1. The diagram below shows a sketch of the gradient function f′(x) of the curve f(x).

On the graph below, sketch the curve y = f(x) given that f(0) = 0. Clearly indicate on the graph
any maximum, minimum or inflexion points.

(Total 5 marks)

2. A tangent to the graph of y = ln x passes through the origin.

(a) Sketch the graphs of y = ln x and the tangent on the same set of axes, and hence find the
equation of the tangent.
(11)

IB Questionbank Mathematics Higher Level 3rd edition 1

 x
(b) Use your sketch to explain why ln x ≤ e for x > 0.
(1)

e x
(c) Show that x ≤ e for x > 0.
(3)

e π
(d) Determine which is larger, π or e .
(2)
(Total 17 marks)

2x
3. The function f is defined by f (x) = x e .
(n) n n−1 2x + (n) th
It can be shown that f (x) = (2 x + n 2 ) e for all n , where f (x) represents the n
derivative of f (x).
(n)
(a) By considering f (x) for n =1 and n = 2, show that there is one minimum point P on the
graph of f, and find the coordinates of P.
(7)

(b) Show that f has a point of inflexion Q at x = −1.

(5)

(c) Determine the intervals on the domain of f where f is

(i) concave up;

(ii) concave down.

(2)

(d) Sketch f, clearly showing any intercepts, asymptotes and the points P and Q.
(4)

IB Questionbank Mathematics Higher Level 3rd edition 2

 (n) n n−1 2x +
(e) Use mathematical induction to prove that f (x) = (2 x + n2 ) e for all n , where
(n) th
f   (x) represents the n derivative of f (x).
(9)
(Total 27 marks)

2 3 2 +
4. A family of cubic functions is defined as fk (x) = k x − kx + x, k .

(a) Express in terms of k

(i) f ′k (x) and f ′′k (x);

(ii) the coordinates of the points of inflexion Pk on the graphs of fk.

(6)

(b) Show that all Pk lie on a straight line and state its equation.
(2)

(c) Show that for all values of k, the tangents to the graphs of fk at Pk are parallel, and find
the equation of the tangent lines.
(5)
(Total 13 marks)

2 x 2
5. Consider the curve with equation f (x) = e for x  0.

Find the coordinates of the point of inflexion and justify that it is a point of inflexion.
(Total 7 marks)

6. The acceleration of a body is given in terms of the displacement s metres as

2s
2
a = s 1 .

(a) Give a formula for the velocity as a function of the displacement given that when
–1
s = 1 metre, v = 2 m s .
(7)

IB Questionbank Mathematics Higher Level 3rd edition 3

 (b) Hence find the velocity when the body has travelled 5 metres.
(2)
(Total 9 marks)

1 1 1

The point P, with coordinates (p, q), lies on the graph of x  y  a , a > 0.
2 2 2
7.
The tangent to the curve at P cuts the axes at (0, m) and (n, 0). Show that m + n = a.
(Total 8 marks)

8. The line y = m(x – m) is a tangent to the curve (1 – x)y = 1.

Determine m and the coordinates of the point where the tangent meets the curve.
(Total 7 marks)

9. The diagram below shows a circle with centre at the origin O and radius r > 0.

A point P(x, y), (x > 0, y > 0) is moving round the circumference of the circle.

 y
tan arcsin 
Let m =  r .

IB Questionbank Mathematics Higher Level 3rd edition 4

 3
dm  r 

dy 
dt 2 2 
(a) Given that dt = 0.001r, show that  10 r  y  .
(6)

dm
(b) State the geometrical meaning of dt .
(1)
(Total 7 marks)

10. Let f be a function defined by f(x) = x + 2 cos x, x  [0, 2π]. The diagram below shows a region
S bound by the graph of f and the line y = x.

A and C are the points of intersection of the line y = x and the graph of f, and B is the minimum
point of f.

π π π
a , b and c
(a) If A, B and C have x-coordinates 2 6 2 , where a, b, c  , find the values of
a, b and c.
(4)

IB Questionbank Mathematics Higher Level 3rd edition 5

 (b) Find the range of f.
(3)

(c) Find the equation of the normal to the graph of f at the point C, giving your answer in the
form y = px + q.
(5)

(d) The region S is rotated through 2π about the x-axis to generate a solid.

(i) Write down an integral that represents the volume V of this solid.
2
(ii) Show that V = 6π .
(7)
(Total 19 marks)

–2
11. The acceleration in m s of a particle moving in a straight line at time t seconds, t ≥ 0, is given
1
 v –1
by the formula a = 2 . When t = 0, the velocity is 40 m s .
Find an expression for v in terms of t.
(Total 6 marks)

5π
–x –x
12. Consider the graphs y = e and y = e sin 4x, for 0 ≤ x ≤ 4 .

5π
(a) On the same set of axes draw, on graph paper, the graphs, for 0 ≤ x ≤ 4 .
π
Use a scale of 1 cm to 8 on your x-axis and 5 cm to 1 unit on your y-axis.
(3)

nπ
–x
(b) Show that the x-intercepts of the graph y = e sin 4x are 4 , n = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
(3)

–x
(c) Find the x-coordinates of the points at which the graph of y = e sin 4x meets the graph
–x
of y = e . Give your answers in terms of π.
(3)

IB Questionbank Mathematics Higher Level 3rd edition 6

 –x –x
(d) (i) Show that when the graph of y = e sin 4x meets the graph of y = e , their
gradients are equal.

(ii) Hence explain why these three meeting points are not local maxima of the
–x
graph y = e sin 4x.
(6)

(e) (i) Determine the y-coordinates, y1, y2 and y3, where y1 > y2 > y3, of the local maxima
5π
–x
of y = e sin 4x for 0 ≤ x ≤ 4 . You do not need to show that they are maximum
values, but the values should be simplified.

(ii) Show that y1, y2 and y3 form a geometric sequence and determine the common ratio
r.
(7)
(Total 22 marks)

IB Questionbank Mathematics Higher Level 3rd edition 7