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2009 Paper 3 Q1
D: 1700.0 B: 1471.4

The points \(S\), \(T\), \(U\) and \(V\) have coordinates \((s,ms)\), \((t,mt)\), \((u,nu)\) and \((v,nv)\), respectively. The lines \(SV\) and \(UT\) meet the line \(y=0\) at the points with coordinates \((p,0)\) and \((q,0)\), respectively. Show that \[ p = \frac{(m-n)sv}{ms-nv}\,, \] and write down a similar expression for \(q\). Given that \(S\) and \(T\) lie on the circle \(x^2 + (y-c)^2 = r^2\), find a quadratic equation satisfied by \(s\) and by \(t\), and hence determine \(st\) and \(s+t\) in terms of \(m\), \(c\) and \(r\). Given that \(S\), \(T\), \(U\) and \(V\) lie on the above circle, show that \(p+q=0\).

2009 Paper 3 Q2
D: 1700.0 B: 1484.0

  1. Let \(\displaystyle y= \sum_{n=0}^\infty a_n x^n\,\), where the coefficients \(a_n\) are independent of \(x\) and are such that this series and all others in this question converge. Show that \[ \displaystyle y'= \sum_{n=1}^\infty na_n x^{n-1}\,, \] and write down a similar expression for \(y''\). Write out explicitly each of the three series as far as the term containing \(a_3\).
  2. It is given that \(y\) satisfies the differential equation \[ xy''-y'+4x^3y =0\,. \] By substituting the series of part (i) into the differential equation and comparing coefficients, show that \(a_1=0\). Show that, for \(n\ge4\), \[ a_n =- \frac{4}{n(n-2)}\, a_{n-4}\,, \] and that, if \(a_0=1\) and \(a_2=0\), then \( y=\cos (x^2)\,\). Find the corresponding result when \(a_0=0\) and \(a_2=1\).


Solution:

  1. Let \(\displaystyle y= \sum_{n=0}^\infty a_n x^n\,\) then \begin{align*} y' &= \frac{\d}{\d x} \l \sum_{n=0}^\infty a_n x^n \r \\ &= \sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{\d}{\d x} \l a_n x^n \r \\ &= \sum_{n=0}^\infty n a_n x^{n-1} \\ &= \sum_{n=1}^\infty n a_n x^{n-1} \\ \\ y'' &= \frac{\d}{\d x} \l\sum_{n=1}^\infty n a_n x^{n-1} \r \\ &= \sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{\d}{\d x} \l n a_n x^{n-1} \r \\ &= \sum_{n=1}^\infty n(n-1) a_n x^{n-2} \\ &= \sum_{n=2}^\infty n(n-1) a_n x^{n-2} \\ \\ y &= a_0 + a_1 x+ a_2x^2 + a_3x^3 + \cdots \\ y'&= a_1 + 2a_2x+3a_3x^2 + \cdots \\ y'' &= 2a_2 + 6a_3x + \cdots \end{align*}
  2. \begin{align*} && 0 &= xy''-y'+4x^3y \\ &&&= x\sum_{n=2}^\infty n(n-1) a_n x^{n-2} - \sum_{n=1}^\infty n a_n x^{n-1} + 4x^3 \sum_{n=0}^\infty a_n x^n \\ &&&= \sum_{n=2}^\infty n(n-1) a_n x^{n-1} - \sum_{n=1}^\infty n a_n x^{n-1} + \sum_{n=0}^\infty 4a_n x^{n+3} \\ &&&= \sum_{n=2}^\infty n(n-1) a_n x^{n-1} - \sum_{n=1}^\infty n a_n x^{n-1} + \sum_{n=4}^\infty 4a_{n-4} x^{n-1} \\ &&&= \sum_{n=4}^{\infty} \l n(n-1) a_n- n a_n +4a_{n-4} \r x^{n-1} + 2a_2x + 6a_3x^2-a_1-2a_2x-3a_3x^2 \\ &&&= \sum_{n=4}^{\infty} \l n(n-2) a_n +4a_{n-4} \r x^{n-1}+ 3a_3x^2-a_1 \\ \end{align*} Therefore since all coefficients are \(0\), \(a_1 = 0\), \(a_3 = 0\) and \(\displaystyle a_n = -\frac{4}{n(n-2)}a_{n-4}\). If \(a_0 = 1, a_2 = 0\), and since \(a_1 = 0, a_3 = 0\) the only values which will take non-zero value are \(a_{4k}\). We can compute these values as: \(a_{4k} = -\frac{4}{(4k)(4k-2)} a_{4k-4} = \frac{1}{2k(2k-1)}a_{4k-r}\) so \(a_{4k} = \frac{(-1)^k}{(2k)!}\), which are precisely the coefficients in the expansion \(\cos x^2\). If \(a_0 = 0, a_2 = 1\) then since \(a_1 = 0, a_3 = 0\) the only values which take non-zero values are \(a_{4k+2}\) we can compute these values as: \(a_{4k+2} = -\frac{4}{(4k+2)(4k)}a_{4k-2} = -\frac{1}{(2k+1)2k}a_{4k-2}\) so we can see that \(a_{4k+2}= \frac{(-1)^k}{(2k+1)!}\) precisely the coefficients of \(\sin x^2\)

2009 Paper 3 Q3
D: 1700.0 B: 1500.0

The function \(\f(t)\) is defined, for \(t\ne0\), by \[ \f(t) = \frac t {\e^t-1}\,. \] \begin{questionparts} \item By expanding \(\e^t\), show that \(\displaystyle \lim _{t\to0} \f(t) = 1\,\). Find \(\f'(t)\) and evaluate \(\displaystyle \lim _{t\to0} \f'(t)\,\). \item Show that \(\f(t) +\frac12 t\) is an even function. [{\bf Note:} A function \(\g(t)\) is said to be {\em even} if \(\g(t) \equiv \g(-t)\).] \item Show with the aid of a sketch that \( \e^t( 1-t)\le 1\,\) and deduce that \(\f'(t)\ne 0\) for \(t\ne0\). \end{questionpart} Sketch the graph of \(\f(t)\).


Solution:

  1. Claim \(f(t) + \frac12 t\) is an even function. Proof: Consider \(f(-t) - \frac12t\), then \begin{align*} f(-t) - \frac12t &= \frac{-t}{e^{-t}-1} - \frac12t \\ &= \frac{-te^t}{1-e^t} - \frac12 t \\ &= \frac{t(1-e^t) -t}{1-e^t} - \frac12 t \\ &= t - \frac{t}{1-e^t} - \frac12 t \\ &= \frac{t}{e^t-1} + \frac12 t \end{align*} So it is even.
  2. TikZ diagram
    Drawing the tangent to \(y = e^{-x}\) at \((0,1)\) we find that \(e^{-t} \geq (1-t)\) for all \(t\), in particular, \(e^t(1-t) \leq 1\) \(f'(t) = \frac{(e^t(1-t) -1}{(e^t-1)^2} \leq 0\) and \(f'(t) = -\frac12\) when \(t = 0\)
TikZ diagram
[Note: This is the exponential generating function for the Bernoulli numbers]

2009 Paper 3 Q4
D: 1700.0 B: 1500.0

For any given (suitable) function \(\f\), the Laplace transform of \(\f\) is the function \(\F\) defined by \[ \F(s) = \int_0^\infty \e^{-st}\f(t)\d t \quad \quad \, (s>0) \,. \]

  1. Show that the Laplace transform of \(\e^{-bt}\f(t)\), where \(b>0\), is \(\F(s+b)\).
  2. Show that the Laplace transform of \(\f(at)\), where \(a>0\), is \(a^{-1}\F(\frac s a)\,\).
  3. Show that the Laplace transform of \(\f'(t)\) is \(s\F(s) -\f(0)\,\).
  4. In the case \(\f(t)=\sin t\), show that \(\F(s)= \dfrac 1 {s^2+1}\,\).
Using only these four results, find the Laplace transform of \(\e^{-pt}\cos{qt}\,\), where \(p>0\) and \(q>0\).


Solution:

  1. \begin{align*} \mathcal{L}\{e^{-bt}f(t)\}(s) &= \int_0^{\infty}e^{-st}\{ e^{-bt}f(t) \} \d t \\ &= \int_0^{\infty} e^{-(s+b)t}f(t) \d t \\ &= F(s+b) \end{align*}
  2. \begin{align*} \mathcal{L}\{f(at)\}(s) &= \int_0^{\infty} e^{-st}f(at) \d t \\ &= \int_{u=0}^{\infty}e^{-s \frac{u}{a}} f\left(a \tfrac{u}{a}\right)\frac{1}{a} \d u \\ &= \int_0^{\infty}e^{-su/a}f(u) a^{-1} \d u \\ &= a^{-1} \int_0^{\infty} e^{-(s/a)u}f(u) \d u \\ &= a^{-1} F\left (\frac{s}{a} \right) \end{align*}
  3. \begin{align*} \mathcal{L}\{f'(t)\}(s) &= \int_0^{\infty} e^{-st}f'(t) \d t \\ &= \left [e^{-st} f(t) \right]_0^{\infty} - \int_0^{\infty} -s e^{-st} f(t) \d t\\ &= -f(0)+sF(s) \\ &= sF(s) - f(0) \end{align*}
  4. Since \(f''(t) = -f(t)\) we must have: \begin{align*} && -\mathcal{L}(f)&= \mathcal{L}(f'') \\ &&&= s\mathcal{L}(f') -f'(0) \\ &&&= s(s\mathcal{L}(f)-f(0)) - f'(0) \\ &&&= s^2\mathcal{L}(f) - 1 \\ \Rightarrow && (1+s^2) \mathcal{L}(f) &= 1 \\ \Rightarrow && F(s) &= \frac{1}{1+s^2} \end{align*}
\begin{align*} \mathcal{L}\{e^{-pt}\cos qt\}(s) &= \mathcal{L}\{\cos qt\}(s+p) \\ &= q^{-1}\mathcal{L}\{\cos t\}\left (\frac{s+p}{q} \right) \\ &= q^{-1}\mathcal{L}\{\sin'\}\left (\frac{s+p}{q} \right) \\ &= q^{-1} \left (\frac{s+p}{q} \right) \mathcal{L}\{\sin\} \left (\frac{s+p}{q} \right) - q^{-1}\sin \left (0\right) \\ &= \frac{s+p}{q^2} \frac{1}{1+\left (\frac{s+p}{q} \right)^2 } \\ &= \frac{s+p}{q^2+(s+p)^2} \end{align*}

2009 Paper 3 Q5
D: 1700.0 B: 1516.0

The numbers \(x\), \(y\) and \(z\) satisfy \begin{align*} x+y+z&= 1\\ x^2+y^2+z^2&=2\\ x^3+y^3+z^3&=3\,. \end{align*} Show that \[ yz+zx+xy=-\frac12 \,.\] Show also that \(x^2y+x^2z+y^2z+y^2x+z^2x+z^2y=-1\,\), and hence that \[ xyz=\frac16 \,.\] Let \(S_n=x^n+y^n+z^n\,\). Use the above results to find numbers \(a\), \(b\) and \(c\) such that the relation \[ S_{n+1}=aS_{n}+bS_{n-1}+cS_{n-2}\,, \] holds for all \(n\).


Solution: \begin{align*} && (x+y+z)^2 &= x^2 + y^2 + z^2 + 2(xy+yz+zx) \\ \Rightarrow && 1^2 &= 2 + 2(xy+yz+zx) \\ \Rightarrow && xy+yz+zx &= -\frac12 \end{align*} \begin{align*} && 1 \cdot 2 &= (x+y+z)(x^2+y^2+z^2) \\ &&&= x^3 + y^3 + z^3 + x^2y+x^2z+y^2z+y^2x+z^2x+z^2y \\ &&&= 3 + x^2y+x^2z+y^2z+y^2x+z^2x+z^2y\\ \Rightarrow && -1 &= x^2y+x^2z+y^2z+y^2x+z^2x+z^2y \end{align*} \begin{align*} && (x+y+z)^3 &= x^3 + y^3 + z^3 + \\ &&&\quad \quad 3xy^2 + 3xz^2 + \cdots + 3zx^2 + 3zy^2 + \\ &&&\quad \quad \quad 6xyz \\ \Rightarrow && 1 &= 3 + 3(-1) + 6xyz \\ \Rightarrow && xyz &= \frac16 \end{align*} Since we have \(f(t) = (t-x)(t-y)(t-z) = t^3-t^2-\frac12 t - \frac16\) is zero for \(x,y,z\) we can notice that: \(t^{n+1} = t^n +\frac12 t^{n-1} + \frac16 t^{n-2}\) is also true for \(x,y,z\) (by multiplying by \(t^{n-2}\). Therefore: \(S_{n+1} = S_n + \frac12 S_{n-1} + \frac16 S_{n-2}\)

2009 Paper 3 Q6
D: 1700.0 B: 1473.1

Show that $\big\vert \e^{\i\beta} -\e^{\i\alpha}\big\vert = 2\sin\frac12 (\beta-\alpha)\,\( for \)0<\alpha<\beta<2\pi\,$. Hence show that \[ \big\vert \e^{\i\alpha} -\e^{\i\beta}\big\vert \; \big\vert \e^{\i\gamma} -\e^{\i\delta}\big\vert + \big\vert \e^{\i\beta} -\e^{\i\gamma}\big\vert \; \big\vert \e^{\i\alpha} -\e^{\i\delta}\big\vert = \big\vert \e^{\i\alpha} -\e^{\i\gamma}\big\vert \; \big\vert \e^{\i\beta} -\e^{\i\delta}\big\vert \,, \] where \(0<\alpha<\beta<\gamma<\delta<2\pi\). Interpret this result as a theorem about cyclic quadrilaterals.

2009 Paper 3 Q7
D: 1700.0 B: 1485.5

  1. The functions \(\f_n(x)\) are defined for \(n=0\), \(1\), \(2\), \(\ldots\)\, , by \[ \f_0(x) = \frac 1 {1+x^2}\, \qquad \text{and}\qquad \f_{n+1}(x) =\frac{\d \f_n(x)}{\d x}\,. \] Prove, for \(n\ge1\), that \[ (1+x^2)\f_{n+1}(x) + 2(n+1)x\f_n(x) + n(n+1)\f_{n-1}(x)=0\,. \]
  2. The functions \(\P_n(x)\) are defined for \(n=0\), \(1\), \(2\), \(\ldots\)\, , by \[ \P_n(x) = (1+x^2)^{n+1}\f_n(x)\,. \] Find expressions for \(\P_0(x)\), \(\P_1(x)\) and \(\P_2(x)\). Prove, for \(n\ge0\), that \[ \P_{n+1}(x) -(1+x^2)\frac {\d \P_n(x)}{\d x}+ 2(n+1)x \P_n(x)=0\,, \] and that \(\P_n(x)\) is a polynomial of degree \(n\).

2009 Paper 3 Q8
D: 1700.0 B: 1516.0

Let \(m\) be a positive integer and let \(n\) be a non-negative integer.

  1. Use the result \(\displaystyle \lim_{t\to\infty}\e^{-mt} t^n=0\) to show that \[ \lim_{x\to0} x^m (\ln x)^n =0\,. \] By writing \(x^x\) as \(\e^{x\ln x}\) show that \[ \lim _{x\to0} x^x=1\,. \]
  2. Let \(\displaystyle I_{n} = \int_0^1 x^m (\ln x)^n \d x\,\). Show that \[ I_{n+1} = - \frac {n+1}{m+1} I_{n} \] and hence evaluate \(I_{n}\).
  3. Show that \[ \int_0^1 x^x \d x = 1 -\left(\tfrac12\right)^2 +\left(\tfrac13\right)^3 -\left(\tfrac14\right)^4 + \cdots \,. \]


Solution:

  1. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && \lim_{x \to 0} x^m(\ln x)^n &= \lim_{t \to \infty} (e^{-t})^m (\ln e^{-t})^n \\ &&&= \lim_{t \to \infty} e^{-mt} (-t)^n \\ &&&= (-1)^n \lim_{t \to \infty} e^{-mt} t^n = 0 \\ \\ && \lim_{x \to 0} x^x &= \lim_{x \to 0} e^{x \ln x} \\ &&&= \exp \left (\lim_{x \to 0} x \ln x \right) \\ &&&= \exp \left (0 \right) = 1 \end{align*}
  2. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && I_{n} &= \int_0^1 x^m (\ln x)^n \d x \\ && I_{n+1} &= \int_0^1 x^m (\ln x)^{n+1} \d x \\ &&&= \left [\frac{x^{m+1}}{m+1} (\ln x)^{n+1} \right]_0^1 - \frac{1}{m+1} \int_0^1 x^{m+1} (n+1) (\ln x)^n \cdot x^{-1} \d x \\ &&&= 0 - \frac{1}{m+1} \lim_{x \to 0} \left (x^{m+1} (\ln x)^{n+1} \right) - \frac{n+1}{m+1} \int_0^1 x^m (\ln x)^n \d x \\ &&&= - \frac{n+1}{m+1} I_n \\ \\ && I_0 &= \int_0^1 x^m \d x = \frac{1}{m+1} \\ && I_1 &= -\frac{1}{(m+1)^2} \\ && I_2 &= \frac{2}{(m+1)^3} \\ && I_n &= (-1)^n \frac{n!}{(m+1)^{n+1}} \end{align*}
  3. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && \int_0^1 x^x \d x &= \int_0^1 e^{x \ln x} \d x \\ &&&= \int_0^1 \sum_{k=0}^{\infty} \frac{x^k(\ln x)^k}{k!} \d x \\ &&&= \sum_{k=0}^{\infty} \int_0^1 \frac{x^k(\ln x)^k}{k!} \d x\\ &&&= \sum_{k=0}^{\infty} (-1)^k \frac{k!}{k!(k+1)^{k+1}}\\ &&&= \sum_{k=0}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^k}{(k+1)^{k+1}}\\ &&&= 1 - \frac{1}{2^2} + \frac{1}{3^3} - \frac{1}{4^4} + \cdots \end{align*}

2009 Paper 3 Q9
D: 1700.0 B: 1500.0

A particle is projected under gravity from a point \(P\) and passes through a point \(Q\). The angles of the trajectory with the positive horizontal direction at \(P\) and at \(Q\) are \(\theta\) and \(\phi\), respectively. The angle of elevation of \(Q\) from \(P\) is \(\alpha\).

  1. Show that \(\tan\theta +\tan\phi = 2\tan\alpha\).
  2. It is given that there is a second trajectory from \(P\) to \(Q\) with the same speed of projection. The angles of this trajectory with the positive horizontal direction at \(P\) and at \(Q\) are \(\theta'\) and \(\phi'\), respectively. By considering a quadratic equation satisfied by \(\tan\theta\), show that \(\tan(\theta+\theta') = -\cot\alpha\). Show also that \(\theta+\theta'=\pi+\phi+\phi'\,\).

2009 Paper 3 Q10
D: 1700.0 B: 1484.0

A light spring is fixed at its lower end and its axis is vertical. When a certain particle \(P\) rests on the top of the spring, the compression is \(d\). When, instead, \(P\) is dropped onto the top of the spring from a height \(h\) above it, the compression at time \(t\) after \(P\) hits the top of the spring is \(x\). Obtain a second-order differential equation relating \(x\) and \(t\) for \(0\le t \le T\), where \(T\) is the time at which \(P\) first loses contact with the spring. Find the solution of this equation in the form \[ x= A + B\cos (\omega t) + C\sin(\omega t)\,, \] where the constants \(A\), \(B\), \(C\) and \(\omega\) are to be given in terms of \(d\), \(g\) and \(h\) as appropriate. Show that \[ T = \sqrt{d/g\;} \left (2 \pi - 2 \arctan \sqrt{2h/d\;}\;\right)\,. \]