1
1. The curve C has equation y = (9 8 x 2 x 4 ) .
8
dy
(a) Find the coordinates of the points on C at which = 0.
dx
(4)
(b) The tangent to C at the point P(1, 2) cuts the x-axis at the point T. Determine the
coordinates of T.
(4)
(c) The normal to C at the point P cuts the y-axis at the point N. Find the area of triangle
PTN.
(7)
(Total 15 marks)
2. Consider the function f(x) = x3 – 3x2 – 9x + 10, x .
(a) Find the equation of the straight line passing through the maximum and minimum points
of the graph y = f(x).
(4)
(b) Show that the point of inflexion of the graph y = f(x) lies on this straight line.
(2)
(Total 6 marks)
3. The cubic curve y = 8x3 + bx2 + cx + d has two distinct points P and Q, where the gradient is
zero.
(a) Show that b2 > 24c.
(4)
1 3
(b) Given that the coordinates of P and Q are , 12 and , 20 , respectively, find the
2 2
values of b, c and d.
(4)
(Total 8 marks)
IB Questionbank Mathematics Higher Level 3rd edition 1
4. The diagram below shows a sketch of the gradient function f′(x) of the curve f(x).
On the graph below, sketch the curve y = f(x) given that f(0) = 0. Clearly indicate on the graph
any maximum, minimum or inflexion points.
(Total 5 marks)
IB Questionbank Mathematics Higher Level 3rd edition 2
5. Consider the function f, defined by f(x) = x – a x , where x ≥ 0, a +
.
(a) Find in terms of a
(i) the zeros of f;
(ii) the values of x for which f is decreasing;
(iii) the values of x for which f is increasing;
(iv) the range of f.
(10)
(b) State the concavity of the graph of f.
(1)
(Total 11 marks)
2
6. If f (x) = x – 3x 3 , x 0,
(a) find the x-coordinate of the point P where f ′ (x) = 0;
(2)
(b) determine whether P is a maximum or minimum point.
(3)
(Total 5 marks)
7. A family of cubic functions is defined as fk (x) = k2x3 − kx2 + x, k +
.
(a) Express in terms of k
(i) f ′k (x) and f ′′k (x);
(ii) the coordinates of the points of inflexion Pk on the graphs of fk.
(6)
(b) Show that all Pk lie on a straight line and state its equation.
(2)
IB Questionbank Mathematics Higher Level 3rd edition 3
(c) Show that for all values of k, the tangents to the graphs of fk at Pk are parallel, and find
the equation of the tangent lines.
(5)
(Total 13 marks)
8. It is given that
18( x 1) 18(2 x) 36( x 3)
f(x) = 2
, f ( x) 3
, and f ( x) , x , x ≠ 0.
x x x4
(a) Find
(i) the zero(s) of f(x);
(ii) the equations of the asymptotes;
(iii) the coordinates of the local maximum and justify it is a maximum;
(iv) the interval(s) where f(x) is concave up.
(9)
(b) Hence sketch the graph of y = f(x).
(5)
(Total 14 marks)
IB Questionbank Mathematics Higher Level 3rd edition 4
