Maths Methods

201
Assess
Rep
2011
GENERA
In 2011, 15 4

While the qu
of their writt
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Several ques
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Students nee
questions, bu

Time manage
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In 2011, stud
ratios; simpli
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A =0, B =0
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values in trig
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work separat
have the sam
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Question 10c
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BD =2CD.

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presented wi
(CAS) 1 GA 2 E
11
sment
port

AL COM
494 students s
uality of respon
en logic/reaso
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tions had a va
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tudents are rem
as much as the
dents would ha
ification of fra
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uld be aware t
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dition to this, w
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olutions indic
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(x) g(x) = f (
uld be able to
gonometry; an
atures of circu
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to start with th
right-hand sid
tely on the righ
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c. required stu
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understood th
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Exam

MMENTS
sat Mathemati
nses was varie
oning. Student
arks for carele
ariety of soluti
ow.
od use of the 1
try to identify
ed to be an iss
minded that th
ey can of the s
ave drawn on
actions, ratios
f triangles; ba
that when solv
be 0. Similar
when solving
hey have consi
ates students w
ns is to collect
(x)k(x) f
o use the chain
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ular function g
ermine when n
ions; formulat
that question
he left side of
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ht side to see
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nt must provid
udents to show
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the answer. Th
at the end of
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; recogni
al domain; uti
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tart with the d
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ENT AUTHORIT
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tion 10 was ei
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and eliminate
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mark for the an
TY 2012
GA 2: Exam
o the clarity an
notation of m
ons 5, 6, 8 and
to make sens
ither rushed o
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onger, more in
on; use of trig
dratics; perime
w.
B =0 then eith
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appening. A re
or accept solu
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uct rule; find a
omposite quad
erties of proba
tions occur for
wer a show th
nding on the qu
side (but not a
much as possi
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used. Whatev
made and so th
mplies that aft
erivative and
al to 0 and pro
ts. Fewer stud
When a corre
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mination
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mathematics
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e of the
or not
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nvolved
gonometric
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and use exact
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uestion. One
assume it
ible, then
hat they both
ver the nature
he process
ter having
(if all was
ove that
dents were
ect answer is
marks awarded

1


Maths Methods
201
Assess
Rep
are an indica
seemingly co

In general, st
( 8)( 2) x x + +
the quadratic
BCD had sid

SPECIFI

Question 1a
Marks
%
d 4 x
( )
dx
=
d

This was a di
transcribed th
3
2
.
Question 1b
Marks
%
' g (x) = 2xsin(
' g
t
6
|
\

|
.
| = 2
t
6
sin
t
3
|
\

|
.
| =
3
2
Answer: ' g
t
6
|
\

The product
students with
cos
t
3
|
\

|
.
|
.


Question 2a
Marks
%
1
3
log
e
(3x 4
(The constan

Common err
the general a


(CAS) 1 GA 2 E
11
sment
port
ation of workin
orrect answer
tudents strugg
) 0 > but also
c graph. Quest
des in the ratio
IC INFOR
.
0
40
d((4 x)
1
2
)
dx
=
1
2
ifferentiation
heir final answ
b.
0
14
(2x)+2x
2
cos(2
t
6
sin
t
3
|
\

|
.
|+2
and cos
t
3
|
\

|
.
| =
t
6
|
.
| =
t 3
6
+
t
2
36
rule was gene
h the correct d
.
0
57
) +c or
1
3
log
nt c is not nece
rors included m
anti-derivative
Exam
ng involved. S
from incorrec
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that this mean
tion 10d. relie
o of 1:2: 5 (b
RMATIO
1 Ave
60 0
2
(4 x)
1
2
1=
question invo
wer incorrectly
1 2
42 4
2x)

t
2
36
cos(
t
3
)
1
2


erally used we
derivative did n
1 Ave
43 0
g
e
( x
4
3
) +c

essary. It can b
missing the
1
3
e, ( ) f x dx
}
, re

Students attem
ct working and
stions 4b. and
ns 8 0 or x + s
d on the stude
by using Pytha
ON
rage
.6
=
1
2 4 x

olving the use
y, omitting th
2 Avera
44 1.3
ell by students
not get the sec
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.4
be any real nu
and omitting
equires an arb
Published: 8
mpting Questio
d so have a ze
d 10d. Questio
r 2 0 x + > . Th
ent using the k
agoras theore
of the chain ru
e negative sig
age
s. However, th
cond mark be
umber, includi
g the modulus
bitrary constan
March 2012
on 2b. and Qu
ro score for th
n 4b. required
his could be re
knowledge fro
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rule. Some stu
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cause they lef
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on of exact va
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tly but
howing it as
or. Many
sin
t
3
|
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|
.
|
and
be aware that

2
f

Maths Methods
201
Assess
Rep
Question 2b
Marks
%
( )(
2
2
4 15 2 =1
2 15 2
let 2
15
16
2 16 sin
4
x x
x
x
x
a
a a
a a
x


=


=
=

This question
Several stude

Question 3a
Marks
%
: [1,7]
4
range
period =
Common inc

Question 3b
Marks
%
sin 2 +
3
(2 + ) =..
3
11
= , a
4 12
x
x
x
t
t
t t
| |
|
\ .

Most student
in radians. Th
of poor algeb

Question 4a
Marks
%

( ( )) (
(
so 2 an
f g x x
x
c
=
=
=

The majority
factorised inc



(CAS) 1 GA 2 E
11
sment
port
b.
0
61
)
16
2 16 0
16 0
1 0
nce 2 1 0
x
x
=
=
+ =
+ >

n was poorly d
ents resorted t
.
0
20

correct respon
b.
0
26
.
1
= , is ba
2 6
5 13
. , ,
6 6 6
are the only so
t
t t t
|
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.
ts could deter
he majority of
bra, poor arith
.
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8
2
5) 9
2)( 8)
nd 8 or
x
x x
d c
+
+ +
=
y of students g
correctly or di
Exam
1 2
6 5
done. Many st
to guessing an
1 2
29 5
ses were a per
1 2
43 3
ase angle
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rmine the base
f students who
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1 2
17 7
8 and 2 c d = =
gained full mar
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2 3
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tudents started
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2 Avera
1 1.3
riod of 4 or
2 Avera
1 1.1
n domain

e angle. With
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ing a value ou
2 Avera
5 1.7

rks for this qu
(x +5)
2
corre
Published: 8
Average
1
d by writing a
hat x =4. Attem
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and a rang
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some preferri
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uestion. Howe
ectly.
March 2012
e
a = 2
x
4
x
=
mpts involvin
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ing to work in
d not get both
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ever, many did
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rather tha
ng logarithms
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n degrees, the
correct answe
or not looking
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an 2 4
x
a =
rarely helped.
e final answer
ers. This was
for multiple s
alue for c and
2
4
x
a = .
.
r was required
either a result
solutions.
d d, and others

3
d
t


Maths Methods
201
Assess
Rep
Question 4b
Marks
%

( , 8]
maximal dom
x e

This question
intersection
properties of
square root fu

Question 5a
Marks
%
Pr(X < 3.5) =
Method 1.usin








3
2
Method 2.
(3 )
0.625
By
x dx =
=
}

This question
probability (g
values and va

The followin

3.5
2
|3 | x dx
}

(CAS) 1 GA 2 E
11
sment
port
b.
0
84
when (
[ 2, ) or
main x
R
+

n was very po
of x > 8 wi
f composite fu
function work.
.
0
71
Pr(X < 3)+ Pr(
ng triangles :(0
2
3.5
3
:
( 3)
y integration
x x dx +
}
}
n was very po
given by the a
alues greater t
ng incorrect de
3.5
2
2
3
2
x
x x
(
= (
(

1.5
y
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
Exam
1 2
6 1
)( ) 0
\ ( 8, 2)
c x d
R
+ + >


oorly done. Co
th x > 2); or
unctions tende
.
1 2
11 1
(3< X < 3.5)
0.511)+(0.5
3.5
2
3
2
2
|3 |
3
2
x dx
x
x x

(
= (
(

oorly done. Few
area under the
than 1.
etermination o
5
0.375 =


2 2
2 Avera
0 0.3
ommon incorre
x > 8 (as the
d to get confu
2 Avera
8 0.5
0.50.5) = 0.
3.5
2
3
3
2
x
x
(
+ (
(

w students un
graph) had to
of the area wa
2.5 3
Published: 8
age
ect responses
e union of x
used. Students
age
5+0.125= 0.62


nderstood wha
o be between 0
s common.
3.5
March 2012
included [3,
> -8 with x >
s needed to loo
25

at the graph of
0 and 1. Many
4 4.5
,3], (the doma
2). Those wh
ok for a doma
f the function
y students gav
x
ain of f(x)); x >
ho attempted
ain that would
looked like or
ve answers wit
> 2 (as the
to use the
make the
r that the
th negative

4

Maths Methods
201
Assess
Rep

Question 5b
Marks
%
Pr( 2.5|
Pr( 2.5
Pr(
0.375 3
0.625 5
X X
X
X
<
<
=
<
= = =

The majority
Pr( 2.5) X <
denominator

Question 6a
Marks
%
The followin

Method 1: U
1 1
2 2
,
3
4
,
7
fromthe grad
4
fromthe inter
4
k
m c
m c
k
k or
k c
= =

=
+
=
=
Answer: k =

Method 2: U

Comparison o
k
4
=
3
k +7
=
k +
1
Using
k
4
=

k +
k
2
+7k = 12
Using
3
k +7
=
k
2
+10k +21=
Using
k
4
=
k +
1
k = 4 satisfie
Answer: k =


(CAS) 1 GA 2 E
11
sment
port
b.
0
54
3.5)
3.5) P
3.5) P
0.6
X
X
<
<
=
<
=
y of students w
Pr( 3.5) X <
.
.
0
43
ng are three di
Using gradien
2
1 2
3

3
1
7
dient ( 7)
3
rcepts 3
1
so th
3
k
k
k k
k
k
c c
+ | |
|
\ .
=
+
+ =
=
=
= =
4
Using ratios
of coefficients a
+3
1
3
+7
k = 4 or k =
=
k +3
1
= 3 k = 4 o
+3
1
k = 4
es all 3 ratios an
4
Exam
1 2
32 1
Pr( 2.5)
Pr( 3.5)
X
X
<
<

were aware tha
), which is no
1 2
22 1
fferent metho
nt, m, and y-in
1 2
12 so
0 and
here are infin
c c

= =
ite
as common ratio
= 3
or k = 6
nd the lines will

2 Avera
4 0.6
at Pr( 2.5 X <
ot correct. Mor
2 3
0 25
ds that can be
ntercept, c.
1
so there are
4
=
ely many solutio
os (all ratios wo
l be identical.
Published: 8
age
3.5) X < w
re correct exp
Average
1.2
e used to ident
eno solutions i
ons in this case
ould require the
March 2012
wasPr( 2.5 X <
ressions for th
e
tify and justify
n this case

same value of
5) . However, a
he numerator w
y k= -4.
k to have infini
a few express
were evident
ite solutions).

ed it as
than for the

5

Maths Methods
201
Assess
Rep
Method 3: U

determinant=
determinant=
k
2
+7k +12=
k = -4 or k
when k = 3 t
3x 3y
when k = 4 t
4x 3y
Answer: k =

Many studen
seen. Whiche

Question 6b
Marks
%
For unique so
2
7 12 k k + =
\{ 4, k R e

Most student
was using the

Question 7a
Marks
%
3
p


This questio
also a numb

Question 7a
Marks
%
2
3 (1 ) p p

The majority

Question 7b
Marks
%
p
3
= 3p
2
3p
4p
3
3p
2
= p
p = 0 and p =
The cancellin


(CAS) 1 GA 2 E
11
sment
port
Using determi
= k(k +7)+12
= 0 for infinitely
(k +4)(k +3) =
k = 3
the two equation
= 0 and 4x +4
the two equation
= 1 and 4x +
4
nts who tried t
ever method w
b.
0
67
olutions
0 =
3}

ts were aware
e determinant
i.
0
29
on was mostl
ber of respon
ii.
0
59
y of incorrect r
b.
0
24
p
3
p
2
(4p 3) = 0
=
3
4


ng out of p wa
Exam
inant
y many solution
0
ns become
y =1 so there ar
ns become
3y =1 so there
o solve simult
was chosen, st
1 Ave
33 0
of the two va
t. Many studen
1 Ave
71 0
ly well done
nses where st
1 Ave
41 0
responses neg
1 2
58 1
as rarely supp

ns or no solution
re no solutions
are infinitely m
taneous equat
tudents had to
rage
.4
alues of k that
nts chose a va
rage
.7
, although p
tudents incor
rage
.4
glected the 3 (f
2 Avera
8 1
orted. Many s
Published: 8
ns
in this case
many solutions i
tions rarely su
o justify their s
led to either n
alue of k that w
p p p = 3p
rrectly assign
for the numbe
age
students incorr
March 2012
in this case

ucceeded. Othe
selection of k.
no or infinite s
was not selecte
was a comm
ned a numeri
er of possible a
rectly assume
er variations o

solutions. The
ed as the answ
mon incorrect
ical value to p
arrangements)
ed p could not
of these metho
e most success
wer to part a.
t response. T
p.
).
be zero.
ods were
sful approach
There were

6

Maths Methods
201
Assess
Rep
Question 8a
Marks
%

Pr( ' A B)=Pr
Alternatively
Pr(AB) = Pr(
Pr(AB) =

B
B'


From the table
Pr( ') A B =

A simple Ven
varying meas
who used thi

Question 8b
Marks
%

Pr( ) =0 A B
The most com

Question 9
Marks
%
0
0
4
2
Point of inters
Area= (
or Area =
4
8 as
m
ax
x
ax
a m

(
(
(

=
}
}

The majority
of the point o
curves by re
definite integ
incorrectly ca
point of inter

(CAS) 1 GA 2 E
11
sment
port
.
0
34
r(AB) Pr(A) =
:
(A)+ Pr(B) Pr(A
= Pr(A)+ Pr(B)
A
1
10


3
5

e
1 1 3
4 10 20
=

nn diagram w
sures of succe
is but wrote P
b.
0
56
0 Pr( ) = A B '
mmon incorre
0
27
3
2
3
2
2
0
section ( , )
( ))
(2 )
4
(2
16 4 sinc
a
a
m am
x ax dx
ax x dx
a
m
=

(
=

= =
y of students c
of intersection
elating all area
grals or the are
ancelling ax in
rsection in term
Exam
1 2
29 3
=
3
4

3
5
=
3
20
(AB)
Pr(AB) =
3
5
+
A'
Pr(A B) '



would have ass
ess, to utilise t
Pr( ' A B)when
1 Ave
44 0
1
=Pr( ) =
4
B
ect response w
1 2
21 2
3
2
2
64
64
4
) 64
4
ce both and
am m a
x
a
a
a m
=
=
=
= =
could set up th
n to achieving
as back to the
ea of a triangl
n the integral
ms of x witha
2 Avera
8 1.1
1
4

3
4
=
1
10


1
4

1.0
sisted many st
the relation Pr
n rearranging
rage
.5
was due to stud
2 3
7 8
, 0
are greater tha
am m m
m
>
he correct integ
the final answ
x-axis. Instea
le and two def
and then quic
3
, ax x ax =
Published: 8
age
tudents in answ
r(AB) = Pr(A)
it. Arithmetic
dents interpret
4
16
2
2
an zero
m a =

gral equation
wers. Many stu
ad of a single d
finite integrals
ckly getting th
2
2 x a a = =
March 2012
wering this qu
+ Pr(B) Pr(A
was a weakn
ting mutually
Average
1.7
for the area, b
udents spent t
definite integr
s. Poor use of
he answer m =
2
2
x
= and subs
uestion. Most
B). There w
ess for some s
y exclusive as
but only a few
time determin
ral to determin
brackets led t
4. Some stud
stituted this di
students tried
were a number
students.
s independen
w realised the s
ning the area b
ne the area, the
to a number of
dents incorrect
irectly into the
d, with
of students
nt.
significance
between two
ey had three
f students
tly left the
e integral.

7

Maths Methods
201
Assess
Rep
Question 10
Marks
%
cos( ) BD a u =

This question
students tried
few students

Question 10
Marks
%
2 2
4 2
L a
L a B
= + + +
= + +

The second h
question.

Question 10
Marks
%
dL
du
= 2asin(u

When BD =2
substitute in

dL
du
= 2as

Most student
differentiatin
aucos(u). Th
but making n

Question 10
Marks
%
Using trigono
tan(u) =
1
2

BD= acos(u)
CD= asin(u)
L = 4+a +2BD
L =19+3 5

(CAS) 1 GA 2 E
11
sment
port
a.
0
34
) and sin CD a =
n required a st
d to use Pytha
had only one
b.
0
42
4
BD CD AE
BD CD a
+ + +
+ = +
horizontal leng
c.
0
58
u)+acos(u)
2CD acos(u)
(1)
sin(u)+2asin(u
ts who had L i
ng with respec
he show that
no mention of
d.
0
95
ometry:
sin(u) =
1
5
,co
) = 3 5
2
5
= 6
= 3 5
1
5
= 3
BD+CD= 4+3
Exam
1 2
4 6
n( ) u

traightforward
agoras theorem
of the correct
1 Ave
58 0
2 cos( )
E
a a u + +
gth of wire (A
1 2
14 2
(1)
) = 2asin(u)
u) = 0 as require
in terms of u c
ct to a, attemp
part of the qu
f either BD or
1 Ave
5 0
os(u) =
2
5
6
3
5+26+3


2 Avera
2 1.3
d application o
m, reciprocal
t answers. Som
rage
.6
sin( ) a u

AE or BD) was
2 Avera
8 0.7
ed

could differen
ting to differe
uestion was rar
CD.
rage
.1
Published: 8
age
of trigonometr
or inverse fun
me students di
s missing from
age
ntiate it correct
entiate with re
rely done wel
u
March 2012
ry for a right-
nctions. Other
id not answer
m some respon
tly. Some inco
spect to a and
ll, with many

angled triangl
rs mixed varia
this question
nses, despite p
orrect respons
d u, or differen
students maki
1
2
le. However, s
ables as well a
.
particular men
ses were a con
ntiating asin(u
ing a direct su
1
1
some
as units. Very
ntion in the
nsequence of
u) as
ubstitution,

8

Maths Methods
201
Assess
Rep
Alternatively
Maximum L w
a
2
= (2CD)
2
+
If a = 3 5
L = 4+a +2BD
L =19+3 5

Few students
connection th
calculate the



(CAS) 1 GA 2 E
11
sment
port
y:
when BD =2CD
+(CD)
2
=5(CD)
a
2
= 45CD=
D+CD= 4+3
s obtained the
hat the conditi
lengths of all
Exam
CD,
)
2

= 3 BD= 6
5+12+3=19+
correct answe
ion stated in Q
l the sides nec
+3 5

er. It was not
Question 10c.
essary to dete
Published: 8
a simple one-
provided enou
ermine the max
March 2012
step problem
ugh informati
ximum L.
and most stud
ion to use Pyth
dents did not m
hagoras theor
make the
rem and

9