Edexcel AL Mathematics: Functions
Section 1: Functions, graphs and transformations
Exercise level 2 solutions
1. (a) (i) 6 has factors 1, 2, 3 and 6, so d(6) = 4.
(ii) 5 has factors 1 and 5, so d(5) = 2.
(iii) 16 has factors 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16, so d(16) = 5
(iv) 13 has factors 1 and 13, so d(13) = 2.
(b) Numbers which have only two factors (the number itself and 1) are prime numbers.
So the set of numbers for which d(n) = 2 is the set of prime numbers.
(c) Factors occur in pairs, so there are usually an even number of factors. However, in
the case of a square number there is an odd number of factors, so the set of
numbers for which d(n) is odd is the set of square numbers.
2. (a) x = 1 must be excluded from the domain, since the function is not defined for this
value.
1
(b) (i) f(2) = =1
2 −1
1 1
(ii) f( −3) = =−
−3 − 1 4
1
(iii) f(0) = = −1
0 −1
(c) f( x ) = 2
1
=2
x −1
1 = 2( x − 1)
1 = 2x − 2
2x = 3
x = 32
3. (a) y = f( x − 2) + 0.5
f ( x − 2) translates the graph 2 in the positive x direction so adds 2 to all x-coordinates.
The +0.5 translates the graph 0.5 units in the positive y direction so adds 0.5 to all y-coordinates.
Edexcel AL Maths: Functions 1 © MEI 02/04/24
Exercise level 2 solutions page 1 of 4 integralmaths.org
A (0, 5) maps to A’ (2, 5.5)
B ( ,0) maps to B’ ( + 2,0.5)
C (2 ,0) maps to C’ (2 + 2,0.5)
Turning point D (4.5, -2) maps to D’ (6.5, -1.5),
Domain 2 x 9
Range −1.5 y 5.5 .
(b) y = f( 21 x + 3)
f ( 12 x + 3) stretches the curve by a factor of 2 in the x direction and then translates 3 units in the negative x
direction, so there is no change in the y-coordinates, and the x-coordinates have 3 subtracted from them and
then they are multiplied by 2.
A (0, 5) maps to A’ (-3, 5)
B ( ,0) maps to B’ (2( − 3),0)
C (2 ,0) maps to C’ (2(2 − 3),0)
Turning point D (4.5, -2) maps to D’ (3, -2),
Edexcel AL Maths: Functions 1 © MEI 02/04/24
Exercise level 2 solutions page 2 of 4 integralmaths.org
Domain −6 x 8
Range −2 y 5 .
4. (a) Equation following translation is: y = ( x + 2)2 − 2( x + 2) + 1
Equation following stretch is: y = (3x + 2)2 − 2(3x + 2) + 1
Equation following reflection is: y = (−3x + 2)2 − 2(−3x + 2) + 1
which simplifies to: y = 9x 2 − 6 x + 1
(b) Original has line of symmetry x = 1, then x = -1, then x = − 31 , then x = 31 .
(c) ( ,0)
1
3
5. (a) The curve y = 1+ sin( x + 30) is obtained from the curve y = sin x by a translation of
−30
.
1
(b) The curve y = −3sin 21 x is obtained from the curve y = sin x by a stretch of scale
factor 2 parallel to the x-axis, a stretch of scale factor 3 parallel to the y-axis, and a
reflection in the x-axis.
(These may be carried out in any order).
6. (a) y = 5 x 2 − 15x + 4
= 5( x 2 − 3 x ) + 4
3 9
2
= 5 x − − + 4
2 4
2
3 29
= 5 x − −
2 4
− 32
(b) translation of 29 then a stretch of scale factor 0.2 parallel to the y-axis.
4
− 32
(c) Translation of 29 gives
4
Edexcel AL Maths: Functions 1 © MEI 02/04/24
Exercise level 2 solutions page 3 of 4 integralmaths.org
29
y = 5( x + 32 )2 − 15( x + 32 ) + 4 +
4
45
= 5( x + 32 )2 − 15( x + 32 ) +
4
Stretch of scale factor 0.2 parallel to the y-axis gives
1 45
y = (5( x + 32 )2 − 15( x + 32 ) + )
5 4
9
= ( x + 32 )2 − 3( x + 32 ) +
4
9 9 9
= x 2 + 3x + − 3x − +
4 2 4
=x 2
Edexcel AL Maths: Functions 1 © MEI 02/04/24
Exercise level 2 solutions page 4 of 4 integralmaths.org
