Quadratics (Edexcel A Level Maths: Pure): Exam Questions

3 hours42 questions
1
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2 marks

The equation

x squared plus k x plus 3 equals 0

has no real roots.

Show that

k squared less than 12

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2
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3 marks

Find the value of the discriminant of the following equations:

(i)  x squared minus 3 x plus 4

(ii)  4 x plus 3 minus 2 x squared

(iii)  5 minus 8 x plus 2 x squared

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3
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3 marks

Expand and simplify the following equations:

(i)  left parenthesis x plus 4 right parenthesis left parenthesis 2 x minus 3 right parenthesis

(ii)  left parenthesis 3 x minus 4 right parenthesis left parenthesis 3 x plus 4 right parenthesis

(iii)  left parenthesis 2 x plus 1 right parenthesis squared

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4
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3 marks

Factorise the following equations:

(i)  x squared plus 5 x minus 14

(ii)  25 x squared minus 36

(iii)  2 x squared plus 9 x plus 9

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5
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3 marks

Complete the square for the following equations:

(i)  x squared plus 8 x minus 4

(ii)  2 x squared plus 12 x minus 5

(iii)  5 x squared minus 3 x plus 2

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6
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3 marks

Find the solutions of the following equations:

(i)  x squared plus 8 x minus 9 equals 0

(ii)  3 x squared minus 13 x plus 4 equals 0

(iii)  4 x squared minus 6 x minus 5 equals 0

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7a
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3 marks

A curve has the equation

y equals 2 x squared plus 5 x minus 3

(i) Write down the coordinates of the point at which it crosses the y-axis.

(ii) Find the x-intercepts of the curve.

7b
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3 marks

Sketch the graph of y equals 2 x squared plus 5 x minus 3.

Label clearly any points where the graph meets the coordinate axes.

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8a
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2 marks

Express

x squared plus 10 x plus 24

in the form

left parenthesis x plus a right parenthesis squared plus b

where a and b are integers to be found.

8b
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1 mark

Hence write down the coordinates of the minimum point on the curve with equation

y equals x squared plus 10 x plus 24

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9
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2 marks

A function is defined by

straight f left parenthesis x right parenthesis equals k x squared plus 2 k x minus 3

The equation straight f open parentheses x close parentheses equals 0 has two distinct real roots.

Show that 

4 k left parenthesis k plus 3 right parenthesis greater than 0

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10
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3 marks

Sketch the graph of

y equals left parenthesis 2 x minus 5 right parenthesis squared

Label clearly any points where the graph meets the coordinate axes.

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11a
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3 marks

The curve C has equation

y equals x squared minus 3 x plus 2

Find the coordinates of all points where C meets the coordinate axes.

11b
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2 marks

Sketch the graph of C.

Label clearly all points where the curve meets the coordinate axes.

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12a
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2 marks

Express the equation of the curve

y equals x squared plus 8 x minus 9

 in the form

y equals left parenthesis x plus b right parenthesis squared plus c

where b and c are integers to be found.

12b
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1 mark

Hence write down the coordinates of the vertex on the curve.

12c
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4 marks

Sketch the graph of

y equals x squared plus 8 x minus 9

Label clearly the coordinates of

  • any turning points

  • any points where the graph meets the coordinate axes

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13
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3 marks

The diagram below shows the graph of y equals straight f left parenthesis x right parenthesis.

The coordinates of the turning point and the points where the graph meets the x-axis have been labelled.

2-2-edexcel-alevel-maths-pure-q9medium

Sketch the graph of y equals straight f left parenthesis x plus 2 right parenthesis.

Label clearly the coordinates of

  • any turning points

  • any points where the graph meets the x-axis

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1a
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3 marks

A function is defined by

straight g left parenthesis x right parenthesis equals 12 plus 4 x minus x squared

The curve y equals straight g open parentheses x close parentheses meets the y-axis at the point P.

(i) Find all values of x for which straight g open parentheses x close parentheses equals 0.

(ii) Write down the coordinates of P.

1b
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3 marks

(i) Express straight g left parenthesis x right parenthesis in the form a minus left parenthesis x minus b right parenthesis squared, where a and b are constants to be found.

(ii) Hence write down the coordinates of the turning point on the graph of space y equals straight g left parenthesis x right parenthesis.

1c
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2 marks

Sketch the graph of y equals straight g left parenthesis x right parenthesis.

Label clearly the coordinates of

  • any turning points

  • any points where the graph meets the coordinate axes

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2a
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3 marks

A function is given by

straight f left parenthesis x right parenthesis equals x squared plus 4 x plus 5

By expressing the function in the form

straight f open parentheses x close parentheses equals open parentheses x plus p close parentheses squared plus q

where p and q are integers to be found, find

(i) the minimum value of the function

(ii) the value of x for which the function is at its minimum value

2b
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1 mark

Hence prove that the equation

straight f open parentheses x close parentheses equals 0

 has no real roots.

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3
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3 marks

A function is given by

straight f left parenthesis x right parenthesis equals k x squared plus 2 k x minus 3

The equation straight f open parentheses x close parentheses equals 0 has two distinct real roots.

Find the possible values of k.

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4
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3 marks

The equation

2 x squared minus 4 x plus 3 minus 2 k equals 0

has real roots.

Find the possible values of k.

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5
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2 marks

The equation

x squared plus p x plus q equals 0

has no real roots.

Show that

p squared less than 4 q

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6
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3 marks

Solve the equation

x to the power of 4 minus 13 x squared plus 36 equals 0

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7
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4 marks

Solve the equation

x to the power of 2 over 5 end exponent plus x to the power of 1 fifth end exponent equals 6

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8
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1 mark

A function is defined by

straight f left parenthesis x right parenthesis equals left parenthesis a x minus b right parenthesis squared

where a and b are non-zero constants.

A teacher claims that the quadratic expression must have a discriminant of zero.

Without expanding the brackets, explain why this must be true.

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9a
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3 marks

Express

y equals 4 x squared plus 8 x minus 5

 in the form

y equals a left parenthesis x plus b right parenthesis squared plus c

where a, b and c are integers to be found.

9b
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1 mark

Hence write down the coordinates of the minimum point on the curve.

9c
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3 marks

Sketch the graph of y equals 4 x squared plus 8 x minus 5.

Label clearly the coordinates of

  • any turning points

  • any points where the graph meets the coordinate axes

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10a
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2 marks

Find the solutions to the equation

2 x squared plus x minus 6 equals 0

10b
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4 marks

A curve has the equation

y equals 2 x squared plus x minus 6

By expressing the equation of the curve in the form

y equals a open parentheses x plus b close parentheses squared plus c

where a, b and c are constants to be found, find the coordinates of the turning point on the curve.

10c
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2 marks

Sketch the graph of y equals 2 x squared plus x minus 6

Label clearly the coordinates of

  • any turning points

  • any points where the graph meets the coordinate axes

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11
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3 marks

Sketch the graph of y equals 12 x squared minus 5 x minus 72.

Label clearly the coordinates of any points where the curve meets the coordinate axes. 

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12
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2 marks

The diagram below shows the graph of y equals straight f left parenthesis x right parenthesis.

The coordinates of the turning point and the points where the graph meets the coordinate axes have been labelled.

2-2-edexcel-alevel-maths-pure-q10hard

Sketch the graph of y equals straight f left parenthesis x plus 3 right parenthesis.

Label clearly the coordinates of

  • any turning points

  • any points where the graph meets the x-axis

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1
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5 marks

The equation 0 equals k x squared plus 2 k x minus 3 has two distinct real roots.

The equation 0 equals k x squared plus 4 k x minus 16 has no real roots.

Find the possible values of k.

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2
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7 marks

The curve C has the equation y equals x squared minus 3 x plus 2

The line l has the equation y equals 3 x minus 7

On the same coordinate axes, sketch C and l.

Label clearly the coordinates of

  • any points of intersection between C and l

  • all points where C meets the coordinate axes

  • all points where l meets the coordinate axes

  • any turning points on C

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3a
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2 marks

The curve with equation

y equals 3 x squared plus 2 p x plus 4 q

where p and q are non-zero constants does not meet the x-axis.

Show that 

p squared less than k q

where k is a constant to be found.

3b
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3 marks

Given that the curve

y equals 3 x squared plus 2 p x plus 4 q

passes through the points with coordinates left parenthesis negative 2 comma space 6 right parenthesis space and left parenthesis 2 comma space 6 right parenthesis, find the values of p and q.

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4a
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3 marks

The equation

2 k minus 3 k x minus x squared equals 0

where k is a negative constant has has two distinct real roots.

Find the possible values of k.

4b
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3 marks

In the case where k equals negative 1, sketch the graph of y equals 2 k minus 3 k x minus x squared.

Label clearly the coordinates of all points where the graph meets the coordinate axes.

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5a
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3 marks

A function is given by

straight f left parenthesis x right parenthesis equals x squared plus 8 x plus c

where c is a constant.

By expressing the function in the form

straight f open parentheses x close parentheses equals open parentheses x plus p close parentheses squared plus q

find, in terms of c where necessary,

(i) the minimum value of the function

(ii) the value of x for which the function is at its minimum value

5b
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1 mark

Hence find the possible values of c for which the equation straight f open parentheses x close parentheses equals 0 has no real roots.

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6a
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2 marks

A model for the arch of a bridge over a river is given by

y equals 4 minus x squared over 8

The minimum water level of the river under the bridge is represented by the x-axis and all measurements are in metres.

The width of the river at its minimum water level is the distance between the two x-intercepts.

2-2-edexcel-alevel-maths-pure-q6vhard

The maximum water level is given by the line y equals 0.5

Determine whether the width of the river under the bridge at its maximum water level exceeds 11 metres.

6b
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2 marks

A canal boat is modelled as a cuboid above water level with a cross-section measuring 6 m wide and 2.5 m tall.

Determine whether it is possible for the canal boat to fit underneath the bridge when the river is at its minimum water level.

6c
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2 marks

To support the bridge, the arch will continue 2.5 m vertically below the minimum water level.

Find the exact distance between the base of the arch.

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7a
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3 marks

Solve the equation

2 to the power of 2 x end exponent plus 64 equals 20 left parenthesis 2 to the power of x right parenthesis

7b
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3 marks

Solve the equation 

5 square root of x plus 3 equals 2 x

7c
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3 marks

Solve the equation

x to the power of 2 over 3 end exponent plus 2 x to the power of 1 third end exponent equals 8

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8a
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1 mark

A stone is thrown vertically upwards from the top of a cliff. The stone lands in the sea vertically below. 

The path of the stone is modelled by

straight h left parenthesis t right parenthesis equals 24 plus 2 t minus 0.5 t squared space space space space space space space space space space space space space space t greater or equal than 0

where

  • straight h is the height, in metres, of the stone above sea level

  • t is the time in seconds since the stone was thrown

Write down the vertical height above sea level from which the stone was thrown.

8b
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3 marks

Find the maximum height the stone reaches above sea level.

8c
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2 marks

Find how long it takes for the stone to reach the sea.

Give your answer in seconds to 1 decimal place.

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9a
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3 marks

Express 

negative 6 x squared plus 8 x minus 5

in the form 

y equals a minus b left parenthesis x plus c right parenthesis squared

where a, b and c are constants to be found.

9b
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1 mark

Hence write down the exact coordinates of the maximum point on the curve with equation

space y equals negative 6 x squared plus 8 x minus 5

9c
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3 marks

Sketch the graph of

y equals negative 6 x squared plus 8 x minus 5

Label clearly the coordinates of

  • the maximum point of the curve

  • any points where the curve meets the coordinate axes

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10
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2 marks

The minimum point on the curve with equation 

y equals x squared plus p x plus q

has coordinates open parentheses 3 comma space 1 close parentheses.

Find the values of p and q.

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11a
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2 marks

The equation

4 k minus 6 k x minus x squared equals 0

where k less than 0 has two distinct real roots, alpha and beta, where 0 less than alpha less than beta.

Sketch the graph of y equals 4 k minus 6 k x minus x squared.

Label clearly the points where the graph meets the coordinate axes.

11b
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3 marks

Find the possible values of k.

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12a
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3 marks

Solve the equation

8 square root of x equals 48 minus x

12b
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3 marks

Solve the equation

2 to the power of 4 x end exponent plus 64 equals 20 left parenthesis 2 to the power of 2 x end exponent right parenthesis

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1a
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3 marks

The functions straight f open parentheses x close parentheses and straight g left parenthesis x right parenthesis are defined by

table row cell straight f left parenthesis x right parenthesis end cell equals cell left parenthesis k minus 1 right parenthesis x squared minus left parenthesis k minus 2 right parenthesis x minus 2 k space space space space space space space space space space space space space x element of straight real numbers end cell row cell straight g left parenthesis x right parenthesis end cell equals cell left parenthesis k minus 1 right parenthesis x squared minus 3 k x plus k plus 1 space space space space space space space space space space space space space space space space x element of straight real numbers end cell end table

 where k is a non-zero constant and k squared not equal to 1.

When the curve y equals straight f open parentheses x close parentheses and the curve y equals straight g open parentheses x close parentheses are plotted on the same set of coordinate axes, they intersect once only.

Find, in terms of k, the x-coordinate of the point of intersection.

1b
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2 marks

Hence, in the case when k equals 3, find the exact coordinates of the point of intersection.

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2
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6 marks

The equation

k squared x squared minus 4 x plus 5 equals k squared

has two distinct real roots.

Find the possible values of k.

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3a
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3 marks

Show that the equation 

a x squared plus b x plus c equals 0

can be written in the form

a open parentheses x plus fraction numerator b over denominator 2 a end fraction close parentheses squared minus open parentheses fraction numerator b squared minus 4 a c over denominator 4 a end fraction close parentheses equals 0

where a, b and c are constants and a not equal to 0.

3b
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3 marks

Hence show that

x equals fraction numerator negative b plus-or-minus square root of b squared minus 4 a c end root over denominator 2 a end fraction

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4
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3 marks

The figure below shows the curve y equals straight f left parenthesis x right parenthesis.

The coordinates of any points where the curve meets the coordinate axes are shown.

The coordinates of the maximum point are also shown.

2-2-edexcel-alevel-maths-pure-q10vhard

The graph of y equals straight f left parenthesis x right parenthesis plus 6 meets the x-axis at two points, one of which has coordinatesopen parentheses negative 2 comma space 0 close parentheses.

Sketch the graph of y equals straight f left parenthesis x right parenthesis plus 6.

Label clearly the coordinates of

  • the maximum point on the curve

  • any points where the curve meets the coordinate axes

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5a
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1 mark

Factorise x squared plus 6 x plus 9

5b
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2 marks

Factorise x squared plus 6 x y plus 9 y squared

5c
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2 marks

Find a relationship between x and y such that x squared plus 6 x y plus 9 y squared equals 0

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