Pre-U Pre-U 9794/1 2013 November — Question 8

Exam BoardPre-U
ModulePre-U 9794/1 (Pre-U Mathematics Paper 1)
Year2013
SessionNovember
TopicHarmonic Form
TypeFind value where max/min occurs
DifficultyModerate -0.3 This is a standard harmonic form question requiring routine application of the R sin(x - α) formula using R = √(1² + (√8)²) = 3 and tan α = √8/1, then reading off the maximum value R = 3 at x = α + 90°. While it involves multiple steps, the technique is formulaic and commonly practiced, making it slightly easier than average.
Spec1.05n Harmonic form: a sin(x)+b cos(x) = R sin(x+alpha) etc1.05o Trigonometric equations: solve in given intervals

8
  1. Express \(\sin x - \sqrt { 8 } \cos x\) in the form \(R \sin ( x - \alpha )\) where \(R \geqslant 0\) and \(0 \leqslant \alpha \leqslant 90 ^ { \circ }\).
  2. Hence write down the maximum value of \(\sin x - \sqrt { 8 } \cos x\) and find the smallest positive value of \(x\) for which it occurs.

8 (i) Express $\sin x - \sqrt { 8 } \cos x$ in the form $R \sin ( x - \alpha )$ where $R \geqslant 0$ and $0 \leqslant \alpha \leqslant 90 ^ { \circ }$.\\
(ii) Hence write down the maximum value of $\sin x - \sqrt { 8 } \cos x$ and find the smallest positive value of $x$ for which it occurs.

\hfill \mbox{\textit{Pre-U Pre-U 9794/1 2013 Q8}}