Harmonic Form

215 questions · 19 question types identified

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Express and solve equation

A question is this type if and only if it requires expressing in harmonic form and then using that form to solve a trigonometric equation for specific values of the variable.

100 Standard +0.1
46.5% of questions
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3 Solve the equation \(\sin \left( 2 \theta + 30 ^ { \circ } \right) = 5 \cos \left( 2 \theta + 60 ^ { \circ } \right)\) for \(0 ^ { \circ } < \theta < 180 ^ { \circ }\).
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Easiest question Moderate -0.3 »
4
  1. Express \(3 \cos \theta + 2 \sin \theta\) in the form \(R \cos ( \theta - \alpha )\), where \(R > 0\) and \(0 ^ { \circ } < \alpha < 90 ^ { \circ }\), stating the exact value of \(R\) and giving the value of \(\alpha\) correct to 1 decimal place.
  2. Solve the equation $$3 \cos \theta + 2 \sin \theta = 3.5$$ giving all solutions in the interval \(0 ^ { \circ } \leqslant \theta \leqslant 180 ^ { \circ }\).
  3. The graph of \(y = 3 \cos \theta + 2 \sin \theta\), for \(0 ^ { \circ } \leqslant \theta \leqslant 180 ^ { \circ }\), has one stationary point. State the coordinates of this point. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{9b103197-7ba0-427a-b983-34edb51b6cca-3_421_823_299_662} The diagram shows the curve \(y = 2 x \mathrm { e } ^ { - x }\) and its maximum point \(P\). Each of the two points \(Q\) and \(R\) on the curve has \(y\)-coordinate equal to \(\frac { 1 } { 2 }\).
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Hardest question Challenging +1.2 »
8
  1. Express \(3 \sin 2 \theta \sec \theta + 10 \cos \left( \theta - 30 ^ { \circ } \right)\) in the form \(R \sin ( \theta + \alpha )\) where \(R > 0\) and \(0 ^ { \circ } < \alpha < 90 ^ { \circ }\). Give the value of \(\alpha\) correct to 2 decimal places.
  2. Hence solve the equation \(3 \sin 4 \beta \sec 2 \beta + 10 \cos \left( 2 \beta - 30 ^ { \circ } \right) = 2\) for \(0 ^ { \circ } < \beta < 90 ^ { \circ }\).
    If you use the following lined page to complete the answer(s) to any question(s), the question number(s) must be clearly shown.
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Find value where max/min occurs

A question is this type if and only if it asks to find the specific value of the variable (angle or time) at which a maximum or minimum value occurs.

23 Standard +0.2
10.7% of questions
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Express \(3\sin x + 2\cos x\) in the form \(R\sin(x + \alpha)\), where \(R > 0\) and \(0 < \alpha < \frac{\pi}{2}\). Hence find, correct to 2 decimal places, the coordinates of the maximum point on the curve \(y = f(x)\), where $$f(x) = 3\sin x + 2\cos x, \quad 0 < x < \pi.$$ [7]
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Easiest question Moderate -0.3 »
7 Fig. 1 shows part of the graph of \(y = \sin x \quad \sqrt { 3 } \cos x\). \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{c0fcd64b-8ca0-4309-9f58-c23cc4208f4d-3_452_613_1187_745} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 1}
\end{figure} Express \(\quad \sqrt { } \quad\) in the form \(R \sin ( x - \alpha )\), where \(R > 0\) and \(0 \leqslant \alpha \leqslant \frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi\).
Hence write down the exact coordinates of the turning point P .
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Hardest question Standard +0.8 »
A new design for a company logo is to be made from two sectors of a circle, \(ORP\) and \(OQS\), and a rhombus \(OSTR\), as shown in the diagram below. \includegraphics{figure_7} The points \(P\), \(O\) and \(Q\) lie on a straight line and the angle \(ROS\) is \(\theta\) radians. A large copy of the logo, with \(PQ = 5\) metres, is to be put on a wall.
  1. Show that the area of the logo, \(A\) square metres, is given by $$A = \frac{25}{8}(\pi - \theta + 2\sin\theta)$$ [4 marks]
    1. Show that the maximum value of \(A\) occurs when \(\theta = \frac{\pi}{3}\) Fully justify your answer. [6 marks]
    2. Find the exact maximum value of \(A\) [2 marks]
  2. Without further calculation, state how your answers to parts (b)(i) and (b)(ii) would change if \(PQ\) were increased to 10 metres. [2 marks]
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Applied context modeling

A question is this type if and only if it involves a real-world scenario (tides, temperature, Ferris wheel, daylight hours) modeled by harmonic functions, requiring interpretation and calculation.

23 Standard +0.3
10.7% of questions
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8. (a) Express \(3 \cos \theta + 4 \sin \theta\) in the form \(R \cos ( \theta - \alpha )\), where \(R\) and \(\alpha\) are constants, \(R > 0\) and \(0 < \alpha < 90 ^ { \circ }\).
(b) Hence find the maximum value of \(3 \cos \theta + 4 \sin \theta\) and the smallest positive value of \(\theta\) for which this maximum occurs. The temperature, \(\mathrm { f } ( t )\), of a warehouse is modelled using the equation $$f ( t ) = 10 + 3 \cos ( 15 t ) ^ { \circ } + 4 \sin ( 15 t ) ^ { \circ }$$ where \(t\) is the time in hours from midday and \(0 \leqslant t < 24\).
(c) Calculate the minimum temperature of the warehouse as given by this model.
(d) Find the value of \(t\) when this minimum temperature occurs.
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Easiest question Standard +0.3 »
7. (a) Express \(\cos x + 4 \sin x\) in the form \(R \cos ( x - \alpha )\) where \(R > 0\) and \(0 < \alpha < \frac { \pi } { 2 }\) Give the exact value of \(R\) and give the value of \(\alpha\), in radians, to 3 decimal places. A scientist is studying the behaviour of seabirds in a colony. She models the height above sea level, \(H\) metres, of one of the birds in the colony by the equation $$H = \frac { 24 } { 3 + \cos \left( \frac { 1 } { 2 } t \right) + 4 \sin \left( \frac { 1 } { 2 } t \right) } \quad 0 \leqslant t \leqslant 6.5$$ where \(t\) seconds is the time after it leaves the nest. Find, according to the model,
(b) the minimum height of the seabird above sea level, giving your answer to the nearest cm,
(c) the value of \(t\), to 2 decimal places, when \(H = 10\) \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{96948fd3-5438-4e95-b41b-2f649ca8dfac-21_2255_50_314_34}
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Hardest question Standard +0.8 »
  1. During 2029, the number of hours of daylight per day in London, H, is modelled by the equation
$$H = 0.3 \sin \left( \frac { x } { 60 } \right) - 4 \cos \left( \frac { x } { 60 } \right) + 11.5 \quad 0 \leqslant x < 365$$ where \(x\) is the number of days after 1st January 2029 and the angle is in radians.
  1. Show that, according to the model, the number of hours of daylight in London on the 31st January 2029 will be 8.13 to 3 significant figures.
  2. Use the substitution \(t = \tan \left( \frac { x } { 120 } \right)\) to show that \(H\) can be written as $$H = \frac { a t ^ { 2 } + b t + c } { 1 + t ^ { 2 } }$$ where \(a\), \(b\) and \(c\) are constants to be determined.
  3. Hence determine, according to the model, the date of the first day of 2029 when there will be at least 12 hours of daylight in London.
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Solve reciprocal trig equation

A question is this type if and only if it involves solving equations with cosec, sec, or cot that must be converted to an equation in sin and cos, then expressed in harmonic form.

9 Standard +0.6
4.2% of questions
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  1. Show that the equation \((\sqrt{2})\cos ec x + \cot x = \sqrt{3}\) can be expressed in the form \(R\sin(x - \alpha) = \sqrt{2}\), where \(R > 0\) and \(0° < \alpha < 90°\). [4]
  2. Hence solve the equation \((\sqrt{2})\cos ec x + \cot x = \sqrt{3}\), for \(0° < x < 180°\). [4]
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Easiest question Standard +0.3 »
  1. (a) Write \(5 \cos \theta - 2 \sin \theta\) in the form \(R \cos ( \theta + \alpha )\), where \(R\) and \(\alpha\) are constants, \(R > 0\) and \(0 \leqslant \alpha < \frac { \pi } { 2 }\)
Give the exact value of \(R\) and give the value of \(\alpha\) in radians to 3 decimal places.
(b) Show that the equation $$5 \cot 2 x - 3 \operatorname { cosec } 2 x = 2$$ can be rewritten in the form $$5 \cos 2 x - 2 \sin 2 x = c$$ where \(c\) is a positive constant to be determined.
(c) Hence or otherwise, solve, for \(0 \leqslant x < \pi\), $$5 \cot 2 x - 3 \operatorname { cosec } 2 x = 2$$ giving your answers to 2 decimal places.
(Solutions based entirely on graphical or numerical methods are not acceptable.)
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Hardest question Challenging +1.2 »
7
  1. Express \(5 \cos \theta - 2 \sin \theta\) in the form \(R \cos ( \theta + \alpha )\), where \(R > 0\) and \(0 < \alpha < \frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi\). Give the value of \(\alpha\) correct to 4 decimal places.
  2. Using your answer from part (i), solve the equation $$5 \cot \theta - 4 \operatorname { cosec } \theta = 2$$ for \(0 < \theta < 2 \pi\).
  3. Find \(\int \frac { 1 } { \left( 5 \cos \frac { 1 } { 2 } x - 2 \sin \frac { 1 } { 2 } x \right) ^ { 2 } } \mathrm {~d} x\).
    If you use the following lined page to complete the answer(s) to any question(s), the question number(s) must be clearly shown.
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Find maximum or minimum value

A question is this type if and only if it asks to find the maximum, minimum, greatest, or least value of an expression involving trigonometric functions, typically after expressing in harmonic form.

8 Standard +0.2
3.7% of questions
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1 Express \(2 \sin \theta - 3 \cos \theta\) in the form \(R \sin ( \theta - \alpha )\), where \(R\) and \(\alpha\) are constants to be determined, and \(0 < \alpha < \frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi\). Hence write down the greatest and least possible values of \(1 + 2 \sin \theta - 3 \cos \theta\).
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Range of rational function with harmonic denominator

A question is this type if and only if it asks for the maximum, minimum, or range of a rational function where the denominator contains a harmonic expression, such as k/(a + b·sin + c·cos).

8 Standard +0.5
3.7% of questions
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12 Calculate the maximum and minimum values of \(\frac { 1 } { 2 + \cos \theta + \sqrt { 2 } \sin \theta }\) and the smallest positive values of \(\theta\) for which they occur.
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Integration using harmonic form

A question is this type if and only if it involves integrating an expression that requires expressing in harmonic form first, typically of the form 1/(a·sin + b·cos)².

7 Standard +0.6
3.3% of questions
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  1. Express \(3 \cos 2x - \sqrt{3} \sin 2x\) in the form \(R \cos(2x + \alpha)\), where \(R > 0\) and \(0 < \alpha < \frac{1}{2}\pi\). Give the exact values of \(R\) and \(\alpha\). [3]
  2. Hence find the exact value of \(\int_0^{\frac{1}{2}\pi} \frac{3}{(3 \cos 2x - \sqrt{3} \sin 2x)^2} \, dx\), simplifying your answer. [5]
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Transformations of trigonometric graphs

A question is this type if and only if it asks to describe geometric transformations (stretches, translations) that map one trigonometric curve to another using harmonic form.

7 Standard +0.4
3.3% of questions
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10
  1. Express \(7 \cos x - 2 \sin x\) in the form \(R \cos ( x + \alpha )\) where \(R > 0\) and \(0 < \alpha < \frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi\), giving the exact value of \(R\) and the value of \(\alpha\) correct to 3 significant figures.
  2. Give details of a sequence of two transformations which maps the curve \(y = \sec x\) onto the curve \(y = \frac { 1 } { 7 \cos x - 2 \sin x }\).
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Range of squared harmonic expression

A question is this type if and only if it asks for the maximum, minimum, or range of values of an expression involving the square of a harmonic form, such as (a·sin + b·cos)² or expressions like c + d·(harmonic)².

5 Standard +0.1
2.3% of questions
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2
  1. Express \(5 \sin x - 3 \cos x\) in the form \(R \sin ( x - \alpha )\), where \(R > 0\) and \(0 < \alpha < \frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi\). Give the exact value of \(R\) and give \(\alpha\) correct to 2 decimal places.
  2. Hence state the greatest and least possible values of \(( 5 \sin x - 3 \cos x ) ^ { 2 }\).
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Express in harmonic form

A question is this type if and only if it asks to express a linear combination of sin and cos (e.g., a·sin(θ) + b·cos(θ)) in the form R·sin(θ ± α) or R·cos(θ ± α), without requiring further solving.

4 Moderate -0.4
1.9% of questions
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Express \(\cos\theta + \sqrt{3}\sin\theta\) in the form \(R\cos(\theta - \alpha)\), where \(R\) and \(\alpha\) are exact values to be determined. [4]
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Express double angle or product

A question is this type if and only if it requires expressing a product of trigonometric functions (e.g., sin·cos) or double angle expressions in harmonic form, often involving identities first.

4 Standard +0.3
1.9% of questions
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$$f ( x ) = 7 \cos 2 x - 24 \sin 2 x$$ Given that \(\mathrm { f } ( x ) = R \cos ( 2 x + \alpha )\), where \(R > 0\) and \(0 < \alpha < 90 ^ { \circ }\),
  1. find the value of \(R\) and the value of \(\alpha\).
  2. Hence solve the equation $$7 \cos 2 x - 24 \sin 2 x = 12.5$$ for \(0 \leqslant x < 180 ^ { \circ }\), giving your answers to 1 decimal place.
  3. Express \(14 \cos ^ { 2 } x - 48 \sin x \cos x\) in the form \(a \cos 2 x + b \sin 2 x + c\), where \(a , b\), and \(c\) are constants to be found.
  4. Hence, using your answers to parts (a) and (c), deduce the maximum value of $$14 \cos ^ { 2 } x - 48 \sin x \cos x$$
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Stationary points of curves

A question is this type if and only if it requires finding stationary points or coordinates where dy/dx equals a specific value on a curve defined by harmonic expressions.

3 Standard +0.8
1.4% of questions
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5. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{6f22eb1b-21de-45f1-9a8a-deac7ac8d0b0-14_646_1013_207_532} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 1}
\end{figure} The curve shown in Figure 1 has equation $$x = 3 \sin y + 3 \cos y , \quad - \frac { \pi } { 4 } < y < \frac { \pi } { 4 }$$
  1. Express the equation of the curve in the form \(x = R \sin ( y + \alpha )\), where \(R\) and \(\alpha\) are constants, \(R > 0\) and \(0 < \alpha < \frac { \pi } { 2 }\)
  2. Find the coordinates of the point on the curve where the value of \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x }\) is \(\frac { 1 } { 2 }\). Give your answers to 3 decimal places.
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Expand then express in harmonic form

A question is this type if and only if it explicitly requires first expanding a compound angle expression (e.g., sin(x-30°)) before expressing the result in harmonic form.

3 Standard +0.3
1.4% of questions
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  1. By first expanding \(\cos(x + 45°)\), express \(\cos(x + 45°) - (\sqrt{2}) \sin x\) in the form \(R \cos(x + \alpha)\), where \(R > 0\) and \(0° < \alpha < 90°\). Give the value of \(R\) correct to 4 significant figures and the value of \(\alpha\) correct to 2 decimal places. [5]
  2. Hence solve the equation $$\cos(x + 45°) - (\sqrt{2}) \sin x = 2,$$ for \(0° < x < 360°\). [4]
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Range of simple harmonic function

A question is this type if and only if it asks for the range, maximum value, or minimum value of a simple harmonic expression (R·sin(θ±α) or R·cos(θ±α)) or a linear transformation of it (like a + b·R·sin(θ±α)).

3 Moderate -0.1
1.4% of questions
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6
  1. Express \(7 \cos x - 24 \sin x\) in the form \(R \cos ( x + \alpha )\), where \(0 < \alpha < \frac { \pi } { 2 }\).
  2. Write down the range of the function $$f ( x ) = 12 + 7 \cos x - 24 \sin x , \quad 0 \leqslant x \leqslant 2 \pi .$$
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Solve equation directly given harmonic form

A question is this type if and only if the harmonic form R·sin(θ ± α) or R·cos(θ ± α) is already given or stated, and the task is only to solve an equation using it.

2 Standard +0.0
0.9% of questions
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  1. Express \(3 \cos x + 3 \sin x\) in the form \(R \cos(x - \alpha)\), where \(R > 0\) and \(0 < \alpha < \frac{1}{2}\pi\). [3]
  2. The expression T\((x)\) is defined by T\((x) = \frac{8}{3 \cos x + 3 \sin x}\).
    1. Determine a value of \(x\) for which T\((x)\) is not defined. [2]
    2. Find the smallest positive value of \(x\) satisfying T\((3x) = \frac{8}{3}\sqrt{6}\), giving your answer in an exact form. [4]
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Deduce related equation solution

A question is this type if and only if it asks to use solutions from a previous part to deduce solutions to a related equation (e.g., changing sign or argument).

2 Standard +0.6
0.9% of questions
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  1. (a) Express \(2 \cos \theta - \sin \theta\) in the form \(R \cos ( \theta + \alpha )\), where \(R\) and \(\alpha\) are constants, \(R > 0\) and \(0 < \alpha < 90 ^ { \circ }\). Give the exact value of \(R\) and give the value of \(\alpha\) to 2 decimal places.
    (b) Hence solve, for \(0 \leqslant \theta < 360 ^ { \circ }\),
$$\frac { 2 } { 2 \cos \theta - \sin \theta - 1 } = 15$$ Give your answers to one decimal place.
(c) Use your solutions to parts (a) and (b) to deduce the smallest positive value of \(\theta\) for which $$\frac { 2 } { 2 \cos \theta + \sin \theta - 1 } = 15$$ Give your answer to one decimal place.
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Derivative involving harmonic form

A question is this type if and only if it involves differentiation of expressions in harmonic form or showing that a derivative can be expressed in harmonic form.

2 Standard +0.3
0.9% of questions
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7 Two quantities, \(x\) and \(\theta\), vary with time and are related by the equation \(x = 5 \sin \theta - 4 \cos \theta\).
  1. Find the value of \(x\) when \(\theta = \frac { \pi } { 2 }\).
  2. When \(\theta = \frac { \pi } { 2 }\), its rate of increase (in suitable units) is given by \(\frac { \mathrm { d } \theta } { \mathrm { d } t } = 0.1\). Show that at that moment \(\frac { \mathrm { d } x } { \mathrm {~d} t } = 0.4\).
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Show constant value or identity

A question is this type if and only if it requires proving that an expression has a constant value for all θ, or showing an algebraic identity involving harmonic expressions.

1 Standard +0.3
0.5% of questions
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5 It is given that \(a = \sin \theta - 3 \cos \theta\) and \(b = 3 \sin \theta + \cos \theta\), where \(0 ^ { \circ } \leqslant \theta \leqslant 360 ^ { \circ }\).
  1. Show that \(a ^ { 2 } + b ^ { 2 }\) has a constant value for all values of \(\theta\).
  2. Find the values of \(\theta\) for which \(2 a = b\).
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Find intersection or crossing points

A question is this type if and only if it requires finding where a harmonic curve intersects with axes or equals a specific value, giving coordinates.

1 Standard +0.3
0.5% of questions
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  1. A curve \(C\) has equation
$$y = 3 \sin 2 x + 4 \cos 2 x , - \pi \leqslant x \leqslant \pi$$ The point \(A ( 0,4 )\) lies on \(C\).
  1. Find an equation of the normal to the curve \(C\) at \(A\).
  2. Express \(y\) in the form \(R \sin ( 2 x + \alpha )\), where \(R > 0\) and \(0 < \alpha < \frac { \pi } { 2 }\). Give the value of \(\alpha\) to 3 significant figures.
  3. Find the coordinates of the points of intersection of the curve \(C\) with the \(x\)-axis. Give your answers to 2 decimal places.
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