31 problems found
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.
Solution:
In this question, you should ignore issues of convergence.
Solution:
Solution:
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.
Solution:
Solution:
In this question, the definition of \(\displaystyle\binom pq\) is taken to be \[ \binom pq = \begin{cases} \dfrac{p!}{q!(p-q)!} & \text{ if } p\ge q\ge0 \,,\\[4mm] 0 & \text{ otherwise } . \end{cases} \]
Solution:
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:
Solution:
Let \[ T _n = \left( \sqrt{a+1} + \sqrt a\right)^n\,, \] where \(n\) is a positive integer and \(a\) is any given positive integer.
Solution:
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
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.
In this question, you are not required to justify the accuracy of the approximations.
Solution:
Solution:
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.
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 \(\mathbb{P}(X = 0) = e^{-M}\)
Solution:
Solution: