Foundation Mathematics

25 November 2019

Marking Scheme
This marking scheme has been prepared as a guide only to markers. This is not a set of
model answers, or the exclusive answers to the questions, and there will frequently be
alternative responses which will provide a valid answer. Markers are advised that, unless a
question specifies that an answer be provided in a particular form, then an answer that is
correct (factually or in practical terms) must be given the available marks.

If there is doubt as to the correctness of an answer, the relevant NCC Education materials
should be the first authority.

Throughout the marking, please credit any valid alternative point.

Where markers award half marks in any part of a question, they should ensure
that the total mark recorded for the question is rounded up to a whole mark.
 Answer ALL questions
Marks

Question 1

a) Simplify the following:

i) 𝑝10 ÷ 𝑝7 ÷ 𝑝−2 1

𝒑𝟓

ii) 𝑠10 𝑡 −3 × 𝑠 4 𝑡 8 1

𝒔𝟏𝟒 𝒕𝟓

b) Simplify the following:

i) 3(5𝑎 − 3𝑏 6 ) + 4𝑏(𝑎 − 𝑏 5 ) 1

𝟏𝟓𝒂 − 𝟏𝟑𝒃𝟔 + 𝟒𝒂𝒃

ii) 16𝑑 7 𝑒 4 1
8𝑑5 𝑒

𝟐𝒅𝟐 𝒆𝟑

iii) 7𝑥 2 𝑦 4 3𝑧 1
×
𝑧5 𝑥𝑦

𝟐𝟏𝒙𝒚𝟑
𝒛𝟒

c) Completely factorise the following:

i) 𝑎2 − 10a + 24 2

(𝒂 − 𝟒)(𝒂 − 𝟔)
1 mark for each correct bracket.

ii) 22𝑐 7 + 33𝑐 6 2

𝟏𝟏𝒄𝟔 (𝟐𝒄 + 𝟑)
1 mark for 𝟏𝟏𝒄𝟔 , 1 mark for (𝟐𝒄 + 𝟑).

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 Marks
d) Simplify the following:

i) 2𝑎 3𝑎 2
+
9 2

𝟒𝒂 +𝟐𝟕𝒂
=
𝟏𝟖

𝟑𝟏𝒂
=
𝟏𝟖

1 mark for correct working, 1 mark for correct answer.

ii) 4𝑑 5𝑑3 2
×
10𝑑5 3

𝟐𝟎𝒅𝟒
𝟑𝟎𝒅𝟓

𝟐
=
𝟑𝒅

1 mark for correct working, 1 mark for correct answer.

e) Transpose the following formula to make 𝑗 the subject: 2

𝑗 2𝑚 + 𝑙
=𝑘
3

𝟑𝒌 − 𝒍
𝒋 = ±√
𝒎

1 mark for correct working, 1 mark for correct answer.

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 Marks
f) Solve the following equation and find the value of 𝑧: 2
2𝑧
5 ( ) = 15
4

Divide by 5:
𝟐𝒛
=𝟑
𝟒
Multiply by 4:
𝟐𝒛 = 𝟏𝟐
Divide by 2
𝒛=𝟔

1 mark for working, 1 mark for correct answer

g) Solve the quadratic equation: 3

𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 15 = 0
by factorising.

(𝒙 + 𝟓)(𝒙 − 𝟑) = 𝟎
So, 𝒙 = −𝟓 or 𝒙 = 𝟑

2 marks for correct factorisation, 1 mark for correct answer

Total 20 Marks
Question 2

a) Solve the following quadratic equation by using the Quadratic Formula: 2

3𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 2 = 0

You may leave your answer in surd form.

−𝒃±√𝒃𝟐 −𝟒𝒂𝒄
𝒙=
𝟐𝒂

𝒂 = 𝟑, 𝒃 = −𝟔, 𝒄 = 𝟐

𝟔±√(−𝟔)𝟐 −(𝟒×𝟑×𝟐)
𝒙=
𝟐×𝟑

𝟔±√𝟏𝟐
𝒙=
𝟔

1 mark for correct working, 1 mark for correct answer simplified or not.

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 Marks
b) Solve graphically the simultaneous equations: 7
1
𝑦 = 3𝑥 − and 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 2 for 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 4
2
Construct a table of values for each equation. Draw accurate graphs for both sets
of equations on one set of axes. Use the graph paper provided.

Table of values for each equation

𝒙 0 1 2 3 4
1
𝒚 = 3𝑥 −
2 -0.5 2.5 5.5 8.5 11.5

𝒙 0 1 2 3 4
𝒚 = 𝟐𝒙 + 𝟐 2 4 6 8 10

Accurate graphs for both sets of equations should be drawn on one set of
axes to be awarded the marks.

The point of intersection is 𝒙 = 𝟐. 𝟓, 𝒚 = 𝟕

So, the solution is 𝒙 = 𝟐. 𝟓 𝒚 = 𝟕
2 marks for each correct table, 1 mark for each correctly plotted graph, 1
mark for correct value of 𝒙 and 𝒚. If only one of 𝒙 or 𝒚 is correct award ½
mark.

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 Marks
c) Calculate the gradient of the following curves using differentiation at the point
where 𝑥 = 3

i) 𝑦 = 7𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 3

Differentiating gives:
ⅆ𝑦
= 14𝑥 − 4
ⅆ𝑥

When 𝒙 = 𝟑

𝒅𝒚
= 14(3) − 4
𝒅𝒙

= 𝟑𝟖

So when 𝒙 = 𝟑 the gradient is 38

2 marks for correct differentiation of curve, 1 mark for correct

gradient

ii) 𝑥4 3
𝑦= − 20
2

Differentiating gives:

𝒅𝒚
= 𝟐𝑥 3
𝒅𝒙

When 𝒙 = 𝟑

𝒅𝒚
= 𝟐(3)3
𝒅𝒙

= 𝟓𝟒

So when 𝒙 = 𝟑 the gradient is 54

2 marks for correct differentiation of curve, 1 mark for correct

gradient

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 Marks
d) A particle moves 𝑠 metres in 𝑡 seconds so that 𝑠 = 𝑡 3 − 5𝑡 2 + 2

i) Find the velocity, 𝑣, after 8 seconds 3

𝒅𝒔
𝒗 = 𝒅𝒕 = 𝟑𝒕𝟐 − 𝟏𝟎𝐭
when 𝒕 = 𝟖
𝒗 = 𝟑(𝟖)𝟐 − 𝟏𝟎(𝟖)
= 𝟏𝟏𝟐
So, after 8 seconds the velocity is 112 m/s

2 marks for correct working, 1 mark for correct answer. If units

omitted or are incorrect award ½ mark for correct value.

ii) Find the acceleration, 𝑎 after 𝑡 seconds. 2

𝒅𝒗
𝒂= = 𝟔𝐭 − 𝟏𝟎
𝒅𝒕
1 mark for correct working, 1 mark for correct answer. If answer
incorrect only because of error in part (i) award full marks.

Total 20 Marks
Question 3

a) Using differentiation, find the coordinates of the turning point on the curve 4
1
𝑦 = 3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 3

Differentiating gives:
𝒅𝒚
= 𝟔𝒙 − 𝟐
𝒅𝒙
𝒅𝒚
Turning points are located where = 𝟔𝒙 − 𝟐 = 𝟎
𝒅𝒙
𝒅𝒚 𝟏
= 𝟎 when 𝒙 = 𝟑
𝒅𝒙

𝟏
When 𝒙 = 𝟑, 𝒚 = 𝟎

𝟏
So, the turning point is at (𝟑 , 𝟎)

1 mark for differentiation. 1 mark for equating differential to zero and 1 mark
for each coordinate.

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 Marks
b) Identify the turning point found in part (i) as either a maximum or minimum turning 2
point. Explain your reasons clearly.
𝟏
The turning point at (𝟑 , 𝟎)is a minimum turning point since the gradient is
negative just before and positive just after.

Possible working:

𝒅𝒚
The gradient just before the turning point is negative since when 𝒙 = 𝟎, =
𝒅𝒙
−𝟐
i.e. the gradient is negative.

The gradient just after the turning point is positive since when 𝒙 = 𝟏
𝒅𝒚
=𝟒
𝒅𝒙
i.e. the gradient positive.

N.B. The method above is that which is taught on the FM lecture slides.
However, candidates may use an alternative method, e.g. the second
derivative test, for which full marks should be awarded if workings clear and
answer correct.

If candidate uses the second derivative test

𝒅𝟐 𝒚
=𝟔
𝒅𝒙𝟐
6 > 0, hence a minimum.
1 mark for correct working, 1 mark for correct classification of turning point.

c) Integrate the following expression: 2

21𝑥 6 + 3

𝟐𝟏𝒙𝟕
∫ (𝟐𝟏𝒙𝟔 + 𝟑) 𝒅𝒙 = + 𝟑𝒙 + 𝒄
𝟕

= 𝟑𝒙𝟕 + 𝟑𝒙 + 𝒄

where 𝒄 is a constant.

Award 2 marks for all three correct terms, award 1 mark for two correct
terms, award 0 marks if one correct term.

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 Marks
d) The gradient of a curve which passes through the point (2, 9) is given by 3
12𝑥 2 − 6𝑥
Find the equation of the curve.
𝒅𝒚
The gradient is given by 𝟏𝟐𝒙𝟐 − 𝟔𝒙 hence 𝒅𝒙 = 𝟏𝟐𝒙𝟐 − 𝟔𝒙
Integrate to obtain 𝒚 = ∫ (𝟏𝟐𝒙𝟐 − 𝟔𝒙) 𝒅𝒙
= 𝟒𝒙𝟑 − 𝟑𝒙𝟐 + 𝒄
The curve passes through the point (2, 9), so when 𝒙 = 𝟐, 𝒚 = 𝟗
Substitute these values back into the integrated equation to obtain:
𝟗 = 𝟒(𝟐)𝟑 − 𝟑(𝟐)𝟐 + 𝒄
So, 𝒄 = −𝟏𝟏
Therefore, the equation of the curve is 𝒚 = 𝟒𝒙𝟑 − 𝟑𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏𝟏

2 marks for correct working, 1 mark for correct answer.

e) Evaluate the following definite integrals

i) 3 3
∫ (2𝑥 3 + 8) 𝑑𝑥
2

𝟑
𝟑 𝟐𝒙𝟒
∫𝟐 (𝟐𝒙𝟑 + 𝟖) 𝒅𝒙 = [ 𝟒 + 𝟖𝒙]
𝟐

𝟑𝟒 𝟐𝟒
={ + 𝟖(𝟑)} − { + 𝟖(𝟐)}
𝟐 𝟐

= 𝟔𝟒. 𝟓 − 𝟐𝟒

= 𝟒𝟎. 𝟓

2 marks for correct working, 1 mark for correct answer.

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 Marks
ii) 2 3
5𝑥 4
∫ ( − 3𝑥) 𝑑𝑥
2
1

𝟐 4 𝟐
5𝑥 𝒙𝟓 𝟑𝒙𝟐
∫ ( 2 − 3𝑥) 𝒅𝒙 = [ 𝟐 − ]
𝟐 𝟏
𝟏

𝟐𝟓 𝟑(𝟐)𝟐 𝟏𝟓 𝟑(𝟏)𝟐
={ − }−{ − }
𝟐 𝟐 𝟐 𝟐

𝟏𝟎 − (−𝟏)

= 𝟏𝟏

2 marks for correct working, 1 mark for correct answer.

f) Find the area bounded by the curve 𝑦 = 3𝑥 5 + 8𝑥 the 𝑥 – axis and the lines 3
𝑥 = 1 and 𝑥 = 3
𝟑
𝑨 = ∫ ( 3𝑥 5 + 8𝑥 ) 𝒅𝒙
𝟏

𝟑
𝒙𝟔
= [ 𝟐 + 4𝑥 2 ]
𝟏

𝟑𝟔 𝟏𝟔
= { 𝟐 + 4(3)2 } − { 𝟐 + 4(1)2 }

= 𝟒𝟎𝟎. 𝟓 − 𝟒. 𝟓

= 𝟑𝟗𝟔 units

2 marks for correct workings, 1 mark for correct answer

Total 20 Marks

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 Marks
Question 4

a) The acceleration of a moving body at the end of 𝑡 seconds from the

commencement of motion is 12𝑡 2 − 10𝑡 + 4 metres per second.

i) Find the velocity at the end of 6 seconds if the initial velocity is 10 metres per 3
second.
𝒅𝒗
The equation for acceleration is 𝒂 = 𝒅𝒕

We can integrate this to obtain an expression for the velocity 𝒗 =

∫ 𝒂 𝒅𝒕 + 𝒄

Substituting in 𝒂 = 12𝑡 2 − 10𝑡 + 4 we obtain

𝒗 = ∫ 12𝑡 2 − 10𝑡 + 4 𝒅𝒕 + 𝒄

= 𝟒𝒕𝟑 − 𝟓𝒕𝟐 + 𝟒𝒕 + 𝒄

To calculate the velocity we need to determine the constant of

integration. The initial velocity is the velocity at 𝒕 = 𝟎. So when 𝒕 = 𝟎,
𝒗 = 𝟏𝟎. Substitute these values into the expression for 𝒗 to give:
𝟏𝟎 = 𝟒𝒕𝟑 − 𝟓𝒕𝟐 + 𝟒𝒕 + 𝒄
Hence 𝒄 = 𝟏𝟎 .
The equation for velocity is therefore:
𝒗 = 𝟒𝒕𝟑 − 𝟓𝒕𝟐 + 𝟒𝒕 + 𝟏𝟎

After 6 seconds, i.e. at 𝒕 = 𝟔, the velocity is:

𝒗 = 𝟒(𝟔)𝟑 − 𝟓(𝟔)𝟐 + 𝟒(𝟔) + 𝟏𝟎
= 𝟕𝟏𝟖 m/s

2 marks for correct working, 1 mark for correct answer.

If units omitted or are incorrect award ½ mark for correct value.

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 Marks
ii) Find the displacement of the body at the end of 2 seconds. 3

Displacement is given by the equation:

𝒔 = ∫ 𝒗 𝒅𝒕

Integrate the equation for 𝒗 using the limits of 0 and 2.

𝟐
𝒔 = ∫ (𝟒𝒕𝟑 − 𝟓𝒕𝟐 + 𝟒𝒕 + 𝟏𝟎) 𝒅𝒕
𝟎

𝟐
𝟓𝒕𝟑
𝟒
= [𝒕 − + 𝟐𝒕𝟐 + 𝟏𝟎𝒕]
𝟑 𝟎

𝟓(𝟐)𝟑
= {𝟐𝟒 − + 𝟐(𝟐)𝟐 + 𝟏𝟎(𝟐)} - {𝟎}
𝟑

= 𝟑𝟎. 𝟕 metres (to 1 d.p.)

2 marks for correct working, 1 mark for correct answer.

If units omitted or are incorrect award ½ mark for correct value.

b) The probability that it will rain on Monday is 0.3. The probability that it will rain on
Tuesday is 0.1

i) Draw a probability tree diagram to show all the possible outcomes. 8

Draw a tree diagram writing R for rain and N for no rain.

Monday Tuesday Outcome Probability

(R, R) 0.3 × 0.1 = 0.03

0.1 R

R
0.3 0.9
N (R, N) 0.3 × 0.9 = 0.27

R
0.1 (N, R) 0.7 × 0.1 = 0.07
N
0.7
0.9
N (N, N) 0.7 × 0.9 = 0.63

1 mark for correct workings for each branch –maximum of 3 marks

1 mark for all four outcomes i.e. (R, R), (R, N), (N, R), (N, N))
1 mark for each probability outcome calculation – simplified or not.

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 Marks
ii) Use your tree diagram to work out the probability it rains on Monday or 2
Tuesday.

P(rains on Monday or Tuesday) = P(R N) + P(N R)

= 𝟎. 𝟐𝟕 + 𝟎. 𝟎𝟕
= 𝟎. 𝟑𝟒
1 mark for correct working, 1 mark for correct answer

iii) Use your tree diagram to find the probability that it rains on at least ONE (1) 2
of the days.

P(rains on at least one day) = 1 - P(N N)

= 𝟏 − 𝟎. 𝟔𝟑

= 𝟎. 𝟑𝟕

1 mark for correct working, 1 mark for correct answer.

iv) Use your tree diagram to find the probability that it is dry on at least one day. 2

P(dry on at least one day) = 1 - P(R R)

= 𝟏 − 𝟎. 𝟎𝟑

= 𝟎. 𝟗𝟕

1 mark for correct working, 1 mark for correct answer.

Total 20 Marks
Question 5

a) A survey records the type of vehicles crossing a bridge during a one-hour period.

Type of vehicles crossing a bridge.

Vehicle Frequency
Car 28
Lorry 7
Van 15
Bus 5
Motorcycle 2
Bicycle 3

i) State whether the data collected is quantitative or qualitative. 1

Qualitative (1 mark)

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 Marks
ii) State the number of vehicles counted in the survey. 1

60

iii) Draw a bar chart to illustrate this data. Use the graph paper provided 6

1 mark for bar chart with gaps between bars and bars of equal width.
1 mark for ‘Vehicle’ on horizontal axis.
1 mark for ‘Frequency’ on vertical axis.
Award up to 3 marks for accurate plotting of bars – deduct 1 mark for
each inaccurate bar up to a maximum of 3 marks

b) The age of all the visitors to a museum on one particular day is recorded as
follows:
Age (years) Frequency
0 ≤ a < 15 44
15 ≤ a < 30 31
30 ≤ a < 45 22
45 ≤ a < 60 18
60 ≤ a < 75 48
75 ≤ a < 90 17

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 Marks
i) Copy and complete the cumulative frequency column for the data. 1

Age (years) Frequency Cumulative frequency

0 ≤ a < 15 44
15 ≤ a < 30 31
30 ≤ a < 45 22
45 ≤ a < 60 18
60 ≤ a < 75 48
75 ≤ a < 90 17

Cumulative frequency
44
75
97
115
163
180

1 mark for correctly completed cumulative frequency column

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 Marks
ii) State within which class interval the lower quartile (Q1) value will lie and 3
then calculate the value using the formula for the lower quartile.
𝟏 𝟏
(𝒏) = (𝟏𝟖𝟎) = 𝟒𝟓𝒕𝒉 𝒗𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒆
𝟒 𝟒

45th value is contained in the 15 ≤ a < 30 class (1 mark)

Using the formula for the lower quartile:

(𝑸−𝑷)×𝑰
𝑸𝟏 = 𝑳 + 𝒇

(𝟒𝟓−𝟒𝟒) × 𝟏𝟓
= 𝟏𝟓 + 𝟑𝟏

𝟏𝟓
= 𝟏𝟓 +
𝟑𝟏

= 𝟏𝟓. 𝟓 (to 1 d.p.)

So the lower quartile is 15.5 (to 1 d.p.)

1 mark for correct workings, 1 mark for correct value.

iii) State within which class interval the upper quartile (Q3) value will lie and 3
then calculate the value using the formula for the upper quartile.
𝟑 𝟑
(𝒏) = (𝟏𝟖𝟎) = 𝟏𝟑𝟓𝒕𝒉 𝒗𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒆
𝟒 𝟒

135th value is contained in the 60 ≤ a < 75 (1 mark).

Using the formula for the upper quartile:

(𝑸−𝑷)×𝑰
𝑸𝟑 = 𝑳 + 𝒇

(𝟏𝟑𝟓−𝟏𝟏𝟓) × 𝟏𝟓
= 𝟔𝟎 + 𝟒𝟖

𝟑𝟎𝟎
= 𝟔𝟎 + 𝟒𝟖

= 𝟔𝟔. 𝟑 (to 1 d.p.)

So the upper quartile is 66.3 (to 1 d.p.)

1 mark for correct workings, 1 mark for correct answer

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 Marks
iv) Calculate the interquartile range. 1

The interquartile range is given by

66.3 – 15.5 = 50.8

c) The following data set is recorded

89 95 74 52 68 77 32 84 57

i) Find the median of the data. 2

First put the data into ascending order:

32 52 57 68 74 77 84 89 95
The median value is the
(𝒏+𝟏) 𝟏𝟎
= 𝟐 = 𝟓th value.
𝟐
So the median is 74

1 mark for workings, 1 mark for correct answer.

ii) Find the mean of the data. 2

The mean is calculated as follows:

𝟖𝟗+𝟗𝟓+𝟕𝟒+𝟓𝟐+𝟔𝟖+𝟕𝟕+𝟑𝟐+𝟖𝟒+𝟓𝟕 𝟔𝟐𝟖
= = 𝟔𝟗. 𝟖 (to 1 d.p)
𝟗 𝟗

1 mark for workings, 1 mark for correct answer.

Total 20 Marks

End of paper

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Learning Outcomes matrix

Question Learning Outcomes Marker can differentiate

assessed between varying levels of
achievement
1 1, 2 Yes
2 3, 4 Yes
3 4, 5 Yes
4 5, 7 Yes
5 2, 3, 6 Yes

Grade Descriptors

Learning Pass Merit Distinction

Outcome
Be able to perform Demonstrate ability Demonstrate ability Demonstrate ability to
a range of to perform to perform perform all
algebraic calculations calculations calculations to the
calculations consistently well highest standard
Be able to solve a Demonstrate ability Demonstrate ability Demonstrate ability to
range of basic to perform to perform perform techniques to
Calculations techniques techniques the highest standard
equations consistently well
Be able to present Demonstrate ability Demonstrate ability Demonstrate ability to
data in graphical to perform to perform perform techniques to
form techniques techniques the highest standard
consistently well
Understand the Demonstrate Demonstrate robust Demonstrate highly
fundamentals of adequate understanding of comprehensive
Differential understanding of techniques understanding of
Calculus techniques techniques
Understand the Demonstrate Demonstrate robust Demonstrate highly
fundamental of adequate understanding of comprehensive
Integral Calculus understanding of techniques understanding of
techniques techniques
Understand Demonstrate Demonstrate robust Demonstrate highly
Measures of adequate understanding of comprehensive
Dispersion understanding of techniques understanding of
techniques techniques
Understand the Demonstrate Demonstrate robust Demonstrate highly
fundamentals of adequate understanding of comprehensive
Probability understanding of techniques understanding of
techniques techniques

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