◈ Oracle PrepSign Up Free
A-LevelMathematicsMechanics9709/41 · Oct/Nov 2020 · Q36 Marks

Coplanar forces of magnitudes 8 N, 12 N, 10 N and P N act at a point in the directions shown in the diagram. The system is in equilibrium. [Figure 3.1] Find P and θ.

  1. Find P and θ.[6]

This question uses a diagram from the original paper, which isn't shown here. Open the full paper from the past papers archive to see it.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2020). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. [M1] Resolve forces either horizontally or vertically
  2. [A1] P cos θ = 12 + 8 cos 30 – 10 cos 45 [= 11.857]
  3. [A1] P sin θ = 10 sin 45 – 8 sin 30 [= 3.071]
  4. [M1] OE. Use of correct method for finding P
  5. [M1] OE. Use of correct method for finding θ
  6. [A1] P = 12.2 and θ = 14.5

Write your answer and get it marked

On Oracle Prep you can write or photograph your own answer and have it marked by AI against this mark scheme, with feedback on what you missed.

Sign up free →

About this question

Topic
Mechanics, A-Level Mathematics (syllabus 9709). Structured question, 6 marks.
Source
A-Level Mathematics, Oct/Nov 2020 Paper 4 Variant 1, question 3.

Questions and mark schemes are from past examination papers and remain the copyright of the exam board. How Oracle Prep builds its content

Related Mathematics questions

MechanicsFeb/Mar 20197m

A car of mass 1500 kg is pulling a trailer of mass 300 kg along a straight horizontal road at a constant speed of 20 …

MechanicsFeb/Mar 20199m

A particle moves in a straight line. It starts from rest at a fixed point O on the line. Its acceleration at time t s…

MechanicsFeb/Mar 20195m

A particle is projected with speed 24 m s¯¹ at an angle of 30° above the horizontal. Find the speed and direction of …

TrigonometryFeb/Mar 20186m

Using the expansions of cos(3x + x) and cos(3x – x), show that ½(cos 4x + cos 2x) = cos 3x cos x.

Logarithmic and exponential functionsFeb/Mar 20186m

The variables x and y satisfy the equation yⁿ = Ax³, where n and A are constants. It is given that y = 2.58 when x = …

DifferentiationFeb/Mar 20187m

The parametric equations of a curve are x = 2t + sin 2t, y = 1 – 2 cos 2t, for −½π < t < ½π.

← Browse all past-paper questions

© 2026 Oracle Prep