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Edexcel International A Level Maths · P2 · Pure Mathematics 2

Sequences and series

28 free, high-quality past-paper-style questions on Sequences and series for Edexcel IAL Maths, each with a full mark scheme. For when you have finished the past papers, or want to practise one topic at a time.IAL Maths notes and flashcards →Not sure of your level? Diagnostic test →Multiple choice or structured questions, with the mark scheme as a separate PDF.28 new this month · 254 marks · Updated 26 October 2026 · Created by Evan Kotronis with AI assistance · How questions are checked

1IALM-P2-3-B-01 P2 · ASEasy6 marks

The seats in a small theatre are arranged in 25 rows. The front row has 18 seats, and each row after the first has 2 more seats than the row in front of it.

(a)

Find the number of seats in the back row (row 25).

(2)
(b)

Find the total number of seats in the theatre.

(2)
(c)

Find the number of the first row that has more than 60 seats.

(2)
Show mark scheme
AnswerMarkNotes
Part (a)
uses un = a + (n − 1)d with a = 18, d = 2, n = 25M1
18 + 24 × 2 = 66 seatsA1
Part (b)
uses Sn = ½n(a + l) or ½n[2a + (n − 1)d] with n = 25M1
½ × 25 × (18 + 66) = 1050 ft on their 66A1
Part (c)
18 + 2(n − 1) > 60, giving n > 22M1
row 22 has exactly 60 seats, so row 23A1

Common error: Answering 22. Row 22 has exactly 60 seats, which is not more than 60. Check the boundary value whenever the inequality is strict.

2IALM-P2-3-B-02 P2 · ASEasy6 marks

A toy pendulum is released and swings to and fro. The first swing moves the bob through an arc of length 40 cm. A model assumes that the arc length of each swing after the first is ¾ of the arc length of the swing before it.

(a)

Find the exact arc length of the 6th swing, according to the model.

(2)
(b)

Find the total arc length of the first 10 swings, giving your answer to 3 significant figures.

(2)
(c)

Show that, according to the model, the total arc length can never reach 160 cm.

(2)
Show mark scheme
AnswerMarkNotes
Part (a)
uses arn−1 with a = 40, r = ¾, n = 6M1
40 × (¾)5 = 1215/128 cmA1
Part (b)
uses a(1 − rn)/(1 − r) with n = 10M1
160(1 − 0.7510) = 150.99… = 151 cmA1
Part (c)
|r| = ¾ < 1, so S∞ = 40 ÷ (1 − ¾) = 160M1
Sn = 160(1 − 0.75n) and 0.75n > 0 for every n, so every total is less than 160 cmA1

Exam tip: “Exact” means leave the answer as a fraction (or surd); do not round it. 40 × 243/1024 simplifies to 1215/128.

3IALM-P2-3-B-03 P2 · ASEasy6 marks

A sequence is defined by
un+1 = 3un − k,   u1 = 4,
where k is a constant.

(a)

Find u2 and u3 in terms of k, simplifying your answers.

(2)
(b)

Given that u3 = 16, find the value of k.

(2)
(c)

Using your value of k, find Σr=14ur.

(2)
Show mark scheme
AnswerMarkNotes
Part (a)
u2 = 12 − kB1
u3 = 3(12 − k) − k = 36 − 4kB1
Part (b)
36 − 4k = 16M1
k = 5A1
Part (c)
u2 = 7, u3 = 16, u4 = 3 × 16 − 5 = 43M1
4 + 7 + 16 + 43 = 70A1

Common error: Starting the sum at the second term. The sum from r = 1 includes the given first term, 4.

4IALM-P2-3-B-04 P2 · ASEasy7 marks

This question is about the series whose rth term is 4r + 3.

(a)

Find the value of Σr=130(4r + 3).

(3)
(b)

Show that Σr=1n(4r + 3) = 2n2 + 5n.

(2)
(c)

Given that Σr=1n(4r + 3) = 1272, find the value of n.

(2)
Show mark scheme
AnswerMarkNotes
Part (a)
identifies an arithmetic series with first term 7 and last term 123, or splits the sum as 4 × (sum of r) + 3 × 30M1
uses ½n(a + l) = 15 × 130, or 4 × ½ × 30 × 31 + 90M1
1950A1
Part (b)
uses ½n[2 × 7 + 4(n − 1)] or 4 × ½n(n + 1) + 3nM1
simplifies correctly to 2n2 + 5nA1
Part (c)
2n2 + 5n − 1272 = 0, solved e.g. (n − 24)(2n + 53) = 0M1
n = 24 (the other root is negative)A1

Exam tip: In a “show that”, the answer is printed, so the working is what earns the marks. Write the sum formula with the values substituted before you simplify.

5IALM-P2-3-FB-01 P2 · ASEasy6 marks

Figure 1 shows the first three patterns in a sequence of matchstick patterns. Pattern n is a row of n triangles, and each side of each triangle is one matchstick.

Pattern 1Pattern 2Pattern 3…
(a)

Use Figure 1 to explain why the numbers of matchsticks in the patterns form an arithmetic sequence, and state its first term and common difference.

(2)
(b)

Find the number of matchsticks in pattern 40.

(1)
(c)

Lena has 500 matchsticks. She makes pattern 1, then pattern 2, then pattern 3, and so on, each as a separate pattern, until she does not have enough matchsticks left for the next pattern. Find the number of patterns she makes and the number of matchsticks left over.

(3)
Show mark scheme
AnswerMarkNotes
Part (a)
the patterns use 3, 5, 7 matchsticks: each extra triangle shares a side with the one before, so it needs 2 more matchsticks every timeB1
first term 3, common difference 2B1
Part (b)
3 + 39 × 2 = 81B1
Part (c)
total for patterns 1 to n: ½n[6 + 2(n − 1)] = n(n + 2)M1
21 × 23 = 483 ≤ 500 but 22 × 24 = 528 > 500M1
21 patterns, with 17 matchsticks left overA1

Common error: Counting 3 matchsticks for every triangle. Neighbouring triangles share a side, so each new triangle needs only 2 more matchsticks.

6IALM-P2-3-FB-02 P2 · ASEasy7 marks

An app is released. Figure 1 shows the number of downloads, in thousands, in each of its first four weeks. A model assumes that the numbers of downloads in weeks 1, 2, 3, … form a geometric sequence.

1234536912151821242730week ndownloads / thousandsO
(a)

Use Figure 1 to show that the common ratio of the sequence is 1.5.

(2)
(b)

Find, according to the model, the total number of downloads in the first 10 weeks. Give your answer to the nearest thousand.

(2)
(c)

Find the first week in which, according to the model, there are more than 1 million downloads in that week.

(3)
Show mark scheme
AnswerMarkNotes
Part (a)
reads 8, 12, 18 and 27 (thousand) from the graphB1
12 ÷ 8 = 18 ÷ 12 = 27 ÷ 18 = 1.5B1
Part (b)
8(1.510 − 1)/(1.5 − 1)M1
= 906.64… thousand, so 907 000 downloadsA1
Part (c)
8 × 1.5n−1 > 1000, so 1.5n−1 > 125M1
n − 1 > log 125 / log 1.5 = 11.9 (3 s.f.)M1
n = 13: week 13A1

Exam tip: Part (c) is about the downloads in a single week (one term), not the running total (a sum). Decide which one the question wants before choosing a formula.

7IALM-P2-3-FB-03 P2 · ASEasy7 marks

Figure 1 shows the first three patterns in a sequence of dot patterns. Each pattern is a rectangle of dots, and pattern n has n rows. The number of dots in pattern n is un.

Pattern 1Pattern 2Pattern 3…
(a)

Find u4, and find an expression for un in terms of n.

(2)
(b)

Find which pattern contains 360 dots.

(2)
(c)

Show that un+1 − un = 2n + 3, and hence explain why the sequence is increasing.

(3)
Show mark scheme
AnswerMarkNotes
Part (a)
u4 = 4 × 6 = 24B1
pattern n has n rows of n + 2 dots, so un = n(n + 2)B1
Part (b)
n2 + 2n − 360 = 0M1
(n − 18)(n + 20) = 0, so pattern 18A1
Part (c)
(n + 1)(n + 3) − n(n + 2)M1
= n2 + 4n + 3 − n2 − 2n = 2n + 3A1
2n + 3 > 0 for every n ≥ 1, so each term is greater than the one before: the sequence is increasingB1

Common error: Treating the sequence as arithmetic. The increases are 5, 7, 9, …, which are not constant, so build the rule from rows × dots per row instead.

8IALM-P2-3-FB-04 P2 · ASEasy7 marks

Figure 1 shows the first eight terms of a sequence u1, u2, u3, …, plotted against n. The sequence is defined by
un+1 = pun + q,
where p and q are constants.

123456789−3−2−112345678nuₙO
(a)

Use Figure 1 to write down the values of u1, u2 and u3.

(1)
(b)

Find the value of p and the value of q.

(3)
(c)

Find Σr=135ur.

(2)
(d)

Find the value of u1 for which this recurrence relation would give a constant sequence.

(1)
Show mark scheme
AnswerMarkNotes
Part (a)
u1 = −2, u2 = 7, u3 = −2B1
Part (b)
7 = −2p + qM1
−2 = 7p + qM1
subtracting: 9 = −9p, so p = −1 and q = 5A1
Part (c)
the sequence has period 2 and each pair sums to −2 + 7 = 5; 35 terms = 17 pairs + u35 = −2M1
17 × 5 − 2 = 83A1
Part (d)
u1 = 5 − u1, so u1 = 2.5B1

Exam tip: A sequence with period 2 can be summed in pairs: count the complete pairs, then add any term left over at the end.

9IALM-P2-3-B-05 P2 · ASMedium8 marks

Ravi repays a loan in monthly instalments. His first instalment is $150, and each instalment after the first is $d more than the one before. The total of his first 24 instalments is $6360.

(a)

Show that d = 10.

(3)
(b)

Find the amount of his 24th instalment.

(1)
(c)

The loan is fully repaid when the total of his instalments first reaches at least $12 000. Find the number of instalments needed.

(4)
Show mark scheme
AnswerMarkNotes
Part (a)
uses ½n[2a + (n − 1)d] with a = 150 and n = 24M1
12(300 + 23d) = 6360M1
300 + 23d = 530, so d = 10A1
Part (b)
150 + 23 × 10 = $380B1
Part (c)
½n[300 + 10(n − 1)] ≥ 12 000M1
5n2 + 145n − 12 000 ≥ 0, or n2 + 29n − 2400 ≥ 0A1
critical value n = 36.59…M1
37 instalmentsA1

Exam tip: After finding the critical value 36.6, check both neighbours: S36 = 11 700 is not enough, S37 = 12 210 is. That confirms 37.

10IALM-P2-3-B-06 P2 · ASMedium9 marks

An arithmetic series has first term a and common difference d.

(a)

Prove that the sum of the first n terms of the series is Sn = ½n[2a + (n − 1)d].

(4)
(b)

For a different arithmetic series, the sum of the first n terms is 3n2 + 2n for every positive integer n. Find the first term and the common difference of this series.

(3)
(c)

Find which term of this series is equal to 101.

(2)
Show mark scheme
AnswerMarkNotes
Part (a)
Sn = a + (a + d) + … + [a + (n − 1)d], with first terms and last term shownB1
Sn = [a + (n − 1)d] + [a + (n − 2)d] + … + a, the same terms reversedM1
adds: 2Sn = n[2a + (n − 1)d], with each of the n pairs equal to 2a + (n − 1)dM1
divides by 2 to reach the given result, with a conclusionA1
Part (b)
first term = S1 = 3 + 2 = 5B1
S2 = 16, so the second term is 16 − 5 = 11M1
d = 11 − 5 = 6A1
Part (c)
5 + 6(n − 1) = 101M1
n = 17, the 17th termA1

Common error: Taking 3n2 + 2n to be the nth term. It is the sum; a single term is a difference of sums, un = Sn − Sn−1.

11IALM-P2-3-B-07 P2 · ASMedium8 marks

A geometric series has first term a and common ratio r, where r ≠ 1.

(a)

Prove that the sum of the first n terms of the series is Sn = a(1 − rn)/(1 − r).

(4)
(b)

A second geometric series has first term 5 and common ratio 2. Find the least number of terms for which the sum of this series exceeds 1 000 000.

(4)
Show mark scheme
AnswerMarkNotes
Part (a)
Sn = a + ar + ar2 + … + arn−1B1
rSn = ar + ar2 + … + arn−1 + arnM1
subtracts: Sn − rSn = a − arnM1
factorises and divides by 1 − r (valid as r ≠ 1) to reach the given resultA1
Part (b)
5(2n − 1) > 1 000 000M1
2n > 200 001A1
n > log 200 001 / log 2 = 17.6…M1
n = 18A1

Exam tip: With r &gt; 1 use the form a(rn − 1)/(r − 1): it is the same formula, with both brackets positive.

12IALM-P2-3-B-08 P2 · ASMedium8 marks

A geometric series has first term a and common ratio r. Its sum to infinity is 4 times its first term, and its second term is 9.

(a)

Show that r = ¾.

(2)
(b)

Find the first term and the sum to infinity.

(2)
(c)

Find the smallest value of n for which S∞ − Sn < 0.5.

(4)
Show mark scheme
AnswerMarkNotes
Part (a)
a/(1 − r) = 4aM1
1 − r = ¼, so r = ¾A1
Part (b)
a × ¾ = 9, so a = 12B1
S∞ = 4 × 12 = 48B1
Part (c)
S∞ − Sn = 48(¾)nM1
(¾)n < 1/96A1
takes logs: n > log 96 / log (4/3) = 15.9 (3 s.f.), with the inequality reversed correctly if dividing by log ¾M1
n = 16A1

Common error: Dividing by log 0.75 without reversing the inequality, and getting n &lt; 15.9. Since log 0.75 &lt; 0, the inequality must flip.

13IALM-P2-3-B-09 P2 · ASMedium7 marks

A sequence is defined by
un+1 = −1/(un + 1),   u1 = 1.

(a)

Find u2, u3 and u4.

(2)
(b)

State the order (period) of the sequence.

(1)
(c)

Find Σr=150ur.

(3)
(d)

Find u100.

(1)
Show mark scheme
AnswerMarkNotes
Part (a)
u2 = −½B1
u3 = −2 and u4 = 1B1
Part (b)
u4 = u1, so the sequence is periodic with order 3 ftB1
Part (c)
sum of one cycle = 1 − ½ − 2 = −1.5B1
50 = 16 × 3 + 2: 16 cycles plus the two terms 1 and −½M1
16 × (−1.5) + 1 − ½ = −23.5A1
Part (d)
100 = 33 × 3 + 1, so u100 = u1 = 1B1

Exam tip: For a periodic sequence, find how many complete cycles fit and how many terms are left over: n = (number of cycles) × (period) + (remainder).

14IALM-P2-3-B-10 P2 · ASMedium10 marks

A sequence is defined by un = (2n + 1)/(n + 3),   n ≥ 1.

(a)

Find u1 and u10, giving each as a fraction in its simplest form.

(2)
(b)

Show that un+1 − un = 5/[(n + 3)(n + 4)].

(3)
(c)

Hence state, with a reason, whether the sequence is increasing or decreasing.

(1)
(d)

Show that un = 2 − 5/(n + 3), and hence explain why no term of the sequence is greater than or equal to 2.

(2)
(e)

Find the number of the first term of the sequence that is greater than 1.95.

(2)
Show mark scheme
AnswerMarkNotes
Part (a)
u1 = 3/4B1
u10 = 21/13B1
Part (b)
un+1 = (2n + 3)/(n + 4)B1
common denominator: [(2n + 3)(n + 3) − (2n + 1)(n + 4)] / [(n + 3)(n + 4)]M1
numerator (2n2 + 9n + 9) − (2n2 + 9n + 4) = 5, giving the resultA1
Part (c)
(n + 3)(n + 4) > 0 for n ≥ 1, so un+1 − un > 0: increasingB1
Part (d)
2 − 5/(n + 3) = (2n + 6 − 5)/(n + 3) = (2n + 1)/(n + 3)B1
5/(n + 3) > 0 for every n ≥ 1, so every term is less than 2B1
Part (e)
5/(n + 3) < 0.05, so n + 3 > 100M1
n > 97, so the 98th termA1

Exam tip: “Hence” means use the result just shown: the sign of the difference of consecutive terms decides whether a sequence is increasing or decreasing, for every n at once.

15IALM-P2-3-FB-05 P2 · ASMedium9 marks

The points (n, un) representing the terms of an arithmetic sequence u1, u2, u3, … all lie on the dashed line in Figure 1. The labelled points P and Q represent the 3rd term and the 10th term.

123456789101112510152025303540nuₙOP(3, 11)Q(10, 32)
(a)

Find the common difference and the first term of the sequence.

(3)
(b)

Find Σr=125ur.

(2)
(c)

Find how many terms of the sequence lie between 100 and 250.

(2)
(d)

Find the sum of the terms that lie between 100 and 250.

(2)
Show mark scheme
AnswerMarkNotes
Part (a)
d = (32 − 11)/(10 − 3), the gradient of the lineM1
d = 3A1
u1 = 11 − 2 × 3 = 5A1
Part (b)
½ × 25 × [2 × 5 + 24 × 3]M1
= 1025A1
Part (c)
un = 3n + 2: un > 100 gives n ≥ 33 (u33 = 101) and un < 250 gives n ≤ 82 (u82 = 248)M1
82 − 33 + 1 = 50 termsA1
Part (d)
½ × 50 × (101 + 248)M1
= 8725 ft on their number of termsA1

Exam tip: For an arithmetic sequence the points (n, un) lie on a straight line, and its gradient is the common difference. Counting terms from term 33 to term 82 inclusive gives 82 − 33 + 1, not 82 − 33.

16IALM-P2-3-FB-06 P2 · ASMedium10 marks

Figure 1 shows a square S1 of side 20 cm. The vertices of square S2 are the midpoints of the sides of S1, the vertices of S3 are the midpoints of the sides of S2, and so on, forming an infinite sequence of squares S1, S2, S3, …

20 cmS1S2S3S4
(a)

Show that the side lengths of the squares form a geometric sequence with common ratio 1/√2.

(2)
(b)

Find the exact area of S8.

(2)
(c)

Find the sum of the perimeters of all the squares, giving your answer in the form a + b√2, where a and b are integers.

(3)
(d)

Find the number of the first square in the sequence whose area is less than 0.01 cm2.

(3)
Show mark scheme
AnswerMarkNotes
Part (a)
a side of the next square is the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle whose shorter sides are each half a side s of the square beforeM1
√(¼s2 + ¼s2) = s/√2, so every side is 1/√2 times the side beforeA1
Part (b)
areas form a geometric sequence with first term 400 and ratio ½: 400 × (½)7M1
= 25/8 cm2A1
Part (c)
S∞ = 80/(1 − 1/√2)M1
= 80√2/(√2 − 1), then multiplies by (√2 + 1)/(√2 + 1)M1
= 160 + 80√2 cmA1
Part (d)
400 × 0.5n−1 < 0.01, so 0.5n−1 < 1/40 000M1
n − 1 > log 40 000 / log 2 = 15.3 (3 s.f.)M1
n = 17: S17A1

Exam tip: If the sides are multiplied by 1/√2 each time, the areas are multiplied by (1/√2)2 = ½. Using the area ratio avoids surds in part (b).

17IALM-P2-3-FB-07 P2 · ASMedium10 marks

Figure 1 shows the straight line y = f(x), which passes through the points A(0, 9) and B(10, 4), together with the line y = x. A sequence is defined by
xn+1 = f(xn),   x1 = 2,
and the cobweb diagram on Figure 1 starts at x1.

1234567891012345678910xyOA(0, 9)B(10, 4)x₁y = f(x)y = x
(a)

Use Figure 1 to show that f(x) = 9 − ½x.

(2)
(b)

Find x2, x3 and x4.

(2)
(c)

State, with a reason, whether the sequence is increasing, decreasing or neither.

(1)
(d)

The sequence converges to a limit L. Find L.

(2)
(e)

By considering en = xn − 6, or otherwise, find the smallest value of n for which |xn − 6| < 0.001.

(3)
Show mark scheme
AnswerMarkNotes
Part (a)
gradient = (4 − 9)/(10 − 0) = −½M1
y-intercept 9, so f(x) = 9 − ½xA1
Part (b)
x2 = 8, x3 = 5B1
x4 = 6.5B1
Part (c)
neither: the terms 2, 8, 5, 6.5, … go up and down alternately, as the cobweb spiralsB1
Part (d)
L = 9 − ½LM1
L = 6A1
Part (e)
en+1 = (9 − ½xn) − 6 = −½en, so en = −4(−½)n−1M1
4 × 0.5n−1 < 0.001 gives n − 1 > log 4000 / log 2 = 11.97M1
n = 13A1

Exam tip: A cobweb that spirals in means the terms land alternately above and below the limit; a staircase means they approach it from one side. A line with negative gradient gives the spiral.

18IALM-P2-3-FB-08 P2 · ASMedium10 marks

Figure 1 shows the first five rows of a triangular array of the positive integers. Row n contains n consecutive integers, and each row starts with the integer after the last number of the row before.

Row 11Row 223Row 3456Row 478910Row 51112131415
(a)

Explain why the last number in row n is ½n(n + 1).

(2)
(b)

Show that the first number in row n is ½(n2 − n + 2).

(2)
(c)

Find the number of the row that contains the integer 500.

(2)
(d)

Show that the sum of the numbers in row n is ½n(n2 + 1).

(2)
(e)

Hence find the sum of the numbers in row 20.

(2)
Show mark scheme
AnswerMarkNotes
Part (a)
the last number in row n equals how many numbers there are in rows 1 to n, which is 1 + 2 + 3 + … + nM1
the sum of the first n natural numbers is ½n(n + 1)A1
Part (b)
one more than the last number in row n − 1: ½(n − 1)n + 1M1
= ½(n2 − n + 2)A1
Part (c)
last number in row 31 is 496 and in row 32 is 528M1
row 32A1
Part (d)
row n is an arithmetic series of n terms, so its sum is ½n × (first + last)M1
first + last = ½(n2 − n + 2) + ½(n2 + n) = n2 + 1, giving ½n(n2 + 1)A1
Part (e)
½ × 20 × (400 + 1)M1
= 4010A1

Common error: Giving row 31 in part (c). The number 496 ends row 31, so 500 is in the next row; check where the row boundaries fall on each side.

19IALM-P2-3-FB-09 P2 · ASMedium9 marks

Figure 1 is a bar chart of the partial sums Sn = u1 + u2 + … + un of a geometric series, for n = 1 to 6.

123456712345678910111213nSₙO
(a)

Use Figure 1 to find u1, u2 and u3, and show that the common ratio of the series is −½.

(3)
(b)

Explain why the series has a sum to infinity, and find its value.

(2)
(c)

Find Σr=5∞ur.

(2)
(d)

Find the sum to infinity of the even-numbered terms, u2 + u4 + u6 + …

(2)
Show mark scheme
AnswerMarkNotes
Part (a)
u1 = S1 = 12B1
u2 = 6 − 12 = −6 and u3 = 9 − 6 = 3M1
−6 ÷ 12 = 3 ÷ (−6) = −½A1
Part (b)
|r| = ½ < 1B1
S∞ = 12/(1 + ½) = 8B1
Part (c)
S∞ − S4 with S4 = 7.5, or u5/(1 − r) with u5 = 0.75M1
= 0.5A1
Part (d)
a geometric series with first term −6 and common ratio (−½)2 = ¼M1
−6/(1 − ¼) = −8A1

Exam tip: Each term is the difference of two neighbouring partial sums: un = Sn − Sn−1. The bars rise and fall because the common ratio is negative.

20IALM-P2-3-FB-10 P2 · ASMedium9 marks

Figure 1 shows a circle divided into sectors. Going clockwise from the smallest sector, the angles of the sectors form an arithmetic sequence.

20°(smallest)6 cmangles increaseclockwise
(a)

Use the information in Figure 1 to find the common difference of the angles.

(3)
(b)

Find the angle of the largest sector.

(1)
(c)

Find the exact total area of the three smallest sectors.

(2)
(d)

A second circle is divided into n sectors whose angles form an arithmetic sequence with first term 10° and common difference 2°. Find n.

(3)
Show mark scheme
AnswerMarkNotes
Part (a)
Figure 1 shows 9 sectors, smallest angle 20°, and the nine angles add up to 360°B1
½ × 9 × (2 × 20 + 8d) = 360M1
d = 5°A1
Part (b)
20 + 8 × 5 = 60°B1
Part (c)
20° + 25° + 30° = 75°, area = (75/360) × π × 62M1
= 7.5π cm2A1
Part (d)
½n[20 + 2(n − 1)] = 360M1
n2 + 9n − 360 = 0A1
(n + 24)(n − 15) = 0, so n = 15A1

Exam tip: The angles round the centre of a circle add up to 360°. That fact supplies the equation for the unknown common difference.

21IALM-P2-3-B-11 P2 · ASHard12 marks

Ana and Ben each start a savings plan in the same month. Both save $200 in month 1.
Ana's plan: each month she saves $15 more than in the month before.
Ben's plan: each month he saves 4% more than in the month before.

(a)

Find the amount each of them saves in month 12. Give Ben's amount to the nearest dollar.

(3)
(b)

Find the total amount each of them has saved after 24 months. Give Ben's total to the nearest dollar.

(4)
(c)

Find the number of the month in which Ben's total savings first exceed $10 000.

(3)
(d)

Ana's total savings first exceed $10 000 in month N. Find N, and state who reaches a total of more than $10 000 first.

(2)
Show mark scheme
AnswerMarkNotes
Part (a)
Ana: 200 + 11 × 15 = $365B1
Ben: 200 × 1.0411M1
= $307.89… = $308A1
Part (b)
Ana: ½ × 24 × [400 + 23 × 15]M1
= $8940A1
Ben: 200(1.0424 − 1)/(1.04 − 1)M1
= $7816.52… = $7817A1
Part (c)
5000(1.04n − 1) > 10 000, so 1.04n > 3M1
n > log 3 / log 1.04 = 28.01…M1
month 29A1
Part (d)
½n[400 + 15(n − 1)] > 10 000 gives 15n2 + 385n − 20 000 > 0, critical value 25.87…M1
N = 26, so Ana is firstA1

Exam tip: The critical value 28.01 is very close to a whole number, so check it: Ben's total after 28 months is about $9994, just short, and after 29 months it is $10 593.

22IALM-P2-3-B-12 P2 · ASHard12 marks

A geometric series has first term a and common ratio r. The sum of its first two terms is 15 and its sum to infinity is 27.

(a)

Show that r2 = 4/9.

(3)
(b)

Given that every term of the series is positive, find the values of r and a.

(2)
(c)

Find the exact value of the 6th term.

(2)
(d)

Find the smallest value of n for which Sn > 26.9.

(4)
(e)

For the other value of r from part (a), find the first term of the series.

(1)
Show mark scheme
AnswerMarkNotes
Part (a)
a(1 + r) = 15 and a/(1 − r) = 27B1
eliminates a: 27(1 − r)(1 + r) = 15M1
1 − r2 = 5/9, so r2 = 4/9A1
Part (b)
r = 2/3 (positive root)B1
a = 27(1 − 2/3) = 9B1
Part (c)
9 × (2/3)5M1
= 32/27A1
Part (d)
27(1 − (2/3)n) > 26.9M1
(2/3)n < 1/270A1
n > log 270 / log 1.5 = 13.8 (3 s.f.) (inequality handled correctly)M1
n = 14A1
Part (e)
r = −2/3: a(1 − 2/3) = 15, so a = 45B1

Exam tip: Both values of r satisfy |r| &lt; 1, so both give a sum to infinity of 27. The extra information (all terms positive) is what picks out r = 2/3.

23IALM-P2-3-B-13 P2 · ASHard11 marks

The first three terms of an arithmetic series are (2k + 3), (5k − 1) and (7k + 1), where k is a constant.

(a)

Find the value of k, and hence the first term and the common difference.

(3)
(b)

Show that the sum of the first n terms is Sn = 7n2 + 8n.

(3)
(c)

Find the least number of terms for which Sn > 10 000.

(3)
(d)

Find Σr=2140ur, where ur is the rth term of the series.

(2)
Show mark scheme
AnswerMarkNotes
Part (a)
(5k − 1) − (2k + 3) = (7k + 1) − (5k − 1), or 2(5k − 1) = (2k + 3) + (7k + 1)M1
k = 6A1
first term 15, common difference 14A1
Part (b)
uses ½n[2a + (n − 1)d] with their a and dM1
½n[30 + 14(n − 1)] = ½n(14n + 16)A1
= 7n2 + 8nA1
Part (c)
7n2 + 8n − 10 000 > 0M1
critical value n = (−8 + √280 064)/14 = 37.2…A1
n = 38A1
Part (d)
S40 − S20 = 11 520 − 2960, or 20 terms from u21 = 295 to u40 = 561M1
= 8560A1

Common error: Using S40 − S21. The sum from r = 21 includes the 21st term, so subtract the sum of the first 20 terms only.

24IALM-P2-3-B-14 P2 · ASHard12 marks

A patient takes a 20 mg dose of a medicine at the same time every day. A model assumes that, by the time of the next dose, 30% of the amount of medicine in the body remains. Let An mg be the amount in the body just after the nth dose, so that A1 = 20 and
An+1 = 0.3An + 20.

(a)

Find A2 and A3.

(2)
(b)

Explain why An = 20 + 20(0.3) + 20(0.3)2 + … + 20(0.3)n−1, and hence show that An = (200/7)(1 − 0.3n).

(3)
(c)

Show that the sequence A1, A2, A3, … is increasing.

(2)
(d)

State, to 3 significant figures, the amount that the model predicts in the long term just after a dose, giving a reason.

(2)
(e)

Find the number of the first dose after which the amount in the body exceeds 28.5 mg.

(3)
Show mark scheme
AnswerMarkNotes
Part (a)
A2 = 0.3 × 20 + 20 = 26B1
A3 = 0.3 × 26 + 20 = 27.8B1
Part (b)
the latest dose contributes 20, the dose one day earlier 20 × 0.3, the dose j days earlier 20 × 0.3j, back to the first doseB1
geometric series with a = 20, r = 0.3, n terms: 20(1 − 0.3n)/(1 − 0.3)M1
= (200/7)(1 − 0.3n)A1
Part (c)
An+1 − An = (200/7)(0.3n − 0.3n+1) = 20 × 0.3nM1
which is positive for every n, so the sequence is increasingA1
Part (d)
0.3n → 0 as n → ∞ because 0 < 0.3 < 1B1
An → 200/7 = 28.6 mgB1
Part (e)
(200/7)(1 − 0.3n) > 28.5, so 0.3n < 0.0025M1
n > log 0.0025 / log 0.3 = 4.98 (3 s.f.) (inequality reversed correctly)M1
5th doseA1

Exam tip: A recurrence such as An+1 = 0.3An + 20 is not itself geometric, but writing out what each earlier dose still contributes turns it into a geometric series you can sum.

25IALM-P2-3-FB-11 P2 · ASHard11 marks

Figure 1 shows the start of a path drawn from the origin O. The first segment, OP1, has length 8 units along the positive x-axis. At the end of each segment the path turns 90° anticlockwise, and each segment is half as long as the segment before it. The path continues indefinitely through P1, P2, P3, P4, …

12345678912345xyOP₁(8, 0)P₂(8, 4)P₃(6, 4)P₄(6, 3)842
(a)

Find the total length of the first 6 segments.

(2)
(b)

Show that the total length of the path can never be 16 units or more.

(2)
(c)

Find the least number of segments for which the total length of the path exceeds 15.99 units.

(3)
(d)

By considering the horizontal segments and the vertical segments separately, show that the path approaches the point (6.4, 3.2).

(4)
Show mark scheme
AnswerMarkNotes
Part (a)
8(1 − 0.56)/(1 − 0.5)M1
= 15.75 unitsA1
Part (b)
S∞ = 8/(1 − ½) = 16B1
Sn = 16(1 − 0.5n) and 0.5n > 0, so every total is less than 16B1
Part (c)
16(1 − 0.5n) > 15.99, so 0.5n < 1/1600M1
n > log 1600 / log 2 = 10.6 (3 s.f.)M1
11 segmentsA1
Part (d)
the x-moves 8, −2, 0.5, … form a geometric series with common ratio −¼M1
x → 8/(1 + ¼) = 6.4A1
the y-moves 4, −1, ¼, … form a geometric series with common ratio −¼M1
y → 4/(1 + ¼) = 3.2, so the path approaches (6.4, 3.2)A1

Common error: Using ½ or ¼ as the ratio for the horizontal moves. Two quarter-turns reverse the direction, so consecutive horizontal moves have opposite signs and the ratio is −¼.

26IALM-P2-3-FB-12 P2 · ASHard13 marks

Figure 1 shows the centre of a circular target. Region 1 is a disc of radius 2 cm. Each further region is a ring 2 cm wide, so region k has outer radius 2k cm. A complete target has 20 regions.

12345246810r / cmregion 1: disc, radius 2 cmeach ring: width 2 cmodd regions: gold
(a)

Show that the area of region k is 4π(2k − 1) cm2.

(3)
(b)

Hence show that the areas of regions 1, 2, 3, … form an arithmetic sequence, stating its first term and common difference.

(2)
(c)

Use the formula for the sum of an arithmetic series to show that the total area of regions 1 to n is 4πn2 cm2, and explain how Figure 1 confirms this result.

(3)
(d)

In the complete target the odd-numbered regions are gold. Find the exact total area that is gold.

(3)
(e)

A designer wants a larger target of the same type with a total area of more than 8000 cm2. Find the least number of regions it needs.

(2)
Show mark scheme
AnswerMarkNotes
Part (a)
outer radius 2k and inner radius 2(k − 1)B1
π(2k)2 − π(2k − 2)2M1
= π(8k − 4) = 4π(2k − 1)A1
Part (b)
4π(2k + 1) − 4π(2k − 1) = 8π, which is constantB1
first term 4π, common difference 8πB1
Part (c)
½n[8π + 8π(n − 1)]M1
= 4πn2A1
regions 1 to n together form a disc of radius 2n, whose area is π(2n)2 = 4πn2B1
Part (d)
regions 1, 3, 5, …, 19: 10 regions with areas 4π, 20π, 36π, …, an arithmetic series with common difference 16πM1
½ × 10 × [8π + 9 × 16π]M1
= 760π cm2A1
Part (e)
4πn2 > 8000, so n > √(2000/π) = 25.2M1
26 regionsA1

Common error: Taking the area of region k as π(2k)2, the whole disc out to radius 2k. A ring's area is the outer disc minus the inner disc.

27IALM-P2-3-FB-13 P2 · ASHard11 marks

Figure 1 shows the first three stages of a branching design. Stage 1 is a trunk of length 50 cm. At each later stage, three new branches grow from the end of every branch added at the stage before, and each new branch is 0.3 times as long as the branch it grows from. The design continues indefinitely.

50 cm15 cmstage 1: 1 trunkstage 2: 3 branchesstage 3: 9 branches
(a)

Find the total length of the branches added at stage 3.

(2)
(b)

Show that the total length of the branches added at stage n is 50(0.9)n−1 cm.

(2)
(c)

Find the total length of the design after 10 stages, giving your answer to 3 significant figures.

(2)
(d)

Explain why the total length of the design can never reach 5 m.

(2)
(e)

Find the first stage after which the total length of the design exceeds 4.5 m.

(3)
Show mark scheme
AnswerMarkNotes
Part (a)
9 branches, each 50 × 0.32 = 4.5 cm longM1
= 40.5 cmA1
Part (b)
3n−1 branches, each of length 50(0.3)n−1 cmM1
product = 50(3 × 0.3)n−1 = 50(0.9)n−1A1
Part (c)
50(1 − 0.910)/(1 − 0.9)M1
= 325.6… = 326 cmA1
Part (d)
0 < 0.9 < 1, so S∞ = 50/(1 − 0.9) = 500 cm = 5 mB1
Sn = 500(1 − 0.9n) < 500 for every n, since 0.9n > 0B1
Part (e)
500(1 − 0.9n) > 450, so 0.9n < 0.1M1
n > log 0.1 / log 0.9 = 21.9 (3 s.f.), reversing the inequality when dividing by log 0.9 < 0M1
stage 22A1

Exam tip: The number of branches is multiplied by 3 at each stage while each length is multiplied by 0.3. Multiply the two ratios to get the ratio for the length added per stage: 3 × 0.3 = 0.9.

28IALM-P2-3-FB-14 P2 · ASHard13 marks

A small quarry starts production. Figure 1 shows its output, in tonnes, in each of its first 24 months. In phase 1 (months 1 to 12) the monthly outputs form an arithmetic sequence. In phase 2 (from month 13 onwards) the output each month is 95% of the output in the month before.

2468101214161820222450100150200250300350400450month moutput / tonnesO200420phase 1phase 2
(a)

Use Figure 1 to find the common difference in phase 1, and show that the total output in phase 1 is 3720 tonnes.

(3)
(b)

Find the output in month 20, giving your answer to 3 significant figures.

(2)
(c)

Find the total output from month 13 to month 36 inclusive, giving your answer to 3 significant figures.

(3)
(d)

Find the first month in which the output is less than 100 tonnes.

(3)
(e)

Show that, if the model continued indefinitely, the total output could never exceed 11 700 tonnes.

(2)
Show mark scheme
AnswerMarkNotes
Part (a)
d = (420 − 200)/11M1
= 20 tonnesA1
½ × 12 × (200 + 420) = 3720A1
Part (b)
420 × 0.958M1
= 278.6… = 279 tonnesA1
Part (c)
geometric series with first term 420 × 0.95 = 399, common ratio 0.95 and 24 termsM1
399(1 − 0.9524)/(1 − 0.95)M1
= 5649.9… = 5650 tonnesA1
Part (d)
420 × 0.95k < 100, where k is the number of months after month 12M1
k > log(100/420) / log 0.95 = 27.98M1
k = 28, so month 40A1
Part (e)
phase 2 sum to infinity = 399/(1 − 0.95) = 7980M1
3720 + 7980 = 11 700, and every finite total is less than this because all terms are positiveA1

Exam tip: The critical value 27.98 is very close to 28, so check both neighbours: month 39 has output about 105.1 tonnes and month 40 about 99.9 tonnes.