O-LevelMathematicsNumber4024/21 · Oct/Nov 2025 · Q143 Marks

The population of a country increases exponentially at a rate of 3.6% per year. On 1st January 2024 the population of the country is 5.4 million. Calculate the number of complete years it will take for the population to reach 8 million.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2025). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

14 12 cao [3] B2 for 11.1[1...] or answer 11 or M2 for [5.4](1 + 3.6/100)¹¹ oe or [5.4](1 + 3.6/100)¹² oe or M1 for 5.4(1 + 3.6/100)ⁿ oe where n > 1 or (1 + 3.6/100)ⁿ = 40/27 oe

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Topic: Number, O-Level Mathematics (syllabus 4024). Structured question, 3 marks.
Source: O-Level Mathematics, Oct/Nov 2025 Paper 2 Variant 1, question 14.

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