AAHL-Topic 1 Numbers and Algebra Paper-2 [406 marks]

1. [Maximum mark: 7] SPM.2.AHL.TZ0.8

The complex numbers w and z satisfy the equations
w
= 2i
z

− 3w = 5 + 5i.
∗
z

Find w and z in the form a + bi where a, b ∈ Z. [7]

2. [Maximum mark: 6] EXN.2.AHL.TZ0.8
Prove by contradiction that log 2 5 is an irrational number. [6]
3. [Maximum mark: 6] EXN.2.AHL.TZ0.9
A biased coin is weighted such that the probability, p, of obtaining a
tail is 0. 6. The coin is tossed repeatedly and independently until a tail
is obtained.

Let E be the event “obtaining the first tail on an even numbered toss”.

Find P(E). [6]

4. [Maximum mark: 8] EXN.2.AHL.TZ0.7
2+7x A B
Consider the identity (1+2x)(1−x)
≡
1+2x
+
1−x
, where A, B ∈ Z.

(a) Find the value of A and the value of B. [3]

(b) Hence, expand

2+7x
in ascending powers of x, up to
(1+2x)(1−x)

and including the term in x 2 . [4]

(c) Give a reason why the series expansion found in part (b) is not
valid for x =
3

4
. [1]
5. [Maximum mark: 6] EXM.2.AHL.TZ0.1
(a) Write down and simplify the first three terms, in ascending
1

powers of x, in the Extended Binomial expansion of (1 − x) 3

. [3]

(b) By substituting x =
1
find a rational approximation to √9.
3
[3]
9
6. [Maximum mark: 6] 23M.2.AHL.TZ1.9
Prove by contradiction that p 2 − 8q − 11 ≠ 0, for any p, q ∈ Z. [6]
7. [Maximum mark: 7] 22M.2.AHL.TZ1.9
Mary, three female friends, and her brother, Peter, attend the theatre. In the
theatre there is a row of 10 empty seats. For the first half of the show, they
decide to sit next to each other in this row.

(a) Find the number of ways these five people can be seated in this
row. [3]

For the second half of the show, they return to the same row of 10 empty seats.
The four girls decide to sit at least one seat apart from Peter. The four girls do not
have to sit next to each other.

(b) Find the number of ways these five people can now be seated
in this row. [4]
8. [Maximum mark: 19] 22M.2.AHL.TZ1.12
dy
Consider the differential equation x 2 dx = y 2 − 2x
2
for x > 0 and

y > 2x. It is given that y = 3 when x = 1.

(a) Use Euler’s method, with a step length of 0. 1, to find an

approximate value of y when x = 1. 5. [4]

(b) Use the substitution y = vx to show that

x
dv

dx
= v
2
− v − 2. [3]
(c.i) By solving the differential equation, show that y =
8x+x
4

. [10]
3
4−x

(c.ii) Find the actual value of y when x = 1. 5. [1]

(c.iii) Using the graph of y =
8x+x
4

, suggest a reason why the

3
4−x

approximation given by Euler’s method in part (a) is not a good

estimate to the actual value of y at x = 1. 5. [1]
9. [Maximum mark: 4] 22M.2.AHL.TZ2.9
Consider the set of six-digit positive integers that can be formed from the digits
0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.

Find the total number of six-digit positive integers that can be formed such that

(a) the digits are distinct. [2]

(b) the digits are distinct and are in increasing order. [2]
10. [Maximum mark: 21] 22M.2.AHL.TZ2.12
The population, P , of a particular species of marsupial on a small remote island
can be modelled by the logistic differential equation

dP P
= kP (1 − )
dt N

where t is the time measured in years and k, N are positive constants.

The constant N represents the maximum population of this species of marsupial

that the island can sustain indefinitely.

(a) In the context of the population model, interpret the meaning

of
dP

dt
. [1]

(b) Show that

2
d P 2
= k P (1 −
P
)(1 −
2P
). [4]
2
dt N N

(c) Hence show that the population of marsupials will increase at

its maximum rate when P =
N

2
. Justify your answer. [5]
(d) Hence determine the maximum value of
dP
in terms of k and
dt

N.
 [2]

Let P 0 be the initial population of marsupials.

(e) By solving the logistic differential equation, show that its

solution can be expressed in the form

P N −P 0
kt = ln ( ).
P0 N −P [7]
(f ) After 10 years, the population of marsupials is 3P 0 . It is known
that N = 4P 0 .

Find the value of k for this population model. [2]

11. [Maximum mark: 18] 21N.2.AHL.TZ0.10
2

Consider the function f (x) .

x −x−12 15
= , x ∈ R, x ≠
2x−15 2

Find the coordinates where the graph of f crosses the

(a.i) x-axis. [2]

(a.ii) y-axis. [1]

(b) Write down the equation of the vertical asymptote of the graph
of f . [1]

(c) The oblique asymptote of the graph of f can be written as

y = ax + b where a, b ∈ Q.

Find the value of a and the value of b. [4]

(d) Sketch the graph of f for −30 ≤ x ≤ 30, clearly indicating
the points of intersection with each axis and any asymptotes. [3]

(e.i) Express 1
in partial fractions. [3]
f (x)
(e.ii) 3

Hence find the exact value of ∫ d x, expressing your

1

f (x)
0

answer as a single logarithm. [4]

12. [Maximum mark: 8] 21N.2.AHL.TZ0.6
(a) Prove the identity (p + q)
3
− 3pq(p + q) ≡ p
3
+ q
3
. [2]

(b) The equation 2x 2 − 5x + 1 = 0 has two real roots, α and

β.

Consider the equation x 2 + mx + n = 0, where

m, n ∈ Z and which has roots and .

1 1
3 3
α β

Without solving 2x 2 − 5x + 1 = 0, determine the values

of m and n. [6]
13. [Maximum mark: 7] 21M.2.AHL.TZ1.8
π π
Consider the complex numbers z = 2(cos
5
+ i sin
5
) and

2kπ 2kπ
), where k ∈ Z .
+
w = 8(cos − i sin
5 5

(a) Find the modulus of zw. [1]

(b) Find the argument of zw in terms of k. [2]

Suppose that zw ∈ Z.

(c.i) Find the minimum value of k. [3]

(c.ii) For the value of k found in part (i), find the value of zw. [1]
14. [Maximum mark: 20] 21M.2.AHL.TZ1.12
The function f has a derivative given by
, x ∈ R, x ≠ o, x ≠ k where k is a positive constant.
1
f ′(x) =
x(k−x)

(a) The expression for f ′(x) can be written in the form

, where a, b ∈ R. Find a and b in terms of k.
a b

x
+
k−x
[3]

(b) Hence, find an expression for f (x). [3]

Consider P , the population of a colony of ants, which has an initial value of
1200.

The rate of change of the population can be modelled by the differential

dP P (k−P )
equation dt
=
5k
, where t is the time measured in days, t ≥ 0, and k

is the upper bound for the population.

(c) By solving the differential equation, show that

.
1200k
P =
(k−1200)e
−
t
5 +1200 [8]
At t = 10 the population of the colony has doubled in size from its initial value.

(d) Find the value of k, giving your answer correct to four

significant figures. [3]
(e) Find the value of t when the rate of change of the population is
at its maximum. [3]
15. [Maximum mark: 5] 21M.2.AHL.TZ2.8
Consider z = cos θ + i sin θ where z ∈ C, z ≠ 1.

Show that Re( 1+z

1−z
) = 0. [5]
16. [Maximum mark: 5] 21M.2.AHL.TZ2.7
Eight runners compete in a race where there are no tied finishes. Andrea and
Jack are two of the eight competitors in this race.

Find the total number of possible ways in which the eight runners can finish if
Jack finishes

(a) in the position immediately after Andrea. [2]

(b) in any position after Andrea. [3]

17. [Maximum mark: 8] 21M.2.AHL.TZ2.9
(a) Write down the first three terms of the binomial expansion of
(1 + t)
−1
in ascending powers of t. [1]

(b) By using the Maclaurin series for cos x and the result from part
(a), show that the Maclaurin series for sec x up to and
2 4

including the term in x 4 is 1 +

x

2
+
5x

24
. [4]

(c) By using the Maclaurin series for arctan x and the result from
part (b), find lim ( x arctan 2x
).
x→0
sec x−1 [3]
18. [Maximum mark: 6] 20N.2.AHL.TZ0.H_4
1 1 x 9
Find the term independent of x in the expansion of x
3
(
3x
2
−
2
)

. [6]
19. [Maximum mark: 7] 20N.2.AHL.TZ0.H_6
Use mathematical induction to prove that
n
d

dx
n (xe
px
) = p
n−1
(px + n)e
px
for n ∈ Z
+
, p ∈ Q. [7]
20. [Maximum mark: 7] 20N.2.AHL.TZ0.H_7
At a gathering of 12 teachers, seven are male and five are female. A group of five
of these teachers go out for a meal together. Determine the possible number of
groups in each of the following situations:

(a) There are more males than females in the group. [4]

(b) Two of the teachers, Gary and Gerwyn, refuse to go out for a
meal together. [3]
21. [Maximum mark: 20] 20N.2.AHL.TZ0.H_11
A particle P moves in a straight line such that after time t seconds, its velocity, v
π
in m s −1 , is given by v = e
−3t
sin 6 t, where 0 < t <
2
.

(a) Find the times when P comes to instantaneous rest. [2]

At time t, P has displacement s(t); at time t = 0, s(0) = 0.

(b) Find an expression for s in terms of t. [7]

(c) Find the maximum displacement of P , in metres, from its initial
position. [2]

(d) Find the total distance travelled by P in the first 1. 5 seconds

of its motion. [2]
At successive times when the acceleration of P is 0 m s −2 , the velocities of P
form a geometric sequence. The acceleration of P is zero at times t 1 , t2 , t3

where t 1 < t 2 < t 3 and the respective velocities are v 1 , v 2 , v 3 .

(e.i) Show that, at these times, tan 6t = 2. [2]

(e.ii) Hence show that
v2 v3 −
π
.
v1
=
v2
= −e 2
[5]
22. [Maximum mark: 8] 20N.2.AHL.TZ0.H_3
The following diagram shows part of the graph of y = p + q sin (rx) . The

9π
graph has a local maximum point at (− 4
, 5) and a local minimum point at
3π
(− , − 1).
4

(a) Determine the values of p, q and r. [4]

(b) Hence find the area of the shaded region. [4]
23. [Maximum mark: 5] 19N.2.AHL.TZ0.H_1
A geometric sequence has u 4 = −70 and u 7 = 8.75. Find the

second term of the sequence. [5]

24. [Maximum mark: 6] 19N.2.AHL.TZ0.H_5
n
Consider the expansion of (2 + x) , where n ⩾ 3 and n ∈ Z.

The coefficient of x 3 is four times the coefficient of x 2 . Find the value

of n. [6]
25. [Maximum mark: 6] 19N.2.AHL.TZ0.H_6
Let P (z) = az
3
− 37z
2
+ 66z − 10, where z ∈ C and a ∈ Z

One of the roots of P (z) = 0 is 3 + i. Find the value of a. [6]

26. [Maximum mark: 8] 19N.2.AHL.TZ0.H_8
Eight boys and two girls sit on a bench. Determine the number of possible
arrangements, given that

(a) the girls do not sit together. [3]

(b) the girls do not sit on either end. [2]

(c) the girls do not sit on either end and do not sit together. [3]
27.

(a)
⎩

⎪
[Maximum mark: 19]
A random variable X has probability density function

0
3a

f (x) = ⎨ a (x − 5) (1 − x)

Consider the case where b

(b)
= 5.
,

,
0 ⩽ x < 2

2 ⩽ x ⩽ b

otherwise
a, b ∈ R
19N.2.AHL.TZ0.H_10

Find, in terms of a, the probability that X lies between 1 and 3.

Sketch the graph of f . State the coordinates of the end points

and any local maximum or minimum points, giving your
answers in terms of a.
, 3 < b ⩽ 5.

[4]

[4]
Find the value of

(c.i) a. [4]
(c.ii) E (X). [3]

(c.iii) the median of X . [4]

28. [Maximum mark: 17] 19N.2.AHL.TZ0.H_11
The following diagram shows part of the graph of 2x 2 = sin
3
y for

0 ⩽ y ⩽ π.

(a.i) Using implicit differentiation, find an expression for

dy
. [4]
dx
(a.ii) Find the equation of the tangent to the curve at the point
). [4]
1 5π
( ,
4 6

The shaded region R is the area bounded by the curve, the y-axis and the lines
y = 0 and y = π.

(b) Find the area of R. [3]

(c) The region R is now rotated about the y-axis, through 2π
radians, to form a solid.

By writing sin 3 y as (1 − cos 2 y)sin y, show that the

volume of the solid formed is 2π

3
. [6]
29. [Maximum mark: 7] 19M.2.AHL.TZ1.H_6
Let z = a + bi, a, b ∈ R
+
and let arg z = θ.

(a) Show the points represented by z and z − 2a on the

following Argand diagram.

[1]

(b.i) Find an expression in terms of θ for arg (z − 2a). [1]

(b.ii) Find an expression in terms of θ for arg ( z−2a ).

z
[2]

(c) Hence or otherwise find the value of θ for which

) = 0.
z
Re (
z−2a
[3]
30. [Maximum mark: 9] 19M.2.AHL.TZ1.H_8
(a) Solve the inequality x 2 > 2x + 1. [2]

(b) Use mathematical induction to prove that 2 n+1 > n

2
for
n ∈ Z, n ⩾ 3. [7]
31. [Maximum mark: 17] 19M.2.AHL.TZ1.H_11
Consider the equation x 5 − 3x
4
+ mx
3
+ nx
2
+ px + q = 0, where

m, n, p, q ∈ R.

The equation has three distinct real roots which can be written as log 2 a,
log 2 b and log 2 c.

The equation also has two imaginary roots, one of which is di where d ∈ R.

(a) Show that abc = 8. [5]

The values a, b, and c are consecutive terms in a geometric sequence.

(b) Show that one of the real roots is equal to 1. [3]

(c) Given that q = 8d
2
, find the other two real roots. [9]
32. [Maximum mark: 5] 19M.2.AHL.TZ1.H_2
π

Solve z 2 = 4e 2
i
, giving your answers in the form

(a) re
iθ
where r, θ ∈ R, r > 0. [3]

(b) a + ib where a, b ∈ R. [2]

33. [Maximum mark: 7] 19M.2.AHL.TZ1.H_6
Let z = a + bi, a, b ∈ R
+
and let arg z = θ.

(a) Show the points represented by z and z − 2a on the

following Argand diagram.

[1]

(b.i) Find an expression in terms of θ for arg (z − 2a). [1]

(b.ii) Find an expression in terms of θ for arg ( z−2a ).

z
[2]

(c) Hence or otherwise find the value of θ for which

) = 0.
z
Re (
z−2a
[3]
34. [Maximum mark: 5] 19M.2.AHL.TZ1.H_2
π

Solve z 2 = 4e 2
i
, giving your answers in the form

(a) re
iθ
where r, θ ∈ R, r > 0. [3]

(b) a + ib where a, b ∈ R. [2]

35. [Maximum mark: 17] 19M.2.AHL.TZ1.H_11
Consider the equation x 5 − 3x
4
+ mx
3
+ nx
2
+ px + q = 0, where

m, n, p, q ∈ R.

The equation has three distinct real roots which can be written as log 2 a,
log 2 b and log 2 c.

The equation also has two imaginary roots, one of which is di where d ∈ R.

(a) Show that abc = 8. [5]

The values a, b, and c are consecutive terms in a geometric sequence.

(b) Show that one of the real roots is equal to 1. [3]

(c) Given that q = 8d
2
, find the other two real roots. [9]
36. [Maximum mark: 7] 19M.2.AHL.TZ2.H_8
(a) Find the roots of the equation w 3 = 8i, w ∈ C. Give your

answers in Cartesian form. [4]

(b) One of the roots w 1 satisfies the condition Re (w 1 ) = 0.

Given that w 1 =
z

z−i
, express z in the form a + bi, where a,
b ∈ Q. [3]
37. [Maximum mark: 8] 19M.2.AHL.TZ2.H_9
Consider the polynomial P (z) ≡ z
4
− 6z
3
− 2z
2
+ 58z − 51, z ∈ C.

(b) Sketch the graph of y = x 4 − 6x 3 − 2x 2 + 58x − 51

, stating clearly the coordinates of any maximum and minimum
points and intersections with axes. [6]

(c) Hence, or otherwise, state the condition on k ∈ R such that all

roots of the equation P (z) = k are real. [2]
38. [Maximum mark: 5] 18N.2.AHL.TZ0.H_1
Consider a geometric sequence with a first term of 4 and a fourth term of −2.916.

(a) Find the common ratio of this sequence. [3]

(b) Find the sum to infinity of this sequence. [2]

39. [Maximum mark: 3] 18M.2.AHL.TZ1.H_1
The 3rd term of an arithmetic sequence is 1407 and the 10th term is 1183.

(b) Calculate the number of positive terms in the sequence. [3]

40. [Maximum mark: 8] 18M.2.AHL.TZ1.H_7
It is known that the number of fish in a given lake will decrease by 7% each year
unless some new fish are added. At the end of each year, 250 new fish are added
to the lake.

At the start of 2018, there are 2500 fish in the lake.

(a) Show that there will be approximately 2645 fish in the lake at
the start of 2020. [3]

(b) Find the approximate number of fish in the lake at the start of
2042. [5]
41. [Maximum mark: 7] 18M.2.AHL.TZ2.H_6
n
Use mathematical induction to prove that (1 − a) > 1 − na for

, n ⩾ 2} where 0 < a < 1. [7]

+
{n : n ∈ Z
42. [Maximum mark: 6] 18M.2.AHL.TZ2.H_1
Consider the complex number z .
2+7i
=
6+2i

(a) Express z in the form a + ib, where a, b ∈ Q. [2]

(b) Find the exact value of the modulus of z. [2]

(c) Find the argument of z, giving your answer to 4 decimal places. [2]
43. [Maximum mark: 6] 18M.2.AHL.TZ2.H_5
(a) 3n + 1
Express the binomial coefficient ( ) as a polynomial
3n − 2

in n. [3]

(b) 3n + 1
Hence find the least value of n for which ( ) > 10
6
.
3n − 2 [3]
44. [Maximum mark: 4] 17N.2.AHL.TZ0.H_1
Boxes of mixed fruit are on sale at a local supermarket.

Box A contains 2 bananas, 3 kiwifruit and 4 melons, and costs $6.58.

Box B contains 5 bananas, 2 kiwifruit and 8 melons and costs $12.32.

Box C contains 5 bananas and 4 kiwifruit and costs $3.00.

Find the cost of each type of fruit. [4]

45. [Maximum mark: 15] 17N.2.AHL.TZ0.H_12
Phil takes out a bank loan of $150 000 to buy a house, at an annual interest rate
of 3.5%. The interest is calculated at the end of each year and added to the
amount outstanding.

(a) Find the amount Phil would owe the bank after 20 years. Give
your answer to the nearest dollar. [3]

To pay off the loan, Phil makes annual deposits of $P at the end of every year in a
savings account, paying an annual interest rate of 2% . He makes his first deposit
at the end of the first year after taking out the loan.

(b) Show that the total value of Phil’s savings after 20 years is
20
(1.02 −1)P

(1.02−1)
. [3]

(c) Given that Phil’s aim is to own the house after 20 years, find the
value for P to the nearest dollar. [3]
David visits a different bank and makes a single deposit of $Q , the annual interest
rate being 2.8%.

(d.i) David wishes to withdraw $5000 at the end of each year for a
period of n years. Show that an expression for the minimum
value of Q is

5000

1.028
+
5000
2
+ … +
5000

1.028
n . [3]
1.028

(d.ii) Hence or otherwise, find the minimum value of Q that would

permit David to withdraw annual amounts of $5000
indefinitely. Give your answer to the nearest dollar. [3]
© International Baccalaureate Organization, 2024