1.05n Harmonic form: a sin(x)+b cos(x) = R sin(x+alpha) etc

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OCR MEI C4 Q5
7 marks Standard +0.3
5 Express \(4 \cos \theta - \sin \theta\) in the form \(R \cos ( \theta + \alpha )\), where \(R > 0\) and \(0 < \alpha < \frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi\).
Hence solve the equation \(4 \cos \theta - \sin \theta = 3\), for \(0 \leqslant \theta \leqslant 2 \pi\).
Edexcel C34 2016 June Q1
9 marks Standard +0.3
  1. Express \(3 \cos \theta + 5 \sin \theta\) 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.
  2. Hence solve, for \(0 \leqslant \theta < 360 ^ { \circ }\), the equation $$3 \cos \theta + 5 \sin \theta = 2$$ Give your answers to one decimal place.
  3. Use your solutions to parts (a) and (b) to deduce the smallest positive value of \(\theta\) for which $$3 \cos \theta - 5 \sin \theta = 2$$
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CAIE P3 2020 Specimen Q7
9 marks Standard +0.3
7
  1. By first expanding \(\cos \left( x + 45 ^ { \circ } \right)\), express \(\cos \left( x + 45 ^ { \circ } \right) - \sqrt { 2 } \sin x\) in the form \(R \cos ( x + \alpha )\), where \(R > 0\) and \(0 ^ { \circ } < \alpha < 90 ^ { \circ }\). Give the value of \(R\) correct to 4 significant figures and the value of \(\alpha\) correct to 2 decimal places.
  2. Hence solve the equation $$\cos \left( x + 45 ^ { \circ } \right) - \sqrt { 2 } \sin x = 2$$ for \(0 ^ { \circ } < x < 360 ^ { \circ }\).
OCR C3 2011 January Q4
7 marks Standard +0.3
4
  1. Express \(24 \sin \theta + 7 \cos \theta\) in the form \(R \sin ( \theta + \alpha )\), where \(R > 0\) and \(0 ^ { \circ } < \alpha < 90 ^ { \circ }\).
  2. Hence solve the equation \(24 \sin \theta + 7 \cos \theta = 12\) for \(0 ^ { \circ } < \theta < 360 ^ { \circ }\).
OCR C3 2012 June Q8
11 marks Standard +0.3
8
  1. Express \(3 \sin \theta + 4 \cos \theta\) in the form \(R \sin ( \theta + \alpha )\), where \(R > 0\) and \(0 ^ { \circ } < \alpha < 90 ^ { \circ }\).
  2. Hence
    1. solve the equation \(3 \sin \theta + 4 \cos \theta + 1 = 0\), giving all solutions for which \(- 180 ^ { \circ } < \theta < 180 ^ { \circ }\),
    2. find the values of the positive constants \(k\) and \(c\) such that $$- 37 \leqslant k ( 3 \sin \theta + 4 \cos \theta ) + c \leqslant 43$$ for all values of \(\theta\).
OCR C3 2013 June Q8
12 marks Standard +0.3
8
  1. Express \(4 \cos \theta - 2 \sin \theta\) in the form \(R \cos ( \theta + \alpha )\), where \(R > 0\) and \(0 ^ { \circ } < \alpha < 90 ^ { \circ }\).
  2. Hence
    1. solve the equation \(4 \cos \theta - 2 \sin \theta = 3\) for \(0 ^ { \circ } < \theta < 360 ^ { \circ }\),
    2. determine the greatest and least values of $$25 - ( 4 \cos \theta - 2 \sin \theta ) ^ { 2 }$$ as \(\theta\) varies, and, in each case, find the smallest positive value of \(\theta\) for which that value occurs.
OCR C3 2014 June Q9
12 marks Standard +0.8
9
  1. Express \(5 \cos \left( \theta - 60 ^ { \circ } \right) + 3 \cos \theta\) in the form \(R \sin ( \theta + \alpha )\), where \(R > 0\) and \(0 ^ { \circ } < \alpha < 90 ^ { \circ }\).
  2. Hence
    1. give details of the transformations needed to transform the curve \(y = 5 \cos \left( \theta - 60 ^ { \circ } \right) + 3 \cos \theta\) to the curve \(y = \sin \theta\),
    2. find the smallest positive value of \(\beta\) satisfying the equation $$5 \cos \left( \frac { 1 } { 3 } \beta - 40 ^ { \circ } \right) + 3 \cos \left( \frac { 1 } { 3 } \beta + 20 ^ { \circ } \right) = 3 .$$ \section*{END OF QUESTION PAPER}
OCR C4 2016 June Q8
9 marks Standard +0.3
8 The points \(A\) and \(B\) have position vectors relative to the origin \(O\) given by $$\overrightarrow { O A } = \left( \begin{array} { c } 3 \sin \alpha \\ 2 \cos \alpha \\ - 1 \end{array} \right) \text { and } \overrightarrow { O B } = \left( \begin{array} { c } 2 \cos \alpha \\ 4 \sin \alpha \\ 3 \end{array} \right)$$ where \(0 ^ { \circ } < \alpha < 90 ^ { \circ }\). It is given that \(\overrightarrow { O A }\) and \(\overrightarrow { O B }\) are perpendicular.
  1. Calculate the two possible values of \(\alpha\).
  2. Calculate the area of triangle \(O A B\) for the smaller value of \(\alpha\) from part (i).
OCR MEI C4 2009 January Q6
8 marks Standard +0.8
6
  1. Express \(\cos \theta + \sqrt { 3 } \sin \theta\) in the form \(R \cos ( \theta - \alpha )\), where \(R > 0\) and \(\alpha\) is acute, expressing \(\alpha\) in terms of \(\pi\).
  2. Write down the derivative of \(\tan \theta\). Hence show that \(\int _ { 0 } ^ { \frac { 1 } { 3 } \pi } \frac { 1 } { ( \cos \theta + \sqrt { 3 } \sin \theta ) ^ { 2 } } \mathrm {~d} \theta = \frac { \sqrt { 3 } } { 4 }\).
OCR MEI C4 2010 January Q6
2 marks Standard +0.3
6 In Fig. 6, OAB is a thin bent rod, with \(\mathrm { OA } = a\) metres, \(\mathrm { AB } = b\) metres and angle \(\mathrm { OAB } = 120 ^ { \circ }\). The bent rod lies in a vertical plane. OA makes an angle \(\theta\) above the horizontal. The vertical height BD of B above O is \(h\) metres. The horizontal through A meets BD at C and the vertical through A meets OD at E . \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{26b3b9fb-7d20-4c8d-ba15-89920534c53a-3_433_899_568_625} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 6}
\end{figure}
  1. Find angle BAC in terms of \(\theta\). Hence show that $$h = a \sin \theta + b \sin \left( \theta - 60 ^ { \circ } \right) .$$
  2. Hence show that \(h = \left( a + \frac { 1 } { 2 } b \right) \sin \theta - \frac { \sqrt { 3 } } { 2 } b \cos \theta\). The rod now rotates about O , so that \(\theta\) varies. You may assume that the formulae for \(h\) in parts (i) and (ii) remain valid.
  3. Show that OB is horizontal when \(\tan \theta = \frac { \sqrt { 3 } b } { 2 a + b }\). In the case when \(a = 1\) and \(b = 2 , h = 2 \sin \theta - \sqrt { 3 } \cos \theta\).
  4. Express \(2 \sin \theta - \sqrt { 3 } \cos \theta\) in the form \(R \sin ( \theta - \alpha )\). Hence, for this case, write down the maximum value of \(h\) and the corresponding value of \(\theta\).
OCR MEI C4 2015 June Q4
8 marks Moderate -0.3
4 You are given that \(\mathrm { f } ( x ) = \cos x + \lambda \sin x\) where \(\lambda\) is a positive constant.
  1. Express \(\mathrm { f } ( x )\) in the form \(R \cos ( x - \alpha )\), where \(R > 0\) and \(0 < \alpha < \frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi\), giving \(R\) and \(\alpha\) in terms of \(\lambda\).
  2. Given that the maximum value (as \(x\) varies) of \(\mathrm { f } ( x )\) is 2 , find \(R , \lambda\) and \(\alpha\), giving your answers in exact form.
OCR FP2 2009 June Q8
14 marks Standard +0.3
8
  1. Using the definitions of \(\sinh x\) and \(\cosh x\) in terms of \(\mathrm { e } ^ { x }\) and \(\mathrm { e } ^ { - x }\), show that
    1. \(\cosh ( \ln a ) \equiv \frac { a ^ { 2 } + 1 } { 2 a }\), where \(a > 0\),
    2. \(\cosh x \cosh y - \sinh x \sinh y \equiv \cosh ( x - y )\).
    3. Use part (i)(b) to show that \(\cosh ^ { 2 } x - \sinh ^ { 2 } x \equiv 1\).
    4. Given that \(R > 0\) and \(a > 1\), find \(R\) and \(a\) such that $$13 \cosh x - 5 \sinh x \equiv R \cosh ( x - \ln a )$$
    5. Hence write down the coordinates of the minimum point on the curve with equation \(y = 13 \cosh x - 5 \sinh x\).
CAIE FP1 2010 June Q8
9 marks Challenging +1.2
8 Obtain the general solution of the differential equation $$\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } y } { \mathrm {~d} x ^ { 2 } } + 5 \frac { \mathrm {~d} y } { \mathrm {~d} x } + 4 y = 10 \sin 3 x - 20 \cos 3 x$$ Show that, for large positive \(x\) and independently of the initial conditions, $$y \approx R \sin ( 3 x + \phi )$$ where the constants \(R\) and \(\phi\), such that \(R > 0\) and \(0 < \phi < 2 \pi\), are to be determined correct to 2 decimal places.
OCR H240/01 2019 June Q9
11 marks Standard +0.3
9
  1. Express \(3 \cos 3 x + 7 \sin 3 x\) in the form \(R \cos ( 3 x - \alpha )\), where \(R > 0\) and \(0 < \alpha < \frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi\).
  2. Give full details of a sequence of three transformations needed to transform the curve \(y = \cos x\) to the curve \(y = 3 \cos 3 x + 7 \sin 3 x\).
  3. Determine the greatest value of \(3 \cos 3 x + 7 \sin 3 x\) as \(x\) varies and give the smallest positive value of \(x\) for which it occurs.
  4. Determine the least value of \(3 \cos 3 x + 7 \sin 3 x\) as \(x\) varies and give the smallest positive value of \(x\) for which it occurs.
Edexcel PMT Mocks Q6
7 marks Standard +0.3
6. a. Express \(4 \sin x - 5 \cos x\) in the form \(R \sin ( x - \alpha )\), where \(R > 0\) and \(0 < \alpha < 90 ^ { \circ }\). Give the exact value of \(R\), and give the value of \(\alpha\), in degrees, to 2 decimal places. $$T = \frac { 8400 } { 19 + ( 4 \sin x - 5 \cos x ) ^ { 2 } } , x > 0$$ b. Use your answer to part \(a\) to calculate
i. the minimum value of \(T\).
ii. the smallest value of \(x , x > 0\), at which this minimum value occurs.
Edexcel PMT Mocks Q7
9 marks Standard +0.3
  1. Solve \(0 \leq \theta \leq 180 ^ { 0 }\), the equation $$4 \cos \theta = \sqrt { 3 } \operatorname { cosec } \theta$$
  2. Solve, for \(0 \leq x \leq 2 \pi\), the equation $$\cos x - \sqrt { 3 } \sin x = \sqrt { 3 }$$
Edexcel PMT Mocks Q9
5 marks Standard +0.8
9. $$\mathrm { f } ( \theta ) = 4 \cos \theta + 5 \sin \theta \quad \theta \in R$$ a. Express \(\mathrm { f } ( \theta )\) in the form \(R \cos ( \theta - \alpha )\) where \(R\) and \(\alpha\) are constants, \(R > 0\) and \(0 < \alpha < \frac { \pi } { 2 }\). Give the exact value of \(R\) and give the value of \(\alpha\), in radians, to 3 decimal places. Given that $$\mathrm { g } ( \theta ) = \frac { 135 } { 4 + \mathrm { f } ( \theta ) ^ { 2 } } \quad \theta \in R$$ b.find the range of \(g\).
Edexcel Paper 1 2024 June Q12
11 marks Standard +0.3
  1. Express \(140 \cos \theta - 480 \sin \theta\) in the form \(K \cos ( \theta + \alpha )\) where \(K > 0\) and \(0 < \alpha < 90 ^ { \circ }\) State the value of \(K\) and give the value of \(\alpha\), in degrees, to 2 decimal places. A scientist studies the number of rabbits and the number of foxes in a wood for one year. The number of rabbits, \(R\), is modelled by the equation $$R = A + 140 \cos ( 30 t ) ^ { \circ } - 480 \sin ( 30 t ) ^ { \circ }$$ where \(t\) months is the time after the start of the year and \(A\) is a constant.
    Given that, during the year, the maximum number of rabbits in the wood is 1500
    1. find a complete equation for this model.
    2. Hence write down the minimum number of rabbits in the wood during the year according to the model. The actual number of rabbits in the wood is at its minimum value in the middle of April.
  2. Use this information to comment on the model for the number of rabbits. The number of foxes, \(F\), in the wood during the same year is modelled by the equation $$F = 100 + 70 \sin ( 30 t + 70 ) ^ { \circ }$$ The number of foxes is at its minimum value after \(T\) months.
  3. Find, according to the models, the number of rabbits in the wood at time \(T\) months.
Edexcel Paper 1 2020 October Q6
7 marks Standard +0.3
  1. Express \(\sin x + 2 \cos x\) in the form \(R \sin ( x + \alpha )\) where \(R\) and \(\alpha\) are constants, \(R > 0\) and \(0 < \alpha < \frac { \pi } { 2 }\) Give the exact value of \(R\) and give the value of \(\alpha\) in radians to 3 decimal places. The temperature, \(\theta ^ { \circ } \mathrm { C }\), inside a room on a given day is modelled by the equation $$\theta = 5 + \sin \left( \frac { \pi t } { 12 } - 3 \right) + 2 \cos \left( \frac { \pi t } { 12 } - 3 \right) \quad 0 \leqslant t < 24$$ where \(t\) is the number of hours after midnight.
    Using the equation of the model and your answer to part (a),
  2. deduce the maximum temperature of the room during this day,
  3. find the time of day when the maximum temperature occurs, giving your answer to the nearest minute.
Edexcel Paper 1 Specimen Q13
11 marks Standard +0.3
13.
  1. Express \(2 \sin \theta - 1.5 \cos \theta\) in the form \(R \sin ( \theta - \alpha )\), where \(R > 0\) and \(0 < \alpha < \frac { \pi } { 2 }\) State the value of \(R\) and give the value of \(\alpha\) to 4 decimal places. Tom models the depth of water, \(D\) metres, at Southview harbour on 18th October 2017 by the formula $$D = 6 + 2 \sin \left( \frac { 4 \pi t } { 25 } \right) - 1.5 \cos \left( \frac { 4 \pi t } { 25 } \right) , \quad 0 \leqslant t \leqslant 24$$ where \(t\) is the time, in hours, after 00:00 hours on 18th October 2017. Use Tom's model to
  2. find the depth of water at 00:00 hours on 18th October 2017,
  3. find the maximum depth of water,
  4. find the time, in the afternoon, when the maximum depth of water occurs. Give your answer to the nearest minute. Tom's model is supported by measurements of \(D\) taken at regular intervals on 18th October 2017. Jolene attempts to use a similar model in order to model the depth of water at Southview harbour on 19th October 2017. Jolene models the depth of water, \(H\) metres, at Southview harbour on 19th October 2017 by the formula $$H = 6 + 2 \sin \left( \frac { 4 \pi x } { 25 } \right) - 1.5 \cos \left( \frac { 4 \pi x } { 25 } \right) , \quad 0 \leqslant x \leqslant 24$$ where \(x\) is the time, in hours, after 00:00 hours on 19th October 2017.
    By considering the depth of water at 00:00 hours on 19th October 2017 for both models,
    1. explain why Jolene's model is not correct,
    2. hence find a suitable model for \(H\) in terms of \(x\).
Edexcel Paper 2 2018 June Q7
9 marks Standard +0.8
  1. Solve, for \(0 \leqslant x < \frac { \pi } { 2 }\), the equation $$4 \sin x = \sec x$$
  2. Solve, for \(0 \leqslant \theta < 360 ^ { \circ }\), the equation $$5 \sin \theta - 5 \cos \theta = 2$$ giving your answers to one decimal place.
    (Solutions based entirely on graphical or numerical methods are not acceptable.)
Edexcel Paper 2 2023 June Q8
6 marks Challenging +1.2
  1. Express \(2 \cos \theta + 8 \sin \theta\) in the form \(R \cos ( \theta - \alpha )\), where \(R\) and \(\alpha\) are constants, \(R > 0\) and \(0 < \alpha < \frac { \pi } { 2 }\) Give the exact value of \(R\) and give the value of \(\alpha\) in radians to 3 decimal places. The first three terms of an arithmetic sequence are $$\cos x \quad \cos x + \sin x \quad \cos x + 2 \sin x \quad x \neq n \pi$$ Given that \(S _ { 9 }\) represents the sum of the first 9 terms of this sequence as \(x\) varies,
    1. find the exact maximum value of \(S _ { 9 }\)
    2. deduce the smallest positive value of \(x\) at which this maximum value of \(S _ { 9 }\) occurs.
Edexcel Paper 2 2021 October Q15
11 marks Standard +0.3
  1. Express \(2 \cos \theta - \sin \theta\) in the form \(R \cos ( \theta + \alpha )\), where \(R > 0\) and \(0 < \alpha < \frac { \pi } { 2 }\) Give the exact value of \(R\) and the value of \(\alpha\) in radians to 3 decimal places. \begin{figure}[h]
    \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{6c32000f-574f-473c-bd04-9cfe2c1bd715-44_440_1118_463_575} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 6}
    \end{figure} Figure 6 shows the cross-section of a water wheel.
    The wheel is free to rotate about a fixed axis through the point \(C\).
    The point \(P\) is at the end of one of the paddles of the wheel, as shown in Figure 6.
    The water level is assumed to be horizontal and of constant height.
    The vertical height, \(H\) metres, of \(P\) above the water level is modelled by the equation $$H = 3 + 4 \cos ( 0.5 t ) - 2 \sin ( 0.5 t )$$ where \(t\) is the time in seconds after the wheel starts rotating.
    Using the model, find
    1. the maximum height of \(P\) above the water level,
    2. the value of \(t\) when this maximum height first occurs, giving your answer to one decimal place. In a single revolution of the wheel, \(P\) is below the water level for a total of \(T\) seconds. According to the model,
  2. find the value of \(T\) giving your answer to 3 significant figures.
    (Solutions based entirely on calculator technology are not acceptable.) In reality, the water level may not be of constant height.
  3. Explain how the equation of the model should be refined to take this into account.
Edexcel Paper 2 Specimen Q13
9 marks Standard +0.3
13.
  1. Express \(10 \cos \theta - 3 \sin \theta\) in the form \(R \cos ( \theta + \alpha )\), where \(R > 0\) and \(0 < \alpha < 90 ^ { \circ }\) Give the exact value of \(R\) and give the value of \(\alpha\), in degrees, to 2 decimal places. \begin{figure}[h]
    \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{a75c9ef7-b648-47be-bad1-fc8b315be3df-18_396_1329_388_367} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 3}
    \end{figure} The height above the ground, \(H\) metres, of a passenger on a Ferris wheel \(t\) minutes after the wheel starts turning, is modelled by the equation $$H = a - 10 \cos ( 80 t ) ^ { \circ } + 3 \sin ( 80 t ) ^ { \circ }$$ where \(a\) is a constant.
    Figure 3 shows the graph of \(H\) against \(t\) for two complete cycles of the wheel.
    Given that the initial height of the passenger above the ground is 1 metre,
    1. find a complete equation for the model,
    2. hence find the maximum height of the passenger above the ground.
  2. Find the time taken, to the nearest second, for the passenger to reach the maximum height on the second cycle.
    (Solutions based entirely on graphical or numerical methods are not acceptable.) It is decided that, to increase profits, the speed of the wheel is to be increased.
  3. How would you adapt the equation of the model to reflect this increase in speed?
OCR MEI Paper 1 2019 June Q10
7 marks Standard +0.3
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 \(y = \frac { 1 } { 7 \cos x - 2 \sin x }\).