A-LEVEL SUBSIDIARY MATH EMATICS SEMINAR QUESTIONS 2019

PURE MATHEMATICS

Qn 1: Simplify the following using the laws of indices:



   
 
(a). 16 ÷8 × 4() .


 () ×
(b). .
√ 

 
 
() ×  × 
(c).  .

(   )

Qn 2: Using the laws of indices, evaluate:



(a). (0.04)



(b).  .

!

"√ #
Qn 3: Show that = √2.
" # √

Qn 4: Solve the equation:

2  × 2  = 10

Qn 5: Simplify:

(a). − log   .


*+, -
(b). .
*+, " "

Qn 6: Given that log. 2 = 0.3010,

(a). Show that log. 5 = 0.6990.
(b). Hence find the value of log  5.

Qn 7: Show that log 2 3 × log 4 5 = 1. Hence evaluate: log " 8 × log  9.

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 A-LEVEL SUBSIDIARY MATH EMATICS SEMINAR QUESTIONS 2019

Qn 8: The roots of the equation 6  + 66 + 8 = 0 are 9 and 9 − 1.

Find the value of 8.

Qn 9: The roots of the equation 26  + 36 − 4 = 0 are 9 and :.

Find the values of
(a). (9 + 1)(: + 1).

; <
(b). + .
< ;

(c). 9  + 9: + :  .

Qn 10: The roots of the equation 26  − 46 + 1 = 0 are 9 and :.

Find the integral coefficients whose roots are:
(a). 9  and :  .
 
(b). and .
< ;

Qn 11: The roots of the equation 6  + =6 + 8 = 0 differ by 2.

Show that = = 1 + 8.

Qn 12: Find the values of 5 and 3 if 56 + 36 " − 86  + 6 has remainder

(26 + 1) when divided by 6  − 1.

Qn 13: (6 − 1) and (6 + 1) are factors of the expression 6 " + 56  + 36 + >,

and it leaves a remainder of 12 when divided by (6 − 2). Find the values
of 5, 3 and >.

Qn 14: Given the quadratic equation 56  + 36 + > = 0,

#4±√4 # 2@
Show that 6 = .
2
Hence use it to solve the equation (2 + 6 )(3 − 46 ) = 0.

Qn 15: By completing squares, find the greatest value of −7 + 126 − 36  and

the value of 6 at which it occurs.

Qn 16: (a). Find the turning points of the curve B = (2 + 6)(1 + 6)(3 − 6).

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 A-LEVEL SUBSIDIARY MATH EMATICS SEMINAR QUESTIONS 2019

(b). Hence distinguish the above turning points.

Qn 17: The tangent to the curve B = 56  + 36 + > at the point where 6 = 2 is

parallel to the line B = 46. Given that B has a maximum value of −3
where 6 = 1, find the values of 5, 3 and >.

Qn 18: (a). Sketch the graph of the curve B = 7 − 6 − 6  .

(b). Hence calculate the area bounded between the curve and the line
B = 5.

Question 19:
The velocity C of a point moving along a straight line is given in terms of the
time, D by the formula C = 2D  − 9D + 10, the point being at the origin when
D = 0.
(a). Find the expression in terms of D for the distance from the origin.
(b). Find the expression in terms of D for the acceleration.
(c). Show that the point is at rest twice and find its distances from the origin
at those instants.

Question 20:
 
(a). E 6 +  6 −  F6.
 
HI
(b). Find G as a function of D given that = 6D  + 12D + 1 and
HJ
when D = −2, G = 5.

Question 21:
"
(a). Find the first term of a geometric series that has a common ratio of
K
and a sum to infinity of 8.
(b). The first term of an A.P is −12 and the last term is 40. If the sum of the
progression is 196, find:
(i). the number of terms,
(ii). the common difference.

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 A-LEVEL SUBSIDIARY MATH EMATICS SEMINAR QUESTIONS 2019

Question 22:
(a). The first term of a G.P is 16 and the fifth term is 9. What is the value of
the seventh term?
(b). The sum of the first terms of a G.P is 9 and the sum to infinity of the G.P
is 25. If the G.P has a positive common ration L, find:
(i). L,
(ii). the first term.

Question 23:
(a). Find the possible values 6 can take given that
M = 6

3 , N = 3 6 and MN = NM.
1 36 2 6
3 2
(b). If M =   , find the values of O and P given that
−4 1
MQ = OM + PR where R is a 2 × 2 identity matrix.
(c). Solve the following equations using the matrix method.
6 − 3B = 3
56 − 9B − 11 = 0

Question 24:
3 2
(a). Find the inverse of the matrix S where S =   and hence solve the
5 4
6 1
matrix equation ST = U in which T = B and U =  .
3
6−2 1
(b). Find the values of 6 for which the matrix   has no inverse.
2 6−3
6 6−1
Calculate the inverse of S#V of the matrix S = W X , where
B B
(c).
B ≠ 0.
1 0
Find the values of 6 and B such that S#V   =  .
3 −2

Question 26:
Solve the following equations for all values of Z from 0° to 360°.
# "
√
(i). sin(Z + 20)° =

(ii). 4 − sin Z = 4 cos  Z.
(iii). 3 tan Z + 5 = 7 sec Z.

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 A-LEVEL SUBSIDIARY MATH EMATICS SEMINAR QUESTIONS 2019

Question 27:
#!
If cos Z = and Z is obtuse, find without using tables or calculators, the value
c
of
(i). sin Z,
(ii). cot Z.

Question 28:
c
If tan Z = and Z is reflex, find without using tables or calculators, the value

of
(i). sec Z,
(ii). sin Z.

Question 29:
"
If sin Z = , find without using tables or calculator, the values of
K
(i). cos Z,
(ii). tan Z.

Question 30:
Prove the following identities:

(a). tan Z + cot Z = .
def g h+d g

(b). (sec Z + tan Z)(sec Z − tan Z) = 1.

#h+d g
(c). = 1 − sin Z.
dih g#

Question 31:
" K
If sin j = and sin k = , where j and k are acute angles, find the values of
K "
(a). sin(j + k)
(b). cos(j + k)
(c). tan(j + k)

Question 32:
If sin(6 − 9) = cos(6 + 9), prove that tan 6 = 1.

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 A-LEVEL SUBSIDIARY MATH EMATICS SEMINAR QUESTIONS 2019

Question 33:

If sin j = and cos k = , where j is obtuse and k is acute, find the values of
K "
(a). sin(j − k)
(b). tan(j − k)
(c). tan(j + k).

Question 34:
(a). The points l, m and n have position vectors W2o + 2q X, Wo + 6q X and
~ ~ ~ ~
W−7o + 4q X. Show that the triangle lmn is right angled at m.
~ ~
(b). If the angle between the vectors r = 5o + 2q and s = 3o + q is 45°, find
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
the possible values of 5.

Question 35:
(a). The points j, k, t and u have position vectors W5o + q X, W−3o + 2q X,
~ ~ ~ ~

W−3o − 3q X and Wo − 6q X. Show that jt is perpendicular to ku.

~ ~ ~ ~

(b). Find a vector that is of magnitude 2 units and is parallel to W4o − 3q X.

~ ~

(c). The point M has position vector W3o + q X and point N has position
~ ~
vector W10o + q X. Find the position vector of the point which divides MN
~ ~
in the ratio 3: 4.

Question 36:
The points j, k and t have position vectors w , x and r respectively referred
~ ~ ~
to an origin y.
(a). Given that the point z lies on jk produced so that jk: kz = 2: 1, find 6,
the position vector of z in terms of w and x .
~ ~
(b). If { lies on kt between k and t so that k{: {t = 1: 3, find B, the
position vector of { in terms of x and r .
~ ~
(c). Given that | is the midpoint of jt, show that z, { and | are collinear.
(d). Calculate z{: {|.

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 A-LEVEL SUBSIDIARY MATH EMATICS SEMINAR QUESTIONS 2019

STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY

Question 1:
The table below represents the weights of 50 patients who visited a certain
health centre in May 2019.

Weights (kg) Percentage frequency (%)

40 – 50 10
50 – 60 16
60 – 70 24
70 – 80 30
80 – 90 14
90 – 100 6

(a). Calculate the:

(i). mean weight,
(ii). modal weight,
(iii). number of patients who weigh between 55 kg and 85 kg.
(b). Draw a cumulative frequency curve and use it to estimate the:
(i). median weight,
(ii). interquartile range of weight.

Question 2:
The table below shows the number of pupils who failed to hand in the Maths
homework each day and the minutes of yoga the teacher does to calm himself
down.

Pupils missing 3 5 2 10 2 0 4 8 15 6 1 4
homework (z)
Minutes of 10 12 9 25 8 3 15 20 26 10 7 10
yoga ({)

(a). Draw a scatter diagram and line of best fit to show the information.
(b). Using the graph is part (a),determine:
(i). the minutes of yoga the teacher might do if 7 pupils forget to hand
in their homework.
(ii). how many pupils might have forgotten their homework if the
teacher did 28 minutes of yoga.

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 A-LEVEL SUBSIDIARY MATH EMATICS SEMINAR QUESTIONS 2019

(c). Calculate the rank correlation coefficient and comment on the level of
significance.

Question 3:
A construction company uses five items of materials for a particular
construction job. The table below represents the prices in shillings for each
material used in the job for the year 2017 and 2019.

Materials Price in 2017 Price in 2019 Weight

Sand 10,500 18,424 3
Cement 16,750 18,424 2
Water 1,250 1,500 4
Lime 8,200 10,250 1
Paste 3,750 5,250 1

Given that 2017 is assigned as an index of 100,

(i). Construct the unweighted price relative index for each material.
(ii). construct the simple average price relative for the material.
(iii). construct the weighted aggregate index for the materials.

Question 4:
The table below shows the sales in units of each of the four quarters for the
years 2003, 2004 and 2005.

Years Quarters
1st 2nd 3rd 4th
2003 600 840 420 720
2004 640 860 420 740
2005 670 900 430 760

(a). Calculate the four point moving averages.

(b). On the same axes, plot graphs of sales and the moving averages against
time. Comment on the general trend of the sales for the three years’
period.
(c). Use your graph to estimate the sales in:
(i). the 4th quarter of 2002.
(ii). the 1st quarter of 2006.

Question 5:

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 A-LEVEL SUBSIDIARY MATH EMATICS SEMINAR QUESTIONS 2019

(a). A die and a coin are tossed once, what is the probability of getting a five
on a die and a head on a coin?
(b). A student who wishes to join a higher institution of learning after A-
level has the following choices with their corresponding probabilities.

Institution Probability
M.U.B.S 04
Mbale 0.2
Nkozi 0.1
Nkumba 0.2
U.C.U 0.1

(i). Find the probability that he joins either M.U.B.S or Nkumba.

(ii). State, with a reason, the type of events above.
(c). In a certain school, there are 50 Senior five students of which 10 are
girls; and 30 Senior six students of which 5 are girls. A student is to be
picked at random to represent the school in a mathematics contest.
(i). Find the probability that the student chosen is a girl.
(ii). If the selected student is a girl, what is the probability that she is
in Senior six?

Question 6:
In how many ways can the letters of the word MISSISSIPI be arranged:
(i). without restriction.
(ii). if the I’s are kept together.
(iii). if the I’s are separated.
(iv). if all the I’s are the end of every word.
(v). if every word starts with M and ends with P.

Question 7:
An organizing committee of 4 people is to be chosen from 3 women and 4 men
to organize a school end of year party. Determine the probability that the
school with consist of at most 2 women.

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 A-LEVEL SUBSIDIARY MATH EMATICS SEMINAR QUESTIONS 2019

Question 8:
A discrete random variable X has a probability density function }(6), defined
by
6 " ; 6 = 0, 1, 2, 3,…
}(6 ) = ~
0 ; elsewhere
Where  is a constant.
Determine :
(i). the value of ,
(ii). †((1 ≤ z < 3)⁄z > 0),
(iii). l(z),
(iv). ‹5L (z )

Question 9:
In a certain clinic, 20% of the patients who are treated with a certain drug
often develop complications. If a random sample of 50 patients are treated
with this particular drug, find the mean, variance and standard deviation of
patients who will develop the complication.

Question 10:
A continuous random variable X has a probability density function }(6),
defined by
 (6  − 1) ; 0 ≤ 6 ≤ 2,…
}(6 ) = ~
0 ; elsewhere
Where  is a constant.
Determine the:
(i). value of ,
(ii). †(z > 1),
(iii). mean value of X,
(iv). variance of X.

Question 11:
X is a random variable of a random experiment following a normal
distribution with mean 40 and standard deviation 8.5. Determine:
(i). †(z < 42.5),
(ii). †(z > 31.5),
(iii). †(31.5 < z < 36.8).

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 A-LEVEL SUBSIDIARY MATH EMATICS SEMINAR QUESTIONS 2019

MECHANICS

Question 1:
A car initially moving at a speed of 80 m s# decelerates uniformly and attains
a velocity of 40 m s # for 20s and comes to rest in the next 30 s. Sketch a
velocity – time graph and use it to calculate the average velocity.

Question 2:
Forces of magnitude 2√2 N, 4 Ž and 6 N, act on a body at angles 40°, 240° and
330° with the positive 6 −axis. Draw a clear force diagram and use it to find
the magnitude of the resultant force and its direction to the 6 −axis.

Question 3:
PQRS is a square, forces of 3N, 5N, 6N, and 6√2 N act along PQ, QR, RS, and PR
respectively.

Calculate the resultant force of the system.

Question 4:
Two particles A and B of masses 3 kg and 5 kg are connected by a fine string
passing over a smooth fixed pulley. Find:
(i). their common acceleration.
(ii). the tension in the string.

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 A-LEVEL SUBSIDIARY MATH EMATICS SEMINAR QUESTIONS 2019

Question 5:
Body of mass 8 kg rests on a rough horizontal table and is connected to
another body of mass 3 kg by a light inextensible string passing over a smooth
pulley fixed at the edge of the table. The 3 kg mass hangs freely. The
coefficient of friction between the 8 kg mass and the table is 0.3. The system is
released from rest. Find the
(i). acceleration of the system.
(ii). tension in the string.
(iii). distance the 3 kg mass covers after 2 seconds.

Question 6:
The diagram below shows two masses of 4 kg and 5 kg attached to each other
by a light inextensible string which passes over a smooth pulley fixed at the
top of the wedge.
kg
4

(a). Find the coefficient of friction between the 4 kg mass and the wedge if
the system is in limiting equilibrium.
(b). Calculate the acceleration of the system if the 5 kg mass is increased by
1 kg.

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 A-LEVEL SUBSIDIARY MATH EMATICS SEMINAR QUESTIONS 2019

Question 7:
A particle of mass 3 kg slides from rest down a rough plane inclined at 30° to
the horizontal. Given that the coefficient of friction between the particle and
the plane is 0.3, find the:
(i). normal reaction of the plane
(ii). frictional force exerted on the body
(iii). acceleration of the particle
(iv). how far it travels in 4 seconds.

Question 8:
A force of magnitude 40 N acts on a body causing it to change its velocity from
4 m s # to 10 m s # after 5 seconds. Find the work done by the force.

Question 9:
A lorry of mass 200 kg travels against friction resistance of 2600 N for 50 m
along a level road at a constant speed of 45 km h# . Calculate the:
(i). work done by the engine,
(ii). power at which the engine is working.

Question 10:
A heavy truck of mass 10 tonnes has an engine which exerts a maximum
power of 20 kW. The truck moves on a level ground against a constant
resistance force m newton.
(a). If the truck attains a maximum speed of 57.6 km h#, find the value of m.
(b). Given that the truck ascends an incline of 1 in 100, find its maximum
speed. (Assume resistance remains the same as in (a) above)

Question 11:
"
A rough plane is inclined at an angle sin#   to the horizontal.
K
A body of mass 20 kg is released from rest at the top of the plane to
slide down the whole length of the plane in 5 s. If the coefficient of
friction between the plane and the body is 0.5, calculate the:
(a). length and height of the inclined plane,
(b). loss in potential energy of the mass during the slide down period,
(c). velocity at the time the mass is at the bottom end of the inclined
plane.

***END***

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