| Exam Board | AQA |
|---|---|
| Module | C3 (Core Mathematics 3) |
| Year | 2010 |
| Session | January |
| Marks | 11 |
| Paper | Download PDF ↗ |
| Mark scheme | Download PDF ↗ |
| Topic | Composite & Inverse Functions |
| Type | Find inverse function |
| Difficulty | Moderate -0.3 This is a standard C3 inverse function question with routine techniques: finding range of exponential function, finding inverse by swapping and rearranging, solving simple equations, and function composition. All parts follow textbook procedures with no novel insight required, making it slightly easier than average. |
| Spec | 1.02u Functions: definition and vocabulary (domain, range, mapping)1.02v Inverse and composite functions: graphs and conditions for existence1.06a Exponential function: a^x and e^x graphs and properties |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Answer/Working | Mark | Guidance |
| \(f(x) > -3\) | M1 | |
| A1 | Allow \(y > -3\); also accept \(> -3\), \(x > -3\), \(f(x) \geq -3\) |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Answer/Working | Mark | Guidance |
| \(y = e^{2x} - 3\), so \(y + 3 = e^{2x}\), so \(\ln(y+3) = 2x\) | M1 | swap \(x\) and \(y\) |
| M1 | attempt to isolate: \(\ln(y \pm A) = Bx\) or reverse | |
| \(f^{-1}(x) = \frac{1}{2}\ln(x+3)\) | A1 | OE with no further incorrect working; condone \(y = \ldots\) |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Answer/Working | Mark | Guidance |
| \(x \to \times 2 \to e \to -3\); \(\div 2 \leftarrow \ln \leftarrow +3 \leftarrow x\) | (M1)(M1) | |
| \(y = \frac{\ln(x+3)}{2}\) | (A1) |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Answer/Working | Mark | Guidance |
| \(x + 3 = 1\) | M1 | for putting their \(p(x) = 1\) from \(k\ln(p(x))\) in their part (b)(i) |
| \(x = -2\) | A1 | CSO. SC: B2 \(x = -2\) with no working, if full marks gained in part (b)(i) |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Answer/Working | Mark | Guidance |
| \(gf(x) = \frac{1}{3(e^{2x}-3)+4}\) or \(= \frac{1}{3e^{2x}-5}\) | B1 | substituting \(f\) into \(g\); ISW |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Answer/Working | Mark | Guidance |
| \(\frac{1}{3e^{2x}-5} = 1\), so \(1 = 3e^{2x} - 5\) | M1 | Correct removal of their fraction |
| \(e^{2x} = 2\), so \(2x = \ln 2\) | m1 | Correct use of logs leading to \(kx = \ln\frac{a}{b}\) |
| \(x = \frac{1}{2}\ln 2\) | A1 | CSO. No ISW except for numerical evaluation |
## Question 6(a):
| Answer/Working | Mark | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| $f(x) > -3$ | M1 | |
| | A1 | Allow $y > -3$; also accept $> -3$, $x > -3$, $f(x) \geq -3$ |
## Question 6(b)(i):
| Answer/Working | Mark | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| $y = e^{2x} - 3$, so $y + 3 = e^{2x}$, so $\ln(y+3) = 2x$ | M1 | swap $x$ and $y$ |
| | M1 | attempt to isolate: $\ln(y \pm A) = Bx$ or reverse |
| $f^{-1}(x) = \frac{1}{2}\ln(x+3)$ | A1 | OE with no further incorrect working; condone $y = \ldots$ |
**Alternative:**
| Answer/Working | Mark | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| $x \to \times 2 \to e \to -3$; $\div 2 \leftarrow \ln \leftarrow +3 \leftarrow x$ | (M1)(M1) | |
| $y = \frac{\ln(x+3)}{2}$ | (A1) | |
## Question 6(b)(ii):
| Answer/Working | Mark | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| $x + 3 = 1$ | M1 | for putting their $p(x) = 1$ from $k\ln(p(x))$ in their part (b)(i) |
| $x = -2$ | A1 | CSO. SC: B2 $x = -2$ with no working, if full marks gained in part (b)(i) |
## Question 6(c)(i):
| Answer/Working | Mark | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| $gf(x) = \frac{1}{3(e^{2x}-3)+4}$ or $= \frac{1}{3e^{2x}-5}$ | B1 | substituting $f$ into $g$; ISW |
## Question 6(c)(ii):
| Answer/Working | Mark | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| $\frac{1}{3e^{2x}-5} = 1$, so $1 = 3e^{2x} - 5$ | M1 | Correct removal of their fraction |
| $e^{2x} = 2$, so $2x = \ln 2$ | m1 | Correct use of logs leading to $kx = \ln\frac{a}{b}$ |
| $x = \frac{1}{2}\ln 2$ | A1 | CSO. No ISW except for numerical evaluation |
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6 The functions $f$ and $g$ are defined with their respective domains by
$$\begin{array} { l l }
\mathrm { f } ( x ) = \mathrm { e } ^ { 2 x } - 3 , & \text { for all real values of } x \\
\mathrm {~g} ( x ) = \frac { 1 } { 3 x + 4 } , & \text { for real values of } x , x \neq - \frac { 4 } { 3 }
\end{array}$$
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item Find the range of $f$.
\item The inverse of f is $\mathrm { f } ^ { - 1 }$.
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\roman*)]
\item Find $\mathrm { f } ^ { - 1 } ( x )$.
\item Solve the equation $\mathrm { f } ^ { - 1 } ( x ) = 0$.
\end{enumerate}\item \begin{enumerate}[label=(\roman*)]
\item Find an expression for $\operatorname { gf } ( x )$.
\item Solve the equation $\mathrm { gf } ( x ) = 1$, giving your answer in an exact form.
\end{enumerate}\end{enumerate}
\hfill \mbox{\textit{AQA C3 2010 Q6 [11]}}