Cambridge A Level Mathematics 9709 — 2016 May/June Paper 3 · Variant 2
9709/32/M/J/16 · 6 questions · 75 marks · ≈84 min
The question paper and its mark scheme, free to read here and free to download. This is Cambridge’s own paper, exactly as it was sat.
Question paper4 pages




Mark scheme7 pages
Answers below. Sit the paper first if you are practising.







Questions as text
Q3 · 0 3 Find the exact value of x2 sin 2x dx
120 3 Find the exact value of x2 sin 2x dx. [5] Ó 0
Mark scheme: 3 Integrate by parts and reach ax 2 cos2 x + b ∫ x cos2 x dx M1* Obtain − 12 x 2 cos2 x +∫ x cos2 x , or equivalent A1 Complete the integration and obtain − 12 x 2 cos2 x + 12 x sin 2 x + 14 cos2 x , or equivalent A1 Use limits correctly having integrated twice DM1* Obtain answer 18 (π 2 − 4) , or exact equivalent, with no errors seen A1 [5] 2 2ln x
Q5 · Prove the identity cos 8 [4] cos41 −4 21 sin41 −3
5 (i) Prove the identity cos 8 [4] cos41 −4 21 sin41 −3. (ii) Hence solve the equation cos 4 cos 3, 41 = 21 + for [4] 0Å ≤1 ≤360Å.
Mark scheme: 5 (i) EITHER: Express cos 4θ in terms of cos 2θ and/or sin 2θ B1 Use correct double angle formulae to express LHS in terms of sin θ and/or cos θ M1 Obtain a correct expression in terms of sin θ alone A1 Reduce correctly to the given form A1 OR: Use correct double angle formula to express RHS in terms of cos 2θ M1 Express cos 2 2θ in terms of cos 4θ B1 Obtain a correct expression in terms of cos 4θ and cos 2θ A1 Reduce correctly to the given form A1 [4] (ii) Use the identity and carry out a method for finding a root M1 Obtain answer 68.5° A1 Obtain a second answer, e.g. 291.5° A1 Obtain the remaining answers, e.g. 111.5° and 248.5°, and no others in the given interval A1 [4] [Ignore answers outside the given interval. Treat answers in radians as a misread.]
Q6 · The variables x and satisfy the differential equation 1 dx 3 cos x sin + 21 = 21, d1 and…
6 The variables x and satisfy the differential equation 1 dx 3 cos x sin + 21 = 21, d1 and it is given that x 3 when 1 = 1 = 40. (i) Solve the differential equation and obtain an expression for x in terms of [7] 1. (ii) State the least value taken by x. [1]
Mark scheme: 6 (i) Separate variables correctly and attempt integration of at least one side B1 Obtain term ln x B1 Obtain term of the form k ln(3 + cos2θ ) , or equivalent M1 Obtain term − 12 ln(3 + cos2θ ) , or equivalent A1 Use x = 3, θ = 14 π to evaluate a constant or as limits in a solution with terms a ln x and b ln(3 + cos2θ ) ,where ab ≠ 0 M1 State correct solution in any form, e.g. ln x = − 12 ln(3 + cos2θ ) + 32 ln3 A1 27 Rearrange in a correct form, e.g. x = A1 [7] 3 + cos2θ (ii) State answer x = 3 3 / 2 , or exact equivalent (accept decimal answer in [2.59, 2.60]) B1 [1] B C
Q8 · Y x O a 0 The diagram shows the curve y cosecx for 0 x and part of the curve y When x a…
8 y x O a 0 The diagram shows the curve y cosecx for 0 x and part of the curve y When x a, the = < = e−x. = < 0 tangents to the curves are parallel. 1 dy (i) By differentiating show that if y cosecx then cotx. [3] sin x, = dx = −cosecx (ii) By equating the gradients of the curves at x a, show that = @ A ea . [2] a = tan−1 sin a (iii) Verify by calculation that a lies between 1 and 1.5. [2] (iv) Use an iterative formula based on the equation in part (ii) to determine a correct to 3 decimal places. Give the result of each iteration to 5 decimal places. [3]
Mark scheme: 8 (i) Use correct quotient or chain rule M1 Obtain correct derivative in any form A1 Obtain the given answer correctly A1 [3] (ii) State a correct equation, e.g. − e − a = − cosec a cot a B1 Rearrange it correctly in the given form B1 [2] (iii) Calculate values of a relevant expression or pair of expressions at x = 1 and x = 1.5 M1 Complete the argument correctly with correct calculated values A1 [2] (iv) Use the iterative formula correctly at least once M1 Obtain final answer 1.317 A1 Show sufficient iterations to 5 d.p. to justify 1.317 to 3 d.p., or show there is a sign change in the interval (1.3165, 1,3175) A1 [3]
Q9 · The points A, B and C have position vectors, relative to the origin O, given by −−→OA i…
9 The points A, B and C have position vectors, relative to the origin O, given by −−→OA i 2j 3k, = + + −−→OB 4j k and −−→OC 2i 5j A fourth point D is such that the quadrilateral ABCD is a = + = + −k. parallelogram. (i) Find the position vector of D and verify that the parallelogram is a rhombus. [5] (ii) The plane p is parallel to OA and the line BC lies in p. Find the equation of p, giving your answer in the form ax by cz d. [5] + + =
Mark scheme: 9 (i) Either state or imply AB or BC in component form, or state position vector of midpoint of AC B1 Use a correct method for finding the position vector of D M1 Obtain answer 3i + 3 j + k , or equivalent A1 EITHER: Using the correct process for the moduli, compare lengths of a pair of adjacent sides, e.g. AB and BC M1 Show that ABCD has a pair of adjacent sides that are equal A1 OR: Calculate scalar product AC . BD or equivalent M1 Show that ABCD has perpendicular diagonals A1 [5] (ii) EITHER: State a + 2b + 3c = 0 or 2 a + b − 2 c = 0 B1 Obtain two relevant equations and solve for one ratio, e.g. a : b M1 Obtain a : b : c = −7 : 8 : −3, or equivalent A1 Substitute coordinates of a relevant point in −7x + 8y −3z = d, and evaluate M1 Obtain answer −7x + 8y −3z = 29, or equivalent A1 OR1:Attempt to calculate vector product of relevant vectors, e.g. ( i + 2 j + 3k ) × (2i + j − 2k ) M1 Obtain two correct components of the product A1 Obtain correct product, e.g. −7 i + 8 j − 3k A1 Substitute coordinates of a relevant point in −7 x + 8 y − 3 z = d and evaluate d M1 Obtain answer −7 x + 8 y − 3 z = 29 or equivalent A1 OR2:Attempt to form a 2-parameter equation with relevant vectors M1 State a correct equation, e.g. r = 2 i + 5 j − k + λ ( i + 2 j + 3k ) + µ (2i + j − 2k ) A1 State 3 equations in x, y, z, λ and µ A1 Eliminate λ and µ M1 Obtain answer −7 x + 8 y − 3 z = 29 , or equivalent A1 OR3:Using a relevant point and relevant direction vectors, form a determinant equation for the plane M1 x − 2 y − 5 z + 1 State a correct equation, e.g. 1 2 3 = 0 A1 2 1 −2 Attempt to expand the determinant M1 Obtain correct values of two cofactors A1 Obtain answer −7 x + 8 y − 3 z = 29 , or equivalent A1 [5]
Q10 · Showing all necessary working, solve the equation iz2 2z 0, giving your answers in the +…
10 (a) Showing all necessary working, solve the equation iz2 2z 0, giving your answers in the + −3i = form x iy, where x and y are real and exact. [5] + (b) (i) On a sketch of an Argand diagram, show the locus representing complex numbers satisfying the equation z z . [2] = −4 −3i (ii) Find the complex number represented by the point on the locus where z is least. Find the modulus and argument of this complex number, giving the argument correct to 2 decimal places. [3]
Mark scheme: 10 (a) EITHER: Use quadratic formula to solve for z M1 Use 2i = −1 M1 Obtain a correct answer in any form, simplified as far as ( −±2 i 8) / 2i A1 Multiply numerator and denominator by i, or equivalent M1 Obtain final answers 2 + i and − 2 + i A1 OR: Substitute x + iy and equate real and imaginary parts to zero M1 Use 2i = −1 M1 Obtain −2 xy + 2 x = 0 and x 2 − y 2 + 2 y − 3 = 0 , or equivalent A1 Solve for x and y M1 Obtain final answers 2 + i and − 2 + i A1 [5] (b) (i) EITHER: Show the point representing 4 + 3i in relatively correct position B1 Show the perpendicular bisector of the line segment joining this point to the origin B1 [2] OR: Obtain correct Cartesian equation of the locus in any form, e.g. 8 x + 6 y = 25 B1 Show this line B1 [This f.t. is dependent on using a correct method to determine the equation.] (ii) State or imply the relevant point is represented by 2 + 1.5i or is at (2, 1.5) B1 Obtain modulus 2.5 B1 Obtain argument 0.64 (or 36.9°) (allow decimals in [0.64, 0.65] or [36.8, 36.9]) B1 [3]
What was in this paper
The subtopics covered by these 6 questions, and how many questions each got. Open one in a new tab to see every Cambridge question on it.
What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2016 May/June, Paper 3 · Variant 2. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.