72 problems found
Solution:
Solution:
In this question, you need not consider issues of convergence. For positive integer \(n\) let \[\mathrm{f}(n) = \frac{1}{n+1} + \frac{1}{(n+1)(n+2)} + \frac{1}{(n+1)(n+2)(n+3)} + \ldots\] and \[\mathrm{g}(n) = \frac{1}{n+1} - \frac{1}{(n+1)(n+2)} + \frac{1}{(n+1)(n+2)(n+3)} - \ldots\,.\]
A coin is tossed repeatedly. The probability that a head appears is \(p\) and the probability that a tail appears is \(q = 1 - p\).
For any two real numbers \(x_1\) and \(x_2\), show that $$|x_1 + x_2| \leq |x_1| + |x_2|.$$ Show further that, for any real numbers \(x_1, x_2, \ldots, x_n\), $$|x_1 + x_2 + \cdots + x_n| \leq |x_1| + |x_2| + \cdots + |x_n|.$$
Solution: Claim: \(|x_1 + x_2| \leq |x_1| + |x_2|\) Proof: Case 1: \(x_1, x_2 \geq 0\). The inequality is equivalent to \(|x_1 + x_2| = x_1 + x_2 = |x_1|+|x_2|\) so it's an equality. Case 2: \(x_1, x_2 \leq 0\). The inequality is equivalent to \(|x_1+x_2| = -x_1-x_2 = |x_1|+|x_2\), so it's also an equality in this case. Case 3: (wlog) \(|x_1| \geq |x_2| > 0\) and \(x_1x_2 < 0\) then \(|x_1+x_2| = x_1-x_2 \leq x_1 \leq |x_1|+|x_2|\) We can prove this by induction, we've already proven the base case and: \(|x_1+x_2 + \cdots + x_n| \leq |x_1 + x_2 + \cdots x_{n-1}| + |x_n| \leq |x_1| + |x_2| + \cdots + |x_n|\)
The number of customers arriving at a builders' merchants each day follows a Poisson distribution with mean \(\lambda\). Each customer is offered some free sand. The probability of any given customer taking the free sand is \(p\).
Solution:
Solution:
Particles \(P_1\), \(P_2\), \(\ldots\) are at rest on the \(x\)-axis, and the \(x\)-coordinate of \(P_n\) is \(n\). The mass of \(P_n\) is \(\lambda^nm\). Particle \(P\), of mass \(m\), is projected from the origin at speed \(u\) towards \(P_1\). A series of collisions takes place, and the coefficient of restitution at each collision is \(e\), where \(0 < e <1\). The speed of \(P_n\) immediately after its first collision is \(u_n\) and the speed of \(P_n\) immediately after its second collision is \(v_n\). No external forces act on the particles.
Solution:
I have a sliced loaf which initially contains \(n\) slices of bread. Each time I finish setting a STEP question, I make myself a snack: either toast, using one slice of bread; or a sandwich, using two slices of bread. I make toast with probability \(p\) and I make a sandwich with probability \(q\), where \(p+q=1\), unless there is only one slice left in which case I must, of course, make toast. Let \(s_r\) (\(1 \le r \le n\)) be the probability that the \(r\)th slice of bread is the second of two slices used to make a sandwich and let \(t_r\) (\(1 \le r \le n\)) be the probability that the \(r\)th slice of bread is used to make toast. What is the value of \(s_1\)? Explain why the following equations hold: \begin{align*} \phantom{\hspace{2cm} (2\le r \le n-1)} t_r &= (s_{r-1}+ t_{r-1})\,p \hspace{2cm} (2\le r \le n-1)\,; \\ \phantom{\hspace{1.53cm} (2\le r \le n) } s_r &= 1- (s_{r-1} + t_{r-1}) \hspace{1.53cm} ( 2\le r \le n )\,. \end{align*} Hence, or otherwise, show that \(s_{r} = q(1-s_{r-1})\) for \(2\le r\le n-1\). Show further that \[ \phantom{\hspace{2.7cm} (1\le r\le n)\,,} s_r = \frac{q+(-q)^r}{1+q} \hspace{2.7cm} (1\le r\le n-1)\,, \, \hspace{0.14cm} \] and find the corresponding expression for \(t_r\). Find also expressions for \(s_n\) and \(t_n\) in terms of \(q\).
Solution: The \(1\)st slice of bread can only be the first slice in a sandwich or a slice of toast. Therefore \(s_1 = 0\) \begin{align*} && t_r &= \underbrace{s_{r-1}}_{r-1\text{th is the end of a sandwich}} \cdot \underbrace{p}_{\text{and we make toast}} + \underbrace{t_{r-1}}_{r-1\text{th is toast}} \cdot \underbrace{p}_{\text{and we make toast}} \\ &&&= (s_{r-1}+t_{r-1})p \\ \\ && s_r &= 1-\mathbb{P}(\text{previous slice is not the first of a sandwich}) \\ &&&= 1-(s_{r-1} + t_{r-1}) \\ \\ \Rightarrow && s_r &= 1 - \frac{t_r}{p} \\ \Rightarrow && t_r &= p - ps_r \\ \Rightarrow && s_r &= 1 - s_{r-1} - (p-ps_{r-1}) \\ &&&= 1 -p -(1-p)s_{r-1} \\ &&&= q(1-s_{r-1}) \end{align*} Therefore since \(s_r + qs_{r-1} = q\) we should look for a solution of the form \(s_r = A(-q)^r + B\). The particular solution will have \((1+q)B = q \Rightarrow B = \frac{q}{1+q}\), the initial condition will have \(s_1 = \frac{q}{1+q} +A(-q) = 0 \Rightarrow q = \frac{1}{1+q}\), so we must have \begin{align*} && s_r &= \frac{q+(-q)^r}{1+q}\\ \Rightarrow && t_r &= p(1-s_r) \\ &&&= p \frac{1+q-q-(-q)^r}{1+q} \\ &&&= \frac{(1-q)(1-(-q)^r)}{1+q} \\ && s_n &= 1-\frac{q+(-q)^{n-1}}{1+q} - \frac{p(1-(-q)^{n-1})}{1+q} \\ &&&= 1-\frac{1+(1-p)(-q)^{n-1}}{1+q}\\ &&&= 1-\frac{1-(-q)^n}{1+q}\\ &&&= \frac{q+(-q)^n}{1+q}\\ && t_n &=1-s_n \\ &&&=\frac{1-(-q)^n}{1+q} \end{align*}
Solution:
A 6-sided fair die has the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 on its faces. The die is thrown \(n\) times, the outcome (the number on the top face) of each throw being independent of the outcome of any other throw. The random variable \(S_n\) is the sum of the outcomes.
Solution:
Two parallel vertical barriers are fixed a distance \(d\) apart on horizontal ice. A small ice hockey puck moves on the ice backwards and forwards between the barriers, in the direction perpendicular to the barriers, colliding with each in turn. The coefficient of friction between the puck and the ice is \(\mu\) and the coefficient of restitution between the puck and each of the barriers is \(r\). The puck starts at one of the barriers, moving with speed \(v\) towards the other barrier. Show that \[ v_{i+1}^2 - r^2 v_i^2 = - 2 r^2 \mu gd\, \] where \(v_i\) is the speed of the puck just after its \(i\)th collision. The puck comes to rest against one of the barriers after traversing the gap between them \(n\) times. In the case \(r\ne1\), express \(n\) in terms of \(r\) and \(k\), where \(k= \dfrac{v^2}{2\mu g d}\,\). If \(r=\e^{-1}\) (where \(\e\) is the base of natural logarithms) show that \[ n = \tfrac12 \ln\big(1+k(\e^2-1)\big)\,. \] Give an expression for \(n\) in the case \(r=1\).
Solution: \begin{align*} \text{W.E.P.}: && \text{change in energy} &= \text{work done on particle} \\ \Rightarrow && \underbrace{\frac12mv^2}_{\text{speed before hitting barrier}} - \underbrace{\frac12mu^2}_{\text{speed leaving first barrier}} &= \underbrace{\left( -\mu mg \right)}_{F} \cdot \underbrace{d}_{d} \\ \Rightarrow && v^2 &= v_i^2-2\mu gd \end{align*} Newton's experimental law tells us that the speed leaving the barrier will be \(r\) times the speed approaching, ie \begin{align*} && v_{i+1} &= rv \\ \Rightarrow && v_{i+1}^2 &= r^2 v^2 \\ &&&= r^2v_i^2 - 2r^2\mu gd \\ \Rightarrow && v_{i+1}^2 - r^2v_i^2 &= - 2r^2\mu gd \end{align*} It must be the case that after \(n+1\) collisions the speed is zero, ie \(v_{n+1}^2 = 0\). Not that we can consider \(w_i = \frac{v_i^2}{2\mu gd}\) and we have the recurrence: \begin{align*} && w_{i+1} &=r^2w_i -r^2 \\ \end{align*} Looking at this we have a linear recurrence with a constant term, so let's try \(w_i = C\), then \begin{align*} && C &= r^2 C - r^2 \\ \Rightarrow && C &= \frac{-r^2}{1-r^2} \\ \end{align*} So \(w_i = Ar^{2i} - \frac{r^2}{1-r^2}\). \(w_0 = k \Rightarrow A = k+\frac{r^2}{1-r^2}\) Therefore \(w_n = \left (k+\frac{r^2}{1-r^2} \right)r^{2n} - \frac{r^2}{1-r^2}\) Suppose \(w_n = 0\) then, \begin{align*} && 0 &= \left (k+\frac{r^2}{1-r^2} \right)r^{2n} - \frac{r^2}{1-r^2} \\ \Rightarrow && r^{2n} &= \frac{r^2}{1-r^2} \frac{1}{k+\frac{r^2}{1-r^2}} \\ &&&= \frac{r^2}{k(1-r^2)+r^2} \\ \Rightarrow && 2n \ln r &= 2\ln r - \ln[k(1-r^2)+r^2] \\ \Rightarrow && n &= 1 - \frac1{2\ln r} \ln[k(1-r^2)+r^2)] \end{align*} If \(r = e^{-1}\) then \(\ln r = -1\) \begin{align*} && n &= 1 + \frac12 \ln [k(1-e^{-2}) + e^{-2}] \\ &&&= 1 + \frac12 \ln [e^{-2}(k(e^2-1)+1)] \\ &&&= 1 + \frac12 \ln e^{-2} + \frac12 \ln [1+k(e^2-1)] \\ &&&= \frac12 \ln [1+k(e^2-1)] \end{align*} If \(r = 1\) the recurrence becomes: \(w_{i+1} = w_i - 1\), so \(w_i = k-n\), so we have \(k\) collisions.
Evaluate \(\displaystyle \sum_{r=0}^{n-1} \e^{2i(\alpha + r\pi/n)}\) where \(\alpha\) is a fixed angle and \(n\ge2\). The fixed point \(O\) is a distance \(d\) from a fixed line \(D\). For any point \(P\), let \(s\) be the distance from \(P\) to \(D\) and let \(r\) be the distance from \(P\) to \(O\). Write down an expression for \(s\) in terms of \(d\), \(r\) and the angle \(\theta\), where \(\theta\) is as shown in the diagram below.
Solution: \begin{align*} \sum_{r=0}^{n-1} \e^{2i(\alpha + r\pi/n)} &= e^{2i\alpha} \sum_{r=0}^{n-1} \left (\e^{2i\pi/n} \right)^r \\ &= e^{2i\alpha} \frac{1-\left (\e^{2i\pi/n} \right)^n}{1-\e^{2i\pi/n} } \\ &= 0 \end{align*} \(d = s + r \cos \theta\) ie \(s = d - r \cos \theta\) Therefore \(d = \frac{r}{k} + r \cos \theta \Rightarrow r = \frac{kd}{1+k \cos \theta}\). The \(l_j\) will come from \(r(\alpha + \frac{j \pi}{n} )+r(\alpha + \pi + \frac{j \pi}{n} )\) \begin{align*} && l_j &= r(\alpha + \frac{(j-1) \pi}{n} )+r(\alpha + \pi + \frac{(j-1) \pi}{n} ) \\ &&&= \frac{kd}{1+k \cos \left ( \alpha + \frac{(j-1) \pi}{n}\right)}+\frac{kd}{1+k \cos \left ( \alpha+\pi+ \frac{(j-1) \pi}{n}\right)}\\ &&&= \frac{kd}{1+k \cos \left ( \alpha + \frac{(j-1) \pi}{n}\right)}+\frac{kd}{1-k \cos \left ( \alpha+ \frac{(j-1) \pi}{n}\right)}\\ &&&= \frac{2kd}{1-k^2 \cos^2 \left ( \alpha + \frac{(j-1) \pi}{n}\right)}\\ \Rightarrow && \sum_{j=1}^n \frac 1 {l_j} &= \sum_{j=0}^{n-1} \frac{1-k^2 \cos^2 \left ( \alpha + \frac{j \pi}{n}\right)}{2kd} \\ &&&= \frac{n}{2kd}-\frac{k^2}{2kd} \sum_{j=0}^{n-1} \cos^2 \left ( \alpha + \frac{j \pi}{n}\right) \\ &&&= \frac{n}{2kd}-\frac{k^2}{2kd} \sum_{j=0}^{n-1} \frac{1+ \cos \left ( 2\alpha + \frac{2j \pi}{n}\right)}{2} \\ &&&= \frac{n}{2kd}-\frac{nk^2}{2kd}-\frac{k^2}{4kd} \sum_{j=0}^{n-1}\cos \left ( 2\alpha + \frac{2j \pi}{n}\right) \\ &&&= \frac{n}{2kd}-\frac{nk^2}{2kd}-\frac{k^2}{4kd} \underbrace{\textrm{Re} \left ( \sum_{j=0}^{n-1}e^{ 2i(\alpha + \frac{j \pi}{n})} \right)}_{=0} \\ &&&= \frac{n}{2kd} - \frac{nk^2}{4kd} \\ &&&= \frac{n(2-k^2)}{4kd} \end{align*}
Write down the general term in the expansion in powers of \(x\) of \((1-x^6)^{-2}\,\).
Solution: \(\displaystyle (1-x^6)^{-2} = \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} (n+1)x^{6n}\)