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Date May Specimen paper Marks available 2 Reference code SPM.1.AHL.TZ0.13
Level Additional Higher Level Paper Paper 1 Time zone Time zone 0
Command term Find Question number 13 Adapted from N/A

Question

The rates of change of the area covered by two types of fungi, X and Y, on a particular tree are given by the following equations, where x is the area covered by X and y is the area covered by Y.

d x d t = 3 x 2 y

d y d t = 2 x 2 y

The matrix  ( 3 2 2 2 )  has eigenvalues of 2 and −1 with corresponding eigenvectors  ( 2 1 ) and ( 1 2 ) .

Initially x = 8 cm2 and y = 10 cm2.

Find the value of  d y d x when t = 0 .

[2]
a.

On the following axes, sketch a possible trajectory for the growth of the two fungi, making clear any asymptotic behaviour.

[4]
b.

Markscheme

d y d x = 16 20 24 20      M1

= −1     A1

[2 marks]

a.

asymptote of trajectory along = k ( 2 1 )    M1A1

Note: Award M1A0 if asymptote along ( 1 2 ) .

trajectory begins at (8, 10) with negative gradient    A1A1

[4 marks]

b.

Examiners report

[N/A]
a.
[N/A]
b.

Syllabus sections

Topic 5—Calculus » AHL 5.17—Phase portrait
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