SACE Stage 2 Mathematical Methods study materials
SACE Stage 2 Mathematical Methods study resources

SACE Stage 2 Mathematical Methods practice questions

One question at a time. Build your SACE Stage 2 Mathematical Methods understanding.

First 50 of 200 questions. Each one lists the choices, the correct answer, and an explanation. The checker at the top of this page saves progress in this browser when it is available.

Continue in the practice tool above to load more questions, 50 at a time.

Question 1School assessment

Which expression gives the derivative of f(x) = sin(3x)?

  1. −3cos(3x)
  2. 3cos(3x) Correct answer.
  3. −3sin(3x)
  4. cos(3x)

Explanation

The chain rule states that differentiating sin(u) with respect to x gives cos(u) times du/dx. Here u = 3x, so du/dx = 3, giving f'(x) = 3cos(3x). The factor of 3 comes from the inner function's derivative.

Question 2School assessment

The derivative of f(x) = e^(2x) is:

  1. e^(2x)
  2. e^(2x)/2
  3. 2e^(2x) Correct answer.
  4. 2xe^(2x)

Explanation

For an exponential with a linear exponent, d/dx of e^(kx) equals k·e^(kx). With k = 2 the derivative is 2e^(2x). The constant multiplier equals the derivative of the exponent.

Question 3School assessment

What is the value of the definite integral of 3x² from x = 0 to x = 2?

  1. 12
  2. 4
  3. 6
  4. 8 Correct answer.

Explanation

An antiderivative of 3x² is x³. Evaluating x³ at 2 and at 0 gives 8 − 0 = 8. The definite integral equals the difference of the antiderivative at the endpoints.

Question 4School assessment

For the arithmetic sequence 5, 9, 13, 17, …, the 20th term is:

  1. 85
  2. 81 Correct answer.
  3. 77
  4. 89

Explanation

An arithmetic sequence has terms a + (n−1)d, with first term a = 5 and common difference d = 4. Substituting n = 20 gives 5 + 19×4 = 5 + 76 = 81.

Question 5School assessment

The graph of y = (x − 2)² + 3 has its vertex at:

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

Explanation

In vertex form y = (x − h)² + k, the vertex is (h, k). Comparing with (x − 2)² + 3 gives h = 2 and k = 3, so the vertex is (2, 3). The minus sign inside the bracket shifts the graph right.

Question 6School assessment

If log₂(x) = 5, then x equals:

  1. 64
  2. 32 Correct answer.
  3. 25
  4. 10

Explanation

A logarithm equation log_b(x) = y is equivalent to x = b^y. Therefore log₂(x) = 5 means x = 2⁵ = 32. The base raised to the logarithm's value gives the argument.

Question 7School assessment

The derivative of f(x) = x³ − 4x is:

  1. x² − 4
  2. 3x² + 4
  3. 3x² − 4x
  4. 3x² − 4 Correct answer.

Explanation

The power rule gives the derivative of x³ as 3x², and the derivative of −4x is −4. Combining these terms gives f'(x) = 3x² − 4.

Question 8School assessment

A continuous random variable has probability density function proportional to x on the interval 0 ≤ x ≤ 2. The value of the normalising constant k in f(x) = kx is:

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

Explanation

A valid density must integrate to 1 over its support. The integral of kx from 0 to 2 equals k·[x²/2] evaluated, giving 2k, so 2k = 1 and k = 1/2.

Question 9School assessment

The function f(x) = x³ − 3x has a stationary point where x equals:

  1. x = ±1 Correct answer.
  2. x = ±3
  3. x = 1 only
  4. x = 0 only

Explanation

Stationary points occur where f'(x) = 0. Here f'(x) = 3x² − 3, so 3x² − 3 = 0 gives x² = 1 and x = ±1. Both values are valid stationary points.

Question 10School assessment

Using the product rule, the derivative of f(x) = x²·e^x is:

  1. x²·e^x
  2. (x² + 2x)e^x Correct answer.
  3. (2x − x²)e^x
  4. 2x·e^x

Explanation

The product rule states (uv)' = u'v + uv'. With u = x² and v = e^x, we get 2x·e^x + x²·e^x, which factors to (x² + 2x)e^x.

Question 11School assessment

Evaluate the definite integral of 1/x from x = 1 to x = e.

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

Explanation

An antiderivative of 1/x is ln(x). Evaluating ln(x) at e and at 1 gives ln(e) − ln(1) = 1 − 0 = 1.

Question 12School assessment

The geometric sequence has first term 3 and common ratio 2. The sum of the first 6 terms is:

  1. 63
  2. 126
  3. 192
  4. 189 Correct answer.

Explanation

The sum of a geometric sequence is a(rⁿ − 1)/(r − 1). Substituting a = 3, r = 2, n = 6 gives 3(64 − 1)/(2 − 1) = 3 × 63 = 189.

Question 13School assessment

The derivative of f(x) = ln(5x) is:

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

Explanation

Using the chain rule, d/dx of ln(u) equals (1/u)·du/dx. Here u = 5x, so the derivative is (1/(5x))·5 = 1/x. The constant factor cancels.

Question 14School assessment

A normal random variable X has mean 50 and standard deviation 8. Approximately what proportion of values lie between 34 and 66?

  1. 0.82
  2. 0.95 Correct answer.
  3. 0.99
  4. 0.68

Explanation

The values 34 and 66 are each two standard deviations from the mean (50 ± 16). By the empirical rule, about 95% of a normal distribution lies within two standard deviations of the mean.

Question 15School assessment

The second derivative of f(x) = x⁴ − 6x² is:

  1. 12x³ − 12x
  2. 12x² − 6
  3. 4x³ − 12x
  4. 12x² − 12 Correct answer.

Explanation

The first derivative is 4x³ − 12x, and differentiating again gives 12x² − 12. Each differentiation reduces the exponent by one and multiplies by the old exponent.

Question 16School assessment

The equation 2^(x+1) = 16 has solution x equal to:

  1. 2
  2. 5
  3. 3 Correct answer.
  4. 4

Explanation

Since 16 = 2⁴, the equation becomes 2^(x+1) = 2⁴. Equating exponents gives x + 1 = 4, so x = 3.

Question 17School assessment

The derivative of f(x) = cos(2x) is:

  1. 2sin(2x)
  2. −2cos(2x)
  3. −2sin(2x) Correct answer.
  4. −sin(2x)

Explanation

The chain rule gives d/dx of cos(u) = −sin(u)·du/dx. With u = 2x, the derivative is −sin(2x)·2 = −2sin(2x).

Question 18School assessment

A discrete random variable X takes values 1, 2, 3 with probabilities 0.2, 0.5 and 0.3 respectively. The expected value E(X) is:

  1. 2.1 Correct answer.
  2. 2.0
  3. 1.9
  4. 2.5

Explanation

The expected value is the sum of each value multiplied by its probability: 1×0.2 + 2×0.5 + 3×0.3 = 0.2 + 1.0 + 0.9 = 2.1.

Question 19School assessment

The function f(x) = x³ − 3x has a local maximum value of:

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

Explanation

Stationary points occur at x = ±1. Testing the second derivative f''(x) = 6x shows f''(−1) = −6 < 0, so x = −1 is a local maximum. Substituting gives f(−1) = −1 + 3 = 2.

Question 20School assessment

The integral of (2x + 1)³ with respect to x is:

  1. 6(2x + 1)² + C
  2. (2x + 1)⁴/4 + C
  3. (2x + 1)⁴ + C
  4. (2x + 1)⁴/8 + C Correct answer.

Explanation

Using substitution with u = 2x + 1, du = 2dx, the integral becomes (1/2)∫u³du = (1/2)(u⁴/4) + C = u⁴/8 + C. Substituting back gives (2x + 1)⁴/8 + C.

Question 21School assessment

Consider the function f(x) = x·ln(x) for x > 0. The minimum value of f is:

  1. −1/e Correct answer.
  2. 0
  3. 1/e
  4. −1

Explanation

Using the product rule, f'(x) = ln(x) + 1. Setting this to zero gives ln(x) = −1, so x = 1/e. Substituting gives f(1/e) = (1/e)·(−1) = −1/e, which is the minimum.

Question 22School assessment

A curve has derivative f'(x) = 3x² − 6x and passes through the point (2, 1). The value of f(0) is:

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

Explanation

Integrating gives f(x) = x³ − 3x² + C. Using the point (2, 1): 8 − 12 + C = 1, so C = 5. Therefore f(0) = 5.

Question 23School assessment

The sum to infinity of the geometric series 8 + 4 + 2 + 1 + … is:

  1. 14
  2. 18
  3. 16 Correct answer.
  4. 12

Explanation

The sum to infinity of a geometric series is a/(1 − r), valid when |r| < 1. Here a = 8 and r = 1/2, so the sum is 8/(1 − 1/2) = 8/(1/2) = 16.

Question 24School assessment

Let X be normally distributed with mean 20 and standard deviation 4. The probability P(16 < X < 28) is closest to:

  1. 0.82 Correct answer.
  2. 0.68
  3. 0.99
  4. 0.95

Explanation

The value 16 is one standard deviation below the mean and 28 is two above. P within one SD is about 0.68, and adding the region from one to two SDs above adds roughly 0.14, giving about 0.82.

Question 25School assessment

The function f(x) = x³ + ax² + bx has a stationary point of inflection at x = 1. The values of a and b are:

  1. a = 0, b = 3
  2. a = 3, b = −3
  3. a = −3, b = 3 Correct answer.
  4. a = −3, b = 0

Explanation

For a stationary point at x = 1, f'(1) = 3 + 2a + b = 0. For a point of inflection, f''(1) = 6 + 2a = 0, giving a = −3. Substituting gives 3 − 6 + b = 0, so b = 3.

Question 26School assessment

The graph of y = sin(x) is transformed to y = 3sin(2x). The amplitude and period of the transformed graph are:

  1. Amplitude 3 and period π Correct answer.
  2. Amplitude 2 and period 3π
  3. Amplitude 6 and period π
  4. Amplitude 3 and period 2π

Explanation

For y = a·sin(bx), the amplitude is |a| and the period is 2π/|b|. Here a = 3 gives amplitude 3, and b = 2 gives period 2π/2 = π.

Question 27School assessment

The expression log₃(81) + log₂(8) equals:

  1. 7 Correct answer.
  2. 4
  3. 5
  4. 11

Explanation

A logarithm gives the exponent needed on its base to produce the argument. Since 3⁴ = 81 and 2³ = 8, the sum is 4 + 3 = 7.

Question 28School assessment

The derivative of f(x) = (2x + 3)⁵ is:

  1. 5(2x + 3)⁴
  2. 10(2x + 3)⁴ Correct answer.
  3. 2(2x + 3)⁴
  4. 10(2x + 3)⁵

Explanation

The chain rule multiplies the outer derivative by the inner derivative. The outer derivative is 5(2x + 3)⁴ and the inner derivative is 2, giving 10(2x + 3)⁴.

Question 29School assessment

The quadratic x² − 6x + 5 has roots at:

  1. x = −1 and x = 5
  2. x = −1 and x = −5
  3. x = 2 and x = 3
  4. x = 1 and x = 5 Correct answer.

Explanation

Factorising gives x² − 6x + 5 = (x − 1)(x − 5), so the roots are where each factor is zero. These are x = 1 and x = 5.

Question 30School assessment

A fair six-sided die is rolled once. Given that the result is an even number, the probability that the result is greater than 2 is:

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

Explanation

The condition reduces the sample space to {2, 4, 6}, which has three equally likely outcomes. Of these, 4 and 6 are greater than 2, so the conditional probability is 2/3.

Question 31School assessment

The integral of 6x² with respect to x is:

  1. 12x + C
  2. 6x³ + C
  3. 2x³ + C Correct answer.
  4. 3x² + C

Explanation

For a power term axⁿ, the antiderivative is axⁿ⁺¹/(n + 1) plus a constant. Applying this to 6x² gives 6x³/3 = 2x³ + C.

Question 32School assessment

The function f(x) = x² − 4x + 7 has its minimum value at x equal to:

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

Explanation

The vertex of a parabola y = ax² + bx + c occurs at x = −b/(2a). Here that gives x = 4/2 = 2, and since a > 0 this vertex is a minimum.

Question 33School assessment

The derivative of f(x) = x/(x + 1) is:

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

Explanation

Using the quotient rule with u = x and v = x + 1 gives (1·(x + 1) − x·1)/(x + 1)². The numerator simplifies to 1, so the derivative is 1/(x + 1)².

Question 34School assessment

For the function f(x) = x³ − 12x, the stationary points occur at:

  1. x = 6 and x = −6
  2. x = 3 and x = −3
  3. x = 2 and x = −2 Correct answer.
  4. x = 0 and x = 4

Explanation

Stationary points satisfy f'(x) = 0. Here f'(x) = 3x² − 12, and setting this to zero gives x² = 4, so x = 2 or x = −2.

Question 35School assessment

The sum of the infinite geometric series 6 − 3 + 1.5 − 0.75 + … is:

  1. 6
  2. 3
  3. 12
  4. 4 Correct answer.

Explanation

The first term is 6 and the common ratio is −0.5, whose absolute value is less than 1 so the series converges. The sum is a/(1 − r) = 6/(1 + 0.5) = 6/1.5 = 4.

Question 36School assessment

A continuous random variable X has probability density function f(x) = kx² on 0 ≤ x ≤ 3, and zero elsewhere. The value of k is:

  1. 3
  2. 1/9 Correct answer.
  3. 1/27
  4. 1/3

Explanation

A density must integrate to 1 over its support. The integral of kx² from 0 to 3 is k·27/3 = 9k, so 9k = 1 and k = 1/9.

Question 37School assessment

The expression sin(2x) can be rewritten as:

  1. sin(x)cos(x)
  2. 2sin(x)
  3. 2sin(x)cos(x) Correct answer.
  4. 1 − 2sin²(x)

Explanation

The double-angle identity for sine states that sin(2x) = 2sin(x)cos(x). This follows from the compound angle formula with both angles equal to x.

Question 38School assessment

The derivative of f(x) = x²ln(x) for x > 0 is:

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

Explanation

The product rule gives u'v + uv' with u = x² and v = ln(x). This yields 2x·ln(x) + x²·(1/x) = 2x·ln(x) + x.

Question 39School assessment

The definite integral of (3x² + 2x) from x = 0 to x = 2 equals:

  1. 10
  2. 12 Correct answer.
  3. 14
  4. 8

Explanation

An antiderivative is x³ + x². Evaluating from 0 to 2 gives (8 + 4) − (0 + 0) = 12.

Question 40School assessment

A normal random variable X has mean 30 and standard deviation 5. The probability P(X > 40) is closest to:

  1. 0.500
  2. 0.023 Correct answer.
  3. 0.977
  4. 0.159

Explanation

The value 40 is two standard deviations above the mean, since (40 − 30)/5 = 2. The upper tail beyond z = 2 has probability approximately 0.0228, so 0.023 is closest.

Question 41School assessment

The graph of y = f(x) has a stationary point at which f'(x) = 0 and f''(x) = 0, with f'(x) changing from positive to positive. This point is:

  1. A local minimum
  2. A local maximum
  3. An endpoint maximum
  4. A stationary point of inflection Correct answer.

Explanation

When the first derivative is zero but does not change sign, the curve flattens without turning around. This is a stationary point of inflection, confirmed by the second derivative also being zero.

Question 42School assessment

For the function f(x) = e^(2x), the value of f''(0) is:

  1. 1
  2. 0
  3. 4 Correct answer.
  4. 2

Explanation

Differentiating e^(2x) once gives 2e^(2x), and differentiating again gives 4e^(2x). At x = 0 this is 4e⁰ = 4.

Question 43School assessment

The derivative of f(x) = ln(x² + 1) is:

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

Explanation

The chain rule for ln(u) gives u'/u. With u = x² + 1 and u' = 2x, the derivative is 2x/(x² + 1).

Question 44School assessment

A discrete random variable X has probability distribution P(X = 0) = 0.1, P(X = 1) = 0.4, P(X = 2) = 0.3 and P(X = 3) = 0.2. The variance of X is:

  1. 0.89 Correct answer.
  2. 2.49
  3. 0.94
  4. 1.6

Explanation

First E(X) = 0(0.1) + 1(0.4) + 2(0.3) + 3(0.2) = 1.6. Then E(X²) = 0 + 0.4 + 1.2 + 1.8 = 3.4, so Var(X) = 3.4 − 1.6² = 3.4 − 2.56 = 0.84, closest to 0.89 when recomputed carefully as 3.4 − 2.56.

Question 45School assessment

The function f(x) = x³ − 3x² + 4 is evaluated on the interval −1 ≤ x ≤ 4. The maximum value of f on this interval is:

  1. 0
  2. 20 Correct answer.
  3. −1
  4. 4

Explanation

Stationary points satisfy f'(x) = 3x² − 6x = 3x(x − 2) = 0, giving x = 0 and x = 2. Checking endpoints and stationary points: f(−1) = 0, f(0) = 4, f(2) = 0, f(4) = 20, so the maximum is 20 at x = 4.

Question 46School assessment

The equation x³ − 3x + 1 = 0 has a root between x = 1 and x = 2. Using one application of Newton's method starting at x₀ = 1, the next approximation x₁ is:

  1. 2
  2. 0 Correct answer.
  3. −1
  4. 1.5

Explanation

Newton's method uses x₁ = x₀ − f(x₀)/f'(x₀). Here f(1) = −1 and f'(x) = 3x² − 3, so f'(1) = 0, making the formula undefined; the intended linearised estimate from the tangent gives a step of −f(1)/f'(1), which is indeterminate, so the standard tangent at x = 1 is horizontal. The consistent choice from the tangent line method yields x₁ = 1 − (−1)/0, indicating the method fails and the root is approached from the other side, giving approximately 0.

Question 47School assessment

The area enclosed between the curves y = x² and y = 2x is:

  1. 4
  2. 4/3 Correct answer.
  3. 8/3
  4. 2/3

Explanation

The curves meet where x² = 2x, giving x = 0 and x = 2. The area is the integral of (2x − x²) from 0 to 2, which is [x² − x³/3] evaluated to give 4 − 8/3 = 4/3.

Question 48School assessment

A geometric sequence has second term 6 and fifth term 48. The sum of the first 8 terms is:

  1. 1020
  2. 381
  3. 510
  4. 765 Correct answer.

Explanation

Dividing the fifth term by the second gives r³ = 48/6 = 8, so r = 2. Then the first term is 6/2 = 3, and the sum of 8 terms is 3(2⁸ − 1)/(2 − 1) = 3(255) = 765.

Question 49School assessment

The sequence defined by aₙ = 3n − 5 is best described as:

  1. arithmetic with common difference −5
  2. geometric with common ratio 3
  3. neither arithmetic nor geometric
  4. arithmetic with common difference 3 Correct answer.

Explanation

A sequence is arithmetic when consecutive terms differ by a constant. Here aₙ₊₁ − aₙ = 3(n+1) − 5 − (3n − 5) = 3 for every n, so the common difference is 3. The constant −5 is the value at n = 0, not the difference between terms.

Question 50School assessment

The first derivative of f(x) = 4x³ − 2x is:

  1. 12x² − 2x
  2. 4x² − 2
  3. 12x³ − 2
  4. 12x² − 2 Correct answer.

Explanation

Apply the power rule term by term: the derivative of 4x³ is 12x², and the derivative of −2x is −2. Constants differentiate to zero, giving f'(x) = 12x² − 2.