AQA Further Paper 2 Specimen — Question 11 8 marks

Exam BoardAQA
ModuleFurther Paper 2 (Further Paper 2)
SessionSpecimen
Marks8
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicPolar coordinates
TypeArea of region with line boundary
DifficultyChallenging +1.8 This Further Maths question requires integration of polar area formula with a trigonometric substitution, plus geometric reasoning about equilateral triangles in polar coordinates. Part (a) is a standard polar area calculation but requires knowing the formula and integrating cos²θ. Part (b) demands insight into polar geometry and solving for a line through two points on the curve, which is non-routine and requires synthesis of multiple concepts.
Spec4.09b Sketch polar curves: r = f(theta)4.09c Area enclosed: by polar curve

The diagram shows a sketch of a curve \(C\), the pole \(O\) and the initial line. \includegraphics{figure_11} The polar equation of \(C\) is \(r = 4 + 2\cos \theta\), \quad \(-\pi \leq \theta \leq \pi\)
  1. Show that the area of the region bounded by the curve \(C\) is \(18\pi\) [4 marks]
  2. Points \(A\) and \(B\) lie on the curve \(C\) such that \(-\frac{\pi}{2} < \theta < \frac{\pi}{2}\) and \(AOB\) is an equilateral triangle. Find the polar equation of the line segment \(AB\) [4 marks]

Question 11:

AnswerMarks
11(a)1 
Uses  r2 d or  r2 d OE
AnswerMarks Guidance
2 0AO1.1a M1
 4+2cos2 d
2
1 π
 (16+16cos+4cos2) d
2 π
π
 (8+8cos+(1+cos2)) d
π
π
 1 
88sin sin2
 
 2 
π
=
π
 1 
 98sin sin2
 
 2 

(9π+0+0)(9π00)
= 18π
Rewrites cos2 in terms of
AnswerMarks Guidance
cos2AO1.1a M1
Correctly integrates ‘their’
AnswerMarks Guidance
expression, ft non-zero coefficients.AO1.1b A1F
Obtains required answer from fully
AnswerMarks Guidance
correct mathematical argumentAO2.1 R1
(b)Selects appropriate method to
determine polar equation by
AnswerMarks Guidance
equating OA and OB to find θAO3.1a M1
1 2 2
1
OAOBr r
1 2
42cos θ 42cos θ
1 2
 
1 2
π π
Angle AOB    
3 1 2 3
π π
  and θ  
1 6 2 6
OAOB4+ 3
AB is perpendicular to the initial
line
Polar equation of AB is
  3  
rcos 4+ 3 for  
2 6 6
Uses the above to find two values
of θ and hence deduce the lengths
of OA and OB
Award this mark for correct
AnswerMarks Guidance
deduction using ‘their’ values of θAO2.2a R1
Uses the correct polar equation for
AnswerMarks Guidance
a perpendicular line r = dsec θAO3.1a M1
Obtains a correct equation for AB
(including correct specified range)
AnswerMarks Guidance
CAOAO1.1b A1
Total8
QMarking Instructions AO
Question 11:
--- 11(a) ---
11(a) | 1 
Uses  r2 d or  r2 d OE
2 0 | AO1.1a | M1 | 1
 4+2cos2 d
2
1 π
 (16+16cos+4cos2) d
2 π
π
 (8+8cos+(1+cos2)) d
π
π
 1 
88sin sin2
 
 2 
π
=
π
 1 
 98sin sin2
 
 2 

(9π+0+0)(9π00)
= 18π
Rewrites cos2 in terms of
cos2 | AO1.1a | M1
Correctly integrates ‘their’
expression, ft non-zero coefficients. | AO1.1b | A1F
Obtains required answer from fully
correct mathematical argument | AO2.1 | R1
(b) | Selects appropriate method to
determine polar equation by
equating OA and OB to find θ | AO3.1a | M1 | Let A  r ,   and Br ,  
1 2 2
1
OAOBr r
1 2
42cos θ 42cos θ
1 2
 
1 2
π π
Angle AOB    
3 1 2 3
π π
  and θ  
1 6 2 6
OAOB4+ 3
AB is perpendicular to the initial
line
Polar equation of AB is
  3  
rcos 4+ 3 for  
2 6 6
Uses the above to find two values
of θ and hence deduce the lengths
of OA and OB
Award this mark for correct
deduction using ‘their’ values of θ | AO2.2a | R1
Uses the correct polar equation for
a perpendicular line r = dsec θ | AO3.1a | M1
Obtains a correct equation for AB
(including correct specified range)
CAO | AO1.1b | A1
Total | 8
Q | Marking Instructions | AO | Marks | Typical Solution
The diagram shows a sketch of a curve $C$, the pole $O$ and the initial line.

\includegraphics{figure_11}

The polar equation of $C$ is $r = 4 + 2\cos \theta$, \quad $-\pi \leq \theta \leq \pi$

\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item Show that the area of the region bounded by the curve $C$ is $18\pi$
[4 marks]

\item Points $A$ and $B$ lie on the curve $C$ such that $-\frac{\pi}{2} < \theta < \frac{\pi}{2}$ and $AOB$ is an equilateral triangle.

Find the polar equation of the line segment $AB$
[4 marks]
\end{enumerate}

\hfill \mbox{\textit{AQA Further Paper 2  Q11 [8]}}