Functions [150 marks]

1. [Maximum mark: 5]
The functions f and g are defined such that f (x) =
x+3

4
and
g (x) = 8x + 5.

(a) Show that (g ∘ f ) (x) = 2x + 11. [2]

(b) Given that (g ∘ f )

−1
(a) = 4, find the value of a. [3]

2. [Maximum mark: 5]
The following diagram shows the graph of y = f (x). The graph has
a horizontal asymptote at y = −1. The graph crosses the x-axis at
x = −1 and x = 1, and the y-axis at y = 2.

2
On the following set of axes, sketch the graph of y = [f (x)] + 1

, clearly showing any asymptotes with their equations and the

coordinates of any local maxima or minima.
 [5]

3. [Maximum mark: 8]
The function f is defined by f (x) = e
2x
− 6e
x
+ 5, x ∈ R, x ⩽ a. The

graph of y = f (x) is shown in the following diagram.

 (a) Find the largest value of a such that f has an inverse function. [3]

(b) For this value of a, find an expression for f −1 (x), stating its
domain. [5]

4. [Maximum mark: 6]
The functions f and g are defined for x ∈ R by f (x) = x − 2 and

g(x) = ax + b, where a, b ∈ R.
 Given that (f ∘ g)(2) = −3 and (g ∘ f )(1) = 5, find the value
[6]
of a and the value of b.

5. [Maximum mark: 14]

The following diagram shows the graph of y = −1 − √ x + 3 for x ≥ −3.

A function f is defined by f (x) = −1 − √ x + 3 for x ≥ −3.

(a) Describe a sequence of transformations that transforms the

graph of y = √x for x ≥ 0 to the graph of
y = −1 − √ x + 3 for x ≥ −3. [3]

(b) State the range of f . [1]

(c) Find an expression for f −1(x), stating its domain. [5]

(d) Find the coordinates of the point(s) where the graphs of

y = f (x) and y = f (x) intersect. [5]
−1

6. [Maximum mark: 5]
 The quadratic equation (k − 1)x2 + 2x + (2k − 3) = 0, where

k ∈ R, has real distinct roots.

Find the range of possible values for k. [5]

7. [Maximum mark: 9]
2

Let f (x) , x ∈ R, x ≠ −2.

2x −5x−12
=
x+2

(a) Find all the intercepts of the graph of f (x) with both the x
and y axes. [4]

(b) Write down the equation of the vertical asymptote. [1]

(c) As x → ±∞ the graph of f (x) approaches an oblique

straight line asymptote.

Divide 2x2 − 5x − 12 by x + 2 to find the equation of this

asymptote. [4]

8. [Maximum mark: 5]
Consider the points A(−2, 20), B(4, 6) and C(−14, 12). The line L

passes through the point A and is perpendicular to [BC].

(a) Find the equation of L. [3]

(b) The line L passes through the point (k, 2).

Find the value of k. [2]

9. [Maximum mark: 15]

 Consider the series ln x + p ln x +
1

3
ln x + …, where x ∈ R, x > 1

and p ∈ R, p ≠ 0.

Consider the case where the series is geometric.

Now consider the case where the series is arithmetic with common difference d.

(a) Show that p = ±

1
. [2]
√3

(b) Given that p > 0 and S∞ = 3 + √ 3, find the value of x. [3]

(c) Show that p =

2
. [3]
3

(d) Write down d in the form k ln x, where k ∈ Q. [1]

(e) The sum of the first n terms of the series is −3 ln x.

Find the value of n. [6]

10. [Maximum mark: 6]

2x−1
A function f is defined by f (x) =
x+1
, where x ∈ R, x ≠ −1.

The graph of y = f (x) has a vertical asymptote and a horizontal asymptote.

(a) Write down the equation of the vertical asymptote. [1]

(b) Write down the equation of the horizontal asymptote. [1]

(c) On the set of axes below, sketch the graph of y = f (x).

On your sketch, clearly indicate the asymptotes and the

position of any points of intersection with the axes.
 [3]

(d) Hence, solve the inequality 0 <

2x−1
< 2. [1]
x+1

11. [Maximum mark: 7]

Consider the binomial expansion
7
+ … + 1 where x ≠ 0 and
7 6 5 4
(x + 1) = x + ax + bx + 35x

a, b ∈ Z
+
.

(a) Show that b = 21. [2]

(b) The third term in the expansion is the mean of the second term
and the fourth term in the expansion.

Find the possible values of x. [5]

12. [Maximum mark: 5]

1
Consider the functions f (x) =
x−4
+ 1, for x ≠ 4, and g(x) = x − 3

for x ∈ R.

The following diagram shows the graphs of f and g.

 The graphs of f and g intersect at points A and B. The coordinates of A are
(3, 0).

Find the coordinates of B. [5]

13. [Maximum mark: 18]

Consider the series ln x + p ln x +
1

3
ln x + …, where x ∈ R, x > 1

and p ∈ R, p ≠ 0.

Consider the case where the series is geometric.

Now consider the case where the series is arithmetic with common difference d.

(a) Show that p = ±

1
. [2]
√3

(b) Hence or otherwise, show that the series is convergent. [1]

(c) Given that p > 0 and S∞ = 3 + √ 3, find the value of x. [3]

(d) Show that p =

2
.
3
 [3]

(e) Write down d in the form k ln x, where k ∈ Q. [1]

(f ) The sum of the first n terms of the series is ln( x1 3

).

Find the value of n. [8]

14. [Maximum mark: 8]

A function f is defined by f (x) = x√ 1 − x where −1 ≤ x ≤ 1.
2

The graph of y = f (x) is shown below.

(a) Show that f is an odd function. [2]

(b) The range of f is a ≤ y ≤ b, where a, b ∈ R.

Find the value of a and the value of b. [6]

15. [Maximum mark: 13]

The function f is defined by f (x) , where x ∈ R, x ≠ −4.
4x+1
=
x+4
 For the graph of f

The graphs of f and f −1 intersect at x = p and x = q, where p < q.

(a) write down the equation of the vertical asymptote. [1]

(b) find the equation of the horizontal asymptote. [2]

(c) Find f −1(x). [4]

(d) Using an algebraic approach, show that the graph of f −1 is

obtained by a reflection of the graph of f in the y-axis followed
by a reflection in the x-axis. [4]

(e) Find the value of p and the value of q. [2]

16. [Maximum mark: 5]

2

Consider the graphs of y and y = m (x + 3), m ∈ R.

x
=
x−3

Find the set of values for m such that the two graphs have no
intersection points. [5]

17. [Maximum mark: 16]

Consider a three-digit code abc, where each of a, b and c is assigned one of the
values 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.

Find the total number of possible codes

Let P (x) = x
3
+ ax
2
+ bx + c, where each of a, b and c is assigned one
of the values 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5. Assume that no value is repeated.

Consider the case where P (x) has a factor of (x + 3x + 2).

2
(a) assuming that each value can be repeated (for example, 121 or
444). [2]

(b) assuming that no value is repeated. [2]

(c) Find an expression for b in terms of a. [6]

(d) Hence show that the only way to assign the values is
a = 4, b = 5 and c = 2. [2]

(e) Express P (x) as a product of linear factors. [1]

(f ) Hence or otherwise, sketch the graph of y = P (x), clearly

showing the coordinates of any intercepts with the axes. [3]

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