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Algebra and Functions 2

Algebra and Functions Part 2 will take you on a whistle-stop tour of quadratic equations, make a slight detour into
the world of simultaneous equations and inequalities and finish with everyone’s favourite — cubics.

1 Given that the equation 3jx – jx2 + 1 = 0, where j is a constant, has no real roots,
find the range of possible values of j.

............................................
(3 marks)

1
2 f(x) =
x2 - 7x + 17
a) Express x2 – 7x + 17 in the form (x – m)2 + n, where m and nare constants.

............................................
(3 marks)
b) Hence find the maximum value of f(x).

............................................
(2 marks)

3 Find the possible values of k if the equation g(x) = 0 is to have two distinct real roots,
where g(x) is given by g(x) = 3kx2 + kx + 2.

............................................
(3 marks)

4 Solve the equation x6 = 7x3 + 8.

............................................
(4 marks)
Section One — Pure Maths
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Algebra and Functions 2

5 A scientist working at a remote Arctic research station monitors the temperature during the hours of daylight.
For a day with 9 hours of sunlight, she models the temperature using the function T = 10h – h2 – 27,
where T is the temperature in °C and h is the time in hours since sunrise.
a) (i) Express T = 10h – h2 – 27 in the form T = –(m – h)2 + n, where m and nare integers.

............................................
(3 marks)
(ii) Hence show that T is always negative according to this model.

(1 mark)
b) (i) State the maximum temperature predicted by this model,
and state the number of hours after sunrise at which it will occur.

Temperature = ..................... °C, time = ..................... hours after sunrise

(2 marks)
(ii) Sketch the graph of T = 10h – h2 – 27 on the axes below.
Mark clearly on your graph the temperature at sunrise.

(2 marks)

6 Solve the simultaneous equations y + x = 7 and y = x2 + 3x – 5.

x = ..................... y = ...................... or x = ..................... y = ......................

(4 marks)

Section One — Pure Maths

10

Algebra and Functions 2

7 The curve C has equation y = –x2 + 3 and the line l has equation y = –2x + 4 .
a) Find the coordinates of the point (or points) of intersection of C and l.

............................................
(3 marks)
b) Sketch the graphs of C and l on the axes below, clearly showing
where the graphs intersect the x- and y- axes.
y

(5 marks)

8 Draw and label the region that satisfies the inequalities y ≥ x + 2 and 4 – x2 > y.

5 y
4
3
2
1
x
–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5
–1
–2
–3
–4
–5
(3 marks)

9 Solve the inequality x2 – 8x + 15 > 0. Give your answer in set notation.

..................................................................
(4 marks)
Section One — Pure Maths
 11

Algebra and Functions 2

10 (x – 1)(x2 + x + 1) = 2x2 – 17
a) Rewrite the equation above in the form f (x) = 0, where f(x) is of the form f (x) = ax3 + bx2 + cx + d.

..................................................................
(2 marks)
b) Show that (x + 2) is a factor of f(x).

(2 marks)
c) Hence write f (x) as the product of a linear factor and a quadratic factor.

..................................................................
(2 marks)
d) By completing the square, or otherwise, show that f (x) = 0 has only one root.

(2 marks)

11 A function is defined by f(x) = x3 – 4 x2 – ax + 10. (x – 1) is a factor of f (x).

Find the value of a and hence or otherwise solve the equation x3 – 4 x2 – ax + 10 = 0.
| || | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

Use the factor theorem

|| | | | | |

|| | | | | |

to find the value of a.

|| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

a = ..................... x = ............................................
(6 marks)

Quadratics have a habit of popping up in exam questions where you least expect them Score
(like in exponentials, trig equations or mechanics, not to mention in simultaneous equations,
EXAM
TIP inequalities and cubics) — so make sure you can handle them. It’s worth practising your
factorising skills, as it could save you a lot of time in the exam, and time is money marks.
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Section One — Pure Maths