October 2021 Paper 2 Q4

OCR ACurrent spec10 marksModellingTrigonometry

4 The size, \(P\), of a population of a certain species of insect at time \(t\) months is modelled by the following formula.

\(P = 5000 - 1000\cos(30t)^\circ\)

(a) Write down the maximum size of the population. [1]
(b) Write down the difference between the largest and smallest values of \(P\). [1]
(c) Without giving any numerical values, describe briefly the behaviour of the population over time. [1]
(d) Find the time taken for the population to return to its initial size for the first time. [2]
(e) Determine the time on the second occasion when \(P = 4500\). [4]

A scientist observes the population over a period of time. He notices that, although the population varies in a way similar to the way predicted by the model, the variations become smaller and smaller over time, and \(P\) converges to 5000.

(f) Suggest a change to the model that will take account of this observation. [1]