SL External Assessment - Paper 1
SL Exam Paper 1 - Practice
Below is a full, example Paper 1: short-response questions (3 to 9 marks).
A Printable version (PDF), with space for student answers, is also available here
A graphics display calculator (GDC) is required for this paper.
All answers should be given exactly e.g. \(\pi,\quad \sqrt { 2 } \), or to three significant figures, unless stated otherwise in the question.
An unannotated copy of the IB Formula Booklete for application and interpretations is required.
This paper contains a total of 80 marks to be completed in 1 hour 30 minutes. On top of this, you will be given an additional 5 minutes reading time. You are not allowed to write anything during this time. We would recommend determining which questions you're not sure you can do and leave them to the end.
Make sure you get the most marks possible by focusing on questions you can do first. Show the examiners what you can do!
[A possible markscheme is presented for some (but not all) questions: Please do not contact us with questions about markschemes offered on this site. The IB markscheme process is a long and rigorous one, the aim here is only to give a rough guideline. Other markschemes are also possible].
Q1 [Maximum mark: 8 marks]
Chemist’s use the follow formula to convert the number of molecules of a substance to its weight in grams:
\(\frac{\text{Number of Molecules}}{\text{Avogrados constant}}\times \text{ Molecular weight}=\text{ weight in grams }\)
Indium tin Oxide, In2O5Sn, (used to make screens touch sensitive) has a molecular weight of 313.53 grams, Avogrado’s constant \(\approx 6.023\times {{10}^{23}}\).
(a) Find the number of molecules in 2kg of Indium tin oxide.
[2]
\(\begin{align} & \frac{x}{6.023\times {{10}^{23}}}\times \text{ 313}\text{.53}=\text{ 2000} \\ & \\ & \text{Therefore: }x=\frac{\text{2000}\times 6.023\times {{10}^{23}}}{313.53}=3.84\times {{10}^{24}}\text{ molecules} \\ \end{align} \)
A possible markscheme is presented for some (but not all) questions: The IB markscheme process is a long and rigorous one, the aim here is only to give a rough guideline. Other markschemes are also possible.
M1 rearranging formula correct & substituting in correct numbers (2 or 2000 accepted for the “weight in grams”)
A1 correct answer.
(b) A single computer screen contains approximately 0.5g \(\pm 0.02\) . If we have 2kg of Indium tin oxide, to the nearest 0.01kg, work out:
(i) the largest number of computer screens that could be made with this quantity.
(ii) the smallest number of computer screens that could be made with this quantity
[4]
(i)
\(\frac{\text{MAXimum total quantity of I}{{\text{n}}_{2}}{{\text{O}}_{5}}\text{Sn}}{\text{MINimum quantity of I}{{\text{n}}_{2}}{{\text{O}}_{5}}\text{Sn per screen}}=\frac{2.005}{0.00048}=4177.083333=4\text{ }177\text{ (to nearest integer)}\)
(ii)
\(\begin{align} & \frac{\text{MINimum total quantity of I}{{\text{n}}_{2}}{{\text{O}}_{5}}\text{Sn}}{\text{MAXimum quantity of I}{{\text{n}}_{2}}{{\text{O}}_{5}}\text{Sn per screen}}=\frac{1.995}{0.00052}=3836.538462=3\text{ }836\text{ } \\ & \text{rounded down as won }\!\!'\!\!\text{ t be enough for the 3 836 computer screen}\text{.} \\ \end{align} \)
(c) If the company only manages to make 3 942 computers with the In2O5Sn, what is the percentage error between this and the anticipated 4 000 computers?
[2]
4000 - 3 942 = 58 computers less than the 4000 it anticipated making.
\(\frac{58}{4000}\times 100=1.45%\)
Q2) [Maximum mark: 5 marks]
The company, Energy Lives, has designed a new heating element for boiling water quickly. It aims to produce the same power as a 2600 watts kettle, using only 1800 watts.
Currently, the probability of any one heating element failing this test is 0.05.
The supermarket orders the water boiling systems in boxes of 5. If one kettle in every box is substandard the supermarket can return the faulty kettle, and Energy Lives does not think they will complain. More than this and they will.
- Work out the probability that a supermarket complains.
[4]
- For their business to be a success, they want to keep complaints down to not more than 3% of boxes of 5 sold to customers. Using your answer to part (a), have they reached this target?
[1]
(a) This question can be modelled binomially, given it is a "success or failure" (heating element works or it doesn't) situation and assuming that the chance of an element being faulty is independent of all others.
p = probability of a heating element being faulty/not working = 0.05, therefore the probability that it does work = 0.95, n = number of trials = 5 kettles per box.
\(X\sim B(5,0.05)\)
GDC calculation: p(x≥2) - since if 2,3,4 or 5 kettles are NOT working = supermarket will complain:
Lower:2
Upper: 5
Numtrial(n): 5
p : 0.05
Using p=0.95 gives the same answer, working below:
\(X\sim B(5,0.95)\)
p(x ≤ 3 working kettles) = binomcdf(5,3,0.05) or 1 – [5C5 + 5C4 (with their associated probabilities)].
Answer: 0.0226 or 2.26% (to 3 sig fig)
A possible markscheme is suggested below (please do not contact us with questions about markschemes offered on this site. The IB markscheme process is a long and rigorous one, the aim here is only to give a rough guideline. Other markschemes are also possible).
(M1) for correctly identifying n=5 and p=0.05 in a binomial model.
M1 for correctly modelling the problem using p(x ≤ 3 working) or other valid probability model e.g. 1 - p(x≥4)
A1 A1 for the correct answer rounded correctly to 3 significant figures.
Conceptually, students will likely find the below probability tree useful to see why there are 26 different options that give either 1, 2 or 3 working kettles, from a pack of 5. A binomial probability is a quick way to work out the number of different ways something can happen and the probabilities associated with each of them.
(b) Answer: the probability of more than one kettle in each box of five being substandard is 2.26% (to 3 sig fig). This is less than their 3% target, therefore they have met their target.
[Award A1 if the student has correctly compared their answer (right or wrong) to 3% and come to the correct conclusion, given their answer in part (a)]
[1]
Q3) [Maximum mark: 11 marks]
The diagram shows the locations of 5 sisters: Hannah, Amina, Marisa, Juliette and Pauline. 1 unit on the x-axes and the y-axes represents 100km.
(a) Find the coordinates of the mid-point between the two sisters, Hannah and Marisa.
[2]
(b) Hence, or otherwise, find the equation of the perpendicular bisector between their two houses and draw it, as a dashed line, on the grid.
[5]
(c) You are now going to complete the voronoi diagram to show which areas are closest to each one of the five sisters.
To do this, you should leave 'dotted/dashed' the part(s) of the lines you do NOT want to use as ‘edges’, and FILL IN the part(s) you want to use as ‘edges’ of your final voronoi diagram.
[2]
(a) \(\left( \frac{\mathop{x}_{Marissa}+\mathop{x}_{Hannah}}{2},\frac{\mathop{y}_{Marissa}+\mathop{y}_{Hannah}}{2} \right)=\left( \frac{4+-2}{2},\frac{1+3}{2} \right)=\left( 1,2 \right)\) Answer: mid-point = (1,2)
(b) Gradient of line between Hannah and Marissa = \(\frac{rise}{run}=\frac{1-3}{4-(-2)}=\frac{-2}{6}=-\frac{1}{3}\) (M1)
Therefore gradient of line perpendicular to this = 3 (since gradient of line x gradient of perpendicular = -1) (A1)
From part (a) we know the perpendicular bisector MUST pass through the point (1,2) = mid-point between Hannah and Marisa. We can therefore substitue this in to our slope (gradient), intercept form of the linear equation:
\(\begin{align} & x=1,y=2 \\ & y=3x+(y-\text{intercept)} \\ & \text{2 = 3(1) + y-intercept} \\ & \text{y-intercept = 2 - 3 = -1 } \\ \end{align} \)
Equation of the perpendicular bisector: y = 3x – 1 A1
Straight line drawn correctly through y = -1 and with gradient = 3 A1 A1
(c) Working out/reasoning shown below, final answer follows in the second diagram down:
> Erase segment DC
> Fill in the dashes between points B and C.
> Fill in the dashes for segment CG
> Fill in the dashes above point C on the perpendicular bisector for Hannah and Amina
Remaining lines should be left dashed.
Q4) [Maximum mark: 7]
The data below shows the mean number of years of education and average earnings, for women aged 25 or over in nine different countries (data source: www.gapminder.org).
It is believed that increasing the number of years of education (x) a woman receives increases their income (y). Using your GDC, sketch the scatter plot for the above data and the y-on-x regresion line. Include clearly the equation of the y (income) -on-x (years of education) regression line.
[3]
- Calculate the x-on-y regression equation for the above data and use it to predict the education level of a woman with an income of
$ 30 000 per year.
[3]
- What is the difference in interpretation of the direction of causation for an income-on-years of education regression equation (a) compared to a years of education-on-income regression (b) ?
[1)
(a)
A1 for two pairs of crosses and a bunched group of five crosses roughly in line with those shown above.
A1 for the regression line passing very close to the second cross and with three data points above and two below in the final cluster
A1 for the correct regression equation
(b) Using the same process as in part (a) [see GDC 'button-press' screenshots on previous question], "List3(income)" can be entered as the x-variable (Xlist) and "List2(education)" the y-variable (Ylist).
The 'ax+b' option now calculates an x(education)-on-y(income) regression. Use the "y-calc" option to predict the mean number of years of education for a woman whose income =
(c) In part (a) the y-on-x regression implies that education is the independent variable, and is a suspected 'cause' for changes in income.
In (b) the x-on-y regression would imply that income is the independent variable and is a suspected 'cause' for changes in mean years of education [Note: given most education is obtained before a person begins earning an income, this seems the less likely vector of causation]
Q5) [Maximum mark : 5]
The vertical velocity (miles per hour) and time (seconds) data for a skydive are shown below. The velocity is then converted into miles per second (to 3 significant figures).
a) Show that 0.0111 miles per second is approximately equivalent to 40 miles per hour
[1]
b) Given that the total vertical distance travelled by the skydiver between the 4th and 6th second was 0.0464 miles, and that over the whole 18 seconds a total of 0.471 miles was covered, work out the missing velocities ‘c’ and ‘d’.
[4]
(a) 0.0111 x 3600 seconds (in 1h) = 39.96mph \(\approx \) 40
(b) The distance covered between 4th and 6th second = 0.0464 miles (to 3 significant figures):
\(\begin{align} & \left( 0.0203+c \right)\times \frac{6\text{secs}-4\text{secs}}{2}=0.0464 \\ & \text{Therefore: c = 0}\text{.0471 - 0}\text{.0203 = 0}\text{.0261 (to 3 s}\text{.f}\text{.)} \\ \end{align} \)
M1 correct equation set-up A1 answer for ‘c’
If c = 0.0261
Trapezium rule (in formula booklet):
[0 + 0.0333 + 2(0.0111 + 0.0203 + 0.0261 + 0.0306 + 0.0319 + d + 0.0331 + 0.0331)] = 0.471
2d = 0.471 – 0.0333 - 2(0.0111 + 0.0203 + 0.0261 + 0.0306 + 0.0319 + 0.0331 + 0.0331)
d =\(\frac{0.0629}{2}=0.03145\)
M1 correct equation set-up A1 answer for ‘d’
Q6) [5 marks]
The time taken, in days (t), for a wound to heal, if the original area of the wound (W0) at time = 0, is known, can be modelled by the function:
\(t=-20\left[ Log\left( \frac{{{W}_{t}}}{{{W}_{0}}} \right) \right]\) where Wt = area of the wound at time t (in cm²)
(a) If a wound that initially covered 4cm² now covers only 2cm², calculate how much time has passed? Give your answer to the nearest hour.
[2]
(b) At 0.05cm² the wound is considered fully healed. Calculate how much time will have passed since the wound covered 2cm² [part (a)]? Give your answer to the nearest day.
[2]
(c) If the criteria for a “fully healed” wound is changed to 0.5cm², an area ten times larger than the previous criteria of 0.05cm² [used in part (b)], will it take ten times less time to heal? Explain your answer with reference to the formula. [1]
Q7) [Maximum mark: 6]
The below data shows the relationship between the average time taken for webpages to download given differing internet download speeds.
(a) Sketch the scatter graph for this data and give one reason why spearman's rank correlation coefficient is likely to be a better measure of the correlation than Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient for this data?
[2]
(b) Calculate spearman's rank correlation coefficient using a rank of 1 for the highest webpage download time (in seconds) and a rank of 1 for the highest download speed (in Mbs)
[2]
Two of the observed download speeds were found to have have been recorded incorrectly. The correct values are shown in the table below.
(c)(i) write down the spearman's rank correlation coefficient for this new data.
[1]
(ii) Explain what failing of spearman's rank correlation coefficient this highlights?
[1]
7(a) Casio CG10/20/50 'how to' plot scatter graphs (from Youtuber "eleven bottles") Warning: the numbers used in this video are not the same as in the above question, but the method/how to use your Casio CG10/20/50 is exactly the same):
TiNspire scatter graph (from Youtuber: Nate Murphy), regression (not required in this question), and Pearson's correlation coefficient calculation (which is exactly the same method as for Spearman's only in Spearman's we enter the rank of each number, rather than the raw data). Warning: the numbers used in this video are not the same as in the above question, but the method/how to use your TiNspire is exactly the same):
(b) calculating spearmans: rank the data then follow same process as for Pearson's
(c)(i) same rs value as in (b) since ranks haven't change: rs = -1
(ii) Spearman's rank correlation coefficient is insensitive to changes in the actual data that do not change the rank order of the data.
Q8) [Maximum mark: 6]
The Egyptian authorities want to build a glass walled elevator going through the center of the Pyramid of Khafre. Given the dimensions shown in the picture below:
(a) Determine the perpendicular height of the pyramid from its base to its apex
[3]
The difference in height between the Pyramid of Menkaure, and the Pyramid of Khufu in Egypt is 77.9m. The distance, in a straight line from apex to apex, is 1942m.
(b) Calculate the angle of elevation if one stands at the apex of Menkaure and looks up at the apex of Khufu? Give your answer rounded to 1 decimal place.
[3]
(a)
(b)
(M1) correct diagram (SL3.3) with lengths correctly marked
M1 correct method and numbers substituted into the formula
A1 2.3° (no mark if not rounded correctly to 1 d.p.).
\(\begin{align} & \sin \theta =\frac{77.9}{1942} \\ & \theta =\arcsin \left( \frac{77.9}{1942} \right)=2.3{}^\circ \\ \end{align} \)
Q9) [Maximum mark: 7]
The artery can be modelled as a cylinder (as show in the image below). A given increase in the cross-sectional area of a person’s artery wall is directly related to a higher risk of heart attack.
(a) Show that the cross-sectional area of the artery wall can be modelled by the function:
\(A\left( x \right)=\pi \left( {{\left( 6.1+x \right)}^{2}}\text{ }-\text{ }{{6.1}^{2}} \right)\text{ }for\text{ }0.696\text{ }<\text{ }x\text{ }<\text{ }0.730~\) [where x is measured in mm]
[2]
(b) Find the inverse, of this function.
[2]
(c)(i) Clearly state the domain of the inverse function (to nearest 2 d.p.).
(ii) explain what this represents, in the context of this question.
[2]
(d) A young medical student is examining an artery of an unknown animal in the laboratory. They find the cross-sectional area of the artery wall to be equal to 38.72 mm², using your answer to part (c)(i), or otherwise, justify whether or not there is evidence to suggest it is a human artery.
[1]
(a) [2 marks]
M1 working showing candidate has understood that:
thickness of artery = area of outer wall circle – area of inner wall circle.
A1 correct working out and some mention, or working, clearly showing the candidate has understood that\(\text{common factor = }\pi \)
\(\begin{align} & \pi {{\left( 6.1+x \right)}^{2}}\text{ }-\text{ }\pi ({{6.1}^{2}}) \\ & \text{common factor = }\pi \\ & A(x)=\pi \left[ {{\left( 6.1+x \right)}^{2}}-{{6.1}^{2}} \right] \\ \end{align} \)
(b) [2 marks]
\(\begin{align} & \frac{A}{\pi }=~{{\left( 6.1+x \right)}^{2}}\text{ }-\text{ }{{6.1}^{2}} \\ & \frac{A}{\pi }\text{+ }{{6.1}^{2}}=~{{\left( 6.1+x \right)}^{2}}\text{ } \\ & \sqrt{\frac{A}{\pi }\text{+ }{{6.1}^{2}}}=6.1+x \\ & \sqrt{\frac{A}{\pi }\text{+ }{{6.1}^{2}}}-6.1=x \\ & {{A}^{-1}}(x)=\sqrt{\frac{A}{\pi }\text{+ }{{6.1}^{2}}}-6.1\text{ or }\sqrt{\frac{A}{\pi }\text{+ 37}\text{.21}}-6.1 \\ \end{align}\)
c) [2 marks]
(i) Domain \({{A}^{-1}}(x)\)= range of A(x).
The domain of x was specified in the question as \(0.696\text{ }<\text{ }x\text{ }<\text{ }0.730~\)which gives the range of ‘A’ as:
\(\pi \left( {{\left( 6.1+0.696 \right)}^{2}}\text{ }-\text{ }{{6.1}^{2}} \right)\text{ }<\text{ A }<\text{ }\pi \left( {{\left( 6.1+0.730 \right)}^{2}}\text{ }-\text{ }{{6.1}^{2}} \right)\text{ } \)
Answer: 28.20 < A < 29.65 (where A is measured in mm²)
(ii) \({{A}^{-1}}(x)\) represents the thickness of the artery wall / the difference in radius between the inner and outer artery wall.
(d) [1 mark]
The maximum area of a human artery wall, found in part (b) was 29.65mm². This measurement of 38.72mm² is therefore outside of the upper and lower bound of a human artery wall.
Q10) [Maximum mark: 6]
Social scientists have observed an increase in the average age at which women choose to have their first child (‘average age of first time mothers’). They wanted to find out if this increase in age was related to a country's average income. The collected data is shown in the table below:
A \(\chi {}^\text{2}\) test was carried out, at the 5% significance level on the following null hypothesis:
H0 : average income per person and average age of first time mothers are independent.
(a) Use your graphic display calculator to find the p-value for this test.
[2]
(b) Determine whether or not, at the 5% significance level, there is evidence to accept the null hypothesis, or not.
[2]
From the table above we can see that 58 of the 115 countries surveyed were low income countries and 39 countries had an average age of first time mothers between 25.5 and 30.5
(c) Calculate the expected number of low income countries in the age category: 25.5 to 30.5 (to the nearest integer), assuming the two factors: age of first time mother and income level, are independent
[2]
For Casio and Ti84 videos on 'how to' carry out a \(\chi {}^\text{2}\) test for independence, go to the studyib.net free pages and scroll down to video 10.Chi squared independence tests
Casio: https://studyib.net/mathstudies/page/559/casio-calculators
Ti84: https://studyib.net/mathstudies/page/560/ti-84
TiNspire videos to follow . . .
(a) [2 marks]
TiNspire
(b) [2 marks]
See GDC screenshots above where p-value = 3.3858E-17 = 3.3858 x 1017
p-value = 0.00 000 000 000 000 003 385 8 < 0.05 significance level A1
Therefore there is evidence at the 5% significance level to reject H0 A1
The average age of a nation's first time mothers and the country's income level are not independent.
(c) [2 marks]
Method1 - TiNspire: use the option stat.Expmatrix to view the expected frequencies for each category.
The 2nd row, 1st column of the expected frequency matrix (see screenshots above in part (a)) represents low income nations with an average age of first time mothers between 25.5 and 30.5. The expected number(frequency) of low income countries in this category,
from a sample of 115 countries, is therefore 19.6696 \(\approx \) 20 (to the nearest integer).
Method 2 - Mulitply the probabilities times (independent events) by total number of countries:
If the “average age of first time mothers” and “average income per person” are independent events then:
p(age of first time mother between 25.5 and 30.5) x p(low income family) x total number of countries(115) surveyed = 1 (the actual number observed in the survey data).
\(\frac{58}{115}\times \frac{39}{115}\times 115\approx 19.669....\)
(M1) for showing the correct probabilities multiplied by the correct total number of countries (115)
A1 if average age of first time mothers and income level are independent of each other we would expect 20 low income countries to have an average age for first time mothers between 25.5 and 30.5 years old. [do not award this mark if answer not rounded to nearest integer].
Q11) [Maximum mark: 8]
University research showed that the relationship between a family’s income and the probability of choosing private schooling follows a quadratic model, similar to that shown in the data below:
- Explain, in words, what a quadratic, as opposed to a linear relationship, for example, tells us about the change in percentage of family’s choosing private education as people’s income increases.
[1]
b. Using the data above, find a quadratic model: f(x) = ax² + bx + c, to fit this data
[4]
c. Use your model to predict the increase in the percentage of family’s choosing private education for an increase in from the 90th to the 97th income percentile.
[2]
Data at the 95th and 97th income percentile was collected and is shown in the updated table below.
d.Circle the function below that you think might best fit this updated data:
Linear Logarithmic Exponential Rational Sine/Cosine
[1]
(a) at lower incomes, a larger change in income is required to effect a similar change in demand for private education compared to at higher incomes (or equivalent statement).
(b) M1 correct attempt to sub in three x and y-coordinates
M1 mention and attempt to “solve simultaneously"
A1A1 all coefficients correct given coordiante pairs used by the candidate.
[A1 if only two of three coefficients/parameters are correct]
(c) A1 correct substitution of x=97 into their quadratic model leading to a correct answer (given their model)
A1 correct calculation of the increase: prediction from substituting x=97 into their model minus the 10% (x=90) value from the table.
(d) Exponential
Q12) [Maximum mark: 6]
Below is a wave caused by a tuning fork in the air molecules around it.
(a) Find a function to model this wave
[4]
The pitch of the sound is increased so that the period of the wave is halved, but the amplitude remains unchanged.
(b) Write down a function to model this change in pitch.
[2]
(a) f(x) = 3sin2x
A2 for amplitude = 3
A2 for coefficient (2x) to show they understand the link between
Working out
Analytical method
\(\begin{align} & \text{If f(x)=sin(x) then af(x)=asin(x) i}\text{.e}\text{. the amplitude = a (vertical stretch)} \\ & \text{Amplitude}=\frac{\max -\min }{2}=\frac{3-(-3)}{2}=\frac{6}{2}=3 \\ \end{align} \)
\(\begin{align} & \text{Period = domain(difference in x-values) of the graph from one maximum to the next maximum } \\ & \text{OR } \\ & \text{from one minimum to the next minimum}\text{.} \\ & \text{In general, for the function sin(bx)} \\ & \text{b = number of complete waves in 360 }{{}^{{}^\circ }}\text{ therefore,} \\ & \text{b = }\frac{{{360}^{{}^\circ }}}{period}\text{ = }\frac{{{360}^{{}^\circ }}}{{{180}^{{}^\circ }}}=2 \\ \end{align} \)
GDC Dynamic Graphs method
The coefficients/model can also be worked out through experimentation using the 'dynamic' graph functions on a GDC - which allows students to quickly vary each coefficient and observe the effects.
(b) M1 working showing that the candidate has understood the period is now 90°
A1 g(x) = 3sin4x