OCR MEI C4 — Question 2 19 marks

Exam BoardOCR MEI
ModuleC4 (Core Mathematics 4)
Marks19
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicTrig Proofs
TypeProve trigonometric identity
DifficultyStandard +0.3 This is a structured, multi-part question that guides students through Archimedes' method for approximating π. While it involves multiple techniques (trigonometry, double angle formulas, exact values, solving quadratics), each step is clearly signposted and follows standard C4 procedures. The question requires careful algebraic manipulation but no novel insight—students are told exactly what to show at each stage. The most challenging aspect is maintaining accuracy through the nested surds, but this is routine for C4 level.
Spec1.05d Radians: arc length s=r*theta and sector area A=1/2 r^2 theta1.05g Exact trigonometric values: for standard angles1.05l Double angle formulae: and compound angle formulae

Archimedes, about 2200 years ago, used regular polygons inside and outside circles to obtain approximations for \(\pi\).
  1. Fig. 8.1 shows a regular 12-sided polygon inscribed in a circle of radius 1 unit, centre O. AB is one of the sides of the polygon. C is the midpoint of AB. Archimedes used the fact that the circumference of the circle is greater than the perimeter of this polygon. \includegraphics{figure_1}
    1. Show that \(\text{AB} = 2 \sin 15°\). [2]
    2. Use a double angle formula to express \(\cos 30°\) in terms of \(\sin 15°\). Using the exact value of \(\cos 30°\), show that \(\sin 15° = \frac{1}{2}\sqrt{2 - \sqrt{3}}\). [4]
    3. Use this result to find an exact expression for the perimeter of the polygon. Hence show that \(\pi > 6\sqrt{2 - \sqrt{3}}\). [2]
  2. In Fig. 8.2, a regular 12-sided polygon lies outside the circle of radius 1 unit, which touches each side of the polygon. F is the midpoint of DE. Archimedes used the fact that the circumference of the circle is less than the perimeter of this polygon. \includegraphics{figure_2}
    1. Show that \(\text{DE} = 2 \tan 15°\). [2]
    2. Let \(t = \tan 15°\). Use a double angle formula to express \(\tan 30°\) in terms of \(t\). Hence show that \(t^2 + 2\sqrt{3}t - 1 = 0\). [3]
    3. Solve this equation, and hence show that \(\pi < 12(2 - \sqrt{3})\). [4]
  3. Use the results in parts (i)(C) and (ii)(C) to establish upper and lower bounds for the value of \(\pi\), giving your answers in decimal form. [2]

Archimedes, about 2200 years ago, used regular polygons inside and outside circles to obtain approximations for $\pi$.

\begin{enumerate}[label=(\roman*)]
\item Fig. 8.1 shows a regular 12-sided polygon inscribed in a circle of radius 1 unit, centre O. AB is one of the sides of the polygon. C is the midpoint of AB. Archimedes used the fact that the circumference of the circle is greater than the perimeter of this polygon.

\includegraphics{figure_1}

\begin{enumerate}[label=(\Alph*)]
\item Show that $\text{AB} = 2 \sin 15°$. [2]

\item Use a double angle formula to express $\cos 30°$ in terms of $\sin 15°$. Using the exact value of $\cos 30°$, show that $\sin 15° = \frac{1}{2}\sqrt{2 - \sqrt{3}}$. [4]

\item Use this result to find an exact expression for the perimeter of the polygon.

Hence show that $\pi > 6\sqrt{2 - \sqrt{3}}$. [2]
\end{enumerate}

\item In Fig. 8.2, a regular 12-sided polygon lies outside the circle of radius 1 unit, which touches each side of the polygon. F is the midpoint of DE. Archimedes used the fact that the circumference of the circle is less than the perimeter of this polygon.

\includegraphics{figure_2}

\begin{enumerate}[label=(\Alph*)]
\item Show that $\text{DE} = 2 \tan 15°$. [2]

\item Let $t = \tan 15°$. Use a double angle formula to express $\tan 30°$ in terms of $t$.

Hence show that $t^2 + 2\sqrt{3}t - 1 = 0$. [3]

\item Solve this equation, and hence show that $\pi < 12(2 - \sqrt{3})$. [4]
\end{enumerate}

\item Use the results in parts (i)(C) and (ii)(C) to establish upper and lower bounds for the value of $\pi$, giving your answers in decimal form. [2]
\end{enumerate}

\hfill \mbox{\textit{OCR MEI C4  Q2 [19]}}