AS June 2022 Paper 1 Q14

AQACurrent spec15 marksGraphs & Inequalities

14 The function f is defined by

\[\mathrm{f}(x) = \frac{x^2 - 3}{x^2 + px + 7} \qquad x \in \mathbb{R}\]

where \(p\) is a constant.

The graph of \(y = \mathrm{f}(x)\) has only one asymptote.

(a) Write down the equation of the asymptote. [1 mark]
(b) Find the set of possible values of \(p\) [4 marks]
(c) Find the coordinates of the points at which the graph of \(y = \mathrm{f}(x)\) intersects the axes. [3 marks]
(d) A curve \(C\) has equation\[y = \frac{x^2 - 3}{x^2 - 3x + 7}\]

The curve \(C\) has a local minimum at the point \(M\) as shown in the diagram.

Curve C: coming down from the left, crossing the x-axis left of O, dipping to a local minimum M just below the x-axis to the right of O, then crossing the x-axis and rising, levelling off to the right

The line \(y = k\) intersects curve \(C\)

(i) Show that\[19k^2 - 16k - 12 \leqslant 0\] [5 marks]
(ii) Hence, find the \(y\)-coordinate of point \(M\) [2 marks]