OCR MEI C4 — Question 1 6 marks

Exam BoardOCR MEI
ModuleC4 (Core Mathematics 4)
Marks6
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicReciprocal Trig & Identities
TypeSolve equation using Pythagorean identities
DifficultyStandard +0.3 This is a straightforward application of the Pythagorean identity sec²θ = 1 + tan²θ to convert to a quadratic in tan θ, then solve. It requires standard technique with no novel insight, making it slightly easier than average for A-level.
Spec1.05h Reciprocal trig functions: sec, cosec, cot definitions and graphs1.05k Further identities: sec^2=1+tan^2 and cosec^2=1+cot^21.05o Trigonometric equations: solve in given intervals

1 Solve the equation \(2 \sec ^ { 2 } \theta = 5 \tan \theta\), for \(0 \leqslant \theta \leqslant \pi\).

Question 1
Solution 1:
AnswerMarks
M1\(\sec^2\theta = 1 + \tan^2\theta\) used
A1\(2(1 + \tan^2\theta) = 5\tan\theta\)
M1\(2\tan^2\theta - 5\tan\theta + 2 = 0\)
A1\((2\tan\theta - 1)(\tan\theta - 2) = 0\)
A1\(\tan\theta = \frac{1}{2}\) or \(2\)
A1\(\theta = 0.464, 1.107\) (radians)
Guidance for Solution 1:
AnswerMarks
M1\(\sec^2\theta = 1 + \tan^2\theta\) used
A1correct quadratic oe
M1solving their quadratic for \(\tan\theta\) (follow rules for solving as in Question 1)
A1www
A1first correct solution (or better)
A1second correct solution (or better) and no others in the range. Ignore solutions outside the range. SC A1 for both 0.46 and 1.11. SC A1 for both 26.6° and 63.4° (or better). Do not award SCs if there are extra solutions in range.
Solution 2:
AnswerMarks
M1Using \(\sec\theta = \frac{1}{\cos\theta}\) and \(\tan\theta = \frac{\sin\theta}{\cos\theta}\)
A1\(2 - 5\sin\theta\cos\theta = 0\) or \(2\cos\theta = 5\sin\theta\cos^2\theta\) oe (or common denominator). Do not need \(\cos\theta \neq 0\) at this stage.
M1Using \(\sin 2\theta = 2\sin\theta\cos\theta\) oe, e.g. \(2 = 5\sin\theta\sqrt{1-\sin^2\theta}\) and squaring
A1\(\sin 2\theta = 0.8\) or, say, \(25\sin^4\theta - 25\sin^2\theta + 4 = 0\)
A1first correct solution (or better)
A1second correct solution (or better) and no others in the range. Ignore solutions outside the range. SCs as above.
# Question 1

**Solution 1:**

M1 | $\sec^2\theta = 1 + \tan^2\theta$ used

A1 | $2(1 + \tan^2\theta) = 5\tan\theta$

M1 | $2\tan^2\theta - 5\tan\theta + 2 = 0$

A1 | $(2\tan\theta - 1)(\tan\theta - 2) = 0$

A1 | $\tan\theta = \frac{1}{2}$ or $2$

A1 | $\theta = 0.464, 1.107$ (radians)

**Guidance for Solution 1:**

M1 | $\sec^2\theta = 1 + \tan^2\theta$ used

A1 | correct quadratic oe

M1 | solving their quadratic for $\tan\theta$ (follow rules for solving as in Question 1)

A1 | www

A1 | first correct solution (or better)

A1 | second correct solution (or better) and no others in the range. Ignore solutions outside the range. SC A1 for both 0.46 and 1.11. SC A1 for both 26.6° and 63.4° (or better). Do not award SCs if there are extra solutions in range.

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**Solution 2:**

M1 | Using $\sec\theta = \frac{1}{\cos\theta}$ and $\tan\theta = \frac{\sin\theta}{\cos\theta}$

A1 | $2 - 5\sin\theta\cos\theta = 0$ or $2\cos\theta = 5\sin\theta\cos^2\theta$ oe (or common denominator). Do not need $\cos\theta \neq 0$ at this stage.

M1 | Using $\sin 2\theta = 2\sin\theta\cos\theta$ oe, e.g. $2 = 5\sin\theta\sqrt{1-\sin^2\theta}$ and squaring

A1 | $\sin 2\theta = 0.8$ or, say, $25\sin^4\theta - 25\sin^2\theta + 4 = 0$

A1 | first correct solution (or better)

A1 | second correct solution (or better) and no others in the range. Ignore solutions outside the range. SCs as above.
1 Solve the equation $2 \sec ^ { 2 } \theta = 5 \tan \theta$, for $0 \leqslant \theta \leqslant \pi$.

\hfill \mbox{\textit{OCR MEI C4  Q1 [6]}}