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2016 Paper 3 Q7
D: 1700.0 B: 1516.0

Let \(\omega = \e^{2\pi {\rm i}/n}\), where \(n\) is a positive integer. Show that, for any complex number \(z\), \[ (z-1)(z-\omega) \cdots (z - \omega^{n-1}) = z^n -1\,. \] The points \(X_0, X_1, \ldots\, X_{n-1}\) lie on a circle with centre \(O\) and radius 1, and are the vertices of a regular polygon.

  1. The point \(P\) is equidistant from \(X_0\) and \(X_1\). Show that, if \(n\) is even, \[ |PX_0| \times |PX_1 |\times \,\cdots\, \times |PX_{n-1}| = |OP|^n +1\, ,\] where \(|PX_ k|\) denotes the distance from \(P\) to \(X_k\). Give the corresponding result when \(n\) is odd. (There are two cases to consider.)
  2. Show that \[ |X_0 X_1|\times |X_0 X_2|\times \,\cdots\, \times |X_0 X_{n-1}| =n\,. \]


Solution: Notice that \(\omega^n = e^{2\pi i} = 1\), so \(\omega\) is a root of \(z^n - 1\), notice also that \((\omega^k)^n =1\) so therefore the \(n\) roots are \(1, \omega, \omega^2, \cdots, \omega^{n-1}\) and so \((z-1)(z-\omega) \cdots (z-\omega^{n-1}) = C(z^n-1)\). By considering the coefficient of \(z^n\) we can see that \(C = 1\).

  1. \(P\) lies on the perpendicular bisect of \(1\) and \(\omega\), so \(p = re^{\pi i/n}\), where \(r\) can be positive or negative, but \(|r| = |OP|\). \begin{align*} && |PX_0| \times |PX_1| \times \cdots \times |PX_{n-1}| &= |(p-1)(p-\omega) \cdots (p-\omega^{n-1})| \\ &&&= |p^n - 1| \\ &&&= |r^ne^{\pi i} - 1| \\ &&&= |-|OP|^n - 1| \tag{since \(n\) even} \\ &&&= |OP|^n+1 \end{align*} If \(n\) is odd, depending on the sign of \(r\) we get \(|OP|^n+1\) or \(||OP|^n-1|\).
  2. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && (z-\omega) \cdots(z-\omega^{n-1}) &= \frac{z^n-1}{z-1} \\ &&&= 1 + z +\cdots + z^{n-1} \\ && |X_0X_1| \times |X_0X_2| \times \cdots \times |X_0X_{n-1}| &= |(1 - \omega)\cdots(1-\omega^{n-1})| \\ &&&= 1+1+1^2+\cdots + 1^{n-1} \\ &&&= n \end{align*}

2013 Paper 3 Q4
D: 1700.0 B: 1516.0

Show that \((z-\e^{i\theta})(z-\e^{-i\theta})=z^2 -2z\cos\theta +1\,\). Write down the \((2n)\)th roots of \(-1\) in the form \(\e^{i\theta}\), where \(-\pi <\theta \le \pi\), and deduce that \[ z^{2n} +1 = \prod_{k=1}^n \left(z^2-2z \cos\left( \tfrac{(2k-1)\pi}{2n}\right) +1\right) \,. \] Here, \(n\) is a positive integer, and the \(\prod\) notation denotes the product.

  1. By substituting \(z=i\) show that, when \(n\) is even, \[ \cos \left(\tfrac \pi {2n}\right) \cos \left(\tfrac {3\pi} {2n}\right) \cos \left(\tfrac {5\pi} {2n}\right) \cdots \cos \left(\tfrac{(2n-1) \pi} {2n}\right) = {(-1\vphantom{\dot A})}^{\frac12 n} 2^{1-n} \,. \]
  2. Show that, when \(n\) is odd, \[ \cos^2 \left(\tfrac \pi {2n}\right) \cos ^2 \left(\tfrac {3\pi} {2n}\right) \cos ^2 \left(\tfrac {5\pi} {2n}\right) \cdots \cos ^2 \left(\tfrac{(n-2) \pi} {2n}\right) = n 2^{1-n} \,. \] You may use without proof the fact that \(1+z^{2n}= (1+z^2)(1-z^2+z^4 - \cdots + z^{2n-2})\,\) when \(n\) is odd.


Solution: \begin{align*} && (z-e^{i \theta})(z-e^{-i\theta}) &= z^2 - (e^{i\theta}+e^{-i\theta})z + 1 \\ &&&= z^2-2\cos \theta z + 1 \end{align*} The \(2n\)th roots of \(-1\) are \(e^{\frac{i (2k+1)\pi}{2n}}, k \in \{-n, \cdots, n-1 \}\) or \(e^{\frac{i k \pi}{2n}}, k \in \{-2n+1, -2n+3, \cdots, 2n-3, 2n-1 \}\) \begin{align*} && z^{2n}+1 &= (z-e^{-i(2n-1)/2n})\cdot (z-e^{-i(2n-3)/2n})\cdots (z-e^{i(2n-3)/2n})\cdot (z-e^{i(2n-1)/2n}) \\ &&&= \prod_{k=1}^n \left (z - e^{i \frac{2k-1}{2n}\pi} \right)\left (z - e^{-i \frac{2k-1}{2n}\pi} \right)\\ &&&= \prod_{k=1}^n \left (z^2 - 2z \cos \left ( \frac{(2k-1)\pi}{2n}\right) + 1 \right) \end{align*}

  1. \begin{align*} && i^{2n} + 1 &= \prod_{k=1}^n \left (i^2 - 2i \cos \left ( \frac{(2k-1)\pi}{2n}\right) + 1 \right) \\ \Rightarrow && (-1)^n + 1 &= (-1)^n2^ni^n\prod_{k=1}^n \cos \left ( \frac{(2k-1)\pi}{2n}\right) \\ \Rightarrow && \prod_{k=1}^n \cos \left ( \frac{(2k-1)\pi}{2n}\right) &= 2^{1-n}(-1)^{n/2} \tag{if \(n\equiv 0\pmod{2}\)} \end{align*}
  2. When \(n\) is odd, we notice that two of the roots are \(i\) and \(-i\), if we exclude those, (ie by factoring out \(z^2+1\), we see that \begin{align*} && 1-z^2+z^4-\cdots + z^{2n-2} &= \prod_{k=1, 2k-1\neq n}^n \left (z^2-2z \cos \left ( \frac{(2k-1)\pi}{2n} \right)+1 \right) \\ &&&= \prod_{k=1}^{(n-1)/2} \left (z^2-2z \cos \left ( \frac{(2k-1)\pi}{2n} \right)+1 \right) \prod_{k=(n+1)/2}^{n} \left (z^2-2z \cos \left ( \frac{(2k-1)\pi}{2n} \right)+1 \right)\\ &&&= \prod_{k=1}^{(n-1)/2} \left (z^2-2z \cos \left ( \frac{(2k-1)\pi}{2n} \right)+1 \right) \prod_{k=1}^{(n-1)/2} \left (z^2+2z \cos \left ( \frac{(2k-1)\pi}{2n} \right)+1 \right)\\ \Rightarrow && 1-i^2 + i^4 + \cdots + i^{2n-2} &= \prod_{k=1}^{(n-1)/2} \left (2 \cos \left ( \frac{(2k-1)\pi}{2n} \right) \right) \prod_{k=1}^{(n-1)/2} \left (2 \cos \left ( \frac{(2k-1)\pi}{2n} \right) \right)\\ \Rightarrow && n &= 2^{n-1} \prod_{k=1}^{(n-1)/2}\cos^2 \left ( \frac{(2k-1)\pi}{2n} \right) \\ \Rightarrow && \prod_{k=1}^{(n-1)/2}\cos^2 \left ( \frac{(2k-1)\pi}{2n} \right) &= n2^{1-n} \end{align*}

2007 Paper 1 Q8
D: 1500.0 B: 1516.0

A curve is given by the equation \[ y = ax^3 - 6ax^2+ \left( 12a + 12 \right)x - \left( 8a + 16 \right)\,, \tag{\(*\)} \] where \(a\) is a real number. Show that this curve touches the curve with equation \[ y=x^3 \tag{\(**\)} \] at \(\left( 2 \, , \, 8 \right)\). Determine the coordinates of any other point of intersection of the two curves.

  1. Sketch on the same axes the curves \((*)\) and \((**)\) when \(a = 2\).
  2. Sketch on the same axes the curves \((*)\) and \((**)\) when \(a = 1\).
  3. Sketch on the same axes the curves \((*)\) and \((**)\) when \(a = -2\).


Solution: \begin{align*} && y &= ax^3 - 6ax^2+ \left( 12a + 12 \right)x - \left( 8a + 16 \right) \\ && y(2) &= 8a-24a+24a+24-8a-16 \\ &&&= 8 \\ && y'(x) &= 3ax^2-12ax+(12a+12) \\ && y'(0) &= 12a-24a+12a+12 \\ &&&= 12 \end{align*} Therefore since our curve has the same value and gradient at \((2,8)\) as \(y = x^3\) they must touch at this point. Therefore \begin{align*} && ax^3 - 6ax^2+ \left( 12a + 12 \right)x - \left( 8a + 16 \right) - x^3 &= (x-2)^2((a-1)x-(2a+4)) \end{align*} Therefore if \(a \neq 1\), they touch again when \(x = \frac{2a+4}{a-1}\).

  1. TikZ diagram
  2. TikZ diagram
  3. TikZ diagram

2002 Paper 1 Q5
D: 1484.0 B: 1516.0

Let \[ \f(x) = x^n + a_1 x^{n-1} + \cdots + a_n\;, \] where \(a_1\), \(a_2\), \(\ldots\), \(a_n\) are given numbers. It is given that \(\f(x)\) can be written in the form \[ \f(x) = (x+k_1)(x+k_2)\cdots(x+k_n)\;. \] By considering \(\f(0)\), or otherwise, show that \(k_1k_2 \ldots k_n =a_n\). Show also that $$(k_1+1)(k_2+1)\cdots(k_n+1)= 1+a_1+a_2+\cdots+a_n$$ and give a corresponding result for \((k_1-1)(k_2-1)\cdots(k_n-1)\). Find the roots of the equation \[ x^4 +22x^3 +172x^2 +552x+576=0\;, \] given that they are all integers.


Solution: \begin{align*} && f(0) &= 0^n + a_1\cdot 0^{n-1} + \cdots + a_n \\ &&&= a_n \\ && f(0) &= (0+k_1)(0+k_2) \cdots (0+k_n) \\ &&&= k_1 k_2 \cdots k_n \\ \Rightarrow && a_n &= k_1 k_2 \cdots k_n \\ \\ &&f(1) &= 1^n + a_1 \cdot 1^{n-1} + \cdots + a_n \\ &&&= 1 + a_1 + a_2 + \cdots + a_n \\ && f(1) &= (1 + k_1) (1 + k_2) \cdots (1+k_n) \\ \Rightarrow && (k_1+1)\cdots (k_n+1) &= 1 + a_1 + \cdots + a_n \\ \\ && f(-1) &= (-1)^{n} + a_1 \cdot (-1)^{n-1} + \cdots + a_n \\ &&&= a_n - a_{n-1} + \cdots + (-1)^{n-1} a_1 + (-1)^{n} \\ && f(-1) &= (-1+k_1)(-1+k_2) \cdots (-1+k_n) \\ &&&= (k_1-1)(k_2-1)\cdots(k_n-1) \\ \Rightarrow && (k_1-1)\cdots(k_n-1) &= a_n - a_{n-1} + \cdots + (-1)^{n-1} a_1 + (-1)^{n} \end{align*} \(576 = 2^6 \cdot 3^2\). Notice that \(1 - 22 + 172 -552 + 576 = 175 = 5^2 \cdot 7\) and \(1+22 + 172+552+576 = 1323 = 3^3 \cdot 7^2\). \(k_i = 2, 6, 6, 8\) therefore the roots are \(-2, -6, -6, -8\)

2001 Paper 2 Q4
D: 1600.0 B: 1484.0

Let $$ \f(x) = P \, {\sin x} + Q\, {\sin 2x} + R\, {\sin 3x} \;. $$ Show that if \(Q^2 < 4R(P-R)\), then the only values of \(x\) for which \(\f(x) = 0\) are given by \(x=m\pi\), where \(m\) is an integer. \newline [You may assume that \(\sin 3x = \sin x(4\cos^2 x -1)\).] Now let $$ \g(x) = {\sin 2nx} + {\sin 4nx} - {\sin 6nx}, $$ where \(n\) is a positive integer and \(0 < x < \frac{1}{2}\pi \). Find an expression for the largest root of the equation \(\g(x)=0\), distinguishing between the cases where \(n\) is even and \(n\) is odd.

1997 Paper 3 Q3
D: 1700.0 B: 1504.6

By considering the solutions of the equation \(z^n-1=0\), or otherwise, show that \[(z-\omega)(z-\omega^2)\dots(z-\omega^{n-1})=1+z+z^2+\dots+z^{n-1},\] where \(z\) is any complex number and \(\omega={\rm e}^{2\pi i/n}\). Let \(A_1,A_2,A_3,\dots,A_n\) be points equally spaced around a circle of radius \(r\) centred at \(O\) (so that they are the vertices of a regular \(n\)-sided polygon). Show that \[\overrightarrow{OA_1}+\overrightarrow{OA_2}+\overrightarrow{OA_3} +\dots+\overrightarrow{OA_n}=\mathbf0.\] Deduce, or prove otherwise, that \[\sum_{k=1}^n|A_1A_k|^2=2r^2n.\]

1992 Paper 1 Q5
D: 1484.0 B: 1500.0

Let \(\mathrm{p}_{0}(x)=(1-x)(1-x^{2})(1-x^{4}).\) Show that \((1-x)^{3}\) is a factor of \(\mathrm{p}_{0}(x).\) If \(\mathrm{p}_{1}(x)=x\mathrm{p}_{0}'(x)\) show, by considering factors of the polynomials involved, that \(\mathrm{p}_{0}'(1)=0\) and \(\mathrm{p}_{1}'(1)=0.\) By writing \(\mathrm{p}_{0}(x)\) in the form \[ \mathrm{p}_{0}(x)=c_{0}+c_{1}x+c_{2}x^{2}+c_{3}x^{3}+c_{4}x^{4}+c_{5}x^{5}+c_{6}x^{6}+c_{7}x^{7}, \] deduce that \begin{alignat*}{2} 1+2+4+7 & \quad=\quad & & 3+5+6\\ 1^{2}+2^{2}+4^{2}+7^{2} & \quad=\quad & & 3^{2}+5^{2}+6^{2}. \end{alignat*} Show that we can write the integers \(1,2,\ldots,15\) in some order as \(a_{1},a_{2},\ldots,a_{15}\) in such a way that \[ a_{1}^{r}+a_{2}^{r}+\cdots+a_{8}^{r}=a_{9}^{r}+a_{10}^{r}+\cdots+a_{15}^{r} \] for \(r=1,2,3.\)


Solution: \begin{align*} && p_0(x) &= (1-x)(1-x^2)(1-x^4) \\ &&&= (1-x)(1-x)(1+x)(1-x^2)(1+x^2) \\ &&&= (1-x)^2 (1+x)(1-x)(1+x)(1+x^2) \\ &&&= (1-x)^3 (1+x)^2 (1+x^2) \end{align*} \begin{align*} && p_0'(x) &= 3(1-x)^2(1+x)^2(1+x^2) + (1-x)^3 q(x) \\ \Rightarrow && p_0'(1) &= 3 \cdot 0 \cdots + 0 \cdots \\ &&&= 0 \\ && p_1'(x) &= p_0(x) + xp'_0(x) \\ \Rightarrow && p_1'(1) &= p_0(1) + 1\cdot p_0'(1) \\ &&&= 0 + 1 \cdot 0 \\ &&&= 0 \end{align*} Notice that \(p_0(x) = (1-x-x^2+x^3)(1-x^4) = 1-x-x^2+x^3-x^4+x^5+x^6-x^7\), so: \(p'_0(x) = -1-2x+3x^2-4x^3+5x^4+6x^5-7x^6 \Rightarrow p'_0(1) = 0 = -1 -2 -4 -7 + 3 + 5+6\). \((xp'_1(1))' = 0 = -1^2-2^2-4^2-7^2 + 3^2 + 5^2 + 6^2\). Consider \(q_0(x) = (1-x)(1-x^2)(1-x^4)(1-x^8)\), then \((1-x)^4\) is a factor, so in particular we know \(q_0(1), (xq_0(x))'|_{x=1} = 0,(x(xq_0(x))')'|_{x=1} = 0\), and so: \(q_0(x) = 1-x-x^2+x^3-x^4+x^5+x^6-x^7 - x^8+x^9+x^{10}-x^{11}+x^{12}-x^{13}-x^{14}+x^{15}\), and so: \(1^r+2^r+4^r+7^r+8^r+11^r+13^r+14^r = 3^r+5^r+6^r+9^r+10^r+12^r+15^r\) for \(r = 1,2,3\)

1987 Paper 2 Q2
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

Show that if at least one of the four angles \(A\pm B\pm C\) is a multiple of \(\pi\), then \begin{alignat*}{1} \sin^{4}A+\sin^{4}B+\sin^{4}C & -2\sin^{2}B\sin^{2}C-2\sin^{2}C\sin^{2}A\\ & -2\sin^{2}A\sin^{2}B+4\sin^{2}A\sin^{2}B\sin^{2}C=0. \end{alignat*}