UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL EXAMINATIONS

GCE Advanced Subsidiary Level and GCE Advanced Level

MARK SCHEME for the May/June 2010 question paper

for the guidance of teachers

9709 MATHEMATICS
9709/31 Paper 31, maximum raw mark 75

This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and candidates, to indicate the requirements of
the examination. It shows the basis on which Examiners were instructed to award marks. It does not
indicate the details of the discussions that took place at an Examiners’ meeting before marking began,
which would have considered the acceptability of alternative answers.

Mark schemes must be read in conjunction with the question papers and the report on the
examination.

• CIE will not enter into discussions or correspondence in connection with these mark schemes.

CIE is publishing the mark schemes for the May/June 2010 question papers for most IGCSE, GCE
Advanced Level and Advanced Subsidiary Level syllabuses and some Ordinary Level syllabuses.

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 Page 2 Mark Scheme: Teachers’ version Syllabus Paper
GCE AS/A LEVEL – May/June 2010 9709 31

Mark Scheme Notes

Marks are of the following three types:

M Method mark, awarded for a valid method applied to the problem. Method marks are
not lost for numerical errors, algebraic slips or errors in units. However, it is not
usually sufficient for a candidate just to indicate an intention of using some method or
just to quote a formula; the formula or idea must be applied to the specific problem in
hand, e.g. by substituting the relevant quantities into the formula. Correct application
of a formula without the formula being quoted obviously earns the M mark and in some
cases an M mark can be implied from a correct answer.

A Accuracy mark, awarded for a correct answer or intermediate step correctly obtained.
Accuracy marks cannot be given unless the associated method mark is earned (or
implied).

B Mark for a correct result or statement independent of method marks.

• When a part of a question has two or more “method” steps, the M marks are generally
independent unless the scheme specifically says otherwise; and similarly when there are
several B marks allocated. The notation DM or DB (or dep*) is used to indicate that a
particular M or B mark is dependent on an earlier M or B (asterisked) mark in the scheme.
When two or more steps are run together by the candidate, the earlier marks are implied and
full credit is given.

• The symbol √ implies that the A or B mark indicated is allowed for work correctly following
on from previously incorrect results. Otherwise, A or B marks are given for correct work
only. A and B marks are not given for fortuitously “correct” answers or results obtained from
incorrect working.

• Note: B2 or A2 means that the candidate can earn 2 or 0.

B2/1/0 means that the candidate can earn anything from 0 to 2.

The marks indicated in the scheme may not be subdivided. If there is genuine doubt whether
a candidate has earned a mark, allow the candidate the benefit of the doubt. Unless
otherwise indicated, marks once gained cannot subsequently be lost, e.g. wrong working
following a correct form of answer is ignored.

• Wrong or missing units in an answer should not lead to the loss of a mark unless the
scheme specifically indicates otherwise.

• For a numerical answer, allow the A or B mark if a value is obtained which is correct to 3 s.f.,
or which would be correct to 3 s.f. if rounded (1 d.p. in the case of an angle). As stated
above, an A or B mark is not given if a correct numerical answer arises fortuitously from
incorrect working. For Mechanics questions, allow A or B marks for correct answers which
arise from taking g equal to 9.8 or 9.81 instead of 10.

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The following abbreviations may be used in a mark scheme or used on the scripts:

AEF Any Equivalent Form (of answer is equally acceptable)

AG Answer Given on the question paper (so extra checking is needed to ensure that
the detailed working leading to the result is valid)

BOD Benefit of Doubt (allowed when the validity of a solution may not be absolutely
clear)

CAO Correct Answer Only (emphasising that no “follow through” from a previous error
is allowed)

CWO Correct Working Only – often written by a ‘fortuitous’ answer

ISW Ignore Subsequent Working

MR Misread

PA Premature Approximation (resulting in basically correct work that is insufficiently

accurate)

SOS See Other Solution (the candidate makes a better attempt at the same question)

SR Special Ruling (detailing the mark to be given for a specific wrong solution, or a
case where some standard marking practice is to be varied in the light of a
particular circumstance)

Penalties

MR –1 A penalty of MR –1 is deducted from A or B marks when the data of a question or

part question are genuinely misread and the object and difficulty of the question
remain unaltered. In this case all A and B marks then become “follow through √”
marks. MR is not applied when the candidate misreads his own figures – this is
regarded as an error in accuracy. An MR –2 penalty may be applied in particular
cases if agreed at the coordination meeting.

PA –1 This is deducted from A or B marks in the case of premature approximation. The

PA –1 penalty is usually discussed at the meeting.

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GCE AS/A LEVEL – May/June 2010 9709 31

1 EITHER: State or imply non-modular inequality ( x + 3a ) 2 > (2( x − 2a )) 2 , or corresponding

quadratic equation, or pair of linear equations ( x + 3a) = ± 2( x − 2a ) B1
Make reasonable solution attempt at a 3-term quadratic, or solve two linear
equations M1
Obtain critical values x = 13 a and x = 7a A1
State answer 13 a < x < 7 a A1
OR: Obtain the critical value x = 7a from a graphical method, or by inspection, or by
solving a linear equation or inequality B1
Obtain the critical value x = 13 a similarly B2
1
State answer 3
a < x < 7a B1 [4]
[Do not condone Y for <; accept 0.33 for 1
3
.]

2 Use correct cos 2A formula and obtain an equation in sin θ M1

Obtain 4 sin 2 θ + sin θ − 3 = 0 , or equivalent A1
Make reasonable attempt to solve a 3-term quadratic in sin θ M1
Obtain answer 48.6° A1
Obtain answer 131.4° and no others in the given range A1 √
Obtain answer 270° and no others in the given range A1 [6]
[Treat the giving of answers in radians as a misread. Ignore answers outside the given range.]

3 (i) EITHER: State or imply n ln x + ln y = ln C B1

Substitute x- and y-values and solve for n M1
Obtain n = 1.50 A1
Solve for C M1
Obtain C = 6.00 A1
OR: Obtain two correct equations by substituting x- and y-values in x n y = C B1
Solve for n M1
Obtain n = 1.50 A1
Solve for C M1
Obtain C = 6.00 A1 [5]

(ii) State that the graph of ln y against ln x has equation nln x + ln y = ln C which is
linear in ln y and ln x, or has equation of the form nX + Y = ln C, where X = ln x and
Y = ln y, and is thus a straight line B1 [1]

4 (i) State correct expansion of cos(3x – x) or cos(3x + x) B1

Substitute expansions in 12 (cos 2 x − cos 4 x) , or equivalent M1
Simplify and obtain the given identity correctly A1 [3]

(ii) Obtain integral 14 sin 2 x − 18 sin 4 x B1

Substitute limits correctly in an integral of the form a sin 2 x + b sin 4 x M1
Obtain given answer following full, correct and exact working A1 [3]

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GCE AS/A LEVEL – May/June 2010 9709 31

5 Separate variables correctly B1

Integrate and obtain term ln x B1
Integrate and obtain term 12 ln( y 2 + 4) B1
Evaluate a constant or use limits y = 0, x = 1 in a solution containing aln x and bln(y2 + 4) M1
Obtain correct solution in any form, e.g. 12 ln( y 2 + 4) = ln x + 12 ln 4 A1
Rearrange as y 2 = 4( x 2 − 1) , or equivalent A1 [6]

6 (i) Using the formulae 12 r 2θ and 12 r 2 sin θ , or equivalent, form an equation M1

Obtain a correct equation in r and x and/or x/2 in any form A1
Obtain the given equation correctly A1 [3]

(ii) Consider the sign of x − ( 34 π − sin x) at x = 1.3 and x = 1.5, or equivalent M1

Complete the argument with correct calculations A1 [2]

(iii) Use the iterative formula correctly at least once M1

Obtain final answer 1.38 A1
Show sufficient iterations to at least 4 d.p. to justify its accuracy to 2 d.p., or show
there is a sign change in the interval (1.375, 1.385) A1 [3]

7 (i) Obtain modulus 8 B1

Obtain argument 14 π or 45° B1 [2]

(ii) Show 1, i and u in relatively correct positions on an Argand diagram B1

Show the perpendicular bisector of the line joining 1 and i B1
Show a circle with centre u and radius 1 B1
Shade the correct region B1 [4]

(iii) State or imply relevance of the appropriate tangent from O to the circle B1 √
Carry out complete strategy for finding z for the critical point M1
Obtain answer 7 A1 [3]

A B
8 (i) State or imply the form + and use a relevant method to find A or B M1
x +1 x + 3
Obtain A = 1, B = −1 A1 [2]

(ii) Square the result of part (i) and substitute the fractions of part (i) M1
Obtain the given answer correctly A1 [2]

1 1
(iii) Integrate and obtain − − ln (x + 1) + ln( x + 3) − B3
x +1 x+3
Substitute limits correctly in an integral containing at least two terms of the correct
form M1
Obtain given answer following full and exact working A1 [5]

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9 (i) Use quotient or product rule to differentiate (1 – x)/(1 + x) M1

Obtain correct derivative in any form A1
dy
Use chain rule to find M1
dx
Obtain a correct expression in any form A1
Obtain the gradient of the normal in the given form correctly A1 [5]

(ii) Use product rule M1

Obtain correct derivative in any form A1
Equate derivative to zero and solve for x M1
Obtain x = 12 A1 [4]

10 (i) Express general point of l or m in component form, e.g. (1 + s, 1 – s, 1 + 2s) or

(4 + 2t, 6 + 2t, 1 + t) B1
Equate at least two corresponding pairs of components and solve for s or t M1
Obtain s = −1 or t = −2 A1
Verify that all three component equations are satisfied A1 [4]

(ii) Carry out correct process for evaluating the scalar product of the direction vectors of
l and m M1
Using the correct process for the moduli, divide the scalar product by the product of
the moduli and evaluate the inverse cosine of the result M1
Obtain answer 74.2° (or 1.30 radians) A1 [3]

(iii) EITHER: Use scalar product to obtain a – b + 2c = 0 and 2a + 2b + c = 0 B1

Solve and obtain one ratio, e.g. a : b M1
Obtain a : b : c = 5 : −3 : −4, or equivalent A1
Substitute coordinates of a relevant point and values for a, b and c in
general equation of plane and evaluate d M1
Obtain answer 5x – 3y – 4z = −2, or equivalent A1
OR 1: Using two points on l and one on m, or vice versa, state three equations in
a, b, c and d B1
Solve and obtain one ratio, e.g. a : b M1
Obtain a ratio of three of the unknowns, e.g. a : b : c = −5 : 3 : 4 A1
Use coordinates of a relevant point and found ratio to find the fourth
unknown, e.g. d M1
Obtain answer –5x + 3y + 4z = 2, or equivalent A1
OR 2: Form a correct 2-parameter equation for the plane,
e.g. r = i + j + k + λ(i – j + 2k) + µ(2i + 2j + k) B1
State three equations in x, y, z, λ and µ M1
State three correct equations A1
Eliminate λ and µ M1
Obtain answer 5x – 3y – 4z = −2, or equivalent A1
OR 3: Attempt to calculate vector product of direction vectors of l and m M1
Obtain two correct components of the product A1
Obtain correct product, e.g. –5i + 3j + 4k A1
Form a plane equation and use coordinates of a relevant point to
calculate d M1
Obtain answer –5x + 3y + 4z = 2, or equivalent A1 [5]

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