CAIE P1 2015 November — Question 6 7 marks

Exam BoardCAIE
ModuleP1 (Pure Mathematics 1)
Year2015
SessionNovember
Marks7
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicInequalities
TypeIntersection points of line-curve
DifficultyModerate -0.3 This is a standard intersection problem requiring equating expressions, solving quadratics, and using the discriminant condition for tangency. Part (i) is algebraic manipulation, part (ii) uses sum of roots, and part (iii) applies b²-4ac=0. All techniques are routine for P1 level with no novel insight required, making it slightly easier than average.
Spec1.02d Quadratic functions: graphs and discriminant conditions1.02f Solve quadratic equations: including in a function of unknown1.02q Use intersection points: of graphs to solve equations1.07m Tangents and normals: gradient and equations

6 A curve has equation \(y = x ^ { 2 } - x + 3\) and a line has equation \(y = 3 x + a\), where \(a\) is a constant.
  1. Show that the \(x\)-coordinates of the points of intersection of the line and the curve are given by the equation \(x ^ { 2 } - 4 x + ( 3 - a ) = 0\).
  2. For the case where the line intersects the curve at two points, it is given that the \(x\)-coordinate of one of the points of intersection is - 1 . Find the \(x\)-coordinate of the other point of intersection.
  3. For the case where the line is a tangent to the curve at a point \(P\), find the value of \(a\) and the coordinates of \(P\).

Question 6:
Part (i):
AnswerMarks Guidance
Answer/WorkingMarks Guidance
\(x^2 - x + 3 = 3x + a \rightarrow x^2 - 4x + (3-a) = 0\)B1 [1] AG
Part (ii):
AnswerMarks Guidance
Answer/WorkingMarks Guidance
\(5 + (3-a) = 0 \rightarrow a = 8\)B1 Sub \(x = -1\) into (i)
\(x^2 - 4x - 5 = 0 \rightarrow x = 5\)B1 [2] OR B2 for \(x=5\) www
Part (iii):
AnswerMarks Guidance
Answer/WorkingMarks Guidance
\(16 - 4(3-a) = 0\) (applying \(b^2 - 4ac = 0\))M1 OR \(dy/dx = 2x-1 \rightarrow 2x-1=3\), \(x=2\)
\(a = -1\)A1 \(y = 2^2 - 2 + 3 \rightarrow y = 5\)
\((x-2)^2 = 0 \rightarrow x = 2\)A1 \(5 = 6 + a \rightarrow a = -1\)
\(y = 5\)A1 [4]
## Question 6:

### Part (i):

| Answer/Working | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| $x^2 - x + 3 = 3x + a \rightarrow x^2 - 4x + (3-a) = 0$ | B1 [1] | AG |

### Part (ii):

| Answer/Working | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| $5 + (3-a) = 0 \rightarrow a = 8$ | B1 | Sub $x = -1$ into (i) |
| $x^2 - 4x - 5 = 0 \rightarrow x = 5$ | B1 [2] | OR B2 for $x=5$ www |

### Part (iii):

| Answer/Working | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| $16 - 4(3-a) = 0$ (applying $b^2 - 4ac = 0$) | M1 | OR $dy/dx = 2x-1 \rightarrow 2x-1=3$, $x=2$ |
| $a = -1$ | A1 | $y = 2^2 - 2 + 3 \rightarrow y = 5$ |
| $(x-2)^2 = 0 \rightarrow x = 2$ | A1 | $5 = 6 + a \rightarrow a = -1$ |
| $y = 5$ | A1 [4] | |

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6 A curve has equation $y = x ^ { 2 } - x + 3$ and a line has equation $y = 3 x + a$, where $a$ is a constant.\\
(i) Show that the $x$-coordinates of the points of intersection of the line and the curve are given by the equation $x ^ { 2 } - 4 x + ( 3 - a ) = 0$.\\
(ii) For the case where the line intersects the curve at two points, it is given that the $x$-coordinate of one of the points of intersection is - 1 . Find the $x$-coordinate of the other point of intersection.\\
(iii) For the case where the line is a tangent to the curve at a point $P$, find the value of $a$ and the coordinates of $P$.

\hfill \mbox{\textit{CAIE P1 2015 Q6 [7]}}