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European Baccalaureate Mathematics (3-period course) study materials
European Baccalaureate Mathematics (3-period course) study resources

European Baccalaureate Mathematics (3-period course) practice questions

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Question 1Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A student sits the European Baccalaureate Mathematics 3-period written paper. Which statement correctly describes the weighting of that paper in the final mark for Mathematics?

  1. The written examination counts for three quarters, with one quarter from the oral.
  2. The written examination counts for half, with the other half from the oral examination.
  3. The written examination counts for one third, with two thirds from continuous assessment.
  4. The written examination carries the full weight of the final Mathematics mark. Correct answer.

Explanation

In the European Baccalaureate, the 3-period Mathematics course is assessed only by a written examination; there is no oral component and no separate continuous-assessment weighting in the final mark. The final mark for the course therefore derives entirely from that written paper.

Question 2Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

In the written examination for the 3-period Mathematics course, which combination of aids is permitted to candidates?

  1. A programmable calculator with stored programs, provided the memory is cleared.
  2. No calculator at all; all arithmetic must be done by hand.
  3. A non-programmable, non-graphing calculator and a formula booklet supplied with the paper. Correct answer.
  4. A graphing calculator with computer-algebra capability and no formula booklet.

Explanation

The examination permits a simple scientific calculator without graphing or symbolic-algebra functions, and a formula booklet is provided with the paper. Programmable or graphing machines are excluded because they could store methods or formulas. Hand computation of all arithmetic is not required.

Question 3Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A candidate is told the Mathematics written paper lasts 3 hours. Roughly how should the time be allocated for a paper mixing short computational items and longer structured problems?

  1. Read the paper first, then budget time per section and keep a reserve for checking. Correct answer.
  2. Leave the last 90 minutes entirely free and answer everything in the first 90 minutes.
  3. Answer the questions in printed order without any planning of time.
  4. Spend the whole time on the first long problem to guarantee full marks there.

Explanation

Effective examination technique begins with a short reading phase, then a time budget per section that reflects the marks available, plus a reserve for checking. This prevents a single long problem from consuming the whole paper. Answering strictly in printed order without planning risks running out of time on high-value items.

Question 4Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

The written examination in Mathematics contains a part in which no calculator may be used. What is the main purpose of such a part?

  1. To assess exact manipulation and reasoning without reliance on a machine. Correct answer.
  2. To shorten the overall length of the examination.
  3. To test mental arithmetic speed under strict time pressure.
  4. To remove the need for the formula booklet during that section.

Explanation

A calculator-free section tests exact algebraic manipulation, reasoning and recognition of standard results, which a machine could otherwise perform. It is not designed as a speed contest in mental arithmetic, nor does it remove the role of the formula booklet.

Question 5Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A candidate writes a solution to a structured problem but omits the units and does not justify a key step. Under the marking conventions of the written paper, what is the most likely consequence?

  1. Full marks, because only the final numerical answer is marked.
  2. Automatic zero for the whole question.
  3. Full marks provided the arithmetic is correct.
  4. Loss of marks, since method and correct units both carry credit. Correct answer.

Explanation

Written papers award method marks as well as answer marks, so an unjustified step or missing units typically costs part of the credit. The whole question is not annulled, and the final answer alone is not the sole criterion.

Question 6Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

In the 3-period Mathematics written paper, a question asks for the derivative of f(x) = 3x^2 - 5x + 2. Which value is correct?

  1. 6x - 5 Correct answer.
  2. 6x + 2
  3. 6x^2 - 5
  4. 3x - 5

Explanation

Differentiate term by term: the derivative of 3x^2 is 6x, of -5x is -5, and the constant 2 vanishes. Hence f'(x) = 6x - 5.

Question 7Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A question on the paper gives the arithmetic sequence 5, 9, 13, 17, ... and asks for the 20th term. Which value is correct?

  1. 77
  2. 81 Correct answer.
  3. 85
  4. 80

Explanation

The first term is 5 and the common difference is 4, so the n-th term is 5 + 4(n - 1). For n = 20 this gives 5 + 4(19) = 5 + 76 = 81.

Question 8Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A written-paper item asks for the value of log base 2 of 32. Which answer should be given?

  1. 16
  2. 4
  3. 5 Correct answer.
  4. 6

Explanation

The logarithm to base 2 of 32 is the exponent to which 2 must be raised to obtain 32. Since 2^5 = 32, the value is 5.

Question 9Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A structured question states that a function f has derivative f'(x) = 2x - 6. At which value of x does f have a stationary point?

  1. x = 6
  2. x = 3 Correct answer.
  3. x = 2
  4. x = -3

Explanation

A stationary point occurs where the derivative equals zero. Solving 2x - 6 = 0 gives x = 3, which is the only stationary point of this function.

Question 10Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A problem on the paper requires solving the equation 2^(x+1) = 16. Which value of x is correct?

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

Explanation

Write 16 as 2^4, so 2^(x+1) = 2^4 implies x + 1 = 4, hence x = 3. Equating exponents is valid because the exponential function to base 2 is one-to-one.

Question 11Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A vector question gives a = (3, -1) and b = (2, 4). What is the scalar product a . b?

  1. -2
  2. 10
  3. 2 Correct answer.
  4. 14

Explanation

The scalar product is the sum of the products of corresponding components: 3 x 2 + (-1) x 4 = 6 - 4 = 2. The sign of the second component must be carried through carefully.

Question 12Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A written-paper item gives the points A(1, 2) and B(4, 10). What is the equation of the line through A and B in the form y = mx + c?

  1. y = (8/3)x - 2/3 Correct answer.
  2. y = 8x - 6
  3. y = (3/8)x + 13/8
  4. y = (8/3)x + 2

Explanation

The gradient is (10 - 2)/(4 - 1) = 8/3. Using A, 2 = (8/3)(1) + c gives c = 2 - 8/3 = -2/3, so y = (8/3)x - 2/3. Substituting B confirms the line passes through both points.

Question 13Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A question asks for the sum of the first 15 terms of the arithmetic sequence with first term 7 and common difference 3. Which value is correct?

  1. 405
  2. 420 Correct answer.
  3. 435
  4. 390

Explanation

The sum of n terms is (n/2)(2a + (n - 1)d). Here (15/2)(14 + 42) = (15/2)(56) = 15 x 28 = 420. Checking with the average of the first and last terms gives the same result.

Question 14Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A candidate must solve the inequality x^2 - 4x - 5 < 0. Which solution set is correct?

  1. -5 < x < 1
  2. x < -1 or x > 5
  3. -1 < x < 5 Correct answer.
  4. x > -1

Explanation

Factorising gives (x - 5)(x + 1) < 0. The product of the two factors is negative between the roots -1 and 5, so the solution is -1 < x < 5. The parabola opens upwards, confirming the negative region lies between the roots.

Question 15Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A written-paper problem gives a right-angled triangle with an angle of 30 degrees and the hypotenuse of length 10. What is the length of the side opposite the 30-degree angle?

  1. 5 Correct answer.
  2. 10 / sqrt(3)
  3. 10 sqrt(3)
  4. 5 sqrt(3)

Explanation

The sine of an angle in a right triangle is the opposite side over the hypotenuse, so the opposite side is 10 sin 30 degrees. Since sin 30 degrees = 1/2, the length is 5.

Question 16Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A question asks for the coordinates of the turning point of the parabola y = x^2 - 6x + 5. Which point is correct?

  1. (3, 4)
  2. (6, 5)
  3. (3, -4) Correct answer.
  4. (-3, -4)

Explanation

Completing the square gives y = (x - 3)^2 - 4, so the vertex is at (3, -4). Equivalently, the vertex lies at x = -b/(2a) = 6/2 = 3, and substituting gives y = 9 - 18 + 5 = -4.

Question 17Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A written item asks for the integral of (4x^3 - 2x) with respect to x over the interval from 0 to 2. What is the value of the definite integral?

  1. 16
  2. 20
  3. 12 Correct answer.
  4. 8

Explanation

An antiderivative is x^4 - x^2. Evaluating from 0 to 2 gives (16 - 4) - (0 - 0) = 12. The power rule raises each exponent by one and divides by the new exponent.

Question 18Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A probability question describes drawing one card at random from a standard 52-card deck. What is the probability that the card is a heart or a king?

  1. 4/52
  2. 13/52
  3. 16/52 Correct answer.
  4. 17/52

Explanation

There are 13 hearts and 4 kings, but the king of hearts is counted twice. The union therefore has 13 + 4 - 1 = 16 cards, giving probability 16/52. This uses the inclusion-exclusion principle for overlapping events.

Question 19Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A written-paper item gives the complex number z = 3 + 4i and asks for its modulus. Which value is correct?

  1. 7
  2. sqrt(7)
  3. 5 Correct answer.
  4. 25

Explanation

The modulus of a + bi is sqrt(a^2 + b^2). Here sqrt(9 + 16) = sqrt(25) = 5. The modulus is a length, so it must be non-negative and real.

Question 20Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A question gives the matrix M with first row (2, 1) and second row (1, 3), and asks for its determinant. Which value is correct?

  1. 6
  2. 5 Correct answer.
  3. 7
  4. 1

Explanation

For a 2 by 2 matrix with rows (a, b) and (c, d), the determinant is ad - bc. Here 2 x 3 - 1 x 1 = 6 - 1 = 5. The off-diagonal product is subtracted, not added.

Question 21Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A written-paper problem asks for the equation of the tangent to the curve y = x^3 at the point where x = 2. Which equation is correct?

  1. y = 12x + 16
  2. y = 12x - 16 Correct answer.
  3. y = 8x - 16
  4. y = 3x - 4

Explanation

At x = 2 the curve passes through (2, 8), and the gradient is 3x^2 = 12. The tangent is y - 8 = 12(x - 2), which simplifies to y = 12x - 16. The point and the gradient must both be used.

Question 22Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A structured question defines f(x) = x^2 + 1 for x at least 0 and asks for the inverse function f^{-1}(x). Which expression is correct?

  1. x^2 - 1
  2. sqrt(x - 1) Correct answer.
  3. sqrt(x) - 1
  4. 1/(x^2 + 1)

Explanation

Set y = x^2 + 1 and solve for x: x^2 = y - 1, so x = sqrt(y - 1) because x is non-negative. Interchanging names gives f^{-1}(x) = sqrt(x - 1), defined for x at least 1.

Question 23Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A written-paper item gives the function f(x) = x^3 - 3x and asks how many stationary points it has and their nature. Which statement is correct?

  1. Three stationary points, one at each root of f.
  2. Two stationary points: a local maximum at x = -1 and a local minimum at x = 1. Correct answer.
  3. Two stationary points: a local minimum at x = -1 and a local maximum at x = 1.
  4. One stationary point, a point of inflection at x = 0.

Explanation

f'(x) = 3x^2 - 3 = 3(x - 1)(x + 1), so stationary points occur at x = -1 and x = 1. The second derivative 6x is negative at x = -1 and positive at x = 1, giving a local maximum then a local minimum.

Question 24Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A problem states that a differentiable function f satisfies f'(x) greater than 0 for all x, and that f(0) = 2. Which conclusion is justified?

  1. f has a local maximum at x = 0 because f(0) = 2.
  2. f is constant on the interval where f'(x) is positive.
  3. f is strictly increasing and f(x) is less than 2 for every x greater than 0.
  4. f is strictly increasing and f(x) is greater than 2 for every x greater than 0. Correct answer.

Explanation

A positive derivative everywhere means f is strictly increasing on the whole real line. Since f(0) = 2, any x greater than 0 must satisfy f(x) greater than f(0) = 2 by the definition of strict increase.

Question 25Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A written-paper question asks for the number of solutions of the equation sin x = x/2 on the interval from -pi to pi. Which count is correct?

  1. Two solutions
  2. Three solutions Correct answer.
  3. Five solutions
  4. One solution

Explanation

The line y = x/2 and the curve y = sin x meet at x = 0, and by symmetry there is one further intersection on each side of the origin within the interval. Since the line's slope 1/2 is less than the initial slope of sin x but the line grows without bound, each branch crosses once. Hence there are three solutions in total.

Question 26Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

In the 3-period Mathematics written paper, a candidate must find the gradient of the curve y = x^2 + 3x at the point where x = 2. Which value is correct?

  1. 10
  2. 5
  3. 4
  4. 7 Correct answer.

Explanation

Differentiating gives dy/dx = 2x + 3. Substituting x = 2 gives 4 + 3 = 7, which is the gradient of the tangent at that point.

Question 27Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A written-paper item gives the geometric sequence 3, 6, 12, 24, ... and asks for the 8th term. Which value is correct?

  1. 768
  2. 48
  3. 384 Correct answer.
  4. 192

Explanation

The first term is 3 and the common ratio is 2, so the nth term is 3 times 2^(n-1). For n = 8 this gives 3 times 128 = 384.

Question 28Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

In the written paper a candidate must solve the equation 3^(2x) = 27. Which value of x is correct?

  1. 2
  2. 1.5 Correct answer.
  3. 3
  4. 0.5

Explanation

Since 27 = 3^3, equating exponents gives 2x = 3, so x = 1.5. The bases are equal, so the exponents must be equal.

Question 29Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A written-paper item gives the vectors p = (4, 2) and q = (-1, 3). What is the scalar product p . q?

  1. -2
  2. 2 Correct answer.
  3. 10
  4. 5

Explanation

The scalar product is the sum of the products of corresponding components: 4 times (-1) plus 2 times 3 = -4 + 6 = 2.

Question 30Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

In the written paper, a candidate must solve the equation x^2 - 7x + 12 = 0. Which pair of solutions is correct?

  1. x = 2 and x = 6
  2. x = 3 and x = 4 Correct answer.
  3. x = -3 and x = -4
  4. x = 1 and x = 12

Explanation

Factorising gives (x - 3)(x - 4) = 0, so x = 3 or x = 4. These values also satisfy the sum 7 and product 12 required by the coefficients.

Question 31Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A written-paper item asks for the value of cos(60 degrees). Which answer should be given?

  1. sqrt(2)/2
  2. sqrt(3)/2
  3. 1
  4. 1/2 Correct answer.

Explanation

In a 30-60-90 triangle the side adjacent to the 60-degree angle is half the hypotenuse, so cos(60 degrees) = 1/2. This is one of the exact values candidates are expected to know.

Question 32Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A written-paper question gives the complex numbers z = 2 + 3i and w = 1 - i and asks for z + w. Which answer is correct?

  1. 3 - 2i
  2. 1 + 4i
  3. 3 + 2i Correct answer.
  4. 3 + 4i

Explanation

Complex numbers are added by adding real parts and imaginary parts separately: (2 + 1) + (3 - 1)i = 3 + 2i.

Question 33Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

In the written paper a candidate must find the determinant of the 2 by 2 matrix with first row (5, 2) and second row (3, 4). Which value is correct?

  1. 14 Correct answer.
  2. 2
  3. 20
  4. 26

Explanation

For a matrix with rows (a, b) and (c, d) the determinant is ad - bc. Here that is 5 times 4 minus 2 times 3 = 20 - 6 = 14.

Question 34Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A written-paper item states that a quantity grows so that its value after t years is V = 500 times 1.04^t. What does the number 1.04 represent in this model?

  1. A 0.04 percent annual increase
  2. A 4 percent annual growth rate added to V
  3. A 4 percent annual growth factor Correct answer.
  4. The number of years for the value to double

Explanation

In an exponential model V = a times b^t, the base b is the growth factor per unit of time. A base of 1.04 means the value is multiplied by 1.04 each year, an increase of 4 percent.

Question 35Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A written-paper problem asks for the equation of the tangent to the curve y = x^2 - 4x + 1 at the point where x = 3. Which equation is correct?

  1. y = 2x - 2
  2. y = 2x - 8 Correct answer.
  3. y = 2x + 1
  4. y = 6x - 8

Explanation

At x = 3 the curve has y = 9 - 12 + 1 = -2, so the point is (3, -2). The derivative 2x - 4 equals 2 at x = 3, so the tangent is y + 2 = 2(x - 3), that is y = 2x - 8.

Question 36Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A written-paper item asks for the value of the integral from 1 to 3 of (2x + 1) dx. Which value is correct?

  1. 12
  2. 10 Correct answer.
  3. 6
  4. 8

Explanation

An antiderivative is x^2 + x. Evaluating between 1 and 3 gives (9 + 3) - (1 + 1) = 12 - 2 = 10.

Question 37Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

In the written paper a candidate must solve the inequality 3x - 7 > 5x + 1. Which solution set is correct?

  1. x > -4
  2. x < 4
  3. x > 4
  4. x < -4 Correct answer.

Explanation

Subtracting 3x from both sides gives -7 > 2x + 1, then -8 > 2x, so x < -4. Dividing by a positive number does not change the direction of the inequality.

Question 38Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A written-paper item gives the function f(x) = 2x + 5 and asks for the inverse function f^{-1}(x). Which expression is correct?

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

Explanation

Write y = 2x + 5, then solve for x: x = (y - 5)/2. Swapping the variable names gives f^{-1}(x) = (x - 5)/2.

Question 39Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A written-paper problem asks for the sum of the first 10 terms of the geometric series with first term 2 and common ratio 3. Which value is correct?

  1. 118096
  2. 59049
  3. 39366
  4. 59048 Correct answer.

Explanation

The sum of n terms is a(r^n - 1)/(r - 1). Here that is 2(3^10 - 1)/2 = 59049 - 1 = 59048.

Question 40Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A written-paper item asks for the number of ways to choose a committee of 3 students from a group of 8, where order does not matter. Which value is correct?

  1. 56 Correct answer.
  2. 24
  3. 336
  4. 512

Explanation

Choosing without regard to order uses the binomial coefficient C(8,3) = 8!/(3!5!) = 56. Dividing by 3! removes the repeated orderings of each committee.

Question 41Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

In the written paper a candidate must find the coordinates of the midpoint of the segment joining A(-2, 5) and B(6, 1). Which point is correct?

  1. (2, 6)
  2. (2, 3) Correct answer.
  3. (4, 6)
  4. (4, 3)

Explanation

The midpoint has coordinates equal to the averages of the endpoints: ((-2 + 6)/2, (5 + 1)/2) = (2, 3).

Question 42Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A written-paper question gives sin(theta) = 3/5 with theta in the first quadrant and asks for the value of cos(theta). Which value is correct?

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

Explanation

Using sin^2 + cos^2 = 1 gives cos^2 = 1 - 9/25 = 16/25, so cos(theta) = 4/5 in the first quadrant. The sign is positive because all trigonometric ratios are positive there.

Question 43Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A written-paper item defines the function f(x) = x^2 - 4x + 7 and asks for its minimum value. Which value is correct?

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

Explanation

Completing the square gives f(x) = (x - 2)^2 + 3, so the minimum occurs at x = 2 with value 3. The coefficient of x^2 is positive, so the parabola opens upwards.

Question 44Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A written-paper item asks for the value of the sum from k = 1 to 4 of (2k + 1). Which value is correct?

  1. 20
  2. 24 Correct answer.
  3. 16
  4. 28

Explanation

The terms are 3, 5, 7 and 9, whose sum is 24. Alternatively, the sum of 2k for k = 1 to 4 is 20, and adding four ones gives 24.

Question 45Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A written-paper problem gives the matrix product of A, with first row (1, 2) and second row (0, 1), and B, with first row (3, 0) and second row (1, 2). What is the top-left entry of AB?

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

Explanation

The top-left entry of AB is the scalar product of the first row of A with the first column of B: 1 times 3 plus 2 times 1 = 5.

Question 46Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A written-paper question asks for the derivative of f(x) = x^2 times e^x. Which expression is correct?

  1. x^2 e^x
  2. e^x(x^2 - 2x)
  3. e^x(x^2 + 2x) Correct answer.
  4. 2x e^x

Explanation

The product rule gives f'(x) = 2x e^x + x^2 e^x, which factorises to e^x(x^2 + 2x). Both terms arise because each factor is differentiated in turn.

Question 47Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A written-paper problem asks for the value of the integral from 0 to 2 of x e^(x^2) dx. Which value is correct?

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

Explanation

Substituting u = x^2 gives du = 2x dx, so the integral becomes one half of the integral of e^u du from 0 to 4. This equals (e^4 - 1)/2.

Question 48Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A written-paper item gives the complex number z = 1 + i and asks for z^4 expressed in the form a + bi. Which value is correct?

  1. 4i
  2. -4i
  3. -4 Correct answer.
  4. 4

Explanation

The modulus of z is sqrt(2) and its argument is 45 degrees, so z^4 has modulus (sqrt(2))^4 = 4 and argument 180 degrees. That gives -4, consistent with (1 + i)^2 = 2i and (2i)^2 = -4.

Question 49Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

In the written paper a candidate must find the number of solutions of the equation e^x = 2 - x for real x. Which answer is correct?

  1. Exactly two
  2. Exactly one Correct answer.
  3. No solutions
  4. Infinitely many

Explanation

The function g(x) = e^x + x - 2 is strictly increasing because its derivative e^x + 1 is always positive. Since g(0) = -1 and g(1) is positive, there is exactly one real root.

Question 50Written examinations (L1, L2 and Mathematics compulsory; five written papers in total)

A written-paper item states that a fair six-sided die is rolled twice and asks for the probability that the sum of the two scores is 8. Which value is correct?

  1. 4/36
  2. 5/36 Correct answer.
  3. 1/6
  4. 6/36

Explanation

There are 36 equally likely ordered outcomes. The sums equal to 8 arise from (2,6), (3,5), (4,4), (5,3) and (6,2), five outcomes, so the probability is 5/36.