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Graph of the cosine function - Exam Questions.docx

Built from the lesson script on 30 September 2026.

EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · HIGHER

Exam Practice: Graph of the cosine function

Graph of the cosine function · More trigonometry · Lesson 3 of 9 · 15 marks · 25 minutes

Name

Date

 

Instructions

• Answer all the questions.

• Write your answers in the spaces provided.

• The marks for each question are shown in brackets - use this as a guide to how much to write.

• The answers are on separate pages at the back. Attempt every question before you look at them.

• Answer all questions. Show your working.

Question 1 SOLVE (3 marks)

Solve cos x = 0.3 for 0° ≤ x ≤ 360°. Give your answers correct to 1 decimal place.

(Total for Question 1 = 3 marks)

Question 2 WRITE DOWN (2 marks)

Write down the value of (a) cos 0° (b) cos 180°

(Total for Question 2 = 2 marks)

Question 3 USE THE GRAPH (3 marks)

The graph shows y = cos x for 0° ≤ x ≤ 360°. Use the graph to solve cos x = −0.5 and to write down the minimum value of cos x.

(Total for Question 3 = 3 marks)

Question 4 SOLVE (3 marks)

Solve cos x = −0.7 for 0° ≤ x ≤ 360°. Give your answers correct to 1 decimal place.

(Total for Question 4 = 3 marks)

Question 5 WRITE DOWN (2 marks)

cos 50°= 0.64 (to 2 decimal places). Write down another angle between 0° and 360° with cosine 0.64.

(Total for Question 5 = 2 marks)

Question 6 DESCRIBE (2 marks)

Describe the single transformation that maps the graph of y = sin x onto the graph of y = cos x.

(Total for Question 6 = 2 marks)

TOTAL FOR PAPER = 15 MARKS

 

Answers and mark scheme

Check your answer only once you have written one.

Question 1 (3 marks)

x = 72.5° and x = 287.5°

• cos ⁻¹(0.3) = 72.5° B1

• 360 − 72.5 M1

• 287.5 A1

Question 2 (2 marks)

(a) 1 (b) −1

• 1 B1

• −1 B1

Question 3 (3 marks)

x = 120° and x = 240°; minimum value −1.

• 120 B1

• 240 B1

• −1 B1

Question 4 (3 marks)

x = 134.4° and x = 225.6°

• cos ⁻¹(−0.7) = 134.4° B1

• 360 − 134.4 M1

• 225.6 A1

Question 5 (2 marks)

310°

• 360 − 50 M1

• 310 A1

Question 6 (2 marks)

A translation of 90° to the left.

• Translation M1

• 90° to the left A1