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O-Level E-Math · 2017 · P2 Q8 Mensuration (circle segment, prism volume) · Angle at centre via right-angled trig 11 marks: 2 + 4 + 2 + 3 · geometry & measurement (circle segment, mensuration) difficulty 4 of 5

O-Level E-Math 2017 Paper 2, Question 8: Angle at centre via right-angled trig

The answer

(a) shown
(b) \(\approx 310 \text{ cm}^2\)
(c)(i) \(\approx 46\,500 \text{ cm}^3\)
(ii) \(\approx 170\) litres

O-Level E-Math 2017 Paper 2 Question 8 · Verified worked solution by the Genius Plus Academy teaching team

What this question tests

This is Question 8 of the O-Level E-Math 2017 Paper 2. It tests angle at centre via right-angled trig, in the Mensuration (circle segment, prism volume) area. It is worth 11 marks: 2 + 4 + 2 + 3. It is a worded / diagram-based question, so open your Ten-Year Series (TYS) or the official paper at this question, then follow our full worked solution below.

Step-by-step solution

(a) Since \(M\) is the midpoint of chord \(AB\), \(OM \perp AB\), so triangle \(OMA\) is right-angled at \(M\) with \(OA = 30\), \(OM = 20\). Then \(\cos \angle AOM = \dfrac{OM}{OA} = \dfrac{20}{30} = \dfrac{2}{3}\), so \(\angle AOM = 48.19^{\circ}\). By symmetry \(\angle AOB = 2 \times 48.19^{\circ} = 96.38^{\circ} = 96.4^{\circ}\) (3 s.f.). (shown)

(b) The shaded region is the minor segment cut off by chord \(AB\): segment \(=\) sector \(AOB\) \(-\) triangle \(AOB\). Sector area \(= \dfrac{96.38^{\circ}}{360^{\circ}} \times \pi (30)^2 = \dfrac{96.38}{360} \times 900\pi = 757.0 \text{ cm}^2\). Triangle area \(= \dfrac{1}{2}(30)(30)\sin 96.38^{\circ} = 450 \times 0.99381 = 447.2 \text{ cm}^2\). Shaded (segment) area \(= 757.0 - 447.2 = 309.8 \approx 310 \text{ cm}^2\) (3 s.f.).

(c)(i) Length of trough \(= 1.5\) m \(= 150\) cm. Volume of water \(= \) shaded area \(\times\) length \(= 309.8 \times 150 = 46\,463 \approx 46\,500 \text{ cm}^3\) (3 s.f.).

(ii) The full trough (the whole semicircle as cross-section) has volume \(= \dfrac{1}{2}\pi (30)^2 \times 150 = 450\pi \times 150 = 67\,500\pi = 212\,058 \text{ cm}^3\). Water still needed \(= 212\,058 - 46\,463 = 165\,595 \text{ cm}^3 = 165.6\) litres. To the nearest 10 litres, about \(170\) litres must be added.

Answer: (a) shown
(b) \(\approx 310 \text{ cm}^2\)
(c)(i) \(\approx 46\,500 \text{ cm}^3\)
(ii) \(\approx 170\) litres

Same structure, different numbers

A question is hard because of its structure, not its surface.

Swap the constants, dress a quadratic as a length, hide a derivative inside an integral, and a student sees a brand new problem. The structure underneath is the same, and so is the method. Once a student can name the structure, a whole row of questions that look different start to open the same way.

That is where marks really leak: in choosing the method, not in the algebra that follows. We call it Lock and Key, name the lock, then the key follows.

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Our O-Level E-Math tuition trains the same recognise-the-structure method these worked solutions show, taught by a team that has marked these papers for years. It runs within our weekly Secondary Math programme, Sec 1 to 4 and IP.

Questions students ask

What does O-Level E-Math 2017 Paper 2 Question 8 test?

It is a angle at centre via right-angled trig question from Mensuration (circle segment, prism volume), worth 11 marks: 2 + 4 + 2 + 3.

Is this the same as IP Math?

Yes. IP (Integrated Programme) schools teach the same O-Level Mathematics content; they just sequence it differently and set their own internal exams, so these worked solutions apply to IP students too.

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