Standard +0.3 This is a standard C3 harmonic form question with routine application to a real-world context. Part (a) uses the standard R sin(θ-α) technique, parts (b) and (c) apply this directly to find maxima, and part (d) requires solving a trigonometric equation. All steps follow well-practiced procedures with no novel insight required, making it slightly easier than average.
7. (a) Express \(2 \sin \theta - 1.5 \cos \theta\) in the form \(R \sin ( \theta - \alpha )\), where \(R > 0\) and \(0 < \alpha < \frac { \pi } { 2 }\).
Give the value of \(\alpha\) to 4 decimal places.
(b) (i) Find the maximum value of \(2 \sin \theta - 1.5 \cos \theta\).
(ii) Find the value of \(\theta\), for \(0 \leqslant \theta < \pi\), at which this maximum occurs.
Tom models the height of sea water, \(H\) metres, on a particular day by the equation
$$H = 6 + 2 \sin \left( \frac { 4 \pi t } { 25 } \right) - 1.5 \cos \left( \frac { 4 \pi t } { 25 } \right) , \quad 0 \leqslant t < 12$$
where \(t\) hours is the number of hours after midday.
(c) Calculate the maximum value of \(H\) predicted by this model and the value of \(t\), to 2 decimal places, when this maximum occurs.
(d) Calculate, to the nearest minute, the times when the height of sea water is predicted, by this model, to be 7 metres.
7. (a) Express $2 \sin \theta - 1.5 \cos \theta$ in the form $R \sin ( \theta - \alpha )$, where $R > 0$ and $0 < \alpha < \frac { \pi } { 2 }$.
Give the value of $\alpha$ to 4 decimal places.\\
(b) (i) Find the maximum value of $2 \sin \theta - 1.5 \cos \theta$.\\
(ii) Find the value of $\theta$, for $0 \leqslant \theta < \pi$, at which this maximum occurs.
Tom models the height of sea water, $H$ metres, on a particular day by the equation
$$H = 6 + 2 \sin \left( \frac { 4 \pi t } { 25 } \right) - 1.5 \cos \left( \frac { 4 \pi t } { 25 } \right) , \quad 0 \leqslant t < 12$$
where $t$ hours is the number of hours after midday.\\
(c) Calculate the maximum value of $H$ predicted by this model and the value of $t$, to 2 decimal places, when this maximum occurs.\\
(d) Calculate, to the nearest minute, the times when the height of sea water is predicted, by this model, to be 7 metres.
\hfill \mbox{\textit{Edexcel C3 2010 Q7 [15]}}