AQA Paper 1 2020 June — Question 14 9 marks

Exam BoardAQA
ModulePaper 1 (Paper 1)
Year2020
SessionJune
Marks9
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicNewton-Raphson method
TypeNewton-Raphson with derivatives of complex functions
DifficultyStandard +0.3 This is a straightforward Newton-Raphson question with standard components: showing a change of sign (routine), verifying a given derivative using product and chain rules (mechanical), applying the iterative formula twice (calculator work), and explaining why x₁=0 fails (f'(0) is undefined due to division by zero). All parts are textbook-standard with no novel insight required, making it slightly easier than average.
Spec1.06a Exponential function: a^x and e^x graphs and properties1.07j Differentiate exponentials: e^(kx) and a^(kx)1.09d Newton-Raphson method

14 The function f is defined by $$f ( x ) = 3 ^ { x } \sqrt { x } - 1 \quad \text { where } x \geq 0$$ 14
  1. \(\quad \mathrm { f } ( x ) = 0\) has a single solution at the point \(x = \alpha\) By considering a suitable change of sign, show that \(\alpha\) lies between 0 and 1
    14
  2. (i) Show that $$\mathrm { f } ^ { \prime } ( x ) = \frac { 3 ^ { x } ( 1 + x \ln 9 ) } { 2 \sqrt { x } }$$
    14 (b) (ii) Use the Newton-Raphson method with \(x _ { 1 } = 1\) to find \(x _ { 3 }\), an approximation for \(\alpha\).
    Give your answer to five decimal places.
    [2 marks] \(\_\_\_\_\) \(\_\_\_\_\) \(\_\_\_\_\) \(\_\_\_\_\) \(\_\_\_\_\) \(\_\_\_\_\) \(\_\_\_\_\) \(\_\_\_\_\) \(\_\_\_\_\) \(\_\_\_\_\) \(\_\_\_\_\) \(\_\_\_\_\)
    14 (b) (iii) Explain why the Newton-Raphson method fails to find \(\alpha\) with \(x _ { 1 } = 0\)
    [2 marks] \(\_\_\_\_\) \(\_\_\_\_\) \(\_\_\_\_\) \(\_\_\_\_\) \(\_\_\_\_\) \(\_\_\_\_\) \(\_\_\_\_\) \(\_\_\_\_\) \(\_\_\_\_\) \(\_\_\_\_\) \(\_\_\_\_\) \(\_\_\_\_\)

Question 14(a):
AnswerMarks Guidance
Answer/WorkingMark Guidance
\(f(0) = -1 < 0\) and \(f(1) = 3-1 = 2 > 0\)M1 (1.1a) Evaluates \(f(0)=-1\) and \(f(1)=2\); or evaluates two other suitable appropriate values correct to 1 sig fig
Change of sign implies root therefore \(\alpha\) is between 0 and 1R1 (2.1) Completes argument correctly stating \(f(0)<0\) and \(f(1)>0\) and concludes \(0 < \alpha < 1\)
Question 14(b)(i):
AnswerMarks Guidance
Answer/WorkingMark Guidance
\(f'(x) = x^{\frac{1}{2}}(3^x)\ln 3 + \frac{1}{2}x^{-\frac{1}{2}}(3^x)\)M1 (3.1a) Uses product rule to obtain expression of the form \(Ax^{\frac{1}{2}}(3^x) + Bx^{-\frac{1}{2}}(3^x)\); \(A\) and/or \(B\) can be positive or negative
\(= 3^x\left(\ln 3\sqrt{x} + \frac{1}{2\sqrt{x}}\right)\)A1 (1.1b) Obtains fully correct \(f'(x)\)
\(= 3^x\left(\frac{2x\ln 3}{2\sqrt{x}} + \frac{1}{2\sqrt{x}}\right)\)
\(= 3^x\left(\frac{x\ln 9}{2\sqrt{x}} + \frac{1}{2\sqrt{x}}\right)\)
\(= 3^x\left(\frac{1+x\ln 9}{2\sqrt{x}}\right)\)R1 (2.1) Completes convincing argument with no slips to show the required result. AG
Question 14(b)(ii):
AnswerMarks Guidance
Answer/WorkingMark Guidance
\(x_{n+1} = x_n - \dfrac{\dfrac{3^{x_n}\sqrt{x_n}-1}{\dfrac{3^{x_n}(1+x_n\ln 9)}{2\sqrt{x_n}}}}{}\)M1 (1.1a) Forms correct Newton-Raphson expression; PI by correct value of \(x_2\) or \(x_3\) stated to at least 3 decimal places
\(x_{n+1} = x_n - \dfrac{2\sqrt{x_n}(3^{x_n}\sqrt{x_n}-1)}{3^{x_n}(1+x_n\ln 9)}\)
\(x_2 = 0.5829716\ldots\)
\(x_3 = 0.4246536\ldots\)A1 (1.1b) Obtains correct value of \(x_3\); must be stated to five decimal places
\(x_3 \approx 0.42465\)
Question 14(b)(iii):
AnswerMarks Guidance
Answer/WorkingMark Guidance
Convergence is impossible as all values of \(x_n\) would equal 0E1 (2.4) Explains that convergence is impossible; must use the word convergence or convergent
The tangent at \(x=0\) is vertical, or explains all values of \(x_n\) would equal 0, or demonstrates that several values of \(x_n\) would be 0E1 (2.4) Explains that the tangent at \(x=0\) is vertical; or explains all values of \(x_n\) would equal 0
## Question 14(a):

| Answer/Working | Mark | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| $f(0) = -1 < 0$ and $f(1) = 3-1 = 2 > 0$ | M1 (1.1a) | Evaluates $f(0)=-1$ and $f(1)=2$; or evaluates two other suitable appropriate values correct to 1 sig fig |
| Change of sign implies root therefore $\alpha$ is between 0 and 1 | R1 (2.1) | Completes argument correctly stating $f(0)<0$ and $f(1)>0$ and concludes $0 < \alpha < 1$ |

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## Question 14(b)(i):

| Answer/Working | Mark | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| $f'(x) = x^{\frac{1}{2}}(3^x)\ln 3 + \frac{1}{2}x^{-\frac{1}{2}}(3^x)$ | M1 (3.1a) | Uses product rule to obtain expression of the form $Ax^{\frac{1}{2}}(3^x) + Bx^{-\frac{1}{2}}(3^x)$; $A$ and/or $B$ can be positive or negative |
| $= 3^x\left(\ln 3\sqrt{x} + \frac{1}{2\sqrt{x}}\right)$ | A1 (1.1b) | Obtains fully correct $f'(x)$ |
| $= 3^x\left(\frac{2x\ln 3}{2\sqrt{x}} + \frac{1}{2\sqrt{x}}\right)$ | | |
| $= 3^x\left(\frac{x\ln 9}{2\sqrt{x}} + \frac{1}{2\sqrt{x}}\right)$ | | |
| $= 3^x\left(\frac{1+x\ln 9}{2\sqrt{x}}\right)$ | R1 (2.1) | Completes convincing argument with no slips to show the required result. AG |

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## Question 14(b)(ii):

| Answer/Working | Mark | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| $x_{n+1} = x_n - \dfrac{\dfrac{3^{x_n}\sqrt{x_n}-1}{\dfrac{3^{x_n}(1+x_n\ln 9)}{2\sqrt{x_n}}}}{}$ | M1 (1.1a) | Forms correct Newton-Raphson expression; PI by correct value of $x_2$ or $x_3$ stated to at least 3 decimal places |
| $x_{n+1} = x_n - \dfrac{2\sqrt{x_n}(3^{x_n}\sqrt{x_n}-1)}{3^{x_n}(1+x_n\ln 9)}$ | | |
| $x_2 = 0.5829716\ldots$ | | |
| $x_3 = 0.4246536\ldots$ | A1 (1.1b) | Obtains correct value of $x_3$; must be stated to five decimal places |
| $x_3 \approx 0.42465$ | | |

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## Question 14(b)(iii):

| Answer/Working | Mark | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Convergence is impossible as all values of $x_n$ would equal 0 | E1 (2.4) | Explains that convergence is impossible; must use the word convergence or convergent |
| The tangent at $x=0$ is vertical, or explains all values of $x_n$ would equal 0, or demonstrates that several values of $x_n$ would be 0 | E1 (2.4) | Explains that the tangent at $x=0$ is vertical; or explains all values of $x_n$ would equal 0 |

---
14 The function f is defined by

$$f ( x ) = 3 ^ { x } \sqrt { x } - 1 \quad \text { where } x \geq 0$$

14
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item $\quad \mathrm { f } ( x ) = 0$ has a single solution at the point $x = \alpha$\\
By considering a suitable change of sign, show that $\alpha$ lies between 0 and 1\\

14
\item (i) Show that

$$\mathrm { f } ^ { \prime } ( x ) = \frac { 3 ^ { x } ( 1 + x \ln 9 ) } { 2 \sqrt { x } }$$

\begin{center}
\begin{tabular}{|l|l|}
\hline
\begin{tabular}{l}
14 (b) (ii) Use the Newton-Raphson method with $x _ { 1 } = 1$ to find $x _ { 3 }$, an approximation for $\alpha$. \\
Give your answer to five decimal places. \\[0pt]
[2 marks] $\_\_\_\_$ $\_\_\_\_$ $\_\_\_\_$ $\_\_\_\_$ $\_\_\_\_$ $\_\_\_\_$ $\_\_\_\_$ $\_\_\_\_$ $\_\_\_\_$ $\_\_\_\_$ $\_\_\_\_$ $\_\_\_\_$ \\
14 (b) (iii) Explain why the Newton-Raphson method fails to find $\alpha$ with $x _ { 1 } = 0$ \\[0pt]
[2 marks] $\_\_\_\_$ $\_\_\_\_$ $\_\_\_\_$ $\_\_\_\_$ $\_\_\_\_$ $\_\_\_\_$ $\_\_\_\_$ $\_\_\_\_$ $\_\_\_\_$ $\_\_\_\_$ $\_\_\_\_$ $\_\_\_\_$ \\
\end{tabular} &  \\
\hline
\end{tabular}
\end{center}
\end{enumerate}

\hfill \mbox{\textit{AQA Paper 1 2020 Q14 [9]}}