5 A curve has equation \(y = \frac { x ^ { 3 } - k ^ { 3 } } { x ^ { 2 } - 4 }\), where \(k\) is a positive constant and \(k \neq 2\).
- Find the equations of the three asymptotes.
- Use your graphical calculator to obtain rough sketches of the curve in the two separate cases \(k < 2\) and \(k > 2\).
- In the case \(k < 2\), your sketch may not show clearly the shape of the curve near \(x = 0\). Use calculus to show that the curve has a minimum point when \(x = 0\).
- In the case \(k > 2\), your sketch may not show clearly how the curve approaches its asymptote as \(x \rightarrow + \infty\). Show algebraically that the curve crosses this asymptote.
- Use the results of parts (iii) and (iv) to produce more accurate sketches of the curve in the two separate cases \(k < 2\) and \(k > 2\). These sketches should indicate where the curve crosses the axes, and should show clearly how the curve approaches its asymptotes. The presence of stationary points should be clearly shown, but there is no need to find their coordinates.
RECOGNISING ACHIEVEMENT
\section*{OXFORD CAMBRIDGE AND RSA EXAMINATIONS}
\section*{MEI STRUCTURED MATHEMATICS}
Further Methods for Advanced Mathematics (FP2)
Tuesday