Pre-U Pre-U 9795 Specimen — Question 12

Exam BoardPre-U
ModulePre-U 9795 (Pre-U Further Mathematics)
SessionSpecimen
TopicPolar coordinates
TypeArea enclosed by polar curve
DifficultyChallenging +1.8 This is a substantial multi-part polar coordinates question requiring: (i) conceptual understanding of symmetry and tangents at the pole, (ii) double-angle identity manipulation and standard polar area integration, and (iii) arc length formula with a hyperbolic substitution. While each component uses known techniques, the arc length with hyperbolic substitution is non-routine for A-level, and the question requires sustained multi-step reasoning across three parts. This places it well above average difficulty but not at the extreme end, as students prepared for Further Maths polar curves would have practiced similar problems.
Spec4.07e Inverse hyperbolic: definitions, domains, ranges4.07f Inverse hyperbolic: logarithmic forms4.09b Sketch polar curves: r = f(theta)4.09c Area enclosed: by polar curve

12 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{0f5edc87-cb14-4583-a54d-badec47741d1-08_414_659_804_744} The diagram shows a sketch of the curve \(C\) with polar equation \(r = 4 \cos ^ { 2 } \theta\) for \(- \frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi \leqslant \theta \leqslant \frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi\).
  1. Explain briefly how you can tell from this form of the equation that \(C\) is symmetrical about the line \(\theta = 0\) and that the tangent to \(C\) at the pole \(O\) is perpendicular to the line \(\theta = 0\).
  2. The equation of \(C\) may be expressed in the form \(r = k ( 1 + \cos 2 \theta )\). State the value of \(k\) and use this form to show that the area of the region enclosed by \(C\) is given by $$\int _ { - \frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi } ^ { \frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi } ( 3 + 4 \cos 2 \theta + \cos 4 \theta ) d \theta ,$$ and hence find this area.
  3. The length of \(C\) is denoted by \(L\). Show that $$L = 8 \int _ { 0 } ^ { \frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi } \cos \theta \sqrt { 1 + 3 \sin ^ { 2 } \theta } \mathrm {~d} \theta$$ and use the substitution \(\sinh x = \sqrt { 3 } \sin \theta\) to determine \(L\) in an exact form.

12\\
\includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{0f5edc87-cb14-4583-a54d-badec47741d1-08_414_659_804_744}

The diagram shows a sketch of the curve $C$ with polar equation $r = 4 \cos ^ { 2 } \theta$ for $- \frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi \leqslant \theta \leqslant \frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi$.\\
(i) Explain briefly how you can tell from this form of the equation that $C$ is symmetrical about the line $\theta = 0$ and that the tangent to $C$ at the pole $O$ is perpendicular to the line $\theta = 0$.\\
(ii) The equation of $C$ may be expressed in the form $r = k ( 1 + \cos 2 \theta )$. State the value of $k$ and use this form to show that the area of the region enclosed by $C$ is given by

$$\int _ { - \frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi } ^ { \frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi } ( 3 + 4 \cos 2 \theta + \cos 4 \theta ) d \theta ,$$

and hence find this area.\\
(iii) The length of $C$ is denoted by $L$. Show that

$$L = 8 \int _ { 0 } ^ { \frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi } \cos \theta \sqrt { 1 + 3 \sin ^ { 2 } \theta } \mathrm {~d} \theta$$

and use the substitution $\sinh x = \sqrt { 3 } \sin \theta$ to determine $L$ in an exact form.

\hfill \mbox{\textit{Pre-U Pre-U 9795  Q12}}