Suggested Answers to the HSC 2016 Mathematics Exam (+Discussion!)

[Lockyb98]

For Q 14 a) shouldn't the simpsons rule be h/3 (first + last + 4(0dd) + 2(even) )?

Some schools/classes learn different methods... I did the method you stated and got Jamon's answer still

[jamonwindeyer]

Predictions on what a raw 88 will scale to?

Low 90's

what would be a band 5 cut off

Maybe the low 70's/high 60's? I don't have any recent data there, but 2009's was about 60-62, and we've gotten easier since then, so likely to be higher

[jamonwindeyer]

For Q 14 a) shouldn't the simpsons rule be h/3 (first + last + 4(0dd) + 2(even) )?

As Locky mentioned, both work! I actually learned your rule, but I made a mental note to use what was on the formula sheet in my answers

For Q12 d) (ii) - since you multiply by 3 to get it into the form required, would you not then have to multiply by 1/3 to cancel it out? So it would become 1/3 (integral from 0 -> 2 of) e^3x (1 + 3x)?

Thanks for being so quick on the paper and answer upload!

No worries! Not quite; I've pulled a factor of 3 out of the integral in their question, \((3+9x)=3(1+3x)\)

[itsAnuu]

Low 90's

But an 86 scaled to 90 in 2014 which was an easy year ((

[Lockyb98]

No worries! Not quite; I've pulled a factor of 3 out of the integral in their question, \((3+9x)=3(1+3x)\)
[/quote]

Ah yep, I see that now. Thanks!

[jamonwindeyer]

I've added some commentary below the solutions if anyone is interested about what I thought about the exam!

Summary
- Not too difficult, easier than 2014, harder than 2015 (imo)
- Formula sheet didn't spike the difficulty like I thought it would (phew). On the contrary, it turned about a third of these marks into substitution questions.
- Lots of Apps of Calculus, nearly a quarter of your mark

[itsAnuu]

Would you need to pull the factor out or can you go straight to 3xe^x and say (x3 due to the integral being multiplied by 3) for 2 marks

[jamonwindeyer]

Would you need to pull the factor out or can you go straight to 3xe^x and say (x3 due to the integral being multiplied by 3) for 2 marks

That works too!

[ehatton2016]

You haven't included answers for Qtn 14 D and E

Also RE Qtn 16 b ii - isn't the range 10≤y<200 given that you found y=10 when t=0 and t has to be greater than zero??

Agreed!!

Would I drop a mark if I put 10<y<200 instead of 10</=y<200?? flipping out

[itsAnuu]

Agreed!!

Would I drop a mark if I put 10<y<200 instead of 10</=y<200?? flipping out

Yes

[ehatton2016]

Confused why Q4 is A and not B, because isn't be just a cubic, y=x3, so its odd?

[jamonwindeyer]

Agreed!!

Would I drop a mark if I put 10<y<200 instead of 10</=y<200?? flipping out

I think the equals is sort of debatable; like, the function is valid after the Yabbies were introduced, meaning for \(t>0\). Perhaps I'm misinterpreting there, uni has taught me to be pedantic over when functions are valid. I'm reasonably sure they would pay you for it either way

[jamonwindeyer]

Confused why Q4 is A and not B, because isn't be just a cubic, y=x3, so its odd?

Cubics are only odd when they are centred on the origin! EG: y=x^3+4 (which could be what was shown) is not odd. You need rotational symmetry about the origin; that's the sine wave in A

[ehatton2016]

What will a 95-98 scale to?? or does it stay the same?

[pikachu975]

I've added some commentary below the solutions if anyone is interested about what I thought about the exam!

Summary
- Not too difficult, easier than 2014, harder than 2015 (imo)
- Formula sheet didn't spike the difficulty like I thought it would (phew). On the contrary, it turned about a third of these marks into substitution questions.
- Lots of Apps of Calculus, nearly a quarter of your mark

Not really sure, I found it harder than 2014 and 2015 by a lot because I've done lots of past papers but never seen like 2 of those multiple choice before and the yabby question was really tricky, so was the probability with the wording.