IB Maths Past Paper Overviews

For All IB Past Paper Overviews Click Here

2018 May Time Zone 1 Maths SL – Paper 1

Paper 2 (Click here to scroll down)

Paper 1 – Question 1

Topic: Functions

Difficulty: Easy

Marks: 6

Link to Video Solution

Question 1 (6 marks) in the 2018 May Time Zone 1 (TZ1) Maths SL Paper 1 Exam is a functions question where functions f(x) and g(x) are given.

Part (a) asks to find f(14).

Part (b) asks to find g(f(14)).

Part (c) asks to find the inverse function of g(x).

When comparing this question to IB Maths SL Past Papers, this question is similar in difficulty.

2018 Mathematics SL Paper 1 May TZ1 Question 1 – 18M.1.sl.TZ1.1 – M18/5/MATME/SP1/ENG/TZ1/XX

Paper 1 – Question 2

Topic: Statistics

Difficulty: Easy

Marks: 6

Link to Video Solution

Question 2 (6 marks) in the 2018 May Time Zone 1 (TZ1) Maths SL Paper 1 is a box-whisker plot statistics question.

Part (a) asks to find the interquartile range of the data.

Part (b) asks to calculate the least possible value for a score to be an outlier.

When comparing this question to IB Maths SL Past Papers, this question is similar in difficulty.

2018 Mathematics SL Paper 1 May TZ1 Question 2 – 18M.1.sl.TZ1.2 – M18/5/MATME/SP1/ENG/TZ1/XX

Paper 1 – Question 3

Topic: Functions

Difficulty: Medium

Marks: 7

Link to Video Solution

Question 3 (7 marks) in the 2018 May Time Zone 1 (TZ1) Maths SL Paper 1 Exam is a common functions question where a sketch is provided.

Part (a) asks to find f(0) and f^-1(1).

Part (b) asks to write down the range of the inverse of f(x).

Part (c) asks students to sketch the inverse of f(x) on the same graph.

When comparing this question to IB Maths SL Past Papers, this question is similar in difficulty.

2018 Mathematics SL Paper 1 May TZ1 Question 3 – 18M.1.sl.TZ1.3 – M18/5/MATME/SP1/ENG/TZ1/XX

Paper 1 – Question 4

Topic: Quadratics

Difficulty: Medium

Marks: 7

Link to Video Solution

Question 4 (7 marks) in the 2018 May Time Zone 1 (TZ1) Maths SL Paper 1 Exam is a quadratics question where the coefficient of the x^2 term and the constant is not given. It is given that the horizontal line L intersects the graph at x=-1 and x=3.

Part (a) asks to show that the axis of symmetry is x=2.

Part (b) tells you that the line L has the equation y=5. It then asks to find the constant in the original quadratic equation.

When comparing this question to IB Maths SL Past Papers, this question is slightly more difficult than other Q4’s.

2018 Mathematics SL Paper 1 May TZ1 Question 4 – 18M.1.sl.TZ1.4 – M18/5/MATME/SP1/ENG/TZ1/XX

Paper 1 – Question 5

Topic: Calculus

Difficulty: Medium / Hard

Marks: 7

Link to Video Solution

Question 5 (7 marks) in the 2018 May TZ1 Maths SL Paper 1 Exam is a Calculus question where a function is given.

Part (a) asks to find the indefinite integral of (f(x))^2.

Part (b) asks you to find the volume of the solid formed when the function is rotated 2pi about the x axis between given limits.

When comparing this question to IB Maths SL Past Papers, this question is similar in difficulty.

2018 Mathematics SL Paper 1 May TZ1 Question 5 – 18M.1.sl.TZ1.5 – M18/5/MATME/SP1/ENG/TZ1/XX

Paper 1 – Question 6

Topic: Vectors

Difficulty: Hard

Marks: 6

Link to Video Solution

Question 6 (6 marks) in the 2018 May TZ1 Maths SL Paper 1 Exam is a tricky Vectors problem, where 6 equilateral triangles are arranged to form a hexagon. Vectors on the diagram are defined and the question asks to find the scalar product of p and (p+q+r).

When comparing this question to IB Maths SL Past Papers, this question is more difficult than most.

2018 Mathematics SL Paper 1 May TZ1 Question 6 – 18M.1.sl.TZ1.6 – M18/5/MATME/SP1/ENG/TZ1/XX

Paper 1 – Question 7

Topic: Calculus

Difficulty: Hard

Marks: 7

Link to Video Solution

Question 7 (7 marks) in the 2018 May TZ1 Maths SL Paper 1 Exam is very popular calculus question the IB is asking more and more in IB Maths SL Exams.

We are given g(3), g'(3) and f'(7) and we are asked to find the gradient of the normal to h(x) when x=3.

When comparing this question to IB Maths SL Past Papers, this question is similar in difficulty to other Q7’s.

2018 Mathematics SL Paper 1 May TZ1 Question 7 – 18M.1.sl.TZ1.7 – M18/5/MATME/SP1/ENG/TZ1/XX

Paper 1 – Question 8

Topic: Calculus

Difficulty: Medium

Marks: 13

Link to Video Solution

Question 8 (13 marks) in the 2018 May TZ1 Maths SL Paper 1 Exam is Calculus question where the derivative function f'(x) is given.

Part (a) asks to find f(x) by integrating the the given f'(x) function.

Part (b) asks to find the point of inflection.

Part (c) asks to find the values for x for which the graph is con-caving down.

This is a fairly common Question 8 / Question 9 when comparing to other IB Mathematics Standard Level Paper 1 Exams. This is an opportunity for a student to start Section B with 13/13 marks.

2018 Mathematics SL Paper 1 May TZ1 Question 8 – 18M.1.sl.TZ1.8 – M18/5/MATME/SP1/ENG/TZ1/XX

Paper 1 – Question 9

Topic: Vectors

Difficulty: Medium / Hard

Marks: 16

Link to Video Solution

Question 9 (16 marks) in the 2018 May TZ2 Maths SL Paper 1 Exam is a standard Section B Vectors question. Points A and B are given.

Part (a) asks to find the Vector AB

Part (b) asks to find a vector equation of the line passing through A and B and also to show that a point C lies in the curve.

Part (c) asks to find the scalar product of OB and AB and to also write down the value of the angle OBA.

Part (d) introduces point D and asks to find the area of the triangle OCD.

When comparing this question to IB Maths SL Past Papers, this question is similar in difficulty.

2018 Mathematics SL Paper 1 May TZ1 Question 9 – 18M.1.sl.TZ1.9 – M18/5/MATME/SP1/ENG/TZ1/XX

Paper 1 – Question 10

Topic: Algebra & Trigonometry

Difficulty: Hard

Marks: 15

Link to Video Solution

Question 10 (15 marks) in the 2018 May TZ1 Maths SL Paper 1 Exam is a challenging Sequences & Series question which involves trigonometric terms. The first and second term of an infinite geometric sequence is given.

Part (a) asks to find an expression for the common ratio r in terms of theta. It also asks to find the possible values of r.

Part (b) asks to find an expression for the sum of the infinite geometric sequence.

Part (c) asks to find the values of theta which give the greatest value of the sum.

When comparing this question to IB Maths SL Past Papers, this question is similar in difficulty.

2018 Mathematics SL Paper 1 May TZ1 Question 10 – 18M.1.sl.TZ1.10 – M18/5/MATME/SP1/ENG/TZ1/XX

2018 May Time Zone 1 Maths SL – Paper 2

Paper 2 – Question 1

Topic 1: Calculus

Difficulty: Medium

Marks: 5

Link to Video Solution

Question 1 (5 marks) in the 2018 May TZ1 Maths SL Paper 2 Exam is a calculus question where f(x) is given.

Part (a) asks you to find f'(x).

Part (b) asks you to find f”(x).

Part (c) asks to solve f'(x)=f”(x) using your GDC.

When comparing this question to IB Maths SL Past Papers, this question is more difficult to most Q1’s.

2018 Mathematics SL Paper 2 May TZ1 Question 1 – 18M.2.sl.TZ1.1 – M18/5/MATME/SP2/ENG/TZ1/XX

Paper 2 – Question 2

Topic: Probability

Difficulty: Easy

Marks: 6

Link to Video Solution

Question 2 (6 marks) in the 2018 May TZ1 Maths SL Paper 2 Exam is a Probability Distribution question with a given table.

Part (a) asks you to find the value of k (an unknown probability in the table).

Part (b) asks you to find the expected score.

Part (c) tells you that there are 80 trials. You are asked to calculate an expected outcome (see video for more details).

When comparing this question to IB Maths SL Past Papers, this question is similar in difficulty.

2018 Mathematics SL Paper 2 May TZ1 Question 2 – 18M.2.sl.TZ1.2 – M18/5/MATME/SP2/ENG/TZ1/XX

Paper 2 – Question 3

Topic: Trigonometry

Difficulty: Medium

Marks: 6

Link to Video Solution

Question 3 (6 marks) in the 2018 May TZ1 Maths SL Paper 2 Exam is Trigonometry question that shows a diagram of a circle with a shaded region.

Part (a) asks you to find shaded region in terms of theta.

Part (b) gives you the shaded region and you are asked to find theta.

When comparing this question to IB Maths SL Past Papers, this question is similar in difficulty.

2018 Mathematics SL Paper 2 May TZ1 Question 3 – 18M.2.sl.TZ1.3 – M18/5/MATME/SP2/ENG/TZ1/XX

Paper 2 – Question 4

Topic: Functions

Difficulty: Medium

Marks: 7

Link to Video Solution

Question 4 (7 marks) in the 2018 May TZ1 Maths SL Paper 2 Exam is Functions question where a diagram of a quadratic function is given.

Part (a) asks to write down the coordinates of the vertex.

Part (b) asks you to sketch g(x) on top of f(x)=x^2.

Part (c) asks to find the area of the region enclosed by f(x) and g(x).

When comparing this question to IB Maths SL Past Papers, this question is similar in difficulty. .

2018 Mathematics SL Paper 2 May TZ1 Question 4 – 18M.2.sl.TZ1.4 – M18/5/MATME/SP2/ENG/TZ1/XX

Paper 2 – Question 5

Topic: Probability

Difficulty: Medium

Marks: 6

Link to Video Solution

Question 5 (6 marks) in the 2018 May TZ1 Maths SL Paper 2 Exam is a Probability question where events A and B are defined with respective probabilities. Parts (a) and (b) ask to calculate certain probabilities where a Venn diagram is needed.

When comparing this question to IB Maths SL Past Papers, this question is similar in difficulty.

2018 Mathematics SL Paper 2 May TZ1 Question 5 – 18M.2.sl.TZ1.5 – M18/5/MATME/SP2/ENG/TZ1/XX

Paper 2 – Question 6

Topic: Trigonometry

Difficulty: Medium

Marks: 7

Link to Video Solution

Question 6 (7 marks) in the 2018 May TZ1 Maths SL Paper 2 Exam is triangle trigonometry question.

Two side lengths of a triangle are given along with the area of the triangle. The questions asks to find the largest possible perimeter of the triangle. This is an ambiguous case question where we need to use our trig formulas.

When comparing this question to IB Maths SL Past Papers, this question is similar in difficulty.

2018 Mathematics SL Paper 2 May TZ1 Question 6 – 18M.2.sl.TZ1.6 – M18/5/MATME/SP2/ENG/TZ1/XX

Paper 2 – Question 7

Topic: Functions & Algebra

Difficulty: Hard

Marks: 8

Link to Video Solution

Question 7 (8 marks) in the 2018 May TZ1 Maths SL Paper 2 Exam is a difficult Section A question with involves Circular functions and Sequences and Series. For more information, see the video solution.

2018 Mathematics SL Paper 2 May TZ1 Question 7 – 18M.2.sl.TZ1.7 – M18/5/MATME/SP2/ENG/TZ1/XX

Paper 2 – Question 8

Topic: Bivariate Statistics

Difficulty: Medium / Hard

Marks: 13

Link to Video Solution

Question 8 (13 marks) in the 2018 May TZ1 Maths SL Paper 2 Exam is a twist on the typical Bivariate Statistics questions we are used to seeing. The table provided shows lnx and lny values.

Part (a) asks to find the regression line as per usual.

Part (b) asks to use the regression line to find y when x=3.57.

Part (c) requires you to manipulate the logarithmic equation into an exponential equation using algebra. This is quite challenging and worth 7 marks.

When comparing this question to IB Maths SL Past Papers, this question is more difficult to typical Q8’s.

2018 Mathematics SL Paper 2 May TZ1 Question 8 – 18M.2.sl.TZ1.8 – M18/5/MATME/SP2/ENG/TZ1/XX

Paper 2 – Question 9

Topic: Normal/Binomial Distribution

Difficulty: Hard

Marks: 17

Link to Video Solution

Question 9 (17 marks) in the 2018 May TZ1 Maths SL Paper 2 Exam is big Section B Distributions question.

Parts (a) (b) & (c) are very similar to other section B normal distribution questions where they ask for various probabilities given the information provided.

Parts (d) and (e) change to Binomial Distribution questions that are also similar to other Section B past paper questions.

This question does not have any surprises. If you have done your past papers, you will get this question correct. When comparing this question to IB Maths SL Past Papers, this question is similar in difficulty.

2018 Mathematics SL Paper 2 May TZ1 Question 9 – 18M.2.sl.TZ1.9 – M18/5/MATME/SP2/ENG/TZ1/XX

Paper 2 – Question 10

Topic: Circular Functions & Kinematics

Difficulty: Hard

Marks: 15

Link to Video Solution

Question 10 (15 marks) in the 2018 May TZ1 Maths SL Paper 2 Exam is a Circular functions question where f(x) is given with a diagram.

Part (a) asks you to find the coordinates of the maximum A.

Part (b) asks you to write down the amplitude and the period of the function.

Part (c) asks to simplify the original function into pcos(x+r).

Part (d) shows a diagram of a ball on a spring where the spring is the original function. The distance function is given and you are asked to find the maximum speed of the ball.

Part (e) asks to find the first time when the rate of the ball’s speed is 2cms^-2.

When comparing this question to IB Maths SL Past Papers, this question is similar in difficulty to other Q10’s.

2018 Mathematics SL Paper 2 May TZ1 Question 10 – 18M.2.sl.TZ1.10 – M18/5/MATME/SP2/ENG/TZ1/XX

IB Maths Past Paper Overviews

For All IB Past Paper Overviews Click Here