Problems

Filters
Clear Filters

31 problems found

2019 Paper 2 Q12
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

The random variable \(X\) has the probability density function on the interval \([0, 1]\): $$f(x) = \begin{cases} nx^{n-1} & 0 \leq x \leq 1, \\ 0 & \text{elsewhere}, \end{cases}$$ where \(n\) is an integer greater than 1.

  1. Let \(\mu = E(X)\). Find an expression for \(\mu\) in terms of \(n\), and show that the variance, \(\sigma^2\), of \(X\) is given by $$\sigma^2 = \frac{n}{(n + 1)^2(n + 2)}.$$
  2. In the case \(n = 2\), show without using decimal approximations that the interquartile range is less than \(2\sigma\).
  3. Write down the first three terms and the \((k + 1)\)th term (where \(0 \leq k \leq n\)) of the binomial expansion of \((1 + x)^n\) in ascending powers of \(x\). By setting \(x = \frac{1}{n}\), show that \(\mu\) is less than the median and greater than the lower quartile. Note: You may assume that $$1 + \frac{1}{1!} + \frac{1}{2!} + \frac{1}{3!} + \cdots < 4.$$


Solution:

  1. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && \mu &= \E[X] \\ &&&= \int_0^1 x f(x) \d x \\ &&&= \int_0^1 nx^n \d x \\ &&&= \frac{n}{n+1} \\ \\ && \var[X] &= \sigma^2 \\ &&&= \E[X^2] - \mu^2 \\ &&&= \int_0^1 x^2 f(x) \d x - \mu^2 \\ &&&= \int_0^1 nx^{n+1} \d x - \mu^2 \\ &&&= \frac{n}{n+2} - \frac{n^2}{(n+1)^2} \\ &&&= \frac{n(n+1)^2 - n^2(n+2)}{(n+1)^2(n+2)} \\ &&&= \frac{n}{(n+1)^2(n+2)} \end{align*}
  2. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && \frac14 &= \int_0^{Q_1} 2x \d x \\ &&&= Q_1^2 \\ \Rightarrow && Q_1 &= \frac12 \\ && \frac34 &= \int_0^{Q_3} 2x \d x \\ &&&= Q_3^2 \\ \Rightarrow && Q_3 &= \frac{\sqrt{3}}2 \\ \\ \Rightarrow && IQR &= Q_3 - Q_1 = \frac{\sqrt{3}-1}{2} \\ && 2 \sigma &= 2\sqrt{\frac{2}{3^2 \cdot 4}} \\ &&&= \frac{\sqrt{2}}{3} \\ \\ && 2\sigma - IRQ &= \frac{\sqrt{2}}{3} - \frac{\sqrt{3}-1}{2} \\ &&&= \frac{2\sqrt{2}-3\sqrt{3}+3}{6} \\ && (3+2\sqrt{2})^2 &= 17+12\sqrt{2} > 29 \\ && (3\sqrt{3})^2 &= 27 \end{align*} Therefore \(2\sigma > IQR\)
  3. \[ (1+x)^n = 1 + nx + \frac{n(n-1)}2 x^2 + \cdots + \binom{n}{k} x^k+ \cdots \] \begin{align*} && Q_1^{-n} &= 4 \\ && Q_2^{-n} &= 2\\ && \mu &=\frac{n}{n+1} \\ \Rightarrow && \mu^{-n} &= \left (1 + \frac1n \right)^n\\ &&&\geq 1 + n \frac1n + \cdots > 2 \\ \Rightarrow && \mu &< Q_2 \\ \\ && \mu^{-n} &= \left (1 + \frac1n \right)^n\\ &&&= 1 + n \frac1n + \frac{n(n-1)}{2!} \frac{1}{n^2} + \cdots + \frac{n(n-1) \cdots (n-k+1)}{k!} \frac{1}{n^k} + \cdots \\ &&&= 1 + 1 + \left (1 - \frac1n \right ) \frac1{2!} + \cdots + \left (1 - \frac1n \right)\cdot\left (1 - \frac2n \right) \cdots \left (1 - \frac{k-1}n \right) \frac{1}{k!} + \cdots \\ &&&< 1 + 1 + \frac1{2!} + \cdots + \frac1{k!} \\ &&&< 4 \\ \Rightarrow && \mu &> Q_1 \end{align*}

2018 Paper 2 Q5
D: 1600.0 B: 1505.3

In this question, you should ignore issues of convergence.

  1. Write down the binomial expansion, for \(\vert x \vert<1\,\), of \(\;\dfrac{1}{1+x}\,\) and deduce that %. By considering %$ %\displaystyle \int \frac 1 {1+x} \, \d x %\,, %$ %show that \[ \displaystyle \ln (1+x) = -\sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac {(-x)^n}n \, \] for \(\vert x \vert <1 \,\).
  2. Write down the series expansion in powers of \(x\) of \(\displaystyle \e^{-ax}\,\). Use this expansion to show that \[ \int_0^\infty \frac {\left(1- \e^{-ax}\right)\e^{-x}}x \,\d x = \ln(1+a) \ \ \ \ \ \ \ (\vert a \vert <1)\,. \]
  3. Deduce the value of \[ \int_0^1 \frac{x^p - x^q}{\ln x} \, \d x \ \ \ \ \ \ (\vert p\vert <1, \ \vert q\vert <1) \,. \]


Solution:

  1. \begin{align*} && \frac1{1+x} &= 1 - x+ x^2 - x^3+ \cdots \\ \Rightarrow && \int_0^x \frac{1}{1+t} \d t &= \int_0^x \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} (-t)^n \d t \\ &&&= \left [\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} -\frac{(-t)^{n+1}}{n+1} \right]_0^x \\ \Rightarrow &&\ln(1+x)&=- \sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{(-x)^n}{n} \end{align*}
  2. \begin{align*} && e^{-ax} &= \sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{(-a)^n}{n!} x^n \\ \Rightarrow && \int_0^{\infty} \frac{1}{x} \left (1-e^{-ax} \right)e^{-x} \d x &= \int_0^{\infty} \frac{1}{x} \left (-\sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{(-a)^n}{n!}x^n \right)e^{-x} \d x \\ &&&= -\int_0^{\infty} \sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{(-a)^n}{n!} x^{n-1} e^{-x} \d x \\ &&&= -\sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{(-a)^n}{n!} \int_0^{\infty} x^{n-1} e^{-x} \d x \\ &&&= -\sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{(-a)^n}{n!} (n-1)! \\ &&&= -\sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{(-a)^n}{n} \\ &&&= \ln (1+a) \end{align*}
  3. \begin{align*} && \int_0^1 \frac{x^p - x^q}{\ln x} \, \d x &= \int_0^1 \frac{x^p(1 - x^{q-p})}{\ln x} \, \d x \\ e^{-u} = x, \d x = -e^{-u} \d u: &&&=\int_{u=\infty}^{0} \frac{e^{-pu}-e^{-qu}}{-u} (-e^{-u})\d u \\ &&&= \int_0^\infty \frac{e^{-u}(e^{-qu}-e^{-pu})}{u} \d u \\ &&&= \int_0^\infty \frac{e^{-(1+q)u}(1-e^{-(p-q)u})}{u} \d u \\ v = (1+q)u, \d v = (1+q) \d u: &&&=\int_0^{\infty} \frac{e^{-v}(1-e^{-\left(\frac{p-q}{1+q}\right)v}}{v}\d v \\ &&&= \ln \left(1 + \frac{p-q}{1+q} \right) \\ &&&= \ln \left ( \frac{1+p}{1+q} \right) \end{align*}

2018 Paper 3 Q7
D: 1700.0 B: 1516.0

  1. Use De Moivre's theorem to show that, if \(\sin\theta\ne0\)\,, then \[ \frac{ \left(\cot \theta + \rm{i}\right)^{2n+1} -\left(\cot \theta - \rm{i}\right)^{2n+1}}{2\rm{i}} = \frac{\sin \left(2n+1\right)\theta} {\sin^{2n+1}\theta} \,, \] for any positive integer \(n\). Deduce that the solutions of the equation \[ \binom{2n+1}{1}x^{n}-\binom{2n+1}{3}x^{n-1} +\cdots + \left(-1\right)^{n}=0 \] are \[x=\cot^{2}\left(\frac{m\pi}{2n+1}\right) \] where \( m=1\), \(2\), \(\ldots\) , \(n\,\).
  2. Hence show that \[ \sum_{m=1}^n \cot^{2}\left(\frac{m\pi}{2n+1}\right) =\frac{n\left(2n-1\right)}{3}. \]
  3. Given that \(0<\sin \theta <\theta <\tan \theta\) for \(0 < \theta < \frac{1}{2}\pi\), show that \[ \cot^{2}\theta<\frac{1}{\theta^{2}}<1+\cot^{2}\theta. \] Hence show that \[ \sum^\infty_{m=1} \frac{1}{m^2}= \frac{\pi^2}{6}\,.\]


Solution:

  1. \begin{align*} \frac{\left(\cot \theta + i\right)^{2n+1} -\left(\cot \theta - i\right)^{2n+1}}{2i} &= \frac{1}{\sin^{2n+1} \theta}\frac{\left(\cos \theta + i \sin \theta \right)^{2n+1} -\left(\cos\theta - i\sin \theta\right)^{2n+1}}{2i} \\ &= \frac{1}{\sin^{2n+1} \theta} \frac{e^{i(2n+1) \theta} - e^{-i(2n+1) \theta} }{2i} \\ &=\frac{\sin (2n+1) \theta}{\sin^{2n+1} \theta} \end{align*} Notice that: \begin{align*} (\cot \theta + i)^{2n+1} - (\cot \theta - i)^{2n+1} &= \sum_{k=0}^{2n+1} \binom{2n+1}{k}(i)^k \cdot \cot^{2n+1-k} \theta - \sum_{k=0}^{2n+1} \binom{2n+1}{k}(-i)^k \cdot \cot^{2n+1-k} \theta \\ &= \sum_{k=0}^{2n+1} \binom{2n+1}{k} \l i^k - (-i)^k \r \cdot \cot^{2n+1-k} \theta \\ &= \sum_{l=0}^{n} \binom{2n+1}{2l+1} \l i^{2l+1} - (-i)^{2l+1} \r \cdot \cot^{2n+1-(2l+1)} \theta \\ &= \sum_{l=0}^{n} \binom{2n+1}{2l+1} 2i \cdot \cot^{2(n-l)} \theta \\ &= 2i\sum_{l=0}^{n} \binom{2n+1}{2l+1} \cot^{2(n-l)} \theta \\ \end{align*} Therefore if \(\theta\) satisfies \(\frac{\sin (2n+1) \theta}{\sin^{2n+1} \theta} = 0\) then \(z = \cot^2 \theta\) satisfies the equation. But \(\theta = \frac{m \pi}{2n+1}, m = 1, 2, \ldots, n\) are \(n\) distinct all the roots must be \(\cot^2 \frac{m \pi}{2n+1}\).
  2. Notice that the sum of the roots will be \(\displaystyle \frac{\binom{2n+1}{3}}{\binom{2n+1}{1}} = \frac{(2n+1)\cdot 2n \cdot (2n-1)}{3! \cdot (2n+1)} = \frac{n \cdot (2n-1)}{3}\) and so \[ \sum_{m=1}^n \cot^{2}\left(\frac{m\pi}{2n+1}\right) =\frac{n\left(2n-1\right)}{3}. \]
  3. For \(0 < \theta < \frac{1}{2}\pi\), \begin{align*} && 0 < \sin \theta < \theta < \tan \theta \\ \Leftrightarrow && 0 < \cot \theta < \frac{1}{\theta} < \frac{1}{\sin \theta} \\ \Leftrightarrow && 0 < \cot^2 \theta < \frac{1}{\theta^2} < \cosec^2 \theta = 1 + \cot^2 \theta\\ \end{align*} Therefore \begin{align*} && \sum_{n=1}^N \cot^2 \frac{n \pi}{2N+1} < \sum_{n=1}^N \frac{(2N+1)^2}{n^2 \pi^2} < N + \sum_{n=1}^N \cot^2 \frac{n \pi}{2N+1} \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{1}{(2N+1)^2} \frac{N(2N-1)}{3} < \sum_{n=1}^N \frac{1}{n^2 \pi^2} < \frac{1}{(2N+1)^2} \l \frac{N(2N-1)}{3} + 1 \r \\ \Rightarrow && \lim_{N \to \infty}\frac{1}{(2N+1)^2} \frac{N(2N-1)}{3} < \lim_{N \to \infty}\sum_{n=1}^N \frac{1}{n^2 \pi^2} < \lim_{N \to \infty}\frac{1}{(2N+1)^2} \l \frac{N(2N-1)}{3} + 1 \r \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{1}{6} \leq \lim_{N \to \infty}\sum_{n=1}^N \frac{1}{n^2 \pi^2} \leq \frac16 \\ \Rightarrow && \sum_{n=1}^N \frac{1}{n^2} = \frac{\pi^2}{6} \end{align*}

2017 Paper 2 Q13
D: 1600.0 B: 1516.0

In a television game show, a contestant has to open a door using a key. The contestant is given a bag containing \(n\) keys, where \(n\ge2\). Only one key in the bag will open the door. There are three versions of the game. In each version, the contestant starts by choosing a key at random from the bag.

  1. In version 1, after each failed attempt at opening the door the key that has been tried is put back into the bag and the contestant again selects a key at random from the bag. By considering the binomial expansion of \(( 1 - q)^{-2}\), or otherwise, find the expected number of attempts required to open the door.
  2. In version 2, after each failed attempt at opening the door the key that has been tried is put aside and the contestant selects another key at random from the bag. Find the expected number of attempts required to open the door.
  3. In version 3, after each failed attempt at opening the door the key that has been tried is put back into the bag and another incorrect key is added to the bag. The contestant then selects a key at random from the bag. Show that the probability that the contestant draws the correct key at the \(k\)th attempt is \[ \frac{n-1}{(n+k-1)(n+k-2)} \,.\] Show also, using partial fractions, that the expected number of attempts required to open the door is infinite. You may use without proof the result that \(\displaystyle\sum_{m=1}^N \dfrac 1 m \to \infty \,\) as \(N\to \infty\,\).


Solution:

  1. The probability they pull the key out on the \(k\)th attempt will be \(\left ( \frac{n-1}{n} \right)^{k-1} \frac1n\), so we want: \begin{align*} \E[G_1] &= \sum_{k=1}^{\infty} k \cdot \left ( \frac{n-1}{n} \right)^{k-1} \frac1n \\ &= \frac{1}n \sum_{k=1}^{\infty} k \cdot \left ( \frac{n-1}{n} \right)^{k-1} \\ &= \frac1n \frac{1}{\left (1 - \frac{n-1}{n} \right)^2} \\ &= \frac{1}{n} \frac{n^2}{1^2} = n \end{align*}
  2. In version 2, the probability the correct key comes out at the \(k\)th attempt is \(\frac1n\) (assume we take out all the keys, then the correct key is equally likely to appear in all of the space). Therefore \(\E[G_2] = \frac1n (1 + 2 + \cdots + n) = \frac{n+1}{2}\)
  3. The probability the key comes out on the correct attempt is: \begin{align*} && \mathbb{P}(G_3 = k) &= \frac{n-1}{n} \cdot \frac{n}{n+1} \cdot \frac{n+1}{n+2} \cdots \frac{n+k-3}{n+k-2} \cdot \frac{1}{n+k-1} \\ &&&= \frac{n-1}{(n+k-2)(n+k-1)} \\ \\ &&k \cdot \mathbb{P}(G_3 = k) &= \frac{k(n-1)}{(n+k-2)(n+k-1)} \\ &&&= \frac{(n-1)(2-n)}{n+k-2} + \frac{(n-1)^2}{n+k-1} \\ &&&= \frac{(n-1)^2}{n+k-1} - \frac{(n-1)^2}{n+k-2} + \frac{n-1}{n-k+2} \\ \Rightarrow && \E[G_3] &= \sum_{k=1}^{\infty} k \cdot \mathbb{P}(G_3 = k) \\ &&&= \sum_{k=1}^{\infty} \left ( \frac{(n-1)^2}{n+k-1} - \frac{(n-1)^2}{n+k-2} + \frac{n-1}{n+k-2} \right) \\ &&&= \sum_{k=1}^{\infty} \left ( \frac{(n-1)^2}{n+k-1} - \frac{(n-1)^2}{n+k-2} \right) +\underbrace{\sum_{k=1}^{\infty} \frac{n-1}{n-k+2}}_{\to \infty} \\ \end{align*}

2016 Paper 1 Q1
D: 1500.0 B: 1516.0

  1. For \(n=1\), \(2\), \(3\) and \(4\), the functions \(\p_n\) and \(\q_n\) are defined by \[ \p_n(x) = (x+1)^{2n} - (2n+1)x (x^2+x+1)^{n-1} \] and \[ \q_n(x) = \frac{x^{2n+1}+1}{x+1} \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ (x\ne -1) \,. \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \] Show that \(\p_n(x)\equiv \q_n(x)\) (for \(x\ne-1\)) in the cases \(n=1\), \(n=2\) and \(n=3\). Show also that this does not hold in the case \(n=4\).
  2. Using results from part (i):
    • \(\bf (a)\) express \( \ \dfrac {300^3 +1}{301}\,\) as the product of two factors (neither of which is 1);
    • \(\bf (b)\) express \( \ \dfrac {7^{49}+1}{7^7+1}\,\) as the product of two factors (neither of which is 1), each written in terms of various powers of 7 which you should not attempt to calculate explicitly.


Solution:

  1. \(n=1\): \begin{align*} && p_1(x) &= (x+1)^2 - 3x(x^2+x+1)^0 \\ &&&= x^2+2x+1-3x \\ &&&= x^2-x+1\\ && q_1(x) &= \frac{x^3+1}{x+1} \\ &&&= x^2-x+1 = p_1(x) \\ \\ && p_2(x) &= (x+1)^4-5x(x^2+x+1)^1 \\ &&&= x^4+4x^3+6x^2+4x+1 - 5x^3-5x^2-5x \\ &&&= x^4-x^3+x^2-x+1 \\ &&q_2(x) &= \frac{x^5+1}{x+1} \\ &&&= x^4-x^3+x^2-x+1 = p_2(x) \\ \\ && p_3(x) &= (x+1)^6-7x(x^2+x+1)^2 \\ &&&= x^6+6x^5+15x^4+20x^3+15x^2+6x+1 - 7x(x^4+2x^3+3x^2+2x+1) \\ &&&= x^6-x^5+x^4-x^3+x^2-x+1 \\ && q_3(x) &= \frac{x^7+1}{x+1} \\ &&&= x^6-x^5+x^4-x^3+x^2-x+1 = p_3(x) \\ \\ && p_4(1) &= 2^8 - 9 \cdot 1 \cdot 3^3 \\ &&&= 256 - 243 = 13 \\ && q_4(1) &= \frac{2}{2} = 1 \neq 13 \end{align*}
    • \(\bf (a)\) \(\,\) \begin{align*} && \frac{300^3+1}{300+1} &= (300+1)^2 - 3 \cdot 300 \\ &&&= 301^2 - 30^2 \\ &&&= 271 \cdot 331 \end{align*}
    • \(\bf (b)\) \(\,\) \begin{align*} && \dfrac {7^{49}+1}{7^7+1} &= (7^7+1)^6 - 7 \cdot 7^7 \cdot (7^2+7+1)^2 \\ &&&= (7^7+1)^6 - 7^8 \cdot (7^2+7+1)^2 \\ &&&= ((7^7+1)^3 - 7^4(7^2+7+1)) \cdot ((7^7+1)^3 + 7^4(7^2+7+1)) \end{align*}

2016 Paper 2 Q5
D: 1600.0 B: 1484.0

In this question, the definition of \(\displaystyle\binom pq\) is taken to be \[ \binom pq = \begin{cases} \dfrac{p!}{q!(p-q)!} & \text{ if } p\ge q\ge0 \,,\\[4mm] 0 & \text{ otherwise } . \end{cases} \]

  1. Write down the coefficient of \(x^n\) in the binomial expansion for \((1-x)^{-N}\), where \(N\) is a positive integer, and write down the expansion using the \(\Sigma\) summation notation. By considering $ (1-x)^{-1} (1-x)^{-N} \, ,$ where \(N\) is a positive integer, show that \[ \sum_{j=0}^n \binom { N+j -1}{j} = \binom{N+n}{n}\,. \]
  2. Show that, for any positive integers \(m\), \(n\) and \(r\) with \(r\le m+n\), \[ \binom{m+n} r = \sum _{j=0}^r \binom m j \binom n {r-j} \,. \]
  3. Show that, for any positive integers \(m\) and \(N\), \[ \sum_{j=0}^n(-1)^{j} \binom {N+m} {n-j} \binom {m+j-1}{j } = \displaystyle \binom N n . \]


Solution:

  1. \(\frac{(-N)(-N-1)\cdots(-N-n+1)}{n!} = \binom{N+n-1}{n}\), so \[ (1-x)^{-N} = \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \binom{N+n-1}{n} x^n\] \begin{align*} && (1-x)^{-N-1} &= (1-x)^{-1}(1-x)^{-N} \\ &&&= (1 + x + x^2 + \cdots)\left ( \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \binom{N+n-1}{n} x^n\right)\\ [x^{n}]: && \binom{N+1+n-1}{n} &= \sum_{j=0}^n \underbrace{1}_{x^{n-j} \text{ from 1st bracket}}\cdot\underbrace{\binom{N+j-1}{j}}_{x^j\text{ from second bracket}} \\ \Rightarrow && \binom{N+n}{n} &= \sum_{j=0}^n \binom{N+j-1}{j} \end{align*}
  2. Consider \((1+x)^{m+n} = (1+x)^m(1+x)^n\) and consider the coefficient of \(x^r\) from each side. On the left hand side this is clearly \(\binom{m+n}{r}\) on the right hand side we can take \(x^j\) from \((1+x)^m\) and \(x^{n-j}\) from \((1+x)^n\) and \(j\) can take any value from \(0\) to \(r\), ie \[ \binom{m+n} r = \sum _{j=0}^r \binom m j \binom n {r-j} \]
  3. Consider \((1-x)^{-(N+m+1)} = (\)

2015 Paper 1 Q13
D: 1500.0 B: 1501.1

A fair die with faces numbered \(1, \ldots, 6\) is thrown repeatedly. The events \(A\), \(B\), \(C\), \(D\) and \(E\) are defined as follows. \begin{align*} A: && \text{the first 6 arises on the \(n\)th throw.}\\ B: && \text{at least one 5 arises before the first 6.} \\ C: && \text{at least one 4 arises before the first 6.}\\ D: && \text{exactly one 5 arises before the first 6.}\\ E: && \text{exactly one 4 arises before the first 6.} \end{align*} Evaluate the following probabilities:

  1. \(\P(A)\)
  2. \(\P(B)\)
  3. \(\P(B\cap C)\)
  4. \(\P(D)\)
  5. \(\P(D\cup E)\)
For some parts of this question, you may want to make use of the binomial expansion in the form: \[ (1-x)^{-n} = 1 +nx +\frac {n(n+1)}2 x^2 + \cdots + \frac {(n+r-1)!}{r! (n-1)!}x^r +\cdots\ .\]


Solution:

  1. \(\,\) \begin{align*} \mathbb{P}(A) &= \mathbb{P}(\text{the first 6 arises on the \(n\)th throw.}) \\ &= \mathbb{P}(\text{\(n-1\) not 6s, followed by a 6.})\\ &= \left ( \frac56\right)^{n-1} \cdot \frac16 = \frac{5^{n-1}}{6^n} \end{align*}
  2. There is nothing special about \(5\) or \(6\), so which comes first is \(50:50\), therefore this probability is \(\frac12\)
  3. There is nothing special about \(4\), \(5\) or \(6\) so this is the probability that \(6\) appears last out of these three numbers, hence \(\frac13\)
  4. \(\,\) \begin{align*} \mathbb{P}(D) &= \mathbb{P}(\text{exactly one 5 arises before the first 6.}) \\ &=\sum_{n=2}^{\infty} \mathbb{P}(\text{exactly one 5 arises before the first 6 which appears on the \(n\)th roll.}) \\ &= \sum_{n=2}^{\infty} \binom{n-1}{1} \left ( \frac46 \right)^{n-2} \frac16 \cdot \frac16 \\ &= \frac1{36} \sum_{n=2}^{\infty} (n-1) \left ( \frac23 \right)^{n-2} \\ &= \frac1{36} \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} n \left ( \frac23 \right)^{n-1} \\ &= \frac1{36} \frac{1}{\left ( 1- \frac23 \right)^2} = \frac14 \end{align*}
  5. \(\,\) \begin{align*} \mathbb{P}(D \cup E) &= \mathbb{P}(D) + \mathbb{P}(E) - \mathbb{P}(D \cap E) \\ &= \frac12 - \mathbb{P}(D \cap E) \\ &=\frac12 - \sum_{n=3}^{\infty} \mathbb{P}(\text{exactly one 5 and one 4 arises before the first 6 which appears on the \(n\)th roll.}) \\ &=\frac12 - \sum_{n=3}^{\infty} 2\binom{n-1}{2} \left ( \frac36 \right)^{n-3}\cdot \frac16 \cdot \frac16 \cdot \frac16 \\ &=\frac12 - \frac2{6^3}\sum_{n=3}^{\infty} \frac{(n-1)(n-2)}{2} \left ( \frac12 \right)^{n-3} \\ &=\frac12 - \frac2{6^3}\frac{1}{(1-\tfrac12)^3}\\ &= \frac12 - \frac{2}{27} \\ &= \frac{23}{54} \end{align*}

2011 Paper 3 Q7
D: 1700.0 B: 1486.2

Let \[ T _n = \left( \sqrt{a+1} + \sqrt a\right)^n\,, \] where \(n\) is a positive integer and \(a\) is any given positive integer.

  1. In the case when \(n\) is even, show by induction that \(T_n\) can be written in the form \[ A_n +B_n \sqrt{a(a+1)}\,, \] where \(A_n\) and \(B_n\) are integers (depending on \(a\) and \(n\)) and \(A_n^2 =a(a+1)B_n^2 +1\).
  2. In the case when \(n\) is odd, show by considering \((\sqrt{a+1} +\sqrt a)T_m\) where \(m\) is even, or otherwise, that \(T_n\) can be written in the form \[ C_n \sqrt {a+1} + D_n \sqrt a \,, \] where \(C_n\) and \(D_n\) are integers (depending on \(a\) and \(n\)) and \( (a+1)C_n^2 = a D_n^2 +1\,\).
  3. Deduce that, for each \(n\), \(T_n\) can be written as the sum of the square roots of two consecutive integers.


Solution:

  1. Claim: For all \(n \geq 1\) \(T_{2n} = A_{2n} + B_{2n}\sqrt{a(a+1)}\) where \(A_{2n}, B_{2n}\) are integers and \(A_{2n}^2 = a(a+1)B_{2n}^2+1\) Proof: (By induction) Base case: \(n =1\). \begin{align*} && T_2 &= (\sqrt{a+1}+\sqrt{a})^2 \\ &&&= a+1+2\sqrt{a(a+1)}+a \\ &&&=2a+1+2\sqrt{a(a+1)} \\ \Rightarrow && A_2 &= 2a+1 \\ && B_2 &= 2 \\ && A_2^2 &= 4a^2+4a+1 \\ && a(a+1)B_1^2 + 1 &= 4a^2+4a+1 \end{align*} Therefore our base case is true. Suppose it is true for some \(n = k\) then consider \(n = k+1\) we must have \(T_{2k} = A_{2k}+B_{2k}\sqrt{a(a+1)}\) \begin{align*} && T_{2(k+1)} &= T_{2k} (\sqrt{a+1}+\sqrt{a})^2 \\ &&&= \left (A_{2k}+B_{2k}\sqrt{a(a+1)} \right)\left (2a+1+2\sqrt{a(a+1)} \right) \\ &&&= (2a+1)A_{2k}+2a(a+1)B_{2k} + (2A_{2k}+(2a+1)B_{2k})\sqrt{a(a+1)} \\ \Rightarrow && A_{2(k+1)} &= (2a+1)A_{2k}+2a(a+1)B_{2k} \in \mathbb{Z} \\ && B_{2(k+1)} &= 2A_{2k}+(2a+1)B_{2k} \in \mathbb{Z} \\ && A_{2(k+1)}^2 &= \left ( (2a+1)A_{2k}+2a(a+1)B_{2k} \right)^2 \\ &&&= (2a+1)^2A_{2k}^2+4a^2(a+1)^2B_{2k}^2+4a(a+1)(2a+1)A_{2k}B_{2k} \\ &&&= a^2(a+1)^2(2a+1)^2B_{2k}^2+(2a+1)^2\\ &&&\quad\quad+4a^2(a+1)^2B_{2k}^2+4a(a+1)(2a+1)A_{2k}B_{2k}\\ && a(a+1)B_{2(k+1)}^2 + 1 &= a(a+1)\left ( 2A_{2k}+(2a+1)B_{2k} \right)^2 \\ &&&= 4a(a+1)A_{2k}^2 + 4a(a+1)(2a+1)A_{2k}B_{2k} + a(a+1)(2a+1)^2B_{2k}^2 + 1\\ &&&= 4a^2(a+1)^2B_{2k}^2+4a(a+1) + \\ &&&\quad\quad+ 4a(a+1)(2a+1)A_{2k}B_{2k} + a(a+1)(2a+1)^2B_{2k}^2 + 1 \end{align*} So our relation holds ad therefore by induction we're done.
  2. When \(n\) is odd, notice that \begin{align*} && T_n &= (\sqrt{a+1}+\sqrt{a})(A_m+B_m\sqrt{a(a+1)})\\ &&&= \sqrt{a+1}(\underbrace{A_m+aB_m}_{C_n})+\sqrt{a}(\underbrace{(a+1)B_m+A_m}_{D_n}) \\ \\ && (a+1)C_n^2 &= (a+1)(A_m+aB_m)^2 \\ &&&= (a+1)(A_m^2+2aA_mB_m+B_m^2) \\ &&&= (a+1)(a(a+1)B_m^2+1+2aA_mB_m+B_m^2) \\ &&&= a(a+1)^2B_m^2 + 2a(a+1)A_mB_m+(a+1)B_m^2+a+1 \\ && aD_n^2+1 &= a((a+1)^2B_m + 2(a+1)A_mB_m + A_m^2)+1 \\ &&&= a(a+1)^2B_m + 2a(a+1)A_mB_m + aB_{m}^2+a+1 \end{align*}
  3. For even \(n\) \(T_n = \sqrt{a(a+1)B_{2n}^2+1} + \sqrt{a(a+1)B_{2n}^2}\) For odd \(n\), \(T_n = \sqrt{aD_n^2+1}+ \sqrt{aD_n^2}\) therefore it is always the sum of the square root of two consecutive integers.

2008 Paper 2 Q2
D: 1600.0 B: 1498.5

Let \(a_n\) be the coefficient of \(x^n\) in the series expansion, in ascending powers of \(x\), of \[\displaystyle \frac{1+x}{(1-x)^2(1+x^2)} \,, \] where \(\vert x \vert <1\,\). Show, using partial fractions, that either \(a_n =n+1\) or \(a_n = n+2\) according to the value of \(n\). Hence find a decimal approximation, to nine significant figures, for the fraction \( \displaystyle \frac{11\,000}{8181}\). \newline [You are not required to justify the accuracy of your approximation.]


Solution: \begin{align*} && \frac{1+x}{(1-x)^2(1+x^2)} &= \frac{A}{1-x} + \frac{B}{(1-x)^2} + \frac{Cx+D}{1+x^2} \\ \Rightarrow && 1 + x &= A(1-x)(1+x^2) + B(1+x^2) + Cx(1-x)^2 + D(1-x)^2 \\ \Rightarrow && 2 &= 2B \tag{\(x = 1\)} \\ \Rightarrow && 1 &= B \\ \Rightarrow && 1 &= A+B+D \tag{\(x = 0\)}\\ \Rightarrow && A &= -D \\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= 4A+2B-4C+4D \tag{\(x = -1\)}\\ \Rightarrow && C &= \frac12\\ \Rightarrow && 3 &= -5A+5B+2C+D \tag{\(x=2\)} \\ \Rightarrow && 3 &= -6A+6 \\ \Rightarrow && A,D &=-\frac12,\frac12 \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{1+x}{(1-x)^2(1+x^2)} &= \frac{1}{(1-x)^2} +\frac{1}{2(1-x)}+ \frac{x-1}{2(1+x^2)} \\ &&&=\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}(k+1)x^k + \sum_{k=0}^{\infty}\frac12 x^k + \sum_{k=0}^{\infty}\frac12 (-1)^kx^{2k+1} - \sum_{k=0}^{\infty}\frac12 (-1)^kx^{2k} \end{align*} Therefore the coefficient of \(x^n\) is \(n+1\) or \(n+2\) depending on whether the coefficients from the final series add constructively \(n \equiv 1, 2 \pmod{4}\) or destructively. \begin{align*} \frac{11\, 000}{8181} &= \frac{(10+1) \cdot 1000}{(10-1)^2 \cdot (100+1)} \\ &= \frac{(1+\frac{1}{10})}{(1-\frac{1}{10})^2 \cdot (1+\frac1{10})} \\ &= 1 + \frac3{10} + \frac4{10^2} + \frac{4}{10^3}+\frac{5}{10^4} + \frac{7}{10^5} + \frac{8}{10^6} + \cdots \\ & \quad \quad \cdots + \frac{8}{10^7} + \frac{9}{10^8} + \frac{11}{10^9} + \frac{12}{10^{10}} + \cdots \\ &= 1.34457890 + \frac{12}{10^{10}} + \cdots \end{align*} \begin{align*} && \sum_{k=m}^{\infty} (k+2)x^k &= x^m \sum_{k=0}^{\infty} (k+m+2)x^{k} \\ && &= \frac{x^k}{(1-x)^2} + \frac{(m+2)x^k}{1-x} \\ \Rightarrow && |\sum_{k=m}^{\infty} a_k \left ( \frac1{10} \right )^k | &\leq \frac{1}{10^m}\left ( \frac{1}{(1-\frac1{10})^2} + \frac{m+2}{1-\frac1{10}} \right) \\ &&&= \frac{1}{10^{m-1}} \left ( \frac{9m+28}{81}\right ) \end{align*} Therefore for this will be less than \(10^{-9}\), when \(m = 11\), so our approximation is valid to 9sf

2008 Paper 2 Q5
D: 1600.0 B: 1516.0

Evaluate the integrals \[\int_0^{\frac{1}{2}\pi} \frac{\sin 2x}{1+\sin^2x} \d x \text{ and } \int_0^{\frac{1}{2}\pi} \frac{\sin x}{1+\sin^2x} \d x\] Show, using the binomial expansion, that \((1+\sqrt2\,)^5<99\). Show also that \(\sqrt 2 > 1.4\). Deduce that \(2^{\sqrt2} > 1+ \sqrt2\,\). Use this result to determine which of the above integrals is greater.


Solution: \begin{align*} && I &= \int_0^{\frac{1}{2}\pi} \frac{\sin 2x}{1+\sin^2x} \d x \\ &&&= \int_0^{\frac{1}{2}\pi} \frac{2 \sin x \cos x}{1+\sin^2x} \d x \\ &&&= \left [\ln (1 + \sin^2 x) \right]_0^{\pi/2} \\ &&&= \ln 2 \\ \\ && J &= \int_0^{\frac{1}{2}\pi} \frac{\sin x}{1+\sin^2x} \d x \\ &&&= \int_0^{\frac{1}{2}\pi} \frac{\sin x}{2-\cos^2x} \d x \\ &&&= \frac{1}{2\sqrt{2}}\int_0^{\frac{1}{2}\pi} \left ( \frac{\sin x}{\sqrt{2}-\cos x}+ \frac{\sin x}{\sqrt{2}+\cos x} \right) \d x \\ &&&= \frac{1}{2\sqrt{2}} \left [\ln (\sqrt{2}-\cos x) - \ln (\sqrt{2}+\cos x) \right]_0^{\pi/2} \\ &&&= \frac{1}{2\sqrt{2}} \left (-\ln(\sqrt{2}-1)+\ln(\sqrt{2}+1) \right) \\ &&&= \frac1{2\sqrt{2}} \ln \left (\frac{\sqrt{2}+1}{\sqrt{2}-1} \right)\\ &&&= \frac1{\sqrt{2}} \ln (\sqrt{2}+1) \end{align*} \begin{align*} && (1+\sqrt{2})^5 + (1-\sqrt{2})^5 &= 2(1+10\cdot2+5\cdot2^2) \\ &&&= 82 \\ && |(1-\sqrt{2})^5| & < 1 \\ && (1+\sqrt{2})^5 &< 83 < 99 \\ \\ && 1.4^2 &= 1.96 \\ &&&< 2 \\ \Rightarrow && 1.4 &<\sqrt{2} \\ \\ \Rightarrow && 2^{\sqrt{2}} &> 2^{1.4} \\ &&&=2^{7/5} \\ &&&= {128}^{1/5} \\ &&&>99^{1/5} \\ &&&>1+\sqrt{2} \end{align*} \begin{align*} && \ln 2 & > \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} \ln(\sqrt{2}+1) \\ \Leftrightarrow && \sqrt{2} \ln 2 &> \ln(\sqrt{2}+1) \\ \Leftrightarrow && 2^{\sqrt{2}} &> 1+\sqrt{2} \end{align*} which we have already shown, so the first integral is larger.

2007 Paper 2 Q1
D: 1600.0 B: 1516.0

In this question, you are not required to justify the accuracy of the approximations.

  1. Write down the binomial expansion of \(\displaystyle \left( 1+\frac k {100} \right)^{\!\frac12}\)in ascending powers of \(k\), up to and including the \(k^3\) term.
    1. Use the value \(k=8\) to find an approximation to five decimal places for \(\sqrt{3}\,\).
    2. By choosing a suitable integer value of \(k\), find an approximation to five decimal places for \(\sqrt6\,\).
  2. By considering the first two terms of the binomial expansion of \(\displaystyle \left( 1+\frac k {1000} \right)^{\!\frac13}\), show that \(\dfrac{3029}{2100}\) is an approximation to \(\sqrt[3]{3}\).


Solution:

  1. Using the generalise binomial theorem \begin{align*} \left( 1+\frac k {100} \right)^{\frac12} &= 1 + \frac12 \frac{k}{100} + \frac{\tfrac12 \cdot \left ( -\tfrac12\right)}{2!} \left (\frac{k}{100} \right)^2 + \frac{\tfrac12 \cdot \left ( -\tfrac12\right)\cdot \left ( -\tfrac32\right)}{3!} \left (\frac{k}{100} \right)^3 + \cdots \\ &= 1 + \frac{1}{200}k - \frac{1}{80\,000}k^2 + \frac{1}{16\,000\,000}k^3 + \cdots \end{align*}
    1. If \(k = 8\), \begin{align*} && \left( 1+\frac 8 {100} \right)^{\frac12} &= 1 + \frac{1}{200}8 - \frac{1}{80\,000}8^2 + \frac{1}{16\,000\,000}8^3 + \cdots \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{6\sqrt{3}}{10} &\approx 1 + 0.04 - 0.0008 + 0.000032 \\ &&&= 1.039232\\ \Rightarrow && \sqrt{3} &\approx 1.73205 \, (5\, \text{d.p.}) \end{align*}
    2. If \(k = -4\), \begin{align*} && \left( 1-\frac 4 {100} \right)^{\frac12} &= 1 - \frac{1}{200}4 - \frac{1}{80\,000}4^2 - \frac{1}{16\,000\,000}4^3 + \cdots \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{4\sqrt{6}}{10} &\approx 1 -0.02-0.0002 -0.000004 \\ &&&= 0.979796\\ \Rightarrow && \sqrt{6} &\approx 2.44949\, (5\, \text{d.p.}) \end{align*}
  2. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && \left( 1+\frac k {1000} \right)^{\!\frac13} &= 1 + \frac13 \frac{k}{1000} + \cdots \\ &&&= 1 + \frac{k}{3\,000} + \cdots \\ && 3 \times 7^3 &= 1029 \\ \Rightarrow && \left( 1+\frac {29} {1000} \right)^{\!\frac13} &\approx 1 + \frac{29}{3\,000} \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{7\sqrt[3]{3}}{10} &\approx \frac{3\,029}{3000} \\ \Rightarrow && \sqrt[3]{3} &= \frac{3\,029}{2\,100} \end{align*}

2007 Paper 3 Q2
D: 1700.0 B: 1516.0

  1. Show that \(1.3.5.7. \;\ldots \;.(2n-1)=\dfrac {(2n)!}{2^n n!}\;\) and that, for $\vert x \vert < \frac14$, \[ \frac{1}{\sqrt{1-4x\;}\;} =1+\sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac {(2n)!}{(n!)^2} \, x^n \,. \]
  2. By differentiating the above result, deduce that \[ \sum _{n=1}^\infty \frac{(2n)!}{n!\,(n-1)!} \left(\frac6{25}\right)^{\!\!n} = 60 \,. \]
  3. Show that \[ \sum _{n=1}^\infty \frac{2^{n+1}(2n)!}{3^{2n}(n+1)!\,n!} = 1 \,. \]


Solution:

  1. Notice that \(1 \cdot 3 \cdot 5 \cdot 7 \cdot (2n-1) = \frac{1 \cdot 2 \cdot 3 \cdot 4 \cdots \cdots 2n}{2 \cdot 4 \cdot 6 \cdots 2n} = \frac{(2n)!}{2^n \cdot n!}\) as required. When \(|4x| < 1\) or \(|x|<\frac14\) we can apply the generalised binomial theorem to see that: \begin{align*} \frac{1}{\sqrt{1-4x}} &= (1-4x)^{-\frac12} \\ &= 1+\sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{-\frac12 \cdot \left ( -\frac32\right)\cdots \left ( -\frac{2n-1}2\right)}{n!} (-4x)^n \\ &= 1+\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} (-1)^n\frac{(2n)!}{(n!)^2 2^{2n}} (-4)^n x^n \\ &= 1+\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{(2n)!}{(n!)^2 } x^n \\ \end{align*}
  2. Differentiating we obtain \begin{align*} && 2(1-4x)^{-\frac32} &= \sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{(2n)!}{n!(n-1)!} x^{n-1} \\ \Rightarrow &&\sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{(2n)!}{n!(n-1)!} \left (\frac{6}{25} \right)^{n} &= \frac{6}{25} \cdot 2\left(1- 4 \frac{6}{25}\right)^{-\frac32} \\ &&&= \frac{12}{25} \left (\frac{1}{25} \right)^{-\frac32} \\ &&&= \frac{12}{25} \cdot 125 = 60 \end{align*}
  3. By integrating, we obtain \begin{align*} && \int_{t=0}^{t=x} \frac{1}{\sqrt{1-4t}} \d t &= \int_{t=0}^{t=x} \left (1+\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{(2n)!}{(n!)^2 } t^n \right) \d t \\ \Rightarrow && \left [ -\frac12 \sqrt{1-4t}\right]_0^x &= x + \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{(2n)!}{n!(n+1)! } x^{n+1} \\ \Rightarrow && \frac12 - \frac12\sqrt{1-4x} - x &= \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{(2n)!}{n!(n+1)! } x^{n+1} \\ \\ \Rightarrow && 9\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{(2n)!}{n!(n+1)! } \left ( \frac{2}{9}\right)^{n+1} &=9 \cdot\left( \frac12 - \frac12 \sqrt{1-4\cdot \frac{2}{9}} - \frac29\right )\\ &&&= 9 \cdot \left (\frac12 - \frac{1}{6} - \frac{2}{9} \right) \\ &&&= 1 \end{align*}

2006 Paper 1 Q13
D: 1484.0 B: 1468.0

A very generous shop-owner is hiding small diamonds in chocolate bars. Each diamond is hidden independently of any other diamond, and on average there is one diamond per kilogram of chocolate.

  1. I go to the shop and roll a fair six-sided die once. I decide that if I roll a score of \(N\), I will buy \(100N\) grams of chocolate. Show that the probability that I will have no diamonds is \[ \frac{\e^{-0.1}}{ 6} \l \frac{1 - \e^{-0.6} }{ 1 - \e^{-0.1}} \r \] Show also that the expected number of diamonds I find is 0.35.
  2. Instead, I decide to roll a fair six-sided die repeatedly until I score a 6. If I roll my first 6 on my \(T\)th throw, I will buy \(100T\) grams of chocolate. Show that the probability that I will have no diamonds is \[ \frac{\e^{-0.1}}{ 6 - 5\e^{-0.1}} \] Calculate also the expected number of diamonds that I find. (You may find it useful to consider the the binomial expansion of \(\l 1 - x \r^{-2}\).)


Solution: Not that the number of diamonds per kilogram is \(1\) so we are assuming it is \(Po(M)\) where \(M\) is the mass in kg. In particular \(\E[X] = M\) and \(\mathbb{P}(X = 0) = e^{-M}\)

  1. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && \mathbb{P}(\text{no diamonds}) &= \sum_{n=1}^6\mathbb{P}(\text{no diamonds and roll }n) \\ &&&= \sum_{n=1}^6 \tfrac16 e^{-\frac{n}{10}} \\ &&&= \frac{e^{-0.1}}6 \left ( \frac{1-e^{-0.6}}{1-e^{-0.1}}\right) \\ && \E[\text{diamonds}] &= \sum_{n=1}^6 \E(\text{diamonds}|N = n)\mathbb{P}(N = n) \\ &&&= \sum_{n=1}^6 0.1n \cdot \frac16 \\ &&&= 0.1 \cdot \frac{7}{2} = 0.35 \end{align*}
  2. \(\mathbb{P}(T = k) = \left ( \frac56 \right)^{t-1} \frac16\), so \begin{align*} && \mathbb{P}(\text{no diamonds}) &= \sum_{n=1}^\infty\mathbb{P}(\text{no diamonds and }T=n) \\ &&&= \sum_{n=1}^\infty e^{-0.1n} \left ( \frac56 \right)^{n-1} \frac16 \\ &&&= \frac{e^{-0.1}}{6} \frac1{1- \frac56 e^{-0.1}} \\ &&&= \frac{e^{-0.1}}{6 - 5e^{-0.1}} \\ \\ && \E[\text{diamonds}] &= \sum_{n=1}^\infty \E(\text{diamonds}|T = n)\mathbb{P}(T = n) \\ &&&= \sum_{n=1}^\infty 0.1n \cdot \left ( \frac56 \right)^{n-1} \frac16 \\ &&&= \frac{0.1}{6} \sum_{n=1}^\infty n \cdot \left ( \frac56 \right)^{n-1} \\ &&&= \frac{1}{60} \frac{1}{(1- \tfrac56)^2} \\ &&&= \frac{6}{10} = \frac35 \end{align*}

2006 Paper 2 Q3
D: 1600.0 B: 1570.3

  1. Show that $\displaystyle \big( 5 + \sqrt {24}\;\big)^4 + \frac{1 }{\big(5 + \sqrt {24}\;\big)^4} \ $ is an integer. Show also that \[\displaystyle 0.1 < \frac{1}{ 5 + \sqrt {24}} <\frac 2 {19}< 0.11\,.\] Hence determine, with clear reasoning, the value of \(\l 5 + \sqrt {24}\r^4\) correct to four decimal places.
  2. If \(N\) is an integer greater than 1, show that \(( N + \sqrt {N^2 - 1} \,) ^k\), where \(k\) is a positive integer, differs from the integer nearest to it by less than \(\big( 2N - \frac12 \big)^{-k}\).


Solution:

  1. First notice that \(\frac{1}{5+\sqrt{24}} = \frac{5-\sqrt{24}}{25-24} = 5 - \sqrt{24}\), hence \begin{align*} && ( 5 + \sqrt {24})^4 + \frac{1 }{(5 + \sqrt {24})^4} &= ( 5 + \sqrt {24})^4 + ( 5 - \sqrt {24})^4 \\ \end{align*} where clearly all terms including \(\sqrt{24}\) will cancel out, therefore it is an integer. \begin{align*} && 5 + \sqrt{24} &< 5 + 5 = 10 \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{1}{5+\sqrt{24}}& > \frac{1}{10} = 0.1 \\ && 2(5 + \sqrt{24}) &=10 + \sqrt{96} > 19 \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{1}{5+\sqrt{24}} & < \frac{2}{19} < \frac{2}{18} = \frac19 = 0.11111\ldots < 0.11 \end{align*} Therefore, \(10^{-4} < (5+\sqrt{24})^4 < 0.11^{-4} = 0.00014641\) \begin{align*} && (5+\sqrt{24})^4 + (5-\sqrt{24})^4 &= 2(5^4+6\cdot5^2\cdot24+24^2) \\ &&&= 2\cdot (625 + 3600+576) \\ &&&= 9602 \\ \Rightarrow && (5+\sqrt{24})^4 &= 9602 - \epsilon, \epsilon \in (0.0001, 0.00014641) \\ \Rightarrow && (5+\sqrt{24})^4 &\in (9601.999854, ,9601.9999) \\ \Rightarrow && (5+\sqrt{24})^4 &= 9601.9998 \, (4 \text{ d.p.}) \end{align*}
  2. Notice that \((N+\sqrt{N^2-1})^{k}+(N-\sqrt{N^2-1})^{k}\) is an integer for the same reason as before (sum of conjugates). Notice also that \(\frac{1}{N+\sqrt{N^2-1}} = N - \sqrt{N^2-1}\) and that so it sufficies to show that \begin{align*} && N + \sqrt{N^2-1} &> 2N-\tfrac12 \\ \Leftrightarrow && \sqrt{N^2-1} &> N - \tfrac12 \\ \Leftrightarrow && N^2-1 &> N^2-N+1\\ \Leftrightarrow && N &> \tfrac32\\ \end{align*} Which is true since \(N > 1\) and \(N\) is an integer.

2005 Paper 2 Q6
D: 1600.0 B: 1500.0

  1. Write down the general term in the expansion in powers of \(x\) of \((1-x)^{-1}\), \((1-x)^{-2}\) and \((1-x)^{-3}\), where \(|x| <1\). Evaluate \(\displaystyle \sum_{n=1}^\infty n 2^{-n}\) and \(\displaystyle \sum_{n=1}^\infty n^22^{-n}\).
  2. Show that $\displaystyle (1-x)^{-\frac12} = \sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{(2n)!}{(n!)^2} \frac{x^n}{2^{2n}}\( , for \)|x|<1$. Evaluate \(\displaystyle \sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{(2n)!} {(n!)^2 2^{2n}3^{n}} \) and \(\displaystyle \sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{n(2n)!} {(n!)^2 2^{2n}3^{n}}\).


Solution:

  1. \(\displaystyle (1-x)^{-1} = \sum_{n=0}^\infty x^n\), \(\displaystyle (1-x)^{-2} = \sum_{n=0}^\infty (n+1)x^n\), \(\displaystyle (1-x)^{-3} = \sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{(n+2)(n+1)}{2}x^n\) \begin{align*} && \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} n2^{-n} &= \frac12\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}(n+1)2^{-n} \\ &&&= \frac12 (1-\tfrac12)^{-2} = 2 \\ \\ && \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} nx^n&= x(1-x)^{-2} \\ \Rightarrow && \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} n^2x^{n-1}&= (1-x)^{-2}+2x(1-x)^{-3} \\ \Rightarrow && \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} n^22^{-n} &= \frac12 \left ( (1-\tfrac12)^{-2}+2\cdot \tfrac12 \cdot (1-\tfrac12)^{-3} \right) \\ &&&= \frac12 \left ( 4 +8\right) = 6 \end{align*}
  2. By the generalised binomial theorem, \begin{align*} && (1-x)^{-\frac12} &= 1 + \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{(-\tfrac12)\cdot(-\tfrac32)\cdots(-\tfrac12-n+1)}{n!}(-x)^n \\ &&&= 1 + \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^n(\tfrac12)\cdot(\tfrac32)\cdots(\tfrac{2n-1}2)}{n!}(-x)^n \\ &&&= 1 + \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1 \cdot 3 \cdot 5 \cdots (2n-1)}{2^nn!}x^n \\ &&&= 1 + \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{(2n)!}{2^nn! \cdot 2^n n!}x^n \\ &&&= 1 + \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{(2n)!}{2^{2n}(n!)^2}x^n \\ &&&= \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \frac{(2n)!}{2^{2n}(n!)^2}x^n \\ \end{align*} \begin{align*} && \sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{(2n)!} {(n!)^2 2^{2n}3^{n}} &= (1-\tfrac13)^{-\frac12} \\ &&&= \sqrt{\frac32} \\ \\ && (1-x)^{-\frac12} &= \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \frac{(2n)!}{2^{2n}(n!)^2}x^n \\ \Rightarrow && \tfrac12(1-x)^{-\frac32} &= \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \frac{n(2n)!}{2^{2n}(n!)^2}x^{n-1} \\ \Rightarrow && \sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{n(2n)!} {(n!)^2 2^{2n}3^{n}} &= \frac16(1-\tfrac13)^{-3/2} \\ &&&= \frac16 \sqrt{\frac{27}{8}} = \frac14\sqrt{\frac{3}2} \end{align*}