HSC Maths Ext 1 study materials
HSC Maths Ext 1 study resources

HSC Maths Ext 1 practice questions

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Question 1Functions

What is the domain of the function f(x) = √(x − 3)?

  1. x ≥ 3 Correct answer.
  2. x > 3
  3. x ≥ −3
  4. x ≤ 3

Explanation

A square root is real only when its argument is non-negative, so we need x − 3 ≥ 0, giving x ≥ 3. The endpoint 3 is included because √0 = 0 is defined.

Question 2Functions

For f(x) = 2x + 5, what is f⁻¹(x)?

  1. 2x − 5
  2. (x + 5)/2
  3. (x − 5)/2 Correct answer.
  4. (x − 2)/5

Explanation

To invert, write y = 2x + 5 and solve for x: x = (y − 5)/2. Swapping the variable name gives f⁻¹(x) = (x − 5)/2.

Question 3Functions

The function f(x) = x² − 4x + 7 has range:

  1. all real y
  2. y ≥ 7
  3. y ≥ 3 Correct answer.
  4. y ≥ −4

Explanation

Complete the square: x² − 4x + 7 = (x − 2)² + 3. Since a square is at least 0, the minimum value is 3, attained at x = 2, so the range is y ≥ 3.

Question 4Functions

If f(x) = x² and g(x) = x + 1, then (f ∘ g)(x) equals:

  1. x² + 1
  2. (x + 1)² Correct answer.
  3. x² + x + 1
  4. x + 1

Explanation

The composition (f ∘ g)(x) means f(g(x)). Substituting g(x) = x + 1 into f gives (x + 1)², not x² + 1.

Question 5Functions

Which of the following functions is odd?

  1. f(x) = |x|
  2. f(x) = x² + x
  3. f(x) = x³ + 1
  4. f(x) = x³ + x Correct answer.

Explanation

A function is odd when f(−x) = −f(x) for all x. For x³ + x we get (−x)³ + (−x) = −x³ − x = −(x³ + x), so it is odd.

Question 6Functions

The vertical asymptote of y = 1/(x − 2) + 3 is:

  1. x = 2 Correct answer.
  2. x = 3
  3. y = 3
  4. x = −2

Explanation

A vertical asymptote occurs where the denominator vanishes and the numerator is nonzero. Here x − 2 = 0 gives x = 2, where the function is undefined.

Question 7Functions

What is the period of y = tan(2x)?

  1. π
  2. π/4
  3. 2π
  4. π/2 Correct answer.

Explanation

The tangent function has period π, and the factor 2 inside the argument compresses the graph horizontally. The period of tan(kx) is π/|k|, so here it is π/2.

Question 8Functions

If the point (3, 5) lies on the graph of y = f(x), which point lies on the graph of y = f(x − 2)?

  1. (1, 5)
  2. (5, 5) Correct answer.
  3. (3, 3)
  4. (3, 7)

Explanation

The transformation y = f(x − 2) shifts the graph 2 units to the right. A point (a, b) moves to (a + 2, b), so (3, 5) becomes (5, 5).

Question 9Functions

For the function f(x) = 1/(x − 4), what is the domain?

  1. all real x
  2. x ≠ 4 Correct answer.
  3. x ≠ −4
  4. x > 4

Explanation

The expression is undefined only where the denominator is zero, that is x − 4 = 0. Every other real number is allowed, so the domain is all real x except 4.

Question 10Functions

The function f(x) = x² − 6x + 5 is restricted to the domain x ≥ 3. What is the range of this restricted function?

  1. y ≥ −3
  2. y ≥ 5
  3. y ≥ −4 Correct answer.
  4. y ≥ 3

Explanation

Completing the square gives (x − 3)² − 4, with vertex at x = 3. Since x = 3 is included in the restricted domain, the minimum value is −4 and the range is y ≥ −4.

Question 11Functions

If f(x) = 2x + 1 and g(x) = x² − 3, what is (g ∘ f)(2)?

  1. 6
  2. 25
  3. 22 Correct answer.
  4. 1

Explanation

The composition (g ∘ f)(2) means g(f(2)). First f(2) = 5, then g(5) = 25 − 3 = 22.

Question 12Functions

The graph of y = f(x) is reflected in the y-axis and then shifted 3 units down. The resulting equation is:

  1. y = f(−x) − 3 Correct answer.
  2. y = f(−x + 3)
  3. y = −f(x) − 3
  4. y = f(−x) + 3

Explanation

Reflecting in the y-axis replaces x with −x, giving y = f(−x). Shifting 3 units down then subtracts 3 from the whole expression, giving y = f(−x) − 3.

Question 13Functions

The inverse of f(x) = (x + 1)/(x − 2), for x ≠ 2, is:

  1. (2x + 1)/(x − 1) Correct answer.
  2. (x + 1)/(x − 2)
  3. (2x − 1)/(x + 1)
  4. (x − 1)/(2x + 1)

Explanation

Write y = (x + 1)/(x − 2) and solve: y(x − 2) = x + 1, so x(y − 1) = 2y + 1 and x = (2y + 1)/(y − 1). Swapping names gives f⁻¹(x) = (2x + 1)/(x − 1).

Question 14Functions

The function f(x) = x² − 2x + 3 has an inverse function when its domain is restricted to:

  1. x ≥ 0
  2. x ≥ 1 Correct answer.
  3. all real x
  4. x ≤ −1

Explanation

A quadratic has an inverse only when restricted to one side of its axis of symmetry. Here the axis is x = 1, so restricting to x ≥ 1 makes f one-to-one and hence invertible.

Question 15Functions

The graph of y = |x − 2| + 1 has its vertex at:

  1. (1, 2)
  2. (−2, 1)
  3. (2, −1)
  4. (2, 1) Correct answer.

Explanation

The expression |x − h| + k has a vertex at (h, k). Here h = 2 and k = 1, so the vertex is (2, 1).

Question 16Functions

The function f(x) = 3 − √(x + 4) has range:

  1. y ≥ 3
  2. all real y
  3. y ≤ 3 Correct answer.
  4. y ≤ −3

Explanation

The square root √(x + 4) takes all values y ≥ 0, so 3 − √(x + 4) takes all values at most 3. The maximum value 3 occurs when x = −4, giving range y ≤ 3.

Question 17Functions

If f is an even function with f(3) = 7, and g is an odd function with g(3) = 7, what is f(−3) + g(−3)?

  1. 14
  2. 7
  3. 0 Correct answer.
  4. −14

Explanation

For an even function f(−x) = f(x), so f(−3) = 7. For an odd function g(−x) = −g(x), so g(−3) = −7. The sum is 7 + (−7) = 0.

Question 18Functions

The graph of y = 2f(x/2) is obtained from y = f(x) by:

  1. a horizontal compression by factor 2 and a vertical compression by factor 2
  2. a horizontal stretch by factor 2 and a vertical stretch by factor 2 Correct answer.
  3. a horizontal compression by factor 2 and a vertical stretch by factor 2
  4. a horizontal stretch by factor 2 and a vertical compression by factor 2

Explanation

Replacing x by x/2 stretches the graph horizontally by factor 2, since each point moves twice as far from the y-axis. Multiplying the whole function by 2 stretches it vertically by factor 2.

Question 19Functions

The function f(x) = x³ − 3x is restricted to the domain −1 ≤ x ≤ 1. What is its range?

  1. [−1, 1]
  2. [0, 2]
  3. [−2, 0]
  4. [−2, 2] Correct answer.

Explanation

On this interval the function is increasing. At x = −1 the value is −1 + 3 = 2, and at x = 1 the value is 1 − 3 = −2, so the range is [−2, 2].

Question 20Functions

The graph of y = f(x) has a horizontal asymptote y = 2. What is the horizontal asymptote of y = f(x) + 5?

  1. y = 2
  2. y = −3
  3. y = 5
  4. y = 7 Correct answer.

Explanation

Adding 5 outside the function shifts the whole graph 5 units up, so every horizontal line moves up by 5. The asymptote y = 2 becomes y = 7.

Question 21Functions

The functions f(x) = 2x + 3 and g(x) = (x − 3)/2 are:

  1. not defined for x = 3
  2. such that f(g(x)) = x + 3
  3. both even
  4. inverses of each other Correct answer.

Explanation

Substituting gives f(g(x)) = 2·((x − 3)/2) + 3 = (x − 3) + 3 = x, and similarly g(f(x)) = x. Since each undoes the other, they are inverse functions.

Question 22Functions

The equation |2x − 1| = 5 has solution set:

  1. {3, 2}
  2. {3}
  3. {3, −2} Correct answer.
  4. {−2}

Explanation

An absolute value equation splits into two cases: 2x − 1 = 5 gives x = 3, and 2x − 1 = −5 gives x = −2. Both values satisfy the original equation, giving the set {3, −2}.

Question 23Functions

For the function f(x) = x/(x² − 9), which statement about its asymptotes is correct?

  1. It has vertical asymptotes x = 3 and x = −3 and horizontal asymptote y = 1.
  2. It has no vertical asymptotes and horizontal asymptote y = 0.
  3. It has vertical asymptotes x = 3 and x = −3 and horizontal asymptote y = 0. Correct answer.
  4. It has vertical asymptote x = 3 only and horizontal asymptote y = 0.

Explanation

The denominator factors as (x − 3)(x + 3), so it vanishes at x = 3 and x = −3, where the numerator is nonzero, producing two vertical asymptotes. Since the denominator has higher degree than the numerator, the horizontal asymptote is y = 0.

Question 24Functions

The function f(x) = x² + 4x + 7 is defined on the domain x ≤ −2. Which statement about its inverse is correct?

  1. f⁻¹(x) = 2 − √(x − 3), defined for x ≥ 3
  2. f⁻¹(x) = −2 − √(x − 3), defined for x ≥ 3 Correct answer.
  3. f⁻¹(x) = −2 − √(x + 3), defined for x ≥ −3
  4. f⁻¹(x) = −2 + √(x − 3), defined for x ≥ 3

Explanation

Completing the square gives f(x) = (x + 2)² + 3. Since x ≤ −2, we have x + 2 ≤ 0, so x + 2 = −√(y − 3). Thus f⁻¹(x) = −2 − √(x − 3), with domain x ≥ 3 matching the range of f.

Question 25Functions

The graph of y = f(x) is transformed to y = f(2 − x). This transformation can be described as:

  1. a reflection in the y-axis followed by a shift of 2 units to the right Correct answer.
  2. a reflection in the x-axis followed by a shift of 2 units to the right
  3. a reflection in the y-axis followed by a shift of 1 unit to the right
  4. a reflection in the y-axis followed by a shift of 2 units to the left

Explanation

Write f(2 − x) = f(−(x − 2)). Replacing x with −x reflects in the y-axis, and replacing x with x − 2 then shifts 2 units right. Order matters when combining these transformations.

Question 26Functions

The function f(x) = x² − 4x + 1 is defined only on the domain 0 ≤ x ≤ 5. What is the range of this restricted function?

  1. −3 ≤ y ≤ 1
  2. −3 ≤ y ≤ 6 Correct answer.
  3. 1 ≤ y ≤ 6
  4. −4 ≤ y ≤ 6

Explanation

Completing the square gives f(x) = (x − 2)² − 3, so the vertex is at x = 2, which lies inside the interval. The minimum value is therefore −3. Checking the endpoints, f(0) = 1 and f(5) = 6, so the maximum value is 6 and the range is −3 ≤ y ≤ 6.

Question 27Functions

The graph of y = f(x) is transformed into y = f(−x) − 2. Which sequence of transformations produces this graph from y = f(x)?

  1. Shift of 2 units down, then reflection in the y-axis
  2. Reflection in the x-axis, then a shift of 2 units down
  3. Reflection in the y-axis, then a shift of 2 units right
  4. Reflection in the y-axis, then a shift of 2 units down Correct answer.

Explanation

Replacing x with −x reflects the graph in the y-axis, and subtracting 2 from the whole expression moves every point 2 units down. Because the vertical shift acts on the output, the order of these two operations does not change the final graph. Hence the combined transformation is a y-axis reflection followed by a downward shift of 2.

Question 28Functions

Consider the function f(x) = x² + 2x + 5 restricted to the domain x ≥ −1. Which statement about its inverse is correct?

  1. f⁻¹(x) = −1 + √(x − 4), with domain x ≥ 4 Correct answer.
  2. f⁻¹(x) = −1 + √(x + 4), with domain x ≥ −4
  3. f⁻¹(x) = 1 + √(x − 4), with domain x ≥ 4
  4. f⁻¹(x) = −1 − √(x − 4), with domain x ≥ 4

Explanation

Completing the square gives f(x) = (x + 1)² + 4, so on x ≥ −1 the function is increasing with minimum value 4 at x = −1. Solving y = (x + 1)² + 4 for x gives x + 1 = ±√(y − 4), and the restriction x ≥ −1 forces the positive root. Swapping variables yields f⁻¹(x) = −1 + √(x − 4) with domain x ≥ 4.

Question 29Functions

The function h(x) = |x + 3| − 2 is defined on the restricted domain −5 ≤ x ≤ 0. What is the range of h over this domain?

  1. 1 ≤ h(x) ≤ 3
  2. −2 ≤ h(x) ≤ 3 Correct answer.
  3. −2 ≤ h(x) ≤ 1
  4. −5 ≤ h(x) ≤ 0

Explanation

The graph has its vertex at x = −3, where h(−3) = −2, and this vertex lies inside the interval −5 ≤ x ≤ 0, so −2 is the minimum value. Checking the endpoints gives h(−5) = 0 and h(0) = 1, so the largest value is 3, attained at x = −5. Hence the range is −2 ≤ h(x) ≤ 3.

Question 30Trigonometric Functions

What is the exact value of sin(π/6)?

  1. 1
  2. √3/2
  3. 1/2 Correct answer.
  4. √2/2

Explanation

The angle π/6 radians equals 30 degrees. In a 30-60-90 triangle the side opposite 30 degrees is half the hypotenuse, so sin(π/6)=1/2. This is one of the standard exact values worth memorising.

Question 31Trigonometric Functions

What is the period of the function y = tan(3x)?

  1. 6π
  2. 2π/3
  3. π/3 Correct answer.
  4. 3π

Explanation

The tangent function has natural period π, and replacing x with kx compresses the period to π divided by |k|. Here k=3, so the period is π/3. Sine and cosine would instead have natural period 2π.

Question 32Trigonometric Functions

Simplify sin(π/2 − θ) for any angle θ.

  1. −cos θ
  2. cos θ Correct answer.
  3. sin θ
  4. −sin θ

Explanation

This is a complementary-angle identity: the sine of an angle equals the cosine of its complement. Since π/2 − θ and θ are complementary, sin(π/2 − θ) = cos θ. The identity holds for all real θ.

Question 33Trigonometric Functions

What is the exact value of cos(5π/6)?

  1. 1/2
  2. √3/2
  3. −1/2
  4. −√3/2 Correct answer.

Explanation

The angle 5π/6 lies in the second quadrant, where cosine is negative. Its reference angle is π/6, and cos(π/6)=√3/2, so cos(5π/6)=−√3/2.

Question 34Trigonometric Functions

Which expression gives all solutions of sin x = 1/2?

  1. x = π/6 + kπ
  2. x = π/6 + 2kπ only
  3. x = 5π/6 + 2kπ only
  4. x = π/6 + 2kπ or x = 5π/6 + 2kπ Correct answer.

Explanation

Sine equals 1/2 at the first-quadrant angle π/6 and the second-quadrant angle π − π/6 = 5π/6. Because sine has period 2π, each base solution repeats with +2kπ. Both families together give the full solution set.

Question 35Trigonometric Functions

What is the amplitude of y = −4 cos(2x) + 1?

  1. 1
  2. 4 Correct answer.
  3. −4
  4. 2

Explanation

For y = a cos(bx) + c the amplitude is |a|, the distance from the midline to a peak. Here |−4| = 4. The negative sign reflects the graph but does not change the amplitude.

Question 36Trigonometric Functions

Evaluate sin(2π/3).

  1. −1/2
  2. √3/2 Correct answer.
  3. 1/2
  4. −√3/2

Explanation

The angle 2π/3 is in the second quadrant where sine is positive. Its reference angle is π/3, and sin(π/3)=√3/2, so sin(2π/3)=√3/2.

Question 37Trigonometric Functions

State the range of the function y = tan x.

  1. y ≥ 1 or y ≤ −1
  2. −1 ≤ y ≤ 1
  3. all real y Correct answer.
  4. 0 ≤ y ≤ 1

Explanation

As x approaches π/2 from below, tan x grows without bound, and from above it decreases without bound. Between consecutive asymptotes the tangent takes every real value, so its range is all real numbers.

Question 38Trigonometric Functions

Simplify (1 − cos²θ)/sin θ for sin θ ≠ 0.

  1. cos θ
  2. sin θ Correct answer.
  3. tan θ
  4. 1/sin θ

Explanation

Using the Pythagorean identity sin²θ + cos²θ = 1 gives 1 − cos²θ = sin²θ. Dividing by sin θ yields sin θ, valid wherever sin θ is nonzero.

Question 39Trigonometric Functions

Which expression is identical to cos 2θ for all θ?

  1. 2 cos²θ − 2
  2. 2 sin θ cos θ
  3. sin²θ − cos²θ
  4. 1 − 2 sin²θ Correct answer.

Explanation

The double-angle identity has three equivalent forms: cos 2θ = cos²θ − sin²θ = 2cos²θ − 1 = 1 − 2sin²θ. Substituting sin²θ = 1 − cos²θ into the first form gives the third.

Question 40Trigonometric Functions

Find the general solution of cos x = 0.

  1. x = π/2 + 2kπ
  2. x = kπ
  3. x = kπ/2
  4. x = π/2 + kπ Correct answer.

Explanation

Cosine is zero at π/2 and again at 3π/2, which differ by π. Since cosine has period 2π but the zeros repeat every π, the general solution is x = π/2 + kπ for integer k.

Question 41Trigonometric Functions

What is the period of y = sin(4x) + cos(4x)?

  1. π/4
  2. π
  3. π/2 Correct answer.
  4. 2π

Explanation

Both terms have the form with coefficient 4, so each has period 2π/4 = π/2. The period of a sum is the least common multiple of the component periods, which here is π/2 itself.

Question 42Trigonometric Functions

Express sin 3θ in terms of sin θ only.

  1. 3 sin θ − 4 sin³θ Correct answer.
  2. 4 sin³θ − 3 sin θ
  3. 3 sin θ + 4 sin³θ
  4. 3 sin θ − 4 sin²θ

Explanation

Writing 3θ = 2θ + θ and applying the sum and double-angle identities gives sin 3θ = sin θ(3 − 4sin²θ) = 3 sin θ − 4 sin³θ. This is the triple-angle formula for sine.

Question 43Trigonometric Functions

Solve 2 sin²x − sin x − 1 = 0 for 0 ≤ x < 2π.

  1. x = π/2, 7π/6, 11π/6 Correct answer.
  2. x = π/6, 5π/6
  3. x = π/2 only
  4. x = 7π/6, 11π/6

Explanation

Factor as (2 sin x + 1)(sin x − 1) = 0, giving sin x = 1 or sin x = −1/2. The first gives x = π/2; the second gives x = 7π/6 and 11π/6 in the given interval.

Question 44Trigonometric Functions

Simplify sin(π + θ).

  1. sin θ
  2. −sin θ Correct answer.
  3. −cos θ
  4. cos θ

Explanation

The angle π + θ lies in the third quadrant for small positive θ, where sine is negative. Using sin(A + B) = sin A cos B + cos A sin B with A = π gives 0 − sin θ = −sin θ.

Question 45Trigonometric Functions

The equation 3 sin x = 2 has how many solutions in the interval 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π?

  1. 1
  2. 4
  3. 2 Correct answer.
  4. 3

Explanation

The equation is sin x = 2/3, and since 0 < 2/3 < 1 there are two solutions in one full period: one in the first quadrant and one in the second quadrant. Thus there are exactly two solutions.

Question 46Trigonometric Functions

What is the period of y = tan(x/2)?

  1. π/2
  2. 2π Correct answer.
  3. π
  4. 4π

Explanation

For tan(kx) the period is π/|k|. Here k = 1/2, so the period is π ÷ (1/2) = 2π. Halving the argument stretches the graph horizontally.

Question 47Trigonometric Functions

If sin θ = 3/5 and θ is acute, what is the value of sin 2θ?

  1. 7/25
  2. 24/25 Correct answer.
  3. 12/25
  4. 6/5

Explanation

For acute θ, cos θ = √(1 − 9/25) = 4/5. Then sin 2θ = 2 sin θ cos θ = 2 × (3/5) × (4/5) = 24/25. The value is less than 1 as required.

Question 48Trigonometric Functions

Which identity is equivalent to (sin x + cos x)²?

  1. 1 − sin 2x
  2. 1 + cos 2x
  3. 1 + sin 2x Correct answer.
  4. 1

Explanation

Expand: sin²x + 2 sin x cos x + cos²x. Since sin²x + cos²x = 1 and 2 sin x cos x = sin 2x, the expression equals 1 + sin 2x.

Question 49Trigonometric Functions

The function y = 2 sin(3x − π) has a phase shift of what size and direction?

  1. π to the right
  2. π/3 to the right Correct answer.
  3. π/3 to the left
  4. 3π to the right

Explanation

Write the argument as 3(x − π/3). A shift of π/3 to the right inside the bracket produces the −π term after multiplying by 3. Hence the phase shift is π/3 to the right.

Question 50Trigonometric Functions

Find the exact value of tan(7π/6).

  1. −√3
  2. −1/√3
  3. 1/√3 Correct answer.
  4. √3

Explanation

The angle 7π/6 lies in the third quadrant, where tangent is positive. Its reference angle is π/6 and tan(π/6) = 1/√3, so tan(7π/6) = 1/√3.