_______________________

Name:
_
Arc length w/ radians (A-
level only) _______________________
Class:
_

_______________________
Date:
_

Time: 145 min.

Marks: 121 marks

Comments:

Page 1 of 31
Q1.
The diagram shows a sector AOB of a circle with centre O and radius r cm.

The angle AOB is θ radians.

The sector has area 9 cm2 and perimeter 15 cm.

(a) Show that r satisfies the equation 2r2 − 15r + 18 = 0

(4)

(b) Find the value of θ. Explain why it is the only possible value.
(4)
(Total 8 marks)

Q2.
The diagram shows a sector OAB of a circle with centre O and radius r cm.

The angle AOB is 1.25 radians. The perimeter of the sector is 39 cm.

(a) Show that r = 12.

(3)

(b) Calculate the area of the sector OAB.

(2)
(Total 5 marks)

Q3.
The diagram shows a sector OAB of a circle with centre O.

Page 2 of 31
 The radius of the circle is 20 cm and the angle AOB = 0.8 radians.

(a) Find the length of the arc AB.

(2)

(b) Find the area of the sector OAB.

(2)

(c) A line from B meets the radius OA at the point D, as shown in the diagram below.

The length of BD is 15 cm. Find the size of the obtuse angle ODB, in radians,
giving your answer to three significant figures.
(4)
(Total 8 marks)

Q4.
The diagram shows a sector OAB of a circle with centre O and radius 6 cm.

The angle between the radii OA and OB is θ radians.

The area of the sector OAB is 21.6 cm2.

(a) Find the value of θ.

(2)

(b) Find the length of the arc AB.

(2)
(Total 4 marks)

Page 3 of 31
Q5.
The diagram shows a sector OPQ of a circle with centre O.

The radius of the circle is 18 m and the angle POQ is radians.

(a) Find the length of the arc PQ, giving your answer as a multiple of π.
(2)

(b) The tangents to the circle at the points P and Q meet at the point T, and the angles
TPO and TQO are both right angles, as shown in the diagram below.

(i) Angle PTQ = α radians. Find α in terms of π.

(1)

(ii) Find the area of the shaded region bounded by the arc PQ and the tangents
TP and TQ, giving your answer to three significant figures.
(6)
(Total 9 marks)

Q6.
The diagram shows a sector OAB of a circle with centre O and radius 5 cm.

Page 4 of 31
 The angle between the radii OA and OB is θ radians.

The length of the arc AB is 4 cm.

(a) Find the value of θ.

(2)

(b) Find the area of the sector OAB.

(2)
(Total 4 marks)

Q7.
The diagram shows a sector OAB of a circle with centre O.

The radius of the circle is 6 cm and the angle AOB = 0.5 radians.

(a) Find the area of the sector OAB.

(2)

(b) (i) Find the length of the arc AB.

(2)

(ii) Hence show that

the perimeter of the sector OAB = k × the length of the arc AB

where k is an integer.
(2)
(Total 6 marks)

Page 5 of 31
Q8.
The diagram shows a sector OAB of a circle with centre O.

The radius of the circle is 15 cm and angle AOB = 1.2 radians.

(a) (i) Show that the area of the sector is 135 cm2.
(2)

(ii) Calculate the length of the arc AB.

(2)

(b) The point P lies on the radius OB such that OP = 10 cm, as shown in the diagram
below.

Calculate the perimeter of the shaded region bounded by AP, PB and the arc AB,
giving your answer to three significant figures.
(5)
(Total 9 marks)

Q9.
The diagram shows a sector OAB of a circle with centre O.

The radius of the circle is 8 m and the angle AOB is 1.4 radians.

Page 6 of 31
 (a) Find the area of the sector OAB.
(2)

(b) (i) Find the perimeter of the sector OAB.

(3)

(ii) The perimeter of the sector OAB is equal to the circumference of a circle of
radius x m. Calculate the value of x to three significant figures.
(2)
(Total 7 marks)

Q10.
The diagram shows a sector OAB of a circle with centre O and radius 10 cm.

The angle AOB is 0.8 radians.

(a) Find the area of the sector.

(2)

(b) (i) Find the perimeter of the sector OAB.

(3)

(ii) The perimeter of the sector OAB is equal to the perimeter of a square. Find
the area of the square.
(2)
(Total 7 marks)

Q11.
The diagram shows a sector OAB of a circle with centre O and radius r cm.

Page 7 of 31
 The angle AOB is 1.2 radians. The area of the sector is 33.75 cm2.

Find the perimeter of the sector.

(Total 6 marks)

Q12.
The diagrams show a rectangle of length 6 cm and width 3 cm, and a sector of a circle of
radius 6 cm and angle θ radians.

The area of the rectangle is twice the area of the sector.

(a) Show that θ = 0.5.

(3)

(b) Find the perimeter of the sector.

(3)
(Total 6 marks)

Q13.
The diagram shows a shaded segment of a circle with centre O and radius 14 cm, where
PQ is a chord of the circle.

In triangle OPQ, angle POQ = radians and angle OPQ = α radians.

Page 8 of 31
 (a) Find the length of the arc PQ, giving your answer as a multiple of π.
(2)

(b) Find α in terms of π.

(2)

(c) Find the perimeter of the shaded segment, giving your answer to three significant
figures.
(2)
(Total 6 marks)

Q14.
The diagram shows a sector OAB of a circle with centre O.

The radius of the circle is 6 cm and the angle AOB is 1.2 radians.

(a) Find the area of the sector OAB.

(2)

(b) Find the perimeter of the sector OAB.

(3)
(Total 5 marks)

Q15.
The triangle ABC, shown in the diagram, is such that AC = 8 cm, CB = 12 cm and angle
ACB = θ radians.

The area of triangle ABC = 20 cm2.

(a) Show that θ = 0.430 correct to three significant figures.

(3)

Page 9 of 31
 (b) Use the cosine rule to calculate the length of AB, giving your answer to two
significant figures.
(3)

(c) The point D lies on CB such that AD is an arc of a circle centre C and radius 8 cm.
The region bounded by the arc AD and the straight lines DB and AB is shaded in
the diagram.

Calculate, to two significant figures:

(i) the length of the arc AD;

(2)

(ii) the area of the shaded region.

(3)
(Total 11 marks)

Q16.
The diagram shows a sector of a circle of radius 5 cm and angle θ radians.

The area of the sector is 8.1 cm2.

(a) Show that θ = 0.648.

(2)

(b) Find the perimeter of the sector.

(3)
(Total 5 marks)

Q17.
The diagram shows a triangle ABC and the arc AB of a circle whose centre is C and
whose radius is 24 cm.

Page 10 of 31
 The length of the side AB of the triangle is 32 cm. The size of the angle ACB is θ radians.

(a) Show that θ = 1.46 correct to three significant figures.

(3)

(b) Calculate the length of the arc AB to the nearest cm.

(2)

(c) (i) Calculate the area of the sector ABC to the nearest cm2.
(2)

(ii) Hence calculate the area of the shaded segment to the nearest cm2.
(3)
(Total 10 marks)

Q18.
The diagram shows a sector OAB of a circle with centre O and radius r cm.

The angle AOB is 1.5 radians. The perimeter of the sector is 56 cm.

(a) Show that r = 16.

(3)

(b) Find the area of the sector.

(2)
(Total 5 marks)

Page 11 of 31
Mark schemes

Q1.

Marking Instructions AO Marks Typical Solution

(a) AO1.2 B1 Area of sector gives

Recalls or l = rθ
PI by use in equation
,

Constructs two equations AO1.1a M1 Perimeter of sector gives

at least one correct
2r + rθ = 15

Eliminates θ AO1.1a M1

FT incorrect equations

Constructs a rigorous AO2.1 R1 2r2 + 18 = 15r

mathematical argument to
show required result, 2r2 − 15r + 18 = 0 (AG)
clearly constructing two
correct simultaneous
equations and eliminating
θ AG
(b) Solves a quadratic AO3.1a M1
equation and finds two
values of θ

Finds two correct values of AO1.1b B1

r
Finds both values of θ AO1.1b A1

Gives a valid reason for AO2.4 R1 8 > 2π ∴ θ ≠ 8

rejecting one of ‘their’ so only one possible value
values of θ

Total 8 marks

Q2.
(a) Arc = rθ (= 1.25r)
Within (a), rθ or 15 used for the arc length PI

M1

P = r + r + rθ = 39
Use of r + r + rθ for the perimeter.
m0 if no indication that ‘15’ comes from rθ

Page 12 of 31
 m1

3.25r = 39 r= = 12
CSO AG

A1
3

(b) {Area of sector = } r2θ

Within (b), r2θ stated or used for the sector area.

M1

= × 122 × 1.25 = 90 (cm2)

NMS: 90 scores 2 marks

A1
2
[5]

Q3.
(a) {Arc =} rθ = 20 × 0.8
rθ seen in (a) or used for the arc length
M1

… = 16 (cm)

A1
2

(b) {Area of sector =} × 202 × 0.8

OE seen in (b) or used for the area

M1

… = 160 (cm2)

A1
2

(c) {Let D = angle ODB}

Sine rule, ACF with sin D being the only unknown
PI by next line
M1

Page 13 of 31
 sin D =

= 0.956(474…)

Acute ‘D’ = 1.27(467…)

Correct rearrangement to ‘sinD= …’ or to ‘ D = sin−1 (…)’
OE. PI by at least 3sf correct value 1.27(467…) radians
or 73(.033)° for acute angle or PI by at least 3sf
value 1.86(692…) rounded or truncated for D

m1

D = π − Acute ‘D’ in rads

Dep on previous 2 marks being awarded. PI by correct ft
evaluation of π − c’s acute D to at least 3 sf value or
seeing 1.86(692…), rounded or truncated, for D

m1

{Angle ODB } = 1.87 {to 3sf}

Condone > 3sf.

A1
4
[8]

Q4.

(a) {Area of sector =} r2 θ = × 62 × θ

r2 θ seen in (a) or used for the area

M1

21.6 = 18θ so θ = 1.2

Must be exact, not rounded to

A1
2

(b) {Arc =} rθ
rθ seen in (b) or used for the arc length
M1

… = 7.2 {cm}
Ft on 6 × c’s value for θ provided 4 < arc < 10.

A1F
2

Page 14 of 31
 [4]

Q5.
(a) {Arc =} rθ
rθ seen or used for the arc length
M1

= 18 × = 12π (m)
12π

A1
2

(b) (i) α=

π OE expression which simplifies to π

B1
1

(ii) {Area of sector =} r2 θ = ×182 ×

r2 θ seen or used for the sector area

M1

= 108 π (=339.(29..))
If not exact accept 3sf or better
PI by final correct answer

A1

tan {or tan

{or PQ = 2 × 18sin } {or PQ = 18sin }

OE Correct method (PI) to find either TP or TQ (=TP)

or OT or PQ or PQ. If α not π / 3 then ft c’s value for

α in (b)(i). If c finds two of TP / TQ, OT and PQ / PQ

and gets one correct, one wrong, mark correct one
ie M1A1 (M1A0 possible if no correct length)

M1

Page 15 of 31
TP = 18 = 31.1769… exact or 31.1 to 31.2 incl}

{or PQ=18 =31.1769... exact or 31.1 to 31.2 incl}

{or OT = 36};

Correct TP or TQ or PQ or PQ or OT either exact value

or in range indicated PI by value 561 to 561.3 inclusive for
the area of the kite.

A1

PQ = 9 or 15.5 to 15.6 incl}

Area of kite PTQO = 2 × × 18 × TP

{or Area = TP2sin α}

{or area kite = × PQ ×

{or area kite = × 2 × 18sin × OT}

{= 182 } {= 2×162 };{243 + 81 }

OE valid method to find area of kite, down to a correct
expression with no more than 1 unknown length; ft on
c’s value of α. For method using > one unknown length
this M is dependent on previous M for length
PI by value 324 or a numerical expression which
simplifies to 324 ; or a value 561 to 561.3 inclusive
for the area of the kite. Can also be implied by award
of the final A1

M1

Alternative:

Area triangle PTQ = TP2sin α and

Area triangle POQ = 182sin(2π/3)

OE Alternative: Award this method mark if both area
of triangle PTQ (= 243 ) and area of triangle
POQ (= 81 ) are found with or without finding area of kite
(M1)

Area of shaded region = 561.(18...) − 108 π = 222 (m2) to 3sf A1 6 222.0

inclusive

Page 16 of 31
 If not 222, condone value from 221.7 to 221.89…

A1

Alternative

Area of shaded region = 243 − (108π − 81 ) = 221.89…

= 222 (m2) to 3sf

(A1)
(6)
[9]

Q6.
(a) Arc = rθ
arc = rθ seen or used. PI by correct θ

M1

A1
2

(b)

M1

Ft on 12.5×c’s exact value for θ in part (a)

provided 5 ≤ c’s area ≤ 20

A1F
2
[4]

Q7.

(a) {Area of sector =}

seen within (a) or used for the area

M1

Page 17 of 31
 = 9 (cm2)
Condone missing/incorrect units

A1
2

(b) (i) {Arc =} rθ = 6 × 0.5

rθ seen within (b) or used for the arc length

M1

= 3 (cm)
Condone missing/incorrect units

A1
2

(ii) Perimeter of sector = 6 + 6 + arc length

PI by value of 12+c’s (b)(i) answer

M1

= 15 (cm) (= 5 × 3)

Perimeter (of sector) = 5 × (length of) arc

Completion, including concluding statement

A1
2
[6]

Q8.

(a) (i) {Area of sector =}

Stated or explicitly used

M1

AG Must see some substitution

A1
2

(ii) {Arc =} rθ
PI

M1

…. = 18 (cm)

A1
2

Page 18 of 31
 (b) PB = 5 (cm)
Accept even if only on a diagram or
within an expression for the perimeter

B1

{AP2 =} 152 + 102 – 2 × 15 × 10 cos 1.2

RHS of cosine rule used

M1

= 325 – 300 cos 1.2 = 216.2926 ...

Correct order of evaluation

m1

AP = 14.7(068..)
PI eg within an expression for perimeter

A1

Perimeter = 5 + 18 + 14.7.... = 37.7 (cm)

3 sf or better

A1
5
[9]

Q9.

(a) {Area of sector =}

seen or used for the area

M1

Must be exact, not rounded to

A1
2

(b) (i) {Arc =} rθ

rθ seen or used for the arc length

M1

…. = 11.2
PI Condone AWRT 11.2

Page 19 of 31
 A1

Perimeter of sector = 16 + 11.2 = 27.2 {m}

Ft on c’s evaluation of 8 × 1.4

A1F
3

(ii) 27.2 = 2πx

[c’s numerical answer for (b)(i)] = 2πx

M1

Condone > 3 sf

A1
2
[7]

Q10.

(a) {Area of sector =}

stated or used for area of sector. PI

M1

A1
2

(b) (i) {Arc =} r θ

rθ stated or used for arc length. PI
M1

…. = 8
PI

A1

Perimeter = 20 + rθ = 28 (cm)
ft on 20 + r × θ

Page 20 of 31
 A1Ft
3

(ii) Area of square =

PI

M1

= 49 {cm2}

A1cao
2
[7]

Q11.

{Area of sector =}

seen or used for the area; PI

M1

Correct rearrangement to r2 = ... or ... r = ...

m1

r = 7.5
PI eg by a correct arc length

A1

{Arc =} rθ
rθ seen or used for the arc length
M1

.... = 9
ft on 1.2 × cand’s r provided the two M’s
scored; if not explicit, PI by ft on
3.2 × cand’s r for perimeter

A1F

{Perimeter =} 24 {cm}
CAO

A1

Page 21 of 31
 [6]

Q12.

(a) Area of sector =

seen or used

M1

OE Forming equation

m1

36θ = 18 θ = 0.5
AG

A1
3

(b) Arc = 6θ;

rθ seen or used

M1

….. = 3 cm
PI by a correct perimeter

A1

Perimeter = 12 + arc = 15 cm
Ft wrong evaluation of 6θ. Condone
missing/wrong units throughout the question.

A1F
3
[6]

Q13.
(a) Arc PQ = rθ
rθ
M1

= 6π (cm)
Condone missing units throughout the paper

A1
2

Page 22 of 31
 (b)
OE

M1

Accept equivalent fractions eg and

condone 0.286π or better

A1
2

(c) Chord PQ = 2 × 14 × cos α

OE eg 2 × 14 × or 17.45 – 17.5

inclusive or

M1

Perimeter = 17.45… + 6π
= 36.307… = 36.3 (cm)
Condone > 3sf

A1
2
[6]

Q14.

(a) {Area of sector = }

M1

= 0.5 × 36 × 1.2 = 21.6 cm2

Condone missing/wrong units throughout the paper

A1
2

(b) Arc = rθ

M1

= 6 × 1.2 = 7.2

A1

Page 23 of 31
 Perimeter = 12 + 7.2 = 19.2 cm
Ft on incorrect evaluation of 6 × 1.2

A1ft
3
[5]

Q15.
[Note: Calc. set in wrong mode, penalise only once on the paper.]
Condone missing units throughout the question]

(a) Area of triangle = (12)(8)sinθ

Use of ab sin C or full equivalent

M1

sinθ = [=0.41(666...)]
OE (giving 0.412 to 0.42)

A1

θ = 0.4297(7...) = 0.430 to 3sf

AG(need to see >3sf value)

A1
3

(b) {AB2 =}82 +122 − 2 × 8 × 12 × cosθ

M1

= 64 + 144 − 174.5....
Accept 33 to 34 inclusive if three values
not separate

m1

AB = 5.78... = 5.8 cm to 2sf

If not 2sf condone 5.78 to 5.79 inclusive.
Condone ±

A1
3

(c) (i) Arc AD = 8θ

M1

= 3.44.. = 3.4 cm to 2sf

If not 2sf condone 3.438 to 3.44 inclusive

Page 24 of 31
 A1
2

(ii) Area of sector = r2θ

Stated or used [or 13.7(6..) seen]

M1

Shaded area = Area of triangle − sector area

Difference of areas

M1

Shaded area = 20 − 0.5 × 82 × θ

= 6.2 cm2 to 2sf
Condone 6.24 to 6.2472

A1
3
[11]

Q16.

(a) Area of sector = =

r2θ seen or used

M1

12.5θ = 8.1 θ = 0.648

AG Condone θ = 0.648 used to show that area = 8.1
A1
2

(b) Arc = 5θ ;
5θ

M1

….. = 3.24 cm
PI by a correct perimeter

A1

Perimeter = 10 + arc = 13.24 cm

CSO Condone missing/wrong units; condone
3sf i.e. 13.2 if no obvious error NMS 3/3

A1
3
[5]

Page 25 of 31
Q17.
(a)

M1

or

m1

or (= 0.7297..)

θ = 1.459... = 1.46 to 3sf

CSO AG (be convinced)

A1
3

(b) Arc

M1

= 24 × 1.459… = 35 cm
Condone absent cm; 35 to 35.04

A1
2

(c) (i) Area of sector =

Seen

M1

= = 420.3 = 420 cm2

Condone absent cm2; 420 to 420.48

A1
2

(ii) Area of triangle =

OE

Page 26 of 31
 M1

[= 286. (….)]

Shaded area = area of sector – area of triangle

Dep on at least one of the previous two M marks. PI

m1

cm2

Condone absent cm2

A1
3
[10]

Q18.
(a) Arc = rθ
For rθ or 16θ or 16 × 1.5 OE multiplication

M1

1.5r + r + r (= 56)
For realising that perimeter is sum of
two radii and arc.

M1

3.5r = 56 r = 16
AG Completion (condone verification)

A1
3

(b) Area of sector = r2 θ

r2 θ OE seen

M1

= 162 (1.5) = 192 cm2.

Condone absent cm2.

A1
2
[5]

Page 27 of 31
Examiner reports

Q2.
This question, which was the best answered question on the paper, provided most
students with a very good start to the paper. In part (a), a correct expression for the
perimeter was usually presented although a minority of students then lost the accuracy
mark because they could not either solve the equation r + r + 1.25r = 39 or they did not
provide a concluding statement after a verification approach using the given value for r. A
large majority of students obtained the correct value for the required area of the sector in
part (b). The most frequent error was to use the wrong formula, A = r2 θ , for the area of
the sector.

Q3.
This question tested the basic trigonometry section of the specification. Finding the arc
length and area of the sector was again generally done correctly, with students recalling
and using the correct formulae. In part (c) most students were able to find an angle of 1.27
radians using the sine rule but a majority of these then failed to realise that this is an acute
angle and did not subtract it from π to find the correct obtuse angle. A small minority of
students chose to convert 0.8 radians to degrees before doing any calculations in part (c).
They were not penalised for doing this and could score the final mark if they correctly
converted the 107° back to radians.

Q4.
This question provided most candidates with a very good start to the paper. The two most
common errors, made by the very small minority of candidates who failed to score full
marks on the question, were to use the wrong formula, A = r2θ, for the area of the sector

or to incorrectly rearrange 21.6 = 18θ to obtain θ = .

Q5.
Finding the arc length and expressing the angle PTQ in radians in terms of π were
generally done correctly in this question on radian measure and geometry. Most students
then found the correct value for the area of the sector, but then using this proved
challenging for the average grade student. A further length was needed, which was
usually correctly found by more able students. Finding the area of two triangles (or the kite
directly), followed by the shaded area, required connected use of information given and
found; this proved to be discriminating. Those who joined the points O and T and used
basic trigonometry to find the length of PT (=TQ) were generally more successful in
finding the area of the kite than those who started by joining P to Q. There were a number
of excellent solutions seen, mainly from students who supported their method by explicitly
referring to unknown lengths from the given diagram.

Q6.
This question provided many candidates with a good start to the paper. Most candidates
quoted the general formulae for arc length in part (a) and for area of sector in part (b),
showed the correct substitution and evaluated each correctly to score full marks. There
was no single common error in part (a), although wrong rearrangement of 4 = 5θ to get θ
= 1.25 was seen and this often led to a valid follow through answer in part (b), so scoring

Page 28 of 31
 three of the four marks for the question. Candidates who worked in degrees were
generally less successful. Some weaker candidates assumed that the chord AB was also
4cm and applied the cosine rule to find the value of θ. Other than quoting incorrect
formulae for the area of the sector in part (b) there were no other notable errors.

Q7.
There were many correct answers to parts (a) and (b)(i) with the majority of candidates
having learnt the correct formulae for the area and arc length of a sector.

In part (b)(ii) most candidates found the correct values for the perimeter and k but a far
higher proportion than expected of these candidates did not write a concluding statement
linking the two parts and so failed to score the final mark.

Q8.
Most candidates quoted the general formulae for the area of a sector and the arc length,
showed the correct substitution and evaluated each correctly to score full marks for part
(a)(i) and part (a)(ii). A significant minority of candidates, far more than anticipated, found
the area of the shaded region for which no credit was awarded. Those candidates who
attempted to find the perimeter almost always gained the mark for stating PB = 5cm.

The majority also realised that the cosine rule was required, although some incorrectly
assumed that OPA was a right-angle and applied Pythagoras’ Theorem to find the wrong
value for the length of AP. The usual errors in applying the cosine rule were seen: wrong
order of evaluation and calculators set in the wrong mode. However, for many of the
candidates, this question turned out to be their best answered on the paper.

Q9.
This opening question provided a confident start for most candidates, with correct
answers often seen to parts (a) and (b)(i). However, part (b)(ii) was answered relatively
poorly with a surprisingly large minority simply not knowing the correct formula for the
circumference of a circle (or an arc-length with angle 2π). The most common wrong
answer for those who recalled the correct formula for the circumference was ‘x = 42.7’,

obtained by poor use of the calculator in evaluating . Even some of the

best candidates lost marks in this opening question while getting high marks elsewhere.

Q10.
The vast majority of candidates were able to quote and use the correct formulae for the
area of the sector and for the arc length, although in part (b)(i) some candidates forgot to
add twice the radius when finding the perimeter. Candidates who converted 0.8 radians to
degrees and then used appropriate formulae for area of sector and arc length sometimes
lost marks through premature approximation. Although part (b)(ii) was generally very well
answered, there was a small minority of candidates who used ‘2πr’ for the perimeter of the
square.

Q11.
This question which tested the topics of length of an arc and area of a sector, but in an
unstructured manner, was well received by the candidates and was indeed the best
answered question on the paper. Many candidates presented a completely correct

Page 29 of 31
 solution. The most common loss of marks was due to premature approximation in finding
the value of r before substituting into a correct formula for the perimeter of the sector or

for an incorrect rearrangement of ‘33.75 = × 1.2r2’. It was a rarity to see candidates

using wrong formulae for area of sector and arc length.

Q12.
The vast majority of candidates were able to quote and use the correct formulae for the
area of the sector and for the arc length, and most obtained both correct answers.
Otherwise, the most common error in part (a) was to form the equation incorrectly, by

writing “2 × 18 = ”, before making a second error to obtain the printed answer. In

part (b), a very small minority left the perimeter as 3 cm.

Q13.
This question, which tested radian measure, was not answered as well as expected. A
significant number of candidates found the length of the chord PQ instead of the arc PQ
in part (a).

In part (b), only a minority of candidates found the correct expression for α in terms of π.

Those using + α + α = π usually went on to score both marks but it was not
uncommon to see π replaced by 180 in candidates’ initial statements. Those attempting to
solve the problem by using the sine rule were rarely successful.

In the final part of the question a significant number of candidates found the perimeter of
the sector instead of the perimeter of the shaded segment. It is worth recording that a
significant minority of candidates who failed to score the marks in part (a) gave a correct
expression for the arc length in part (c).

Q14.
The vast majority of candidates were able to quote and use the correct formulae for the
area of the sector and for the arc length and most obtained both correct answers. Again,
some weaker candidates quoted formulae from page 8 of the formulae booklet without
understanding the meaning of them and gained no credit.

Q15.
For many candidates this was their best answered question. In part (a) weaker candidates

seemed to be unaware of the formula ab sin C for the area of the triangle but the most
common reason for the loss of a mark was not showing a value for θ other than the
printed value and hence not showing that the result was correct to three significant
figures. It was disappointing to see some candidates quoting the cosine rule with sin θ
instead of cos θ (candidates should be aware that the cosine rule is given in the formulae
booklet) but in general this part of the question was answered very well. Most candidates
were able to quote the correct formulae for arc length and sector area but some
recalculated the area of the triangle, quite often not getting the value 20 as given in the

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 question. Some candidates quoted and used the incorrect formula r2(θ – sin θ) to
answer part (c)(ii).

Q16.
Most candidates were able to quote and use the correct formula for the area of the sector
to obtain the printed answer for θ. In part (b), a higher proportion of candidates than last
year realised that the perimeter of the sector included the two radii. Some weaker
candidates quoted formulae from page 8 of the formulae booklet without

understanding the meaning of them. For example, the ‘d’ in ‘ ’ was given
the value 10 (presumably the length of the diameter).

Q17.
With the cosine rule in the formulae booklet, candidates normally used the cosine rule

rather than using “ “. Some weaker candidates applied the rule incorrectly as
illustrated by 24 = 24 + 32 – 2 × 24 × 32cos θ”. Candidates need to be aware that in
2 2

order to “show that θ = 1.46 correct to three significant figures”, they should have supplied
a value for θ to a greater degree of accuracy. The vast majority of candidates found the
length of the arc and it was particularly pleasing to see weaker candidates use the printed
answer from part (a) to answer part (b). It was surprising to find a significant number of
candidates giving the answer for the area of triangle ABC rather than the area of sector
ABC in part (c)(i) and then producing a fully correct solution in part (c)(ii). The formula,

, for the area of a triangle did not seem to be as well known as it might have
been.

Q18.
Most candidates realised that the arc length was 1.5r but a significant minority could not
form or solve the equation r + r + 1.5r = 56. The area of the sector required in part (b)

was answered well, although some candidates used the incorrect formula (θ – sin θ).

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