Solutions
LGCSE Extended Mathematics · Paper 2 · June 2026
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Calculator paper.
(b) 4
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(a) 0.71 − 1.2
Align decimals to subtract:
1.20 − 0.71 = 0.49
Since you are subtracting a larger number from a smaller one, the result is negative.
= −0.49
(b) 24⁄7 ÷ 9⁄14
1. Convert the mixed number into an improper fraction:
24⁄7 = (2 × 7) + 4⁄7 = 18⁄7
2. Convert division to multiplication by the reciprocal:
18⁄7 × 14⁄9
3. Simplify by cross-cancelling: 18⁄9 = 2 and 14⁄7 = 2
4. Calculate: 2 × 2 = 4
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Work out
1. Evaluate inside brackets:
2. Invert the fraction to remove the negative sign from the power:
3. Take the square root of the fraction (denominator of the power):
4. Cube both values:
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Estimate 2.511 × √8.71 + 7.822 by rounding each number to 1 significant figure:
2.511 → 3 (rounded to 1 s.f.)
8.71 → 9 (rounded to 1 s.f.)
7.822 → 8 (rounded to 1 s.f.)
Substitute and compute using BODMAS:
3 × √9 + 8 = 3 × 3 + 8 = 9 + 8 = 17
(b) The determinant of matrix Y is equal to 0, making it a singular matrix which cannot have an inverse.
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Given and
(a) Predict the order of matrix XY:
Matrix X has dimensions 1 × 2 and Matrix Y has dimensions 2 × 2. The inner numbers match for multiplication, and the outer numbers give the final order: 1 × 2.
(b) Explain why the inverse of Y does not exist:
Find the determinant of matrix Y:
det(Y) = (1 × −4) − (−1 × 4) = −4 − (−4) = −4 + 4 = 0
The determinant of matrix Y is equal to 0, making it a singular matrix which cannot have an inverse.
(b) 2 × 105
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(a) Write 300 200 015 in words:
Three hundred million, two hundred thousand and fifteen.
(b) Given that 300 200 015 = 3 × 108 + b + 15, express b in standard form:
Expand the number by place value:
300 200 015 = 300 000 000 + 200 000 + 15
Comparing this to the equation shows that b = 200 000.
Converting to standard form yields 2 × 105.
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Find the value of b when the distance PQ is √8 − b:
1. Draw straight lines connecting centres XY and XZ. Since the circles are identical and have a radius of 1 unit, the lengths are XY = 2 units and XZ = 2 units.
2. Since XY ⊥ XZ, triangle △YXZ is right-angled. Use Pythagoras' theorem to find line YZ:
3. The line segment YZ contains the radii YP = 1 unit and QZ = 1 unit.
4. Compute distance PQ = YZ − YP − QZ = √8 − 1 − 1 = √8 − 2.
5. Compare √8 − 2 to √8 − b.
b = 2
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Arrange a, a−a, a0, a1/a in order of size, starting with the smallest (given a > 1 is an integer):
Substitute an integer value greater than 1, like a = 2:
a−a = 2−2 = 1⁄4 = 0.25
a0 = 20 = 1
a1/a = 21/2 = √2 ≈ 1.41
a = 2
Comparing values: 0.25 < 1 < 1.41 < 2
a−a, a0, a1/a, a
(b) (x − 1)(1 − t)
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(a) Factorise completely: 2t + t3
Pull out the highest common factor, which is t: t(2 + t2)
(b) Factorise completely: x + t − 1 − tx
Group by terms: (x − 1) + (t − tx) = (x − 1) − t(x − 1)
Factor out the common binomial element (x − 1).
(x − 1)(1 − t)
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Simplify
1. Factorise the numerator: 7(1 − m) = −7(m − 1)
2. Factorise the quadratic denominator: m2 − 3m + 2 = (m − 1)(m − 2)
3. Construct fraction and cancel common terms:
(b) 4 × 10−6 g
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(a) Write the number of sugar grains (0.5 billion) in standard form:
0.5 billion = 500 000 000 = 5 × 108
(b) Find the mass of each sugar grain in grams from a 2 kg packet:
Convert the total weight to grams: 2 kg = 2000 g.
= 4 × 10−6 g
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Find the value of 2 sin CAB given tan DCA = −5⁄12:
1. Angles on a straight line sum to 180°, so ∠ACB = 180° − ∠DCA. Since tan(180° − θ) = −tan θ, we know tan ∠ACB = 5⁄12.
2. In right-angled triangle △ABC, tan ∠ACB = Opposite⁄Adjacent = AB⁄BC = 5⁄12. Set side AB = 5 and BC = 12.
3. Use Pythagoras' theorem to find hypotenuse AC:
AC = √(52 + 122) = √(25 + 144) = √169 = 13
4. Calculate sin ∠CAB = Opposite⁄Hypotenuse = BC⁄AC = 12⁄13.
5. Evaluate expression: 2 × 12⁄13 = 24⁄13.
(b) 30
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Given y varies directly as (x2 + 1):
(a) Find the constant of variation:
Write variation equation: y = k(x2 + 1). Substitute the table values x = 2, y = 15:
(b) Find the value of a:
Use formula with calculated constant: y = 3(x2 + 1). Substitute the table values x = 3, y = a:
(b) 10
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(a) Determine the probability n that a student will take part in volleyball only:
n = Students in V only⁄Total Students = 18⁄40 = 0.45
(b) Find the number of students that will take part in both football and volleyball:
Total sum of probabilities in a Venn diagram equals 1:
(b) 5
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(a) If 2x − y + 5 = 0 satisfies (3x − y)2 − (x − 5)2 = 0, show that 4x − y − 5 = 0 also satisfies it:
Factorise the equation as a difference of two squares (A2 − B2 = (A − B)(A + B)):
Since the problem states that 2x − y + 5 = 0 is a valid solution, it makes the first half of the product zero. This leaves the alternative factor, 4x − y − 5 = 0, as a mathematically required root that satisfies the equation.
(b) Hence, determine the value of x:
Solve the system of equations derived from both valid factors:
- 2x − y = −5
- 4x − y = 5
Subtract equation (1) from equation (2) to eliminate y:
(4x − 2x) = 5 − (−5) ⟹ 2x = 10 ⟹ x = 5.
(b) 52
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(a) Calculate the heights of other bars:
Frequency Density (FD) = Frequency⁄Class Width
For group 15 < x ≤ 25: Width = 10. FD = 28⁄10 = 2.8. Given graph bar height is 7, the multiplier scale factor is 7⁄2.8 = 2.5.
For group 25 < x ≤ 30: Width = 5. FD = 40⁄5 = 8. Bar height = 8 × 2.5 = 20.
For group 30 < x ≤ 50: Width = 20. FD = 12⁄20 = 0.6. Bar height = 0.6 × 2.5 = 1.5.
(b) Calculate an estimate of the number of people whose age is under 28 years:
Take all 28 people from the first group, plus a proportional fraction of the middle class up to age 28:
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Show, in terms of r, that the width l = 4 − r − πr⁄2:
The total perimeter is made up of the base rectangle side (2r), the two vertical side lengths (2l), and the open curved semicircle arc (πr):
Divide the entire expression by 2 to isolate l:
(b) (0.75, 4) or (3⁄4, 4)
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(a) Write the equation of the line passing through Q and parallel to y = 2x − 3:
Find the coordinates of point P (the y-intercept of the line): P = (0, −3). Point Q is on the y-axis, located 11 units above P: Q = (0, −3 + 11) = (0, 8). Parallel lines have identical gradients (m = 2).
y = 2x + 8
(b) Find the coordinates of the midpoint of line QR:
Find coordinate R (the x-intercept where y = 0):
0 = 2x − 3 ⟹ x = 1.5 ⟹ R = (1.5, 0).
(b) 25°
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(a) Find the size of angle JNM:
Angles subtended at the circumference by the same circular arc segment are equal (∠JNM = ∠JLM).
65°
(b) Find the size of angle KLJ:
The angle subtended by a diameter inside a semi-circle is always right-angled (∠KLM = 90°).
∠KLJ = ∠KLM − ∠JLM = 90° − 65° = 25°
(b) 4 : 1
(c) 18 cm2
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(a) State the length of AX:
The diagonals of a parallelogram bisect each other: AX = Total line AC⁄2 = 16⁄2 = 8 cm.
(b) Find the ratio of AX : XY:
Since XC = AX = 8 cm and YC = 6 cm, calculate segment length XY = XC − YC = 8 − 6 = 2 cm. The ratio is 8 : 2.
4 : 1
(c) Find the area of △CFY:
The linear scale factor (k) between similar triangles △ABX and △CFY is determined by corresponding side components along the shared diagonal: k = YC⁄AX = 6⁄8 = 3⁄4. The area scale factor is k2 = (3⁄4)2 = 9⁄16.
Area = 32 × 9⁄16 = 2 × 9 = 18
18 cm2
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Find g(x) when f(x) = 3x + 2 and fg(x) = 3x − 13:
Substitute function g(x) into the expression for f(x):
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Solve the inequality :
Multiply both sides by −2 and invert the direction of the inequality sign:
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Find the value of k:
Simplify the fraction on the right-hand side first by dividing by 6: 15x + 24⁄18 = 5x + 8⁄6.
Match standard structural denominators on the left side to target 6: let m = 2 and k = 9.
This matches perfectly.
k = 9
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Write the three inequalities which satisfy the shaded region R:
Identify the boundaries from the boundary lines:
- Region is below the line y = 2x + 4 ⟹ y ≤ 2x + 4
- Region is below the line y = −2x + 12 ⟹ y ≤ −2x + 12
- Region is above the line y = −0.5x + 4 ⟹ y ≥ −0.5x + 4
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Describe fully a single transformation that maps A onto its final image:
1. Apply the translation vector step:
2. Apply an anticlockwise 90° rotation transformation rule about the origin, which maps any coordinate (x, y) → (−y, x):
(2, 5) → (−5, 2).
3. Compare original position A(5, 2) to final coordinates (−5, 2). The y-value is unchanged, while the x-value has been mirrored across the central vertical axis.
Reflection in the y-axis (or the vertical line x = 0).