CORE 3 Revision Notes (Updated March 2013 Exam Report Jan 13)

Formula to learn

Examinators comments

PREVIOUS PARTS OF A QUESTION a question of more than one part, one part is often a
hint to help with a subsequent part.

SHOW / PROVE Any given result needs a full and complete proof to earn the marks which
includes correct notation, algebra and accurate use of brackets throughout. Candidates
must show sufficient and all relevant steps in the proof of the given answer.. It is expected
that proofs be completed in the right direction.

HENCE means use previous answer (not all realised what hence implied.)

ACCURACY / ROUNDING Where there is a specified degree of accuracy in the question

this must be adhered to in the answer, as otherwise marks may be lost. (The main error
was with candidates who wrote answers to three significant figures, 1.24 and 1.23, rather
than three decimal places.) When rounded answers are requested, students should be
encouraged to give non-rounded answers first in case they make a rounding error
Also, students should understand that if a numerical answer is to be to a particular degree
of accuracy, the previous working must, where possible, be to a greater degree of accuracy.
Students should not use rounded partial results in their subsequent calculations to obtain a
final result.

FINAL ANSWERS Some questions specify a particular form of answer and full marks will
only be obtained if the final answer is in this form. It is expected that numerical or algebraic
fractions or expressions should be simplified for the final mark.

Students who do not like fractions and multiply through expressions are changing the
question and need to explain what they are doing very carefully if they are to avoid losing
marks.

NOTATION There were one or two questions where marks were often lost through poor
notation.

PRESENTATION There was some poor presentation where students laid their work rather
randomly in the space provided, omitted brackets in solutions and used wrong notations.
Some students writing tended to be illegible.

Chapter 1 Functions
A function has each x value generates exactly one corresponding value of y
Domain values that x can take
Range values that y [f(x)] can take
Eg
Function
f(x) = x2
f(x) = x
f(x) = _1__
x+3
f(x) = ex (or eg 2x)
f(x) = ln x (or log x)
f(x) = sin x

x=
or x> etc
f(x)= or f(x)< or y=

Domain
All x
x0
x -3

Range
f(x) 0
f(x) 0
f(x) 0

All x
x>0
All x

f(x) > 0
All f(x)
-1 f(x) 1

y> etc

Domain
many lost the mark
for incorrect notation
by using f(x) rather
than x

A Many-one function is a function n where there are two or more different x values that
generate the same y value. Eg y = x2
A Many-One function does not have an inverse as it is not one-one

One one functions - Each y value can be generated by only one x-value. To have an
inverse a function must be one-one

Composite functions
If f(x) = x2

g(x) = 3x + 2

gf(x) = 3x2 +2
fg(x) = (3x + 2)2

Why f(x)=x2 not a function :

Candidates should be advised to
answer this question as not 1 to 1.

do f first then g
do g first then f

Inverse functions f -1(x)

Eg If f(x) = 4x + 3
Put
Swap x and y
Rearrange

y = 4x + 3
x = 4y + 3
x-3=y
4

-1

f (x) = x - 3
4
Domain of f -1(x) = Range of f(x)
Range of f -1(x) = Domain of f(x)
The graph of f -1(x) is the graph of f(x) reflected in line y = x

f -1(x)
y=x
f (x)

Chapter 2 Modulus Function

Marks were often lost due to

the quality of the sketch :
label point of contact with
axes
draw correct shape,
indicate the coordinates of
the minimum point.

The modulus function is where we make the answer positive

Eg (3 7) 4 4
Graphs
The graph of

y x

Remember x and 2x are not parallel

Know what modulus does

Changes sign to positive

y x

y 2x 6

The graph of y x
and y 2 x 6 are drawn

when x = 0
when y = 0

y 2x 6
y 2x 6

3
Make sure sketches go into
both the upper quadrants
(cross the y-axis)

y 06 6
2x 6 0

so x = 3

(You can draw a table of values to help you)

Eg 1
a) Solve x
x= 2x 6
6=x

b)

Quadratic -Draw correct shape eg not

2x 6

x 2x 6

eg 2
Draw graph of

or
or

x = -(2x 6)
x = -2x + 6
3x = 6
x=2
or with straight lines

when x < 2 or x > 6

y x 2 17

y x 2 17

-17

+17
-17

a) Solve
2

yy xx2 217
17

x 2 17 8
2

x 17 = 8 or
x 17 = -8
2
x = 25
x2 = 9
x=5
x=3
REMEMBER (so 4 solutions !)
b) x 2 17 8
When x -5
-3 x 3 x 5

Remember the
negative (2nd)
solution
Remember if
x2 = 25, x= 5

-17
-17
-5 -3

+3

+17
+17
+5

Questions involving inequalities

require careful attention as to
whether the inequality is strict or not.

Chapter 3 Transforming graphs

Use correct transformation words

translations / stretch / reflection
For translation need vector

Single transformations
Reflection in x-axis

y = 2x y = -2x

y = f(x) y = -f(x)

Reflection in y-axis

y = 2x y = 2-x

y = f(x) y = f(-x)

Stretch parallel to y-axis SF

y = x2

y = f(x) f(x)

Stretch parallel to y-axis SF 2

y = 2x2

y = f(x) 2f(x)

Stretch parallel to x-axis SF

y = (2x)2

y = f(x) y = f(2x)

Stretch parallel to x-axis SF 2

y = ( x)2

y = f(x) y = f( x)

Translation
0

y = x2 y = (x 2)2

y = f(x) y = f(x -2)

Translation
0

y = x2 y = (x+2)2

y = f(x) y = f(x +2)

y = x2 y = x2 + 2

y = f(x) y = f(x) + 2

y = x2 y = x2 2

y = f(x) y = f(x) - 2

y = x2 y = (x - 2)2 + 3

y = f(x) y = f(x -2) + 3

Translation
3

y = x2 y = (x 2)2 3

y = f(x) y = f(x - 2) - 3

Translation
3

y = x2 y = (x + 2)2 + 3

y = f(x) y = f(x + 2) + 3

Translation
3

y = x2 y = (x+2)2 3

y = f(x) y = f(x + 2) - 3

2
0

Translation
2
0

Translation
2
2

Translation
3

2
2

Combining transformations
40

y = sin x

to y = 3 sin (x 40)

followed by stretch in y direction SF 3

translation
0

y = x5

to y = (-x)5 + 7

y = cos x

to y = - cos 3x

reflection in y-axis followed by translation

7
1
stretch in x direction SF /3 followed by reflection in x-axis

special case (both in brackets)

(other way around to whats expected!)
y = x3

to y =(2x + 3)3

followed by stretch SF in x-direction

translation
0

Chapter 4 Trigonometry
Sin-1, cos-1, tan-1

y = sin -1 x

If y = sin x x = sin-1 y
Remember the graphs and the start / end
points of
sin-1 x
(-1, -/2) (1, /2)
-1
cos x
(-1, ) (1, 0)
Write coordinates correct way
around and in radians

y = cos -1 x
y = tan -1 x

sec x = 1___
Cos x
cosec x = 1___
sin x
cot x = 1__ = cos x
tan x
sin x

These graphs need to be learnt

End points
Asymptotes
Where graphs cross the axes
Coordinates In radians

In sec x and cosec x graphs, there

must not be variable heights

Remember
sin2 x + cos2x =1

Make sure your calculator is in the

correct mode

sin x = tan x
cos x

You must use the correct formula

no marks if you get these wrong

Eg
It is given that 3(cosec2x + 2) = 17 10cot x
a) Show that this equation can be written in the form
3cot2 x + 10 cot x 8 = 0
b) Show that tan x = 1.5 or tan x = -
c) Hence solve 3(cosec2x + 2) = 17 10cot x

for 0 < x < 2

Answers
a)
3(cosec2x + 2) = 17 10cot x
3cosec2x + 6 = 17 10cot x
3(1 + cot2x) + 6 = 17 10cot x
3 + 3cot2x + 6 = 17 10cot x
3cot2x +10 cotx 8 = 0

using cosec2x = 1 + cot2x

b)
Factorising
(3cot x 2)(cot x + 4) = 0
Cot x = 2/3
cot x = - 4
So tanx = 3/2 (=1.5) ot tan x = -1/4
Tanx = 3/2
Tan x = -1/4

It may not factorise

use the quadratic
formula if this
happens
as tan x = 1/cot x

x = 56.30 or 236.30
x = -14.00 or 166.00 or 346.00

Sin-12x is not

1
sin 2 x

Sin2x is not sin x2

Make sure there are no extra

values and the values are in the
correct range

Eg sin2x
do not separate the sin from 2x
do not multiply 2x by anything
(eg 4x sin 2x is not sin8x2)

Chapter 5 Natural logarithms

e and ln
if y = ex

then ln y = x
(on formula sheet)

ln x follows the rules of logs

ln 1= 0
ln 3 + ln 2 = ln 6
ln 8 ln 2 = ln 4
ln 16 = ln 24 = 4 ln 2

e-2x = 3
-2x = ln 3 (not x = ln -1.5)
x = -1/2ln 3
x = ln 3-0.5
x = ln ( 1/3)

ln a + ln b = ln (ab)
ln a - ln b = ln (a/b)
ln ab = b ln a

e0 1

ln(5x + 3) x (5x + 3)3 is not

ln(5x + 3)4

e3 ln 2 eln( 2 ) eln 8 8
2
e 2 ln x e ln( x ) x 2
(e 3 x ) 2 e 6 x

Errors

Solving equations
eg 1
solve e2x 8ex + 15 = 0
(ex 5)(ex 3) = 0
ex = 5
x = ln 5
ex = 3
x = ln 3

ln(x e) expanded as ln x ln e

eg 2
solve ex + 12e-x = 7 multiply by ex
e2x + 12 = 7ex
e2x 7ex + 12 = 0
(ex 4)(ex 3) =0
ex = 4
x = ln 4
x
e =3
x = ln 3
eg 3
solve (ln x)2 + 6ln x + 8 = 0
(ln x + 4)(ln x + 2) = 0
ln x = 4
x = e4
ln x = 2
x = e2

Finding intercepts
Eg
y = ex - 2 - 10
when x = 0 y = e-2 10 (0, e-2 10)
when y = 0 ex - 2 10 = 0 ex 2 = 10
(2 + ln10, 0)

x 2 = ln 10

y = ln (x + 1) - 2
when x = 0 y = ln 1 - 2 = -2 (0, -2)
when y = 0 ln (x + 1) - 2= 0 ln(x+1)= 2
(x = e2 - 1, 0)

x + 1 = e2

x = 2 + ln 10

x = e2 - 1

Chapter 6 Differentiation

d 2x
e 2e 2 x
dx

Basic differentiation

(not 2ex, e2x, or 2xe2x)

LEARN

/dx

=-

not

ON FORMULA SHEET

Special case

/dx (ln 2x) = 2 = 1

2x
x

Product rule

Only use product rule

for differentiation

LEARN

Eg

f g
y = x2 cos x

f g
f g
2
/dx = 2x cos x - x sin x

dy

Quotient rule
Only use quotient rule for
differentiation
Use the correct formula (correct
way around)
Use brackets

ON FORMULA SHEET

Eg
y=

dy

__x2__
Sin x

(f)
(g)

f g
f g
/dx = 2x sin x x2 cos x
sin2x
g2

dx
dy
dx
1

dy dy
dx

x = 4y + y2
dx = 4 + 2y
dy
so
dy = 1
dx 4 + 2y
dx

/dy is not gradient of normal ( -dx/dy is)

dx = 4 + 2y

Chain rule
LEARN
Use brackets
eg d/dx(4x2 + 9x)3 = 3(8x + 9)(4x2 + 9x)2

Eg
y = (4x + 3)10
dy
/dx = 4x2 10(4x + 3)9
= 40x2(4x + 3)9

5
5x 2
(5 was frequently missed out)

/dx ln(5x -2) =

Eg
y = sin (6x2 3)
dy
/dx = 12x cos(6x2 3)
d

Eg 3
dy

/dx(ln 6x) = 6/6x = 1/x

(not 1/6x or 6/x)

y = ln (3x2 + 5x)
/dx = 6x + 5 X ___1___
3x2 + 5x
= 6x + 5
3x2 + 5x

GENERAL DIFFERENTATION FACTS

Stationary points when

Gradient of line =

dy

dy

/dx = 0

/dx (gradient of tangent)

Nature of stationary points

d2y
If
> 0 minimum point
dx 2
d2y
If
< 0 maximum point
dx 2

Equation of line
y y1 = m(x x1)
m= gradient Point on line (x1, y1)

Perpendicular of normal = -1/Perp of tangent

Candidates need the derivative to find a

gradient and also finding stationary points
(=0)
If asked for the gradient at a point (or
gradient of normal) need to substitute x in
dy
/dx
A number of candidates added a + c when
they were differentiating.
When finding the equation of the tangent (a
line) it is essential to find the gradient (a
constant) at the requisite point first.

Chapter 7 Integration
Basic integrals

Remember
+c

LEARN

Integral sign
dx in integral

Dont use product or

quotient rule when
integrating

2x

dx

1 2x
e
2

ON FORMULA SHEET

Above x-axes area positive,

below x-axes area negative

A major error was dv/dx = sin x

leading to v=cos x
(instead of v = -cosx)

Integration by substitution
Remember to change limits as well!
EASY

x( x
dv

3) 4 dx

/dx = 2x so

x( x

3) 4 dx

use substitution v = x2 + 3
dv = 2x dx

dv

/2x = dx

change all x to v before integrating

(make sure there are no x)

dv
xv 4
2x
1
v 4 dv
2
v5

c
10
( x 2 3) 5

c
10

Put back in terms of x

HARDER

Make sure that you find

dv and substitute dx in original integral
dx

(with x replaced by )
Original limits are x =
Many candidates fell at the first
hurdle by not replacing dx by an
in and d.
Error integrating eachexpression
value in expression
Unfortunately, many confused

instead of simplifying

with
and of course
made no headway after that.
Candidates who produced the
correct numerical answer from
their calculators without correct
working did not gain marks.

b)
dv

3x

4 x 6 dx

/dx = 4 so

use substitution v = 4x 6
dv

dv = 4dx

/4 = dx

x = (v + 6)

3x
dx
4x 6

( v 6)
v

dv
4

3( v 6)
dv
16v

Candidates had difficulty in simplifying

3
18
(

) dv
16
16v
3
9

v
ln v c
16
8
3
9

( 4 x 6)
ln( 4 x 6) c
16
8

Integrating f(x)
f(x)

Make sure that you can spot these

f ( x)
dx ln f ( x )
f ( x)

Eg1
2x 3
dx= ln(x2 + 3x)
2
3x

Eg 2
6x 2 6
3
x 3 3x dx= 2ln(x + 3x)

as the bottom differentiated = 3x2 + 3x = half top

Error
=

(should be

Integration by parts
ON FORMULA SHEET

Beware negative sign in

formula

Choose correct functions for

u and dv/dx
When using integration by
parts candidates must realise
that at the outset they MUST
integrate one term AND
differentiate the other.

u = ln x or x
eg 1

x cos xdx
x sin x sin xdx

x sin x cos x c

As u= x

dv

/dx = cos x

du

/dx = 1

v = sin x

Putting u = x sin

v = 2x - 1

ln xdx

Eg 2

ERROR
x sin (2x-1)

Put u = lnx
v=1

ln xdx

x4
1 x4
ln x
dx
4
x 4
x4
x3

ln x dx
4
4
4
4
x
x

ln x
c
4
16

f ( g ( x )) g ( x ) dx f(x)

Error

+c

Eg
1

sin 2 xdx 2 cos 2 x c

(4 x 2) cos(2 x 2 x)dx sin(2 x
12 x( x 2) dx ( x 2)
2

cos xdx

Do integration by parts twice

Derivative of a function

2 x)

Chapter 8 Solids of revolution

LEARN

Learn these formula

Include
ERROR

About the x-axis

remember limits are x =..
find y2 = .

Is not correct

About the y-axis

remember limits are y =..
rearrange equation so x2 =

very common error was in

(100-y)dy , where the result
was often (100x y/3), again
with candidates very unsure as
to whether they were
integrating with respect to x
or y.

x 3 2 = x + 3

the initial mark here

requires a fully correct
integral, simplified in
terms of x, including dx,
with the limits and also .
The function needed to be
squared and this proved to
be the downfall of many
candidates as they needed
to use correct notation.

Revise indices

Chapter 9 Numerical methods

in questions on
numerical methods,
working should be to a
greater degree of
accuracy than the final
answer

Locating roots see separate sheet

Eg 1
f(x) = x4 - 3x
Show that f(x) has a root between 1 and 2
f(1) = -2
f(2) = 10
change of sign so root between x=1 and x=2 (1 < < 2)
Eg 2
x4 = 6x2 x
Show that f(x) has a solution between 2 and 3
When x =2 LHS = 16 RHS = 22 LHS < RHS
When x =3 LHS = 81 RHS = 51 LHS > RHS
So LHS = RHS solution root between x =2 and x = 3 2 < < 3

There are still many

candidates who still
then write change of
sign therefore a root
without clarification of
where the root lies.
Many candidates just
stated change of sign
therefore root without
stipulating that 0.33 <

x< 0.32.

Recurrance relationship

Many lost the second

mark by failing to state
their conclusion and
that was in the
required interval.

Eg xn+1 = _3__
1 + xn
If x0 = 2
x1 = 1
x2 = 1.5
x3 = 1.2

Staircase and cobweb diagrams

The main error was the incorrect labelling

of the axes.

Staircase diagram

x0

Candidates should
ensure that their
calculators are in the
correct mode in
questions on numerical
methods (radians)

Cobweb diagram

x1

The midordinate rule

x2

x0

x2

x3

x1

Simpsons rule

The midordinate rule

Eg
5

ln xdx

estimate by midordinate rule (6 strips)

Width of each strip = 5 2 = 0.5

6
2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5
x
y

2.25
0.811

2.75
1.012

3.25
1.179

3.75
1.322

4.25
1.447

4.75
1.558

Area = width of strip x sum of midordinates

=0.5 x (0.811 + 1.012 + 1.179 + 1.322 + 1.447 + 1.558)
= 3.66 to 3sf
The main error within the brackets for Simpsons

Simpsons rule
Eg
Use Simpsons rule with 8 strips
to calculate an approximation

to

x cos xdx

Width of each strip = 7 5 = 0.25

8
x
y

5
1.42

5.25
2.69

5.5
3.90

5.75
4.95

rule was to have the 2 and the 4 reversed in the

formula
The most common error in the application of
Simpsons rule was to confuse odd with even.
A few made a slip in writing down digits from their
calculator, and a few, after writing the correct
expression failed to multiply by their h
Students should have used large brackets round
the expression to help avoid the common error of
only multiplying the first term by . 1/3

6
5.76

6.25
6.25

6.5
6.35

6.75
6.03

7
5.28

Approx area = 1/3 x width x (sum of ends + 4 x odds + 2 x evens)

= 1/3 x 0.25 x [1.42 + 2.69 + 4 x(2.69 + 4.95 + 6.25 + 6.03) + 2 x (3.90 + 5.76 + 6.35)]
= 9.9

Use radians
If the student had listed the functions not evaluated, they wouldnt have been
penalised.
Dont round in middle of question-make sure keep all digits in calculator
if asked for answer accurate to three significant figures. Candidates must
then work to a greater degree of accuracy. Errors occurred in working with
three significant figures (when answer was to 3sf) and in writing the final
answer to an inappropriate degree of accuracy. Numerical method questions
need students to carefully study the required degree of accuracy and then work
to a greater degree of accuracy.
When the start is 0 - a few candidates missed x = 0