| Exam Board | OCR MEI |
|---|---|
| Module | C4 (Core Mathematics 4) |
| Year | 2008 |
| Session | June |
| Marks | 3 |
| Paper | Download PDF ↗ |
| Mark scheme | Download PDF ↗ |
| Topic | Conic sections |
| Type | Parametric point verification |
| Difficulty | Moderate -0.8 This is a straightforward verification requiring only the standard trigonometric identity sec²θ - tan²θ = 1. Students substitute the parametric equations, factor out constants, and apply the identity directly—a routine exercise with no problem-solving or novel insight required, making it easier than average. |
| Spec | 1.03g Parametric equations: of curves and conversion to cartesian1.05j Trigonometric identities: tan=sin/cos and sin^2+cos^2=11.05k Further identities: sec^2=1+tan^2 and cosec^2=1+cot^2 |
| Answer | Marks |
|---|---|
| Either ... Or ... (two configurations shown) | B2 |
Either ... Or ... (two configurations shown) | B24 Given that $x = 2 \sec \theta$ and $y = 3 \tan \theta$, show that $\frac { x ^ { 2 } } { 4 } - \frac { y ^ { 2 } } { 9 } = 1$.
\hfill \mbox{\textit{OCR MEI C4 2008 Q4 [3]}}