17 problems found
Let \(f(x)\) be defined and positive for \(x > 0\). Let \(a\) and \(b\) be real numbers with \(0 < a < b\) and define the points \(A = (a, f(a))\) and \(B = (b, -f(b))\). Let \(X = (m,0)\) be the point of intersection of line \(AB\) with the \(x\)-axis.
Solution:
Solution:
The real numbers \(a_1\), \(a_2\), \(a_3\), \(\ldots\) are all positive. For each positive integer \(n\), \(A_n\) and \(G_n\) are defined by \[ A_n = \frac{a_1+a_2 + \cdots + a_n}n \ \ \ \ \ \text{and } \ \ \ \ \ G_n = \big( a_1a_2\cdots a_n\big) ^{1/n} \,. \]
Solution:
Solution:
The diagrams below show two separate systems of particles, strings and pulleys.In both systems, the pulleys are smooth and light, the strings are light and inextensible, the particles move vertically and the pulleys labelled with \(P\) are fixed. The masses of the particles are as indicated on the diagrams.
Solution:
The line \(L\) has equation \(y=c-mx\), with \(m>0\) and \(c>0\). It passes through the point \(R(a,b)\) and cuts the axes at the points \(P(p,0)\) and \(Q(0,q)\), where \(a\), \(b\), \(p\) and \(q\) are all positive. Find \(p\) and \(q\) in terms of \(a\), \(b\) and \(m\). As \(L\) varies with \(R\) remaining fixed, show that the minimum value of the sum of the distances of \(P\) and \(Q\) from the origin is \((a^{\frac12} + b^{\frac12})^2\), and find in a similar form the minimum distance between \(P\) and \(Q\). (You may assume that any stationary values of these distances are minima.)
Solution: \begin{align*} && b &= c - ma \\ \Rightarrow && c &= b+ma \\ \Rightarrow && y &= m(a-x)+b \\ \Rightarrow && q &= ma+b \\ && p &= \frac{ma+b}{m} \\ \\ && d &= p+q \\ &&&= a + \frac{b}{m} + ma + b \\ \Rightarrow && d' &= -bm^{-2}+a \\ \Rightarrow && m &= \sqrt{b/a} \\ \\ \Rightarrow &&d &= a + \sqrt{ba}+\sqrt{ba} + b \\ &&&= (\sqrt{a}+\sqrt{b})^2 \\ \\ && |PQ|^2 &= p^2 + q^2 \\ &&&= a^2 + \frac{2ab}{m} + \frac{b^2}{m^2} + m^2a^2 + 2mab + b^2 \\ &&&= a^2+b^2 + \frac{b^2}{m^2} + \frac{2ab}{m}+ 2abm + a^2m^2 \\ && \frac{\d}{\d m}&= -2b^2m^{-3}-2abm^{-2}+2ab + 2a^2m \\ && 0 &=2a^2m^4+2abm^3-2abm-2b^2 \\ &&&= 2(am^3-b)(am+b) \\ \Rightarrow && m &= \sqrt[3]{\frac{b}{a}} \\ \\ &&|PQ|^2 &= \left[ a^{1/3}(a^{2/3} + b^{2/3}) \right]^2 + \left[ b^{1/3}(a^{2/3} + b^{2/3}) \right]^2 \\ &&&= a^{2/3}(a^{2/3} + b^{2/3})^2 + b^{2/3}(a^{2/3} + b^{2/3})^2 \\ &&&= (a^{2/3} + b^{2/3})^2 \cdot (a^{2/3} + b^{2/3}) \\ &&&= (a^{2/3} + b^{2/3})^3 \\ \Rightarrow && |PQ| &= (a^{2/3} + b^{2/3})^{3/2} \end{align*} We can also do this with AM-GM instead: \begin{align*} && d &= a + b + \frac{b}{m} + am \\ &&&\geq a+b + 2 \sqrt{\frac{b}{m} \cdot am} \\ &&&= a+2\sqrt{ab}+b \\ \\ && |PQ|^2 &= a^2+b^2 + \frac{b^2}{m^2} + \frac{2ab}{m}+ 2abm + a^2m^2 \\ &&&= a^2+b^2 + \frac{b^2}{m} + abm + abm + a^2m^2 + \frac{ab}{m} + \frac{ab}{m} \\ &&&= a^2+b^2 + 3\sqrt[3]{ \frac{b^2}{m} \cdot abm \cdot abm} + 3 \sqrt[3]{ a^2m^2 \cdot \frac{ab}{m} \cdot \frac{ab}{m} } \\ &&&= a^2 + 3b^{4/3}a^{2/3}+3b^{2/3}a^{4/3}+b^2 \\ &&&= (a^{2/3}+b^{2/3})^3 \end{align*}
Prove that, for any real numbers \(x\) and \(y\), \(x^2+y^2\ge2xy\,\).
Prove that, if \(c\ge a\) and \(d\ge b\), then \[ ab+cd\ge bc+ad\,. \tag{\(*\)} \]
Solution: \begin{align*} && \underbrace{(c-a)}_{\geq 0}\underbrace{(d-b)}_{\geq 0} & \geq 0 \\ \Leftrightarrow && cd -bc -ad + ab &\geq 0 \\ \Leftrightarrow && ab +cd &\geq bc+ad \\ \end{align*}
A function \(\f(x)\) is said to be concave on some interval if \(\f''(x)<0\) in that interval. Show that \(\sin x\) is concave for \(0< x < \pi\) and that \(\ln x\) is concave for \(x > 0\). Let \(\f(x)\) be concave on a given interval and let \(x_1\), \(x_2\), \(\ldots\), \(x_n\) lie in the interval. Jensen's inequality states that \[ \frac1 n \sum_{k=1}^n\f(x_k) \le \f \bigg (\frac1 n \sum_{k=1}^n x_k\bigg) \] and that equality holds if and only if \(x_1=x_2= \cdots =x_n\). You may use this result without proving it.
Solution: \begin{align*} && f(x) &= \sin x \\ \Rightarrow && f''(x) &= -\sin x \end{align*} which is clearly negative on \((0,\pi)\) since \(\sin\) is positive on this interval. \begin{align*} && f(x) &= \ln x \\ \Rightarrow && f''(x) &= -1/x^2 \end{align*} which is clearly negative for \(x > 0\)
Given that $$\e = 1 + {1 \over 1 !} + {1 \over 2 !} + {1 \over 3 !} + \cdots + {1 \over r !} + \cdots \; ,$$ use the binomial theorem to show that $$ {\left( 1 + {1 \over n} \right)}^{\!n} < \e $$ for any positive integer \(n\). The product \({\rm P }( n )\) is defined, for any positive integer \(n\), by $$ {\rm P} ( n ) = {3 \over 2} \cdot {5 \over 4} \cdot {9 \over 8} \cdot \ldots \cdot {2^n + 1 \over 2^n} . $$ Use the arithmetic-geometric mean inequality, $$ {a_1 + a_2 + \cdots + a_n \over n} \ge \ {\left( a_1 \cdot a_2 \cdot \ldots \cdot a_n \right)}^{1 \over n}\,, $$ to show that \({\rm P }( n ) < \e\) for all \(n\) . Explain briefly why \({\rm P} ( n )\) tends to a limit as \(n\to\infty\). Show that this limit, \(L\), satisfies \(2 < L\le\e\).
Solution:
Which of the following statements are true and which are false? Justify your answers.
Solution:
In this question, you may assume that if \(k_1,\dots,k_n\) are distinct positive real numbers, then \[\frac1n\sum_{r=1}^nk_r>\left({\prod\limits_{r=1}^n} k_r\right )^{\!\! \frac1n},\] i.e. their arithmetic mean is greater than their geometric mean. Suppose that \(a\), \(b\), \(c\) and \(d\) are positive real numbers such that the polynomial \[{\rm f}(x)=x^4-4ax^3+6b^2x^2-4c^3x+d^4\] has four distinct positive roots.
Solution:
A cylindrical biscuit tin has volume \(V\) and surface area \(S\) (including the ends). Show that the minimum possible surface area for a given value of \(V\) is \(S=3(2\pi V^{2})^{1/3}.\) For this value of \(S\) show that the volume of the largest sphere which can fit inside the tin is \(\frac{2}{3}V\), and find the volume of the smallest sphere into which the tin fits.
Solution: Suppose we have height \(h\) and radius \(r\), then: \(V = \pi r^2 h\) and \(S = 2\pi r^2 + 2\pi r h\). \(h = \frac{V}{\pi r^2}\), so \begin{align*} S &= 2 \pi r^2 + 2 \pi r\frac{V}{\pi r^2} \\ &= 2\pi r^2 +V \frac1{r}+V \frac1{r} \\ &\underbrace{ \geq }_{\text{AM-GM}} 3 \sqrt[3]{2\pi r^2 \frac{V^2}{r^2} } = 3 (2 \pi V^2)^{1/3} \end{align*} Equality holds when \(r = \sqrt[3]{\frac{V}{2 \pi}}, h = \frac{V}{\pi (V/2\pi)^{2/3}} = \sqrt[3]{\frac{4V}{\pi}}\) Since \(h > r\) the sphere has a maximum radius of \(r\) and so it's largest volume is \(\frac43 \pi r^3 = \frac43 \pi \frac{V}{2 \pi} = \frac23 V\).
Suppose that \(a_{i}>0\) for all \(i>0\). Show that \[ a_{1}a_{2}\leqslant\left(\frac{a_{1}+a_{2}}{2}\right)^{2}. \] Prove by induction that for all positive integers \(m\) \[ a_{1}\cdots a_{2^{m}}\leqslant\left(\frac{a_{1}+\cdots+a_{2^{m}}}{2^{m}}\right)^{2^{m}}.\tag{*} \] If \(n<2^{m}\), put \(b_{1}=a_{2},\) \(b_{2}=a_{2},\cdots,b_{n}=a_{n}\) and \(b_{n+1}=\cdots=b_{2^{m}}=A\), where \[ A=\frac{a_{1}+\cdots+a_{n}}{n}. \] By applying \((*)\) to the \(b_{i},\) show that \[ a_{1}\cdots a_{n}A^{(2^{m}-n)}\leqslant A^{2^{m}} \] (notice that \(b_{1}+\cdots+b_{n}=nA).\) Deduce the (arithmetic mean)/(geometric mean) inequality \[ \left(a_{1}\cdots a_{n}\right)^{1/n}\leqslant\frac{a_{1}+\cdots+a_{n}}{n}. \]
Solution: \begin{align*} && 0 &\leqslant (a_1 - a_2)^2 \\ &&&= a_1^2 -2a_1a_2 + a_2^2 \\ &&&= (a_1+a_2)^2 -4a_1a_2 \\ \Leftrightarrow && a_1a_2 &\leqslant \left ( \frac{a_1+a_2}2 \right)^2 \end{align*} Claim: \((*)\) is true Proof: (By induction) We have already proven the base case. Suppose it is true for some \(m\), then consider \(m+1\) \begin{align*} && a_1 \cdots a_{2^m} &\leqslant \left ( \frac{a_1 + \cdots + a_{2^m}}{2^m} \right)^{2^m} \tag{by (*)} \\ && a_{2^m+1} \cdots a_{2^{m+1}} &\leqslant \left ( \frac{a_{2^m+1} + \cdots + a_{2^{m+1}}}{2^m} \right)^{2^m} \tag{by (*)} \\ \Rightarrow && (a_1 \cdots a_{2^m})^{1/2^m} &\leqslant \left ( \frac{a_1 + \cdots + a_{2^m}}{2^m} \right) \\ && (a_{2^m+1} \cdots a_{2^{m+1}})^{1/2^m} &\leqslant \left ( \frac{a_{2^m+1} + \cdots + a_{2^{m+1}}}{2^m} \right) \\ \Rightarrow && (a_1 \cdots a_{2^m})^{1/2^m} \cdot (a_{2^m+1} \cdots a_{2^{m+1}})^{1/2^m} &\leqslant \left ( \frac{ (a_1 \cdots a_{2^m})^{1/2^m} +(a_{2^m+1} \cdots a_{2^{m+1}})^{1/2^m} }{2} \right )^2 \\ &&&\leqslant \left ( \frac{ \frac{a_1 + \cdots + a_{2^m}}{2^m}+\frac{a_{2^m+1} + \cdots + a_{2^{m+1}}}{2^m} }{2} \right )^2 \\ &&&\leqslant \left ( \frac{ a_1 + \cdots + a_{2^m}+a_{2^m+1} + \cdots + a_{2^{m+1}} }{2^{m+1}} \right )^2 \\ \Rightarrow && a_1 \cdots a_{2^{m+1}} &\leqslant \left ( \frac{a_1 + \cdots + a_{2^{m+1}}}{2^{m+1}} \right)^{2^{m+1}} \end{align*} Which is precisely \((*)\) for \(m+1\). Therefore our statement is true by induction. Suppose \(n < 2^m\) and \(b_1 = a_1, b_2 = a_2, \cdots b_n = a_n\) and \(b_{n+1} = \cdots = b_{2^m} = A\) where \(A = \frac{a_1 + \cdots + a_n}{n}\) then \begin{align*} && b_1 \cdots b_n \cdot b_{n+1} \cdots b_{2^m} &\leq \left ( \frac{b_1 + \cdots + b_n + b_{n+1} + \cdots + b_{2^m}}{2^{m}} \right)^{2^m} \\ \Leftrightarrow && a_1 \cdots a_n \cdot A^{2^m-n} &\leq \left ( \frac{a_1 + \cdots + a_n + (2^m-n)A}{2^m} \right)^{2^m} \\ &&&= \left ( \frac{nA + (2^m - n)A}{2^m} \right)^{2^m} \\ &&&= A^{2^m} \\ \Rightarrow && a_1 \cdots a_n &\leq A^n \\ \Rightarrow && (a_1 \cdots a_n)^{1/n} &\leq A = \frac{a_1 + \cdots + a_n}{n} \end{align*}