Cambridge A Level Mathematics 9709 — 2023 Oct/Nov Paper 2 · Variant 1
9709/21/O/N/23 · 4 questions · 50 marks · ≈56 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 paper12 pages












Mark scheme12 pages
Answers below. Sit the paper first if you are practising.












Questions as text
Q2 · A curve has equation y 3 tan 2x1 cos 2x
2 A curve has equation y 3 tan 2x1 cos 2x. = Find the gradient of the curve at the point for which x 1 [5] = 3π. ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................
Mark scheme: 2 1 1 2 1 B1 State or imply derivative of tan x is sec x or derivative of 2 2 2 cos2x is −2sin2x Attempt use of product rule to find first derivative *M1 3 2 1 1 A1 or (unsimplified) equivalent. Obtain correct sec x cos2 x − 6tan x sin2 x 2 2 2 1 DM1 Substitute π into attempt at first derivative and attempt evaluation to 3 find the gradient Obtain −4 A1 5
Q3 · 4 3 (a) Find dx, giving your answer in the form ln a, where a is an integer
10 4 3 (a) Find dx, giving your answer in the form ln a, where a is an integer. [4] 2x Ô 4 −5 ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ 10 (b) Find the exact value of [2] e2x−5 dx. Ó 4 ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................
Mark scheme: 3(a) Obtain 2ln(2 x − 5) B1 Apply limits correctly M1 For integral of form k ln(2 x − 5) . Use one relevant logarithm property correctly M1 For integral of form k ln(2 x − 5) . Apply second logarithm property correctly and obtain ln25 A1 4 3(b) 1 2 x− 5 B1 Integrate to obtain e 2 1 15 1 3 B1FT or exact equivalent, FT on their ke 2 x −.5 Obtain final answer e − e 2 2 2
Q4 · Sketch, on the same diagram, the graphs of y 3x and y 2x 7
4 (a) Sketch, on the same diagram, the graphs of y 3x and y 2x 7. [2] = −5 = + (b) Solve the equation 3x 2x 7. [3] −5 = + ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ (c) Hence solve the equation 2 3y 7, giving your answer correct to 3 significant figures. 3y+1 −5 = × + [2] ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................
Mark scheme: 4(a) Draw V-shaped graph with vertex on positive x-axis B1 Draw (more or less) correct graph of y = 2 x + 7 with smaller gradient B1 And crossing y-axis above y-intercept of modulus graph. 2 4(b) Solve 3x −=5 2 x + 7 to obtain x = 12 B1 Attempt solution of linear equation where signs of 3x and 2x are M1 3x −=5 −2 x − 7 OE. different 2 A1 Obtain x = − 5 Alternative solution for question 4(b) State or imply non-modulus equation (3 x − 5) 2 = (2 x + 7) 2 B1 Must be working with (3 x − 5) 2 = (2 x + 7) 2 Attempt solution of 3-term quadratic equation M1 2 A1 Obtain − and 12 5 3 4(c) Apply logarithms and use power law for 3y = k where k 0 or M1 Using their positive answer from part (b) correct equivalent or greater accuracy; and no other values. Obtain 2.26 A1 2
Q7 · The curve with equation e2x y3 y 11 has a stationary point at p, q
7 The curve with equation e2x y3 y 11 has a stationary point at p, q . −18x + + = (a) Find the exact value of p. 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(b) Show that q 3 2 18 ln 3 [2] = + −q. ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ (c) Show by calculation that the value of q lies between 2.5 and 3.0. [2] ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ (d) Use an iterative formula, based on the equation in (b), to find the value of q correct to 4 significant figures. Give the result of each iteration to 6 significant figures. [3] ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................
Mark scheme: 7(a) 3 2 d y B1 Differentiate y to obtain 3 y d x Differentiate complete equation to produce at least one term involving M1 d y using implicit differentiation. d x 2 x 2 dy dy A1 Obtain 2e − 18 + 3 y + = 0 dx dx dy 1 A1 Substitute = 0 to obtain either p = 2 ln9 or p = ln3 dx 4 7(b) Substitute value of p in original equation and rearrange as far as y 3 = ... M1 Allow in terms of ln9 . or q3 = … Obtain given result q = 3 2 + 18ln3 − q or y = 3 2 + 18ln3 − y with A1 AG sufficient detail 2 7(c) Consider sign of q − 3 2 + 18ln3 − q or equivalent for 2.5 and 3.0 M1 Obtain −0.18... and 0.34... with sufficient detail and justify A1 OE conclusion 2 7(d) Use iteration process correctly at least once M1 Obtain final answer q = 2.673 A1 Answer required to exactly 4 s.f. Show sufficient iterations to 6 sf to justify answer or show sign change A1 in the interval [2.6725, 2.6735] 3
What was in this paper
The subtopics covered by these 4 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 2023 Oct/Nov, Paper 2 · Variant 1. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.