Date | May 2022 | Marks available | 2 | Reference code | 22M.2.SL.TZ2.8 |
Level | Standard Level | Paper | Paper 2 | Time zone | Time zone 2 |
Command term | Find | Question number | 8 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
A scientist conducted a nine-week experiment on two plants, and , of the same species. He wanted to determine the effect of using a new plant fertilizer. Plant was given fertilizer regularly, while Plant was not.
The scientist found that the height of Plant , at time weeks can be modelled by the function , where .
The scientist found that the height of Plant , at time weeks can be modelled by the function , where .
Use the scientist’s models to find the initial height of
Plant .
Plant correct to three significant figures.
Find the values of when .
For , find the total amount of time when the rate of growth of Plant was greater than the rate of growth of Plant .
Markscheme
(cm) A1
[1 mark]
(M1)
(cm) A1
[2 marks]
attempts to solve for (M1)
(weeks) A2
[3 marks]
recognises that and are required (M1)
attempts to solve for (M1)
and OR and OR and (A1)
Note: Award full marks for .
Award subsequent marks for correct use of these exact values.
OR OR
(A1)
attempts to calculate the total amount of time (M1)
(weeks) A1
[6 marks]
Examiners report
Many students did not change their calculators back to radian mode. This meant they had no chance of correctly answering parts (c) and (d), since even if follow through was given, there were not enough intersections on the graphs.
Most managed part (a) and some attempted to equate the functions in part b) but few recognised that 'rate of growth' was the derivatives of the given functions, and of those who did, most were unable to find them.
Almost all the candidates who did solve part (c) gave the answer , when working with more significant figures would have given them 3.14. They lost the last mark.