Differential Equations

1. Variables t and y, with t ≥ 0 and y > 0, are related by:

dy 1
= y(2 − y)
dt 2
2e
with the condition y = 1 when t = 0. Show that y = .
1+e
Show that y → 2 when t → ∞. Sketch the graph of y against t.
6 9
Find the difference in the values of t when y changes from to .
5 5
[8], [4], [3] 99

2. (a)Variables t and v, with 0 < < 2 is related by the differential equation

dv
t =v −v
dt
with the condition v = 2 when t = 1. Find v in terms of t and sketch the graph of v against t.
(b)Show that
d y dy
(1 + x ) = (1 + x ) − xy
dx √1 + x dx
where y is a function of x. Hence, solve the differential equation:
dy
(1 + x ) − xy = x(1 + x )
dx
with the condition y = 1 when x = 0.
[8], [7] 00

3. Solve the differential equation

dy
x= (x + 1)(y + 1)
dx
with x > 0 > −1, and y = 2 when x = 1. Give your answers in the form y = f(x).
[5] 01

4. The rate of change of water temperature is described by the differential equation:

dθ
= −k(θ − θ )
dt
where θ is the water temperature at time t, θ is the surrounding temperature, and k is a positive
constant.
A boiling water at 100°C is left to cool in a kitchen that has a surrounding temperature of 25°C.
3
The water takes 1 hour to decrease to the temperature of 75°. Show that k = ln .
2
When the water reaches 50°C, the water is placed in a freezer at − 10°C to be frozen to ice.
Find the time required, from the moment the water is put in the freezer until it becomes ice at
0°C.
 [6], [6] 02

5. The rate of increase in the number of a species of ish in a lake is described by the differerential
equation:
dP
= (a − b)P
dt
where P is the number of ish at time t weeks, a the rate of reproduction, and b the mortality rate,
with a and b as constants.
(a)Assuming P = P at time t = 0 and a > , solve the differential equation and sketch its
solution curve.
(b) At a certain instant, there is an epidemic of a disease. The epidemic results in no more offspring
1
of the ish being produced and the ish die at a rate directly proportinal to . There are 900 ish
p
before the outbreak of the epidemic and only 400 ish are alive after 6 weeks. Determine the length
of time from the outbreaking of the epidemic until all the ish of that species die.
[7], [9] 03
6. The variables t and x are connected by:
dx
= 2t(x − 1)
dt
where x ≠ 1. Find in terms of t if x = 2 when t = 1.
[5] 04

7. A canal of width 2a has parallel straight banks and the water lows due north. The points A and
B are on opposite banks and B is due east of A, with the point O as the midpoint of AB. the
x − axis and y − axis are taken in the east and north directions respectively with O as the
origin. The speed of the current in the canal, v , is given by:
x
v =v 1−
a
where v is the speed of the current in the middle of the canal and x the distance eastward
from the middle of the canal. A swimmer swims from A towards the east at speed v relative
to the current in the canal. Taking y to denote the distance northwards travelled by the swimmer,
show that:
dy v x
= 1−
dx v a
If the width of the canal is 12m, the speed of the current in the middle of the canal is 10m s
and the speed of the swimmer is 2m s relative to the current in the canal,
(a) ind the distance of the swimmer from O when he is at the middle of the canal and his distance
from B when he reaches the east bank of the canal.
(b)Sketch the actual path taken by the swimmer.
[3], [7], [3] 04

v
8. Using the substitution y = , show that the differential equation
x
dy 2y
+y =−
dx x
may be reduced to
dv v
=−
dx x
Hence, ind the general solution of the original differential equation.
[3], [4] 05

9. Show that:
d 2
(ln tan x) =
dx sin 2x
Hence, ind the solution of the differential equation
dy
(sin 2x) = 2y(1 − y)
dx
1 1
for which y = when x = π. Express y explicitly in terms of x in your answer.
3 4
[2], [8] 05

10. Find the general solution of the differential equation:

dy
x =y −y−2
dx
[6] 06

11. A particle moves from rest along a horizontal straight line. At time s, the displacement
and velocity of the particle are x m and v m s respectively and its acceleration in m s , is
given by:
dv
= sin π − √3 cos π
d
Express v and x in terms of .
Find the velocity of the particle when its acceleration is zero for the irst and second times.
Find also its distance travelled by the particle between the irst and second times its acceleration
is zero.
[7], [7] 06
12. The variables x and y, where x > 0, satisfy the differential equation:
dy
x = y − xy
dx
Hence, show that the general solution of the given differential equation may be expressed
2x
in the form y = , where A is an abitrary constant.
1 + Ax
Find the equation of the curve which passes through the point(1,4)and sketch this curve.
[10], [4] 07

13. Show that the substitution u = x + y transform the differential equation:

dy
(1 − x) + 2y + 2x = 0
dx
into the differential equation:
du
(1 − x) = −2u
dx
[3] 08

14. A 50 litre tank is initially illed with 10 litres of brine solution containing 20kg of salt.
Starting from time t = 0, distilled water is poured into the tank at a constant rate of 4 litres
per minutes. At the same time, the mixture leaves the tank at a constant rate of √k litres per
minute, where k > 0. The time taken for over low to occur is 20 minutes.
(a)Let Q is the amount of salt in the tank at time t minutes. Show that the rate of change of Q is
given by:
dQ Q√k
=−
dt 10 + 4 − √k t
Hence, express Q in terms of t.
(b)Show that k = 4, and calculate the amount of salt in the tank at the instant over low
occurs.
(c)Sketch the graph of Q against t for 0 ≤ t ≤ 20.
[7], [6], [2] 08
15. Find the particular solution of the differential equation
dy
e − y (x + 1) = 0
dx
for which y = 1 when x = 0. Hence, express y in terms of x.
[7] 09
16. One of the rules at a training camp of 1000 occupants states that camp activities are to be
suspended if 10% of the occupants are infected with a virus. A trainee infected with a lu virus
enrolls in the camp causing an outbreak of lu. The rate of increase of the number of infected
occupants x at t days is given by the differential equation:
 dx
= kx(1000 − x)
dt
where k is a constant.
Assume that the outbreak of lu begins at the time the infected trainee enrolls and no one
leaves the camp during the outbreak,
1000e
(a)Show that x =
999 + e
(b)Determine the value of k if it is found that, after one day, there are ive infected occupants.
(c)Determine the number of days before the camp activities will be suspended.
[9], [3], [4] 09
 Trigonometry
1. Find the value of x, with 0° < < 360°, which satis ies equation sec x + tan x = 4. Give
your answers correct to the nearest 0.1°.
[6] 99
2. Prove that sin 3θ = 3 sin θ − 4 sin θ . By using this identity, show that:
2 2 3
sin θ − π + sin θ + sin θ + π ≡ − sin 3θ
3 3 4
Hence, ind the values of θ, with 0 ≤ θ ≤ π, which satisfy the equation:
2 2 3
sin θ − π + sin θ + sin θ + π = − cosec 3θ
3 3 16
[8], [7] 99
3. Prove that, for all values of θ, sin θ (cos 2θ + cos 4θ + cos 6θ) = cos 4θ sin 3θ.
1 1
Deduce that sin π = .
12 √6 + √2
[5] 00
4. Express sin x − 3 cos x in the form r sin(x − α) , with r > 0 0° < < 90°; ℎ
value of α correct to the nearest 0.1°. Sketch the curve y = sin x − 3 cos x for
0° ≤ x ≤ 360°.
Find the range of values of x between 0° and 360° which satis ies the inequality
sin x − 3 cos x ≥ 2.
1
Find the largest and smallest value of .
sin x − 3 cos x + 5
[8], [4], [3] 00
5. Express 9 sin θ − 6 cos θ in the form of r sin(θ − α) , with r > 0 0° < < 90°. ,
ind the smallest and largest value for 9 sin θ − 6 cos θ − 1.
[6] 01
6. By using the formulae for sin(A + B) and cos(A + B) , prove:
tan A + tan B
tan(A + B) ≡
1 − tan A tan B
3 tan θ − tan θ
Deduce that tan 3θ ≡
1 − 3 tan θ
Solve the equation:
1 2
tan θ + tan θ + π + tan θ + π = 3 for 0 ≤ θ ≤ 2π.
3 3
[6], [9] 01
π
7. Express cos x + √3 sin x in the form r cos(x − α) , with r > 0 0< < .
2
Hence, ind the value of x, with 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π, which satisfy the inequality
0 < cos x + √3 sin x < 1.
[5] 02
8. Starting from formulae for sin(A + B) and cos(A + B) , prove:
tan A + tan B
tan(A + B) ≡
1 − tan A tan B
π 1 − 2 tan x − tan x
If 2x + y = , show that tan y =
4 1 + 2 tan x − tan x
π π
By substituting x = , show that tan = √2 − 1.
8 8
[3], [6] 03
9. Express cos θ + 3 sin θ in the form r cos(θ − α) , where r > 0 0° < < 90°.
[4] 04
10. Find all values of x, where 0° < < 360°, ℎ ℎ ℎ :
tan x + 4 cot x = 4 sec x
[5] 04
11. In the tetrahedron ABCD, AB = BC = 10cm, AC = 8√2cm, AD = AC = 8cm and
BD = 6cm.
Show that the line from C perpendicular to AB and the line from D perpendicular to AB meet
at a point on AB. Hence, calculate the angle between the face ABC and the face ABD.
[8] 05
12. Express 4 sin θ − 3 cos θ in the form r sin(θ − α), where r > 0 0° < < 90°. Hence,
solve the equation 4 sin θ − 3 cos θ = 3 for 0° < < 360°.
[6] 06
13. Find in terms of π all values of x between 0 and π which satisfy the equation
tan x + cot x = 8 cos 2x
[4] 07
14. The triangle PQR lies in a horizontal plane, with Q due west of R. The bearings of P from
Q and R are θ and ∅ respectively, where θ and ∅ are acute. The top A of a tower PA is at a
height h above the plane and the angle of elevation of A from R is α. The height of a vertical
pole QB is k and the angle of elevation of B from R is β. Show that:
k tan α cos θ
h=
tan β sin(θ − ∅)
[5] 07
15. In triangle ABC, the point X divides BC internally in the ratio m: n where m + n = 1.
Express AX in terms of AB, BC, CA, m and n.
[5] 08
θ 2t 1−t
16. If t = tan , show that sin θ = and cos θ =
2 1+t 1+t
Hence, ind the values of θ between 0° and 360° that satisfy the equation:
10 sin θ − 5 cos θ = 2
[4], [3] 08
17. Find the values of x, where 0 ≤ x ≤ π, which satisfy the equation sin x sec x = 2 tan x.
[4] 09
 Geometry Deduction
1. Points A and B are on the side XY of triangle XYZ, with XA = AB = BY. Points C and D are
are on the sides YZ and XZ respectively such that ABCD is a rhombus. Prove that
∠XZY = 90°
[6] 02
2.

The points P, Q, R and S are on the circumference of a circle, such that ∠PQR = 80° and
∠RPS = 30°, as shown in the above diagram. The tangent to the circle at P and the chord RS
which is produced, meet at T.
(a)Show that PR = RT.
(b)Show that the length of the chord RS is the same as the radius of the circle.
[3], [4] 02
3. Vertices B and C of the triangle ABC lie on the circumference of a circle. AB and AC cut the
circumference of the circle at X and Y respectively. Show that ∠CBX + ∠CYX = 180°.
If AB = AC, show that BC is parallel to XY.
[3], [3] 03
4.
The above diagram shows two circles ABRP and ABQS which intersect at A and B. PAQ and
RAS are straight line. Prove that triangle RPB and SQB are similar.
[7] 03
5.

The above diagram shows two isoceles triangles ABC and ADE which have bases AB and AD
respectively. Each triangle has base angles containing 75°, with BC and DE parallel and equal
in length. Show that:
(a)∠DBC = ∠BDE = 90°
(b)the triangle ACE is an equilateral triangle.
(c)The quadrilateral BCED is a square.
[4], [4], [4] 04
6.

The above diagram shows two intersecting circles AXYB and CBOX, where O is the centre of
circle AXYB. AXC and BYC are straight lines. Show that ∠ABC = ∠BAC.
[5] 05
7. In the triangle ABC, the point P lies on the side AC such that ∠BPC = ∠ABC. Show that
the triangle BPC and ABC are similar.
If AB = 4cm, AC = 8cm, and BP = 3cm, ind the area of the triangle BPC.
[3], [4] 05

8. Prove that an exterior angle of a cyclic quadrilateral is equal to opposite interior angle.

In the above diagram, ABCD is cyclic quadrilateral. The lines AB and DC extended meet at
the point E and the line AD and BC extended meet at point F. Show that the triangles ADE
and CBE are similar.
If DA = DE, ∠CFD = α and ∠BEC = 3α, determine the value of α.
[3], [4] 06
9.

The diagram above shows two intersecting circles APQ and BPQ, where APB is a straight line.
The tangents at the point A and B meet at a point C. Show that ACBQ is a cyclic quadrilateral.
If the lines AQ and CB are parallel and T is the point of intersection of AB and CQ, show that the
triangle ATQ and BTC are isoceles triangle. Hence, show that the areas of the triangle ATQ and
BTC are in the ratio AT : BT .
[4]. [7] 07

10. The diagram below shows the circumscribed circle of the triangle ABC.

The tangent of the circle at A meets the line BC extended to T. The angle bisector of the angle
ATB cuts AC at P, AB at Q and the circle at R. Show that:
(a)triangles APT and BQT are similar.
(b)PT ∙ BT = QT ∙ AT
(c)AP = AQ.
[4], [2], [4] 08
11. The circumscribed circle of the triangle JKL is shown in the diagram below.

The tangent to the circle at J meets the line KL axtended at T. The angle bisector of the angle
JTK cuts JL and JK at U and V respectively. Show that JV = JU.
[4] 09
12. A parallelogram ABCD with its diagonals meeting at the point O is shown in the diagram
below.

AB is extended to P such that BP = AB. The line that passes through D and is parallel to AC
meets PC produced at point R and ∠CRD = 90°.
(a)Show that the triangles ABD and BPC are congruent.
(b)Show that ABCD is a rhombus.
(c)Find the ratio CR: PC.
[3], [6], [3] 09
 Vectors
1. Particles A and B move with velocities (20 + 16 )m s and (4 + 4j)m s respectively.
Initially, particle A is at the origin and particle B is a position vector 100 .
(a)Find the position vectors of particle A and B at time t.
(b)Determine the distance moved through by particle B form the instant t = 0 to t = 4s.
(c)Show that the distance between particle A and B is the shortest when t = 4s, and ind its
shortest distance.
[3], [3], [9] 00

2. Ship A moves with a velocity of (40 + 30 )km h and ship B moves with a velocity
of (12 + 16 )km h , with and as unit vectors in the directions to the east and to the
noth respectively. At a particular instant, the position vector of ship B relative to ship A is
10 km. Calculate the magnitude and direction of the velocity of ship A relative to ship B and
the shortest distance between ship A and ship B.
At the instant when ship A is directly north of ship B, ship A changes its course but mantains
its speed to intercept ship B. Find the course that must be set by ship A and the time taken
to intercept ship B.
[6], [9] 01
3. Position vectors of the point P and Q relative to origin O are 2 and 3 + 4 respectively.
Find the angle between OP⃗ and vector OQ⃗.
[4] 02
4. Wind is blowing with a speed of w from the direction of N θ°W. When a ship is cruising
eastwards with a speed of u, the captain of the ship found that the wind seemed to be
blowing with a speed of v , from the direction N α°W. When the ship is cruising north with a
speed of u, the captain of the ship, however, found that the wind seemed to be blowing with a
speed of v , from the direction N β°W.
(a)Draw the triangle of velocity for both situations.
tan α − 1
(b)Show that tan θ = .
1 − cot β
(c)Express v − v in terms of u, w and θ.
[4], [7], [2] 02
5. Let = cos ∅ + sin ∅ and = cos θ + sin θ , where and are perpendicular unit
1 1
vectors. Show that: | − | = sin (∅ − θ)
2 2
[5] 03
6. A force of magnitude 2p N acts along the line OA and a force of magnitude 10N acts along
the line OB. The angle between OA and OB is 120°. The resultant force has magnitude √3p N.
Calculate the value of p and determine the angle between the resultant force and OA.
[8] 03
7. The points S and T are midpoint of the sides AB and AD respectively of a parallelogram
ABCD. The lines CS and CT cut the diagonal BD at the points U and V respectively.
1
Show that BU⃑ = λBC⃗ + λCD⃗ and also BU⃑ = (1 − μ)BC⃗ + μCD⃗, where λ and μ are constants.
2
1
Hence show that BU⃑ = BD⃗.
3
Deduce that the lines CS and CT trisects the diagonal BD.
[6], [3] 04

8. The points P and Q lie on the diagonals BD and DF respectively of a regular hexagon
BP DQ
ABCDEF such that = = k.
BD DF
Express CP⃗ and CQ⃗ in terms ok k, and , where AB⃗ = and BC⃗ = .
If the points C, P and Q lie on a straight line, determine the value of k. Hence, ind CP: PQ.
[7], [7] 05
4 1
9. If the angle between the vector a = and b = is 135°, ind the value of p.
8 p
[6] 06
10. The points P, Q and R are the midpoints of the sides BC, CA and AB respectively of the
triangle ABC. The lines PA and BQ meet at the point G, where AG = m AP and BG = n BQ.
1 1 1 2
(a)Show that AG⃗ = mAB⃗ + mAC⃗ and AG⃗ = (1 − n)AB⃗ + nAC⃗. Deduce that AG = AP
2 2 2 3
2
and BG = BQ.
3
2
(b)Show that CR meets AP and BQ at G, where CG = CR.
3
[6], [3] 06
11. The position vectors of the points A, B, C, and D, relative to the origin, are + 3 ,
−5 − 3 , (x − 3) − 6 and (x + 3) respectively.
(a)Show that for any value of x, ABCD is parallelogram.
(b)Determine the value of x for which ABCD is rectangle.
[3], [4] 07
12.
The diagram above shows non − collinear points O, A and B, with P on the line OA such that
OP: PA = 2: 1 and Q on the line AB such that AQ: QB = 2: 3. The lines PQ and OB produced
meet at the point R. If OA⃗ = and OB⃗ = ,
1 2
(a)Show that PQ⃗ = − +
15 5
(b)Find the position vector of R, relative to O, in terms of .
[5], [5] 07
13. The position vectors of the point A, B and C, with respect to the origin O, are , and .
respectively. The points L, M, P and Q are the midpoints of OA, BC, OB and AC respectively.
1 1
(a)Show that the position vector of any point on the line LM is + λ( + − )for some
2 2
scalar λ, and express the position vector of any point on the PQ in terms of , and .
(b)Find the position vector of the point of intersection of the line LM and the line PQ.
[6], [4] 08
14. A boat is travelling at a speed of 30knots. A yacht is sailing northwards at a speed of 10
knots. At 1300 hours, the boat is 14 nautical miles to the north east of the yacht.
(a)Determine the direction in which the boat should be travelling in order to intercept the
yacht.
(b)At what time does the interception occur?
[3], [4] 09
 Data Description
1. The following is the systolic blood pressure, in mm Hg, of 10 patients in a hospital.
165,135,151,155,158,146,149,124,162,173
If a patient is selected randomly, ind the probability the patient s systolic blood pressure
exceeds one standard deviation above or below the mean.
[6] 99
2. The following table shows the age, in years, of 121 participants in a conference relating
to health.
Age Frequency
18 − 24 6
25 − 31 11
32 − 38 19
39 − 45 26
46 − 52 45
53 − 59 14
Plot a histogram and a frequency polygon for the given grouped data. Give comments on the
distribution of the age of the participants.
Estimate median and semi − interquartile range for participants ages.
State whether median is more suitable than the mean as the measure of base for the age
distribution of the participants. Give reason for your answers.
[5], [8], [2] 99
3. The table below shows the scores obtained by a group of students in a mathematics quiz.
Score 0 1 2 3 4 5
Number of students 8 1 1 0 x 3
If the median is 1: (a)Find the value of x , (b)Find mode and mean score
[1], [3] 00
4. The number of personal computers sold in a week by a company for a period of 25 weeks is
given as below:
10,8,7,4,4,18,9,14,17,11,5,4,5,7,10,12,14,10,9,29,7,6,5,20,15
(a)Find the mean and standard deviation of the number of personal computers sold in a week
in the given period.
(b)Find the percentage of the weeks that the weekly sales of the personal computers are within
one standard deviation from the mean.
(c)Construct a frequency distribution by grouping the number of personal computers sold per
week according to class intervals 1 − 5, 6 − 10, 11 − 15, 16 − 20, and 21 − 30. Hence, plot a
histogram corresponding to this grouped data and state the shape of distribution.
[5], [3], [7] 00
5. Find the median and the semi − interquartile range for the following numbers:
550,450,400,750,650,700,850,500
[4] 01
6. The table below shows the number of women based on the number of their children according
to result of a survey conducted on 50 000 married women in the country.
Number of children Number of women
0 5011
1 8698
2 11633
3 19418
4 4848
5 307
6 85
(a)Determine the percentage of women whose number of children are within the range of one
standard deviation from the mean.
(b)Let X represent the number of children of a woman that is chosen randomly. Tabulate the
probability distribution of X with each probability given to three decimal places.
(c)If ive women are chosen randomly, ind that the probability that three of them have more than
two children.
[7], [3], [5] 01
7. The table below show the number of defective electronic components per lot for 500 lots that
have been tested:
Number of defective component per 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 or
lot more
Relative frequency 0.042 0.054 0.392 0.318 0.148 0.014 0.032
(a)State the mode and the median number of defective electrocin component per lot.
(b)For the lots with defective components of more than 5, the mean number of defective components
per lot is 6.4. Find the mean number of defective electronic components per lot for the given 500
lots.
[2], [2] 02
8. The number of teenagers, according to age, that patronize a recreation centre for a certain
period of time is indicated in the following table.
Age in Years Number of teenagers
12 − 4
13 − 10
14 − 27
15 − 110
16 − 212
17 − 238
18 − 149
[Age 12 − means age 12 and more but less than 13 years]
(a)Display the above data using histogram.
(b)Find median and semi − interquartile range for the age of teenagers who patronize the
recreation centre. Give your answer to the nearest month.
[3], [7] 02
9. Show that, for numbers x , x , x , … x , with mean x, (x − x) = x − nx
The numbers 4,6,12,5,7,9,5,11, p, q where p < , ℎ ̅ = 6.9 and
(x − x) = 102.9. Calculate the value of p and q.
[2], [6] 03
10. The number of ships which anchor at a port every week for 26 particular weeks are as
follows:
32,28,43,21,35,19,25,45,35,32,18,26,30
26,27,38,42,18,37,50,46,23,40,20,29,46
(a)Display the data in a stemplot.
(b)Find the median and interquartile range.
(c)Draw a boxplot to represent data.
(d)State the shape of the frequency distribution. Give a reason to your answer.
[2], [4], [3], [2] 03
11. The following data show the masses, in kg, of ish caught by 22 ishermen on a particular day.
23,48,51,25,39,37,41,38,37,20,88
69,22,42,46,23,52,41,40,59,68,59
(a)Display the above data in an ordered stemplot.
(b) ind the mean and standard deviation.
(c)Find the median and interquartile range.
(d)Draw a boxplot to represent above data.
(e)State whether the mean or the median is more suitable as a representative value of the above
data. Justify your answer.
[2], [5], [4], [3], [2] 04
12. Overexposure to a certain metal dust at the workplace of a factory is detrimental to the
health of its workers. The workplace is considered safe if the level of the metal dust is less than
198 μg m . The level of the metal dust at the workplace is recorded at a particular time of day
for a period of 90 consecutive working days. The results are summarized in the table below:
Metal dust level (μg m ) Number of days
170 − 174 8
175 − 179 11
180 − 184 25
185 − 189 22
190 − 194 15
195 − 199 7
200 − 204 2
(a)State what the number 11 means.
(b)Calculate the estimates of the mean and standard deviation of the levels of the metal dust.
(c)Plot a cumulative frequency curve of the above data. Hence, estimate the median and
interquartile range.
(d)Find the percentage of days for which the workplace is considered unsafe.
[1], [5], [7], [3] 05
13. The time taken by 22 students to breakfast are shown in the following table.
Time (x 2≤x<5 5 ≤ x < 8 8 ≤ x < 11 11 ≤ x < 14 14 ≤ x < 17 17 ≤ x < 20
minutes)
Number of 1 2 4 8 5 2
students
(a)Draw a histogram of the grouped data. Comment on the shape of the frequency distribution.
(b)Calculate the estimates of the mean, median and the mode of the breakfast time. Use your
calculation to justify your statement about the shape of the frequency distribution.
[4], [7] 06
14. The mean mark for a group of students taking a statistics test is 70.6. The mean marks for
male and female students are 68.5 and 72.0 respectively. Find the ratio of the number of male
to female students.
[4] 07
15. The masses (in thousands of kg)of solid waste collected from a town for 25 consecutive
days are as follows:
41,53,44,55,48,57,50,38,53,50,43,46,56,51
48,33,46,55,49,50,52,47,39,51,49,52
(a)construct a stemplot to represent the data.
(b)Find the median and interquartile range.
(c)Calculate the mean and standard deviation.
(d)Draw a boxplot to represent above data.
(e)comment on the shape of the distribution and give a reson to your answer.
[2], [4], [5], [3], [2] 07
16. A sample of 100 fuses, nominally rated at 13 amperes, are tested by passing increasing
electric current through them. The current at which they blow are recorded and the following
cumulative frequency table is obtained.
Current(amperes) Cumulative
Frequency
< 10 0
< 11 8
< 12 30
< 13 63
< 14 88
< 15 97
< 16 99
< 17 100
Calculate the estimates of the mean, median and mode. Comment on the distribution.
[8] 08
17. The mean and standard deviation of Physics marks for 25 school candidates and 5 private
candidates are shown in the table below.
School Private
Candidates Candidates
Number of candidates 25 5
Mean 55 40
Standard deviation 4 5
Calculate the overall mean and standard deviation for the Physics marks.
[5] 09
 Probability
1. A factory producing bulbs uses three types of machines A, B and C while respectively
contribute 25%, 35% and 40% of the bulbs produced by the factory. 5% of the bulbs
produced by machine A, 4% by machine B and 2% by machine C are found to be defective.
Find the probability that a randomly selected bulb, produced by the factory is defective.
[5] 00
2. As many as 35 out of 40 light bulbs in a box are in good condition. Two light bulbs are
randomly selected, one after another, from the box. Find the probability that only one of the
two bulbs selected is in good condition
(a)If the irst selected bulb is replaced in the box.
(b)If the irst selected bulb is not replaced in the box.
[2], [2] 01
3. Three bulbs are selected at random from one blue ball, three red balls and six white balls.
Find the probability that all the three balls selected are of the same colour.
[3] 02
4. A factory has 36 male workers and 64 female workers, with 10 male workers earning less
than RM1000 a month and 47 female workers earning less than RM1000 a month. At the end
of the year, workers earning less than RM1000 are given a bonus of RM1000 whereas the others
receive a month salary.
(a)If two workers are chosen randomly, ind the probability that exactly one worker receives
a bonus of one month s salary.
(b)If a male worker and a female worker are chosen randomly, ind the probability that exactly
one worker receives a bonus of one month s salary.
[3], [3] 03
5. Two transistors are chosen at random from a batch of transistors containing ninety good and
ten defective ones.
(a) ind the probability that at least one out of the two transistor chosen is defective.
(b)If at least one out of the two transistor chosen is defective, ind the probability that both
transistors are defective.
[3], [4] 04
6. A four − digit number, in the range 0000 to 9999 inclusive, is formed. Find the probability
that
(a)the number begins or ends with 0
(b)the number contain exactly two non − zero digits
[3], [3] 05
7. Two archers A and B take turns to shoot, with archer A taking the irst shot. The probabilities
1 1
of archers A and B hitting bull s − eyes in each shot are and respectively. Show that the
6 5
1
probability of archer A hitting the bull s − eyes irst is .
2
[4] 06
1
8. The probability that it rains in a certain area is . The probability that an accident occurs
5
1 1
at a particular corner of a road in the area is if rains and if it does not rain. Find the
20 50
probability that it rains if an accident occurs at the corner.
[5] 06
9. There are eight parking bays in a row at a taxi stand. If one blue taxi, two red taxis, and
ive yellow taxis are parked there, ind the probability that two red taxis are parked next
at each other.
[ Assume that a taxi may be parked at any of the parking bays. ]
[3] 07
3 1 1
10. Two events A and B are such that P(A) = , P(B) = and P(A|B) = .
8 4 6
(a)Show that events A and B are neither independent nor mutually exclusve.
(b)Find the probabiliy at least one of the events A and B occurs.
(c)Find the probability that either one of the events A and B occurs.
[2], [3], [4] 07
11. There are 12 towels, two of which are red. If ive towels are randomly chosen, ind the
probability that at least one is red.
[4] 08
12. In a basket of mangoes and papayas, 70% of mangoes and 60% of papayas are ripe.
If 40% of the fruits in the basket are mangoes:
(a) ind the percentage of the fruit which are ripe.
(b) ind the percentage of the ripe fruit which are mangoes
[3], [4] 08
13. There are 20 doctors and 15 engineers attending a conference. The number of women doctors
and that of women engineers are 12 and 5 respectively. Four participants from this group are
selected randomly to chair some sessions of panel discussion.
(a)Find the probability that three doctors are selected.
(b)Given that two women are selected, ind the probability that both of them are doctors.
[2], [2] 09
 Discrete Probability Distribution
1. A computer program has an error that causes the program not to function perfectly,
n programmers are assigned separately to detect the error. The probability that each
programmer will detect the error is 0.875. Determine the value of n if the probability
that at least one programmer detects the error is 0.998.
[5] 99
2. The number of trees of a certain species of tree in a forest believed to have a Poisson
distribution with a tree per hectare. Find the probability there are at least 3 trees of that
spesies in a circular area of radius 100m in that forest. Give your answers correct to 3
decimal places. [1 hectare = 10 m ]
[5] 99
3. Discrete random variable X has the following probability distribution:
1
p(x) = 116 x(9 − x) , x = 5,7,8
0 otherwise
where n is a constant.
(a)Determine the value of n.
(b)Sketch the graph of the probability function of X.
(c)Calculate the mean and variance of X.
[6], [4], [5] 99
4. X and Y are two independent random variable with E(X) = 7, E(X ) = 51, E(Y) = 10, and
E(Y ) = 103. Find (a)E(5X + Y − 2) (b)Var(5X + Y − 2)
[2], [4] 00
5. The number of accidents that occur on an assembly line has a Poisson distribution with a
mean of 3 accidents a year. Find, correct to three signi icant igures,
(a)The probability that one randomly chosen year is free from one accident.
(b)The probability that 2 years out of 5 years chosen at random are free from one accident.
[2], [3] 00
6. (a)The probability that a pair of brand A shoes will be spoilt within 6 months of usage is
0.2. By using a suitable approximation, ind the probability that there are 75 to 100 pairs of
shoes from 500 randomly chosen pairs which will be spoilt within the period of 6 months.

(b)A large quantity of shoes from brand B is inspected before been distributed to sales
outlets. It is found that 1% of the left side shoes are defective while 2% of the right side shoes
are defective. By assuming that the defects occur independently and using a suitable approximation,
calculate the probability that in a random sample of 50 pairs of shoes:
(i)there are two pairs of shoes with defects on their left side.
(ii)there is a pair of shoes with defects on both sides.
[6], [4], [5] 00
7. On average, the number of cars stopping over at a petrol station is one car per minute. Using
Poisson distribution, ind, correct to three decimal places, the probability
(a)that exactly three cars stop over at the petrol station in a period of one minute.
(b)That more than 2 cars stop over at the petrol station in a period of ive minutes.
[2], [4] 01
8. 2% of the bulbs produced by the a factory are not usable. Find the smallest number of bulbs
that must be examined so that the probability of obtaining at least one non usable bulb
exceeds 0.5.
[6] 02
9. The probability of a person allergic to a type of anaesthetic is 0.002. A total of 2000 persons
are injected with the anaesthetic. Using a suitable approximation distribution, calculate the
probability that more than two persons are allergic to the anaesthetic.
[5] 03
10. A type of seed is sold in packets which contain ten seeds each. On the average, it is found that
a seed per packet does not germinate. Find the probability that a packet chosen at random
contain less than two seeds which do not germinate.
[4] 04
11. The discrete random variable X has the probability distribution
( )
P(X = x) = k 4 − x , x = 1,2,3
0 otherwise
where k is a constant.
(a)Determine the value of k and tabulate the probability distribution of X.
(b)Find E(7X − 1)and Var(7X − 1).
[3], [7] 04
12. A computer accesories distributor obtains its supply of diskettes from manufacturers A and
B, with 60% of the diskettes from manufacturer A. The diskettes are packed by the manufacturers
in packet of tens. The probability that a diskette produced by manufacturer A is defective is 0.05
whereas the probability that a diskette produced by manufacturer B is defective is 0.02. Find
the probability that a randomly chosen packet contain exactly one defective diskette.
[7] 05
13. The probability distribution function of the discrete random variable Y is:
y
P(Y = y) = , where y = 1,2,3, … ,100
5050
(a)Show that E(Y) = 67 and ind Var(Y).
(b)Find P(|Y − E(Y)| ≤ 30)
[5], [4] 05
14. The independent Poisson random variables X and Y have parameters 0.5 and 3.5 respectively.
The random variable W is de ined by W = X − Y.
(a) Find E(W)and Var(W).
(b)Give one reason why W is not a Poisson random variable.
[4], [1] 06
15. The probability that a heart patient survives after surgery in a country is 0.85.
(a)Find the probability that, out of ive randomly chosen heart patients undergoing surgery,
four survive.
(b)Using a suitable approximate distribution, ind the probability that more than 160 survive
after surgery in a random sample of 200 heart patients.
[3], [6] 06
16. The probability that a lemon sold in a fruit store is rotten is 0.02.
(a)If the lemons in the fruit store are packed in packets, determine the maximum number of
lemons per packet so that the probability that a packet chosen at random does not contain
rotten lemons is more than 0.85.
(b)If the lemons in the fruit store are packed in boxes each containing 60 lemons, ind, using
a suitable approximation, the probability that a box chosen at random is less than three rotten
lemons
[5], [5] 07
1
17. The random variable X has a binomial distribution with parameters n = 500 and p = .
2
Using a suitable approximation distribution, ind P(|X − E(X)| ≤ 25).
[6] 08
18. A car rental shop has four cars to be rented out on a daily basis at RM50 per car.
The average daily demand for cars is four.
(a)Find the probability, that on a particular day:
(i)no cars are requested.
(ii)at least four requests for cars are received.
(b)Calculate the expected daily income received from the rentals.
(c)If the shop wishes to have one more car, the additional cost incurred is RM20 per day.
Determine whether the shop should buy another car for rental.
[2], [2], [5], [5] 08
19. A discrete random variable X takes the value of 0,1 and 2 with the probabilities of a, b
4 5
and c respectively. Given that E(X) = and Var(X) = , ind the values of a, b and c.
3 9
[6] 09
20. The independent random variable Y , where i = 1,2, … , n, takes the values of 0 and 1
with the probabilities of q and p respectively, where q = 1 − p.
(a)Show that E(Y ) = p and Var(Y ) = pq.
(b)If X = Y + Y + ⋯ + Y , determine E(X)and Var(X). Comment on the distribution of X.
[3], [5] 09
 Continuous Probability Distribution
1. The amount of petrol X, in thousand litres, sold in a day by a petrol station is a random
variable with probability density function:
1
f(x) = (x − 19x + 81), 0 ≤ x ≤ 9.
243
Find the expected amount of petrol sold by the petrol station in 30 days.
[5] 99
2. A sugar factory has two packaging machines which operate simulteneously and independently.
Machine A is two times faster than machine B. Mass of packet of sugar packed by machine A
are distributed normally with mean 1000g and standard deviation 4g, whereas mass of packet
of sugar packed by machine B are distributed normally with mean 996 g and standard deviation
5g.
(a)Show that the probability of the mass of a packet of sugar that is selected randomly is less
than 997g is 0.370.
(b)If a packet of sugar selected randomly has a mass less than 997g, ind the probability that
the packet is packed by machine B.
(c)Find the probability that from 5 packets of sugar selected randomly, at least 2 packets have
masses less than 997 g.
[8], [3], [4] 99
3. Continuous random variable X has the following probability density function:
1
f(x) = 8 , 0 ≤ x ≤ 9
0, otherwise
Continuous random variable Y is de ined by Y = ln X
1
(a)Show that P(Y ≤ y) = (e − 1), 0 ≤ y ≤ ln 9
8
(b)Find and sketch the cumulative distribution function of Y.
(c)Find the probability density function of Y.
9
(d)Show that E(Y) = ln 3 − 1.
4
[4], [4], [3], [4] 00
4. Continuous random variable X has the following cumulative distribution function:
0, x ≤ 0
⎧ 1
⎪
⎪ 2 x, 0 < ≤ 1
F(x) = 3
⎨x − a, 1 < ≤ 2
⎪
⎪ 3
⎩ b, x >
2
1
(a)Show that a = , and state the value of b.
2
 1 5
(b)Find P ≤x≤
2 4
[2], [3] 01
5. A random variable T, in hours, represents the lifespan of a system of heat conductor. The
probability that the system do not function at time t hours is given by:
P(T < ) = 1 − e
(a)Find the probability that the system functions for at least 250 hours.
(b)Find the probability distribution function of the lifespan of the system and sketch its
graph.
(c)Calculate the expected lifespan of the system.
[4], [5], [6] 01
6. A company sells two types of rice, brand A and brand B, in a 10kg bag. The mass of brand A
rice in each bag is normally distributed with a mean of 10.05kg and a standard deviation of
0.2kg, whereas the mass of brand B rice in each bag is normally distributed with a mean of
10.05kg and a standard deviation of 0.05kg.
(a)Find the probability that a bag of brand A rice and a bag of brand B rice selected at random
both are more than 10kg.
(b)If T represents the total mass of 2 bags of brand A rice and 6 bags of brand B rice, ind the
mean and variance of T. Hence, ind the probability that the total mass of the 8 bag rices is
less than 80kg.
[6], [9] 01
7. The mass of yellow water melon produced by a farmer is normally distributed with a mean
of 4kg and a standard deviation of 800g. The mass of red water melon produced by the farmer
is normally distributed with a mean of 6kg and a standard deviation of 1kg.
(a)Find the probability that the mass of a red water melon, selected at random, is less than
5kg. Hence, ind the probability that a red water melon with mass less than 5kg has mass less
than 4kg.
(b)If Y = M − 2K, where M represents the mass of a red water melon and K the mass of a
yellow water melon, determine the mean and variance of Y.
Assuming Y is normally distributed, ind the probability that the mass of a red water melon
selected at random is more than twice the mass of a yellow water melon selected at random.
[5], [6] 02
8. Continuous random variable X is de ined in the interval 0 to 4, with:
1 − ax, 0 ≤ x ≤ 3
P(X > ) = 1
b − x, 3 < ≤ 4
2
with a and b as constants.
1
(a)Show that a = and b = 2.
6
(b)Find the cumulative distribution function of X and sketch its graph.
(c)Find the probability density function of X.
(d)Calculate the mean and standard deviation of X.
[3], [4], [2], [6] 02
9. Tea bags are labelled as containing 2g of tea powder. In actual fact, the mass of tea powder
per bag has mean 2.05g and standard deviation 0.05g. Assuming that the mass of tea powder
of each bag is normally distributed, calculate the expected number of tea bags which contain
1.95g to 2.10g of tea powder in a box of 100 tea bags.
[5] 03
10. The lifespan of a species of plant in a random variable T(tens of days). The probability
density function is given by:
1
f(t) = 8 e , t > 0
0, otherwise
(a)Find the cumulative distribution function of T and sketch its curve.
(b)Find the probability, to three decimal places, that a plant of that species randomly chosen
has a lifespan of more than 20days.
(c)Calculate the expected lifespan of that species of plant.
[6], [3], [5] 03
11. The continuous random variable X has the probability density function:
4
( )
f(x) = 27 x 3 − x , 0 < < 3
0, otherwise
3
(a)calculate P X <
2
(b)Find the cumulative distribution function of X.
[3], [3] 04
12. The lifespan of an electrical instrument produced by a manufacturer is normally distributed
with a mean of 72 months and a standard deviation of 15 months.
(a)If the manufacturer guarantees that the lifespan of an electrical instrument is at least
36 months, calculate the percentage of the electrical instruments which have to be replaced
free of charge.
(b)If the manufacturer speci ies that less than 0.1% of the electrical instruments have to be
replaced free of charge, determine the greatest length of the guarantee period correct to the
nearest month.
[4], [5] 04
13. The mass of a small loaf of bread produced in a bakery may be modelled by a normal random
variable with mean 303g and standard deviation 4g. Find the probability that a randomly chosen
loaf has a mass between 295g and 305g.
[3] 05
14. The continuous random variable X has probability density function:
1 1
⎧ (1 − 2x), −2 ≤ x ≤
⎪25 2
f(x) = 3 1
⎨ (2x − 1), ≤ x ≤ 3
⎪ 25 2
⎩ 0, otherwise
(a)Sketch the graph y = f(x).
13
(b)Given that P(0 ≤ x ≤ k) = , determine the value of k.
100
[2], [6] 05
15. The continuous random variable X has probability density function:
x−1
f(x) = ,1 ≤ x ≤ b
12
0, otherwise
where b is a constant.
(a)Determine the value of b.
(b)Find the cumulative distribution function of X and sketch its graph.
(c)Calculate E(X).
[4], [5], [6] 06
16. The random variable X is normally distributed with mean μ and standard deviation is 100.
It is known that P(X > 1169) ≤ 0.117and P(X > 879) ≥ 0.877. Determine the range of the
values of μ.
[7] 07
17. The continuous random variable X has probability density function:
0, x < 0
⎧5
⎪ − x, 0 ≤ x < 1
f(x) = 4
⎨ 1
⎪
⎩ 4x , x ≥ 1
(a)Find the cumulative distribution function of X.
(b)Calculate the probability that at least one of two independent observed values of X is
greater than 3.
[7], [4] 08
18. The number of hours spent in a library per week by arts and science students in a college
is normally distributed with mean 12 hours and standard deviation 5 hours for arts students,
and mean 15 hours and standard deviation 4 hours for science students.
A random sample of four arts students and six science students is chosen. Assuming that X is
the mean number of hours spent by these 10 students in a week,
(a)Calculate E(X)and Var(X).
(b) ind the probability that in a given week, the mean number of hours spent by this sample
of students is between 11 hours and 15 hours.
[7], [3] 09
19. The time to repair a certain type of machine is a random variable X( in hours). The
probability density function is given by:
0.01x − p, 10 ≤ x < 20
f(x) = q − 0.01x, 20 ≤ x ≤ 30,
0, otherwise
where p and q are constants.
(a)Show that p = 0.1 and q = 0.3.
(b)Find the probability that the repair work takes at least 15 hours.
(c)Determine the expected value of X.
(d)If the total cost of repair of the machine comprises a surcharge of RM500 and an hourly
charge of RM100, express the total cost of repair in terms of X, and determine the expected
total cost of repair.
[6], [4], [4], [3] 09