Cambridge A Level Mathematics 9709 — 2025 May/June Paper 5 · Variant 3
9709/53/M/J/25 · 7 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 paper16 pages
















Mark scheme20 pages
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Questions as text
Q1 · For a set of 40 values of x, it is found that / ( x - k) = 836.0, / ( x - k) 2 = 25410.8…
1 For a set of 40 values of x, it is found that / ( x - k) = 836.0, / ( x - k) 2 = 25410.8 , where k is a constant. (a) Given that the mean of these 40 values is 124.0, find the value of k. [2] ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ (b) Find the standard deviation of these 40 values of x. [2] ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................
Mark scheme: Question Answer Marks Guidance 1(a) 4960 − 40k = 836 B1 or Also accept 124 – k = 20.9 or 40k = 4124 OE. 4960 836 – k = 40 40 k =103.1 B1 2 1(b) Method 1 2 M1 25410.8 836 [sd2 =] − 40 40 [sd2 = 198.46, ] A1 14.08758…to at least 3SF. sd = 14.1 If M not awarded SCB1 for correct answer WWW. Method 2 622978.4 2 M1 622978.4 comes from expansion of [sd2 =] −124 ∑(x – k)2 = 25410.8 substituting in relevant values. 40 [sd2 = 198.46, ] A1 14.08758…to at least 3SF. sd = 14.1 If M not awarded SCB1 for correct answer WWW. 2 2(a) Method 1 3 M1 Might also be seen as 1 – 3C0(0.55)3[(0.45)0]. 1 − ( 0.55 ) 6669 A1 AWRT. = 0.834, 8000 Method 2 3C1 (0.45)(0.55)2 + 3C2 (0.45)2(0.55) + (0.45)3[0.55]0 M1 6669 A1 AWRT. = 0.834, 8000 2
Q2 · At a large college, all students who study Science also study exactly one of Art or Drama…
2 At a large college, all students who study Science also study exactly one of Art or Drama or Music. 20% of these students study Art, 45% study Drama and 35% study Music. (a) 3 students are selected at random from the students who study Science. Find the probability that at least 1 of these students studies Drama. [2] ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ (b) 10 students are selected at random from the students who study Science. Find the probability that more than 7 study Art or Music. [3] ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................
Mark scheme: Question Answer Marks Guidance 2(a) Method 1 3 M1 Might also be seen as 1 – 3C0(0.55)3[(0.45)0]. 1 − ( 0.55 ) 6669 A1 AWRT. = 0.834, 8000 Method 2 3C1 (0.45)(0.55)2 + 3C2 (0.45)2(0.55) + (0.45)3[0.55]0 M1 6669 A1 AWRT. = 0.834, 8000 2 2(b) Method 1 [P(8, 9, 10) =] 10C8 0.558 0.452 + 10C9 0.559 0.451 + 0.5510 M1 x 10 − x One term of the form 10Cx ( p ) (1 − p ) , 0 p 1, x 0 or 10. [= 0.0763026 + 0.0207241 + 0.00253295] A1 Correct un-simplified expression. = 0.0996 B1 0.09955 < p ≤ 0.0996. Method 2 [1 – P(0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7)] M1 x 10 − x One term of the form 10Cx ( p ) (1 − p ) , 0 p 1, x 0 or 10. 1 – (0.4510 + 10C1 0.55 0.459 + … + 10C7 0.557 0.453) A1 Correct un-simplified expression. Condone omission of up to 5 of the 6 middle terms. Condone omission of last bracket only. If both brackets omitted in un-simplified expression, allow recovery for final stated calculation of 1 – 0.90044… or better. = 0.0996 B1 0.09955 < p ⩽ 0.0996. 3
Q3 · A fair six-sided dice with faces labelled 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 is thrown repeatedly until a 3…
3 A fair six-sided dice with faces labelled 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 is thrown repeatedly until a 3 is obtained. The number of throws taken is denoted by the random variable X. (a) Find P( X = 8) . [1] ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ (b) Find P( X 1 9) . [2] ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ (c) Find the probability that a 3 is obtained for the second time before the 6th throw. [3] ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................
Mark scheme: 3(a) 1 5 7 78125 B1 P ( X = 8 ) = = 0.0465, 6 6 1679616 1 3(b) Method 1 8 M1 d 5 5 [P(X < 9) =] 1 − 1 − , d = 8, 9. 6 6 = 0.767 A1 AWRT. Method 2 [P(X < 9) =] M1 2 3 4 5 1 5 1 5 1 5 1 5 1 5 1 + + + + + + 1 5 1 5 2 1 5 3 1 5 4 1 5 5 1 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 + + + + + + 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 7 8 5 1 6 7 5 1 5 1 5 1 5 1 + + + 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 = 0.767 A1 AWRT. 2 3(c) Method 1 2 B1 Two identified scenarios correct, accept un-simplified 1 1 2 throws calculations. 6 36 1 2 5 2 10 M1 Four correctly identified scenarios added (here they may be C1 3 throws: 216 identified by correct un-simplified calculations). Condone 2C1 = 2 6 6 2 2 etc. 1 5 3 75 4 throws: C1 6 6 1296 1 2 5 3 4 500 5 throws: C1 6 6 7776 763 A1 0.196 ⩽ p < 0.1963 0.196, SCB1 for correct answer if M mark not awarded 3888 Method 2 5 B1 1 – 1 identified scenario correct, accept un-simplified calculations. 5 3125 No threes in 5 throws 6 7776 M1 1 – 2 correctly identified scenarios (here they may be identified by 1 5 4 5 3125 correct un-simplified calculations). Condone 5C1 = 5. One three in 5 throws C1 6 6 7776 5 5 1 5 4 5 1 – – { C1 } 6 6 6 763 A1 0.196 ⩽ p < 0.1963. 0.196, SCB1 for correct answer if M mark not awarded. 3888 3
Q4 · 84 people attempt a particular puzzle
4 84 people attempt a particular puzzle. The times taken, in minutes, to complete the puzzle are recorded. These times are represented in the cumulative frequency graph below. 100 90 80 70 60 frequency 50 40 Cumulative 30 20 10 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Time in minutes (a) Use the graph to estimate how many people took between 4 and 7.5 minutes to complete the puzzle. 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(b) On the grid below, draw a box-and-whisker plot to summarise the information in the cumulative frequency graph. 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Mark scheme: 4(a) Accept 43 or 44 B1 1 4(b) B1 Plotted on box. Median = 4.8 LQ = 3.7 or 3.8, UQ = 6.5 or 6.6 B1 Plotted on box. Correct end points for whiskers and whiskers drawn B1 Correct end points of whiskers (2 and 12). Whiskers not through box, not drawn at corners of box. Accept end points of whiskers as dots or without vertical line. Linear scale and labelled Time in minutes B1 OE. Linear scale from 2 to 12, at least 3 equally spaces values marked using at least half of the grid. Label to include time and minutes. 4
Q5 · Bag A contains 6 red marbles, 5 blue marbles and 1 green marble
5 Bag A contains 6 red marbles, 5 blue marbles and 1 green marble. Bag B contains 5 red marbles and 3 blue marbles. A marble is chosen at random from bag A and placed in bag B. A marble is now chosen at random from bag B. (a) Draw a tree diagram to represent this information, giving the probability on each branch. [3] (b) Find the probability that both marbles chosen are the same colour. [2] ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ (c) Find the probability that the marble chosen from bag A is blue, given that the marble chosen from bag B is blue. [3] ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................
Mark scheme: 5(a) B1 Correct structure and probabilities for Bag A branches which must be the first set of branches, including labels R, B, G. B1 Correct structure and probabilities for one Bag B branch, including labels R, B, [G]. Condone inclusion of branches with 0 probability. B1 Correct structure and probabilities for remaining Bag B branches, including labels R, B, [G]. Condone inclusion of branches with 0 probability. Additional branches without a probability of zero lose this mark. 6 5 1 Probabilities for Bag A selection R,B,G ( , , ) 12 12 12 6 3 5 4 5 3 1 Probabilities for Bag B selection: , , 0 , , 0 , , 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 3 5(b) 6 6 5 4 1 1 M1 Correct or FT tree diagram probabilities with all 3 (R, B and G) [P(RR) + P(BB) + P(GG) =] + + branches. 12 9 12 9 12 9 Note: working may be by tree diagram. 57 19 A1 Accept 0.5278, 0.528. = , 108 36 2 5(c) 5 4 M1 5 4 20 5 or or or their P(BB) from Q5(b) seen as a 12 9 12 9 108 27 P(A blue | B blue) = 6 3 5 4 1 3 numerator of a single fraction. + + 12 9 12 9 12 9 FT tree diagram with values from only 2 bags. B1 FT 6 3 5 4 1 3 + + seen as the denominator of a single 12 9 12 9 12 9 fraction. 5 5 4 or their P(BB) may be seen from Q5b in place of 27 12 9 FT tree diagram with values from only 2 bags. 20 A1 Accept 0.488, 0.4878. = 20 41 SCB1 if either M or B mark not scored or 0.4878. 41 3
Q6 · A company sells bags of pasta
6 A company sells bags of pasta. The masses of large bags of pasta are normally distributed with mean 2.50 kg and standard deviation 0.12 kg. (a) Find the probability that the mass of pasta in a randomly chosen large bag is less than 2.65 kg. 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A restaurant manager buys 160 of these large bags of pasta. (b) Find the number of bags for which you would expect the mass of pasta to be more than 1.65 standard deviations above the mean. 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The masses of small bags of pasta sold by the company are normally distributed with mean n kg and standard deviation v kg. Tests show that 77% of these bags have masses greater than 1.26 kg, and 44% have masses less than 1.35 kg. (c) Find, in either order, the value of n and the value of v. 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Mark scheme: 6(a) [P(X < 2.65) =] P(Z < 2.65 − 2.50) [ = P(Z < 1.25)] M1 Substituting 2.65, 2.50 and 0.12 into the ±standardisation formula allow σ2 or √σ. Condone continuity correction ±0.005. 0.12 = 0.894 A1 0.894 ⩽ p ⩽ 0.8944. 2 6(b) P(Z > 2.50 + 1.65 0.12 − 2.50) = P(Z > 1.65) M1 Seeing 2.50 + 1.65 × 0.12 or 2.698 and 2.50 and 0.12 substituted into the ±standardisation formula with a direct attempt to find the 0.12 probability area. Accept numerator of 1.65 0.12. Accept Z linked to 1.65 with a direct attempt to find the probability area. Do not allow σ2 or √σ. No continuity correction. = 1 – 0.9505 = 0.0495 A1 AWRT. Expected number = 0.0495 160 = 7.92 , so 7 or 8 B1 FT Strict FT their at least 4-DP calculated probability, seen anywhere (not a z-value). Final answer must be a single positive integer value, no approximation or rounding stated. 3 6(c) 1.26 − B1 0.738 < z1 < 0.740 or −0.740 < z1 < −0.738 seen. = − 0.739 B1 0.150 < z2 < 0.152 or −0.152 < z2 < −0.150 seen. 1.35 − = −0.151 M1 Use of the ±standardisation formula once with µ, σ equating to a z- value (not 0.77, 0.23, 0.44, 0.56, 0.7794, 0.5910, 0.6700, 0.7123, 0.2206, 0.4090, 0.3300, 0.2877). No continuity correction, not σ2, not . Solve, obtaining values for µ and σ M1 Solve 2 equations in µ and σ using the elimination method, substitution method or other appropriate approach to obtain values = 1.37, = 0.153 for both µ and σ. A1 AWRT = 1.37, = 0.153 . If one or both the M marks have been withheld, SCB1 for both correct. 5
Q7 · A set of friends consists of 7 men and 4 women
7 A set of friends consists of 7 men and 4 women. Three of the men are brothers: Ali, Ben and Charlie. (a) Find the number of different arrangements of the 7 men in a line in which Ali and Ben do not stand next to each other. 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(b) Find the number of different arrangements of the 7 men and 4 women in a line in which all the men stand together and all the women stand together. 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(c) In how many ways can the 7 men and 4 women be divided into a group of 6, a group of 3 and a group of 2 if there are no restrictions? 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(d) The 7 men and 4 women are divided at random into a group of 6, a group of 3 and a group of 2. Find the probability that Ali, Ben and Charlie are all in the same group. 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Additional page If you use the following page to complete the answer to any question, the question number must be clearly shown. ............................................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................................
Mark scheme: 7(b) 7! × 4! × 2 M1 7! × r, where r is an integer, r > 1 or 4! × s, where s is an integer, s > 1. M1 7! 4! t, where t is an integer, t ⩾ 1, t = 1 can be implied. 241920 A1 CAO. 3 7(c) 11C6 5C3 [2C2] M1 11Cv × 11-vCu × [11-v-uCw], u, v, w = 6, 3, 2 u ≠ v ≠ w. = 4620 A1 2 7(d) Method 1 Ali, Ben and Charlie must be in the group of 6 or the group of 3. group of 6: 8C3 5C3 (2C2) = 560 B1 560 seen, accept un-simplified. group of 3: 8C6 ( 2C2 3C3 ) = 28 B1 28 seen accept un-simplified. 560 + 28 M1 their ( 560 + 28 ) their ( 560 + 28 ) Probability they are in same group = or 4620 their (c) 4620 588 7 A1 = , , 0.127 4620 55 Method 2 Ali, Ben and Charlie must be in the group of 6 or the group of 3. 6 5 4 3 2 1 B1 4 Group of 6: 8C3 , 0.1212… seen, accept un-simplified. 11 10 9 8 7 6 33 1 4 = 56 = 462 33 3 2 1 1 B1 1 Group of 3: = , 0.00606 ( 06 ) seen, accept un-simplified. 11 10 9 165 165 4 1 M1 4 1 Probability they are in same group = + their + their . 33 165 33 165 7 A1 = ,0.127 55 4
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