the angle 𝛼 = ⟨𝐵𝐴𝐶 of the triangle ABC whose vertices are 𝐴(1, 0, 1) , 𝐵(2, −1, 1) and 𝐶(−2, 1, 0).
(b) The planes 𝑃1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑃2 are respectively given by the equations 𝑟 = 2𝑖 + 4𝑗 − 𝑘 + 𝜆(𝑖 + 2𝑗 − 3𝑘) + 𝜇(−𝑖 + 2𝑗 + 𝑘)
and 𝑟. (2𝑖 − 𝑗 + 3𝑘) = 5 where 𝜆 and 𝜇 are scalar parameters. Find;
(i) The Cartesian equation for plane, 𝑃1 .
(i) To the nearest degree, the acute angle between 𝑃1 and 𝑃2
𝑥−1 𝑦−3 𝑧+3
(iii) The coordinates of the point of intersection of the plane, 𝑃1 and the line 5
= −3
= 4

14(a) Given the line 𝑟 = (3 + 2𝜇)𝑖 + (1 − 𝜇)𝑗 + (−2 + 2𝜇)𝑘. Find the;
(i) Value of 𝑑 if the line is in the plane 𝑟. (𝑖 − 2𝑗 − 2𝑘) = 𝑑.
(ii) Distance of the point (3,1,7) from the line.
(b) Given the points 𝐴(2, −5,3) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐵(7,0, −2), find the coordinates of point C which divides 𝐴𝐵 externally in the
ratio 3: 8.
(c) Show that the points 𝑃(1,2,3), 𝑅(3,8,1) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑇(7,20, −3) are collinear.

15(a) Find the equation of the plane which contains a point 𝐴(2,1, −2)and is parallel to the plane 𝑥 − 𝑦 − 4𝑧 = 3
𝑥 𝑦+3 𝑧−1
(b) If a line 2 = 0
= 1
intersects with the plane in (a) above, find the;

(i) Point of intersection.

(ii) The angle between the line and the plane.

1 2
16 (a). Find the vector equation of the line of intersection between the planes 𝑟. ( 1 ) = 6 and 𝑟. (−1) = 4.
−3 1
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(b) Using the dot product only, find the equation of the plane containing points 𝐴(0, 1, 1), 𝐵(2, 1, 0) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐶(−2, 0, 3).
(c) A straight line joining the points (2, 1, 4) and (𝑎 − 1 , 4, −1) is parallel to the line joining points
(0, 2, 𝑏 − 1) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (5, 3, −2). Find the values of 𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏.

COORDINATE GEOMETRY
17.(a) The points A, B, and C have coordinates 𝐴(−3, 2), 𝐵(−1, −2) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐶(0, 𝑛) , where 𝑛 is a constant. Given
1
that ̅̅̅̅
𝐵𝐶 = 5 ̅̅̅̅
𝐴𝐶 , Find possible values of 𝑛.

(b) A straight line L, passes through the point (-2, 1) and makes an angle of 450 with the horizontal.
(i) Find the equation of line L.
(ii) Given that the line L, intersects the 𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠 at A and the 𝑦 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠 at B. Find the distance 𝐴𝐵.
(c) Find the coordinates of the circumcenter of the triangle ABC with vertices 𝐴(3,2), 𝐵(1,4) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐶(5,4).
(d) Given that 𝐴(0, −5), 𝐵(−7,2) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐶(2,11) are vertices of a parallelogram 𝐴𝐵𝐶𝐷, find the coordinates of the point
𝐷.

18.(a) Find the equation of the circle whose centre is at (5,4) and touches the line joining (0,5) and (4,1)
(b) A circle that passes through the points 𝐴(3,4) and 𝐵(6,1) and the equation of the tangent to this circle at A is the
line 2𝑦 = 𝑥 + 5. Find;
(i) The coordinates of the centre of the circle.
(ii) The radius of the circle.
(iii) The equation of the circle.
𝑓 2 𝑚2
(c) If 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 is a tangent to a circle 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2𝑓𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0 prove that 𝑐 = 1+𝑚2 . Hence find the equation of the
tangents from origin to the circle 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 − 10𝑦 + 20 = 0.
(d) Show that the circles whose equations are 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 − 4𝑦 − 5 = 0 and 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 − 8𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 1 = 0 cut
orthogonally.

𝑎 −2𝑎
19.(a) P and Q are two points whose coordinates are (𝑎𝑡 2 , 2𝑎𝑡), (𝑡 2 , 𝑡
) respectively and 𝑆 is a point(𝑎, 0). Show
1 1 1
that 𝑆𝑃
+ 𝑆𝑄
= 𝑎

(b) Prove that 𝑥 = 3𝑡 2 + 1 and 2𝑦 = 3𝑡 + 1 are parametric equations of a parabola. Find its Vertex, Focus and length
of latus rectum.
(c) The point 𝑃(𝑎𝑡 2 , 2𝑎𝑡) is on the parabola 𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥. The chord 𝑂𝑄 passes through the origin𝑂. The tangent at 𝑃 is
parallel to the chord 𝑂𝑄. The tangents to the parabola at 𝑃 and 𝑄 meet at a point 𝑅. Determine the coordinates of
points 𝑄 and 𝑅 in terms of 𝑎 and 𝑡.

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20.(a) Show that 𝑥 2 + 2𝑦 2 + 6𝑥 − 8𝑦 = 7 is an ellipse and hence determine its centre and eccentricity
𝑥2 𝑦2
(b) Points S and 𝑆 ′ are the foci of the ellipse 36
+ 16 = 1. Find the coordinates of S and 𝑆 ′

𝑥2
(c) The conic section below has eccentricity 𝑒 < 1 and equation 9 + 𝑦 2 = 1. Find the value of e
𝑥2 𝑦2
(d).If the line 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐 is a tangent to an ellipse 𝑎2
+ 𝑏2 = 1, prove that 𝑐 2 = 𝑏 2 + 𝑎2 𝑚2 .

Hence determine;
𝑥2 𝑦2 𝑥2 𝑦2
(i) Equations of the four common tangents to the ellipses 23 + 3
= 1 and 14 + 4
=1
𝑥2 𝑦2
(ii) The equations of the tangents at the point (−3,3) to the ellipse 16 + 9
=1

1
21(a). Find the equation of the tangent to the hyperbola 𝑥 2 − 9𝑦 2 = 1 at 𝑃(𝑠𝑒𝑐𝛽, 3
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛽)
𝑐
(b) The tangent at any point 𝑃 (𝑐𝑡, 𝑡 ) on the hyperbola 𝑥𝑦 = 𝑐 2 meets 𝑥 and 𝑦 at 𝐴 and 𝐵 respectively. O is the origin.

(i) Prove that 𝐴𝑃 = 𝑃𝐵

(ii) Prove that the area of triangle AOB is constant
(iii) If the hyperbola is rotated through an angle of −450 about O, find the new equation of the curve.

END
PREPARED BY MR ODONGO SIMON PETER Page 6 of 6