IB Maths AA HL Topic 1: Number and algebra questions

Exam-style questions in the shape of Paper 1 and Paper 2, with full markschemes. Read the markscheme, or type, photograph or draw your answer and get it marked.

Question 1

Paper 2, calculatorMedium12 marks

A small hydroelectric station records its annual electricity generation to the nearest GWh. Figure 1 shows the recorded generation in years 1 to 6.

123456404142434445464748495051525354Year, nGeneration (GWh)Annual electricity generation

Let vnv_n be the generation, in GWh, predicted for year nn by an arithmetic sequence model. The model is chosen so that its first and sixth terms match the recorded generation in years 1 and 6.

(a)

Calculate the increase in recorded generation from year 2 to year 3, and from year 5 to year 6.

[2]
(b)

Determine the first term aa and common difference dd of the model.

[3]
(c)

Hence, estimate the generation predicted by the model for year 9.

[2]
(d)

Write the total generation predicted by the model over the first nine years in sigma notation, and determine its value.

[3]
(e)

Comment on the suitability of this model for estimating generation in year 9, referring to the plotted data.

[2]

Question 2

Paper 2, calculatorMedium6 marks

A convergent geometric series has first term 8 and common ratio rr The sum of its first three terms is 14.

(a)

Determine rr

[4]
(b)

Hence determine the sum to infinity of the series.

[2]

Question 3

Paper 2, calculatorMedium7 marks

An employer models an employee’s salary at the start of each year using a geometric sequence. The salary at the start of year 1 was $40,000, and the salary at the start of year 5 was $48,620.25. Let unu_n denote the modelled salary, in dollars, at the start of year nn

(a)

State the first term and determine the positive common ratio.

[2]
(b)

Determine the modelled salary at the start of year 9, to the nearest cent.

[2]
(c)

Hence write the total of the modelled salaries for the first nine years as a sum in sigma notation, and determine this total to the nearest cent.

[2]
(d)

State one reason why this model may become unreliable when used to predict salaries many years into the future.

[1]

Question 4

Paper 2, calculatorMedium12 marks

Let SS be a set of 9 distinct elements. Let NN be the number of subsets of SS that contain exactly 4 elements, and define

k=(1+1N)1/2.k=\left(1+\frac{1}{N}\right)^{1/2}.
(a)

Determine NN

[2]
(b)

Find the first four non-zero terms, in descending powers of NN in the binomial expansion of kk

[4]
(c)

Hence use the first three non-zero terms of this expansion to estimate kk Give your answer to 9 significant figures.

[2]
(d)

Use your GDC to determine kk and hence find the absolute difference between this value and your estimate in part (c), correct to 2 significant figures.

[3]
(e)

State whether your estimate in part (c) gives kk correctly to 3 decimal places.

[1]

Question 5

Paper 2, calculatorMedium7 marks

Let u=−8+83 iu=-8+8\sqrt{3}\,i

(a)

Express uu in the form r(cos⁡θ+isin⁡θ)r(\cos\theta+i\sin\theta) where r>0r>0 and 0≤θ<2π0\leq\theta<2\pi

[2]
(b)

Hence, or otherwise, determine both square roots of uu giving your answers in the form a+bia+bi

[3]
(c)

A polynomial with real coefficients has 2+23 i2+2\sqrt{3}\,i as a root. State the other root in its conjugate pair and hence determine the monic quadratic factor associated with this pair.

[2]

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