OCR MEI C4 — Question 1 19 marks

Exam BoardOCR MEI
ModuleC4 (Core Mathematics 4)
Marks19
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicParametric differentiation
TypeFind stationary points of parametric curve
DifficultyStandard +0.8 This is a substantial multi-part parametric equations question requiring dy/dx via chain rule, finding stationary points, eliminating parameters to find Cartesian form, and computing a volume of revolution. While each individual technique is standard C4 material, the question demands sustained accuracy across multiple steps and the volume integral requires careful setup. The algebraic manipulation in part (iii) and the final integration push this above average difficulty.
Spec1.03g Parametric equations: of curves and conversion to cartesian1.07s Parametric and implicit differentiation4.08d Volumes of revolution: about x and y axes

1 Fig. 8 illustrates a hot air balloon on its side. The balloon is modelled by the volume of revolution about the \(x\)-axis of the curve with parametric equations $$x = 2 + 2 \sin \theta , \quad y = 2 \cos \theta + \sin 2 \theta , \quad ( 0 \leqslant \theta \leqslant 2 \pi ) .$$ The curve crosses the \(x\)-axis at the point \(\mathrm { A } ( 4,0 )\). B and C are maximum and minimum points on the curve. Units on the axes are metres. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{1601927c-74d7-4cc2-a7f2-2c2a2e8c2c4c-1_812_809_517_704} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 8}
\end{figure}
  1. Find \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x }\) in terms of \(\theta\).
  2. Verify that \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x } = 0\) when \(\theta = \frac { 1 } { 6 } \pi\), and find the exact coordinates of B . Hence find the maximum width BC of the balloon.
  3. (A) Show that \(y = x \cos \theta\).
    (B) Find \(\sin \theta\) in terms of \(x\) and show that \(\cos ^ { 2 } \theta = x - \frac { 1 } { 4 } x ^ { 2 }\).
    (C) Hence show that the cartesian equation of the curve is \(y ^ { 2 } = x ^ { 3 } - \frac { 1 } { 4 } x ^ { 4 }\).
  4. Find the volume of the balloon.

1 Fig. 8 illustrates a hot air balloon on its side. The balloon is modelled by the volume of revolution about the $x$-axis of the curve with parametric equations

$$x = 2 + 2 \sin \theta , \quad y = 2 \cos \theta + \sin 2 \theta , \quad ( 0 \leqslant \theta \leqslant 2 \pi ) .$$

The curve crosses the $x$-axis at the point $\mathrm { A } ( 4,0 )$. B and C are maximum and minimum points on the curve. Units on the axes are metres.

\begin{figure}[h]
\begin{center}
  \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{1601927c-74d7-4cc2-a7f2-2c2a2e8c2c4c-1_812_809_517_704}
\captionsetup{labelformat=empty}
\caption{Fig. 8}
\end{center}
\end{figure}
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\roman*)]
\item Find $\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x }$ in terms of $\theta$.
\item Verify that $\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x } = 0$ when $\theta = \frac { 1 } { 6 } \pi$, and find the exact coordinates of B .

Hence find the maximum width BC of the balloon.
\item (A) Show that $y = x \cos \theta$.\\
(B) Find $\sin \theta$ in terms of $x$ and show that $\cos ^ { 2 } \theta = x - \frac { 1 } { 4 } x ^ { 2 }$.\\
(C) Hence show that the cartesian equation of the curve is $y ^ { 2 } = x ^ { 3 } - \frac { 1 } { 4 } x ^ { 4 }$.
\item Find the volume of the balloon.
\end{enumerate}

\hfill \mbox{\textit{OCR MEI C4  Q1 [19]}}