Formative Test 1 , 2024/25 Term One [44 marks]

1. [Maximum mark: 4]
The diameter of a spherical planet is 6 × 104 km.

(a) Write down the radius of the planet. [1]

Markscheme

3 × 10
4
OR 30000 (km) (accept 3 ∙ 104) A1

[1 mark]

(b) The volume of the planet can be expressed in the form

3
π(a × 10k) km where 1 ≤ a < 10 and k ∈ Z.

Find the value of a and the value of k. [3]

Markscheme

3 3
4

3
π(3 × 104) OR 4

3
π(30000) (A1)

4
=
3
π × 27 × 1012 (= π(36 × 1012)) OR
4
=
3
π × 27000000000000 (A1)

3
= π(36 × 1013) (km ) OR a = 3. 6, k = 13 A1

[3 marks]

2. [Maximum mark: 6]
The first three terms of an arithmetic sequence are u1, 5u1 − 8 and 3u1 + 8.

(a) Show that u1 = 4. [2]

Markscheme

* This sample question was produced by experienced DP mathematics

senior examiners to aid teachers in preparing for external assessment in the
new MAA course. There may be minor differences in formatting compared
to formal exam papers.

EITHER

uses u2 − u1 = u3 − u2 (M1)

(5u1 − 8) − u1 = (3u1 + 8) − (5u1 − 8)

6u1 = 24 A1

OR

u1+u3
uses u2 =
2
(M1)

u1+(3u1+8)
5u1 − 8 =
2

3u1 = 12 A1

THEN

so u1 = 4 AG

[2 marks]
 (b) Prove that the sum of the first n terms of this arithmetic
sequence is a square number. [4]

Markscheme

d = 8 (A1)

uses Sn M1
n
= (2u1 + (n − 1)d)
2

A1
n
Sn = (8 + 8(n − 1))
2

2
= 4n

2
= (2n) A1

Note: The final A1 can be awarded for clearly explaining that 4n2 is a
square number.

so sum of the first n terms is a square number AG

[4 marks]

3. [Maximum mark: 5]
(a) 2
Show that (2n − 1) + (2n + 1)
2
= 8n
2
+ 2, where

n ∈ Z. [2]

Markscheme

attempting to expand the LHS (M1)

 LHS = (4n
2
− 4n + 1) + (4n
2
+ 4n + 1) A1

+ 2 (= RHS) AG
2
= 8n

[2 marks]

(b) Hence, or otherwise, prove that the sum of the squares of any
two consecutive odd integers is even. [3]

Markscheme

METHOD 1

recognition that 2n − 1 and 2n + 1 represent two consecutive

odd integers (for n ∈ Z) R1

8n
2
+ 2 = 2 (4n
2
+ 1) A1

valid reason eg divisible by 2 (2 is a factor) R1

so the sum of the squares of any two consecutive odd integers is even AG

METHOD 2

recognition, eg that n and n + 2 represent two consecutive odd integers

(for n ∈ Z) R1

2
n
2
+ (n + 2) = 2 (n
2
+ 2n + 2) A1

valid reason eg divisible by 2 (2 is a factor) R1

so the sum of the squares of any two consecutive odd integers is even AG

[3 marks]
4. [Maximum mark: 6]
Consider any three consecutive integers, n − 1, n and n + 1.

(a) Prove that the sum of these three integers is always divisible by
3. [2]

Markscheme

(n − 1) + n + (n + 1) (A1)

= 3n A1

which is always divisible by 3 AG

[2 marks]

(b) Prove that the sum of the squares of these three integers is
never divisible by 3. [4]

Markscheme

2 2 2 2 2 2
(n − 1) + n + (n + 1) (= n − 2n + 1 + n + n + 2n + 1)

A1

2 2
attempts to expand either (n − 1) or (n + 1) (do not accept
− 1 or n + 1) (M1)
2 2
n

= 3n
2
+ 2 A1

2
demonstrating recognition that 2 is not divisible by 3 or 3
seen after
correct expression divided by 3 R1

3n
2
is divisible by 3 and so 3n2 + 2 is never divisible by 3
 OR the first term is divisible by 3, the second is not
2

OR OR
2 2 3n +2 2 2
3(n + ) = n +
3 3 3

hence the sum of the squares is never divisible by 3 AG

[4 marks]

5. [Maximum mark: 5]
Solve the equation 2 ln x = ln 9 + 4. Give your answer in the
form x = pe
q
where p, q ∈ Z
+
. [5]

Markscheme

* This sample question was produced by experienced DP mathematics

senior examiners to aid teachers in preparing for external assessment in the
new MAA course. There may be minor differences in formatting compared
to formal exam papers.

METHOD 1

2 ln x − ln 9 = 4

uses m ln x = ln x
m
(M1)

2
ln x − ln 9 = 4

uses ln a − ln b = ln
a

b
(M1)
2
x
ln = 4
9

A1
x 4
= e
9
 x
2
= 9e
4
⇒ x = √ 9e
4
(x > 0) A1

x = 3e
2
(p = 3, q = 2) A1

METHOD 2

expresses 4 as 4 ln e and uses ln x

m
= m ln x (M1)

2 ln x = 2 ln 3 + 4 ln e (ln x = ln 3 + 2 ln e) A1

uses 2 ln e = ln e
2
and ln a + ln b = ln ab (M1)

A1
2
ln x = ln (3e )

x = 3e
2
(p = 3, q = 2) A1

METHOD 3

expresses 4 as 4 ln e and uses m ln x = ln x

m
(M1)

ln x
2
= ln 3
2
+ ln e
4
A1

uses ln a + ln b = ln ab (M1)

2 2 4
ln x = ln (3 e )

x
2
= 3 e
2 4 2
⇒ x = √3 e
4
(x > 0) A1

so x = 3e
2
(x > 0) (p = 3, q = 2) A1

[5 marks]

6. [Maximum mark: 6]
In an arithmetic sequence, u2 = 5 and u3 = 11.

(a) Find the common difference. [2]

Markscheme

valid approach (M1)

eg 11 − 5, 11 = 5 + d

d = 6 A1 N2

[2 marks]

(b) Find the first term. [2]

Markscheme

valid approach (M1)

eg u2 − d, 5 − 6, u1 + (3 − 1) (6) = 11

u1 = −1 A1 N2

[2 marks]

(c) Find the sum of the first 20 terms. [2]

Markscheme

correct substitution into sum formula

eg 20

2
(2 (−1) + 19 (6)),
20

2
(−1 + 113) (A1)

S20 = 1120 A1 N2
 [2 marks]

7. [Maximum mark: 4]
Consider two consecutive positive integers, n and n + 1.

Show that the difference of their squares is equal to the sum of the two
integers. [4]

Markscheme

attempt to subtract squares of integers (M1)

2 2
(n + 1) − n

EITHER

2
correct order of subtraction and correct expansion of (n + 1) , seen
anywhere A1A1

2 2
= n + 2n + 1 − n (= 2n + 1)

OR

correct order of subtraction and correct factorization of difference of

squares A1A1

= (n + 1 − n)(n + 1 + n)(= 2n + 1)

THEN

= n + n + 1 = RHS A1
 Note: Do not award final A1 unless all previous working is correct.

which is the sum of n and n + 1 AG

Note: If expansion and order of subtraction are correct, award full marks
for candidates who find the sum of the integers as 2n + 1 and then show
that the difference of the squares (subtracted in the correct order) is
2n + 1.

[4 marks]

8. [Maximum mark: 8]
(a) Explain why any integer can be written in the form 4k or
4k + 1 or 4k + 2 or 4k + 3, where k ∈ Z. [2]

Markscheme

Upon division by 4 M1

any integer leaves a remainder of 0, 1, 2 or 3. R1

Hence, any integer can be written in the form 4k or 4k + 1 or 4k + 2 or

4k + 3, where k ∈ Z AG

[2 marks]

(b) Hence prove that the square of any integer can be written in the
form 4t or 4t + 1, where t ∈ Z
+
. [6]
Markscheme

2
(4k) = 16k
2
= 4t M1A1

2
(4k + 1) = 16k
2
+ 8k + 1 = 4t + 1 M1A1

2
A1
2
(4k + 2) = 16k + 16k + 4 = 4t

2
(4k + 3) = 16k
2
+ 24k + 9 = 4t + 1 A1

Hence, the square of any integer can be written in the form 4t or 4t + 1,

where t ∈ Z
+
. AG

[6 marks]

© International Baccalaureate Organization, 2024