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2024 Paper 2 Q2
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

In this question, you need not consider issues of convergence.

  1. Find the binomial series expansion of \((8 + x^3)^{-1}\), valid for \(|x| < 2\). Hence show that, for each integer \(m \geqslant 0\), \[ \int_0^1 \frac{x^m}{8 + x^3}\,\mathrm{d}x = \sum_{k=0}^{\infty} \left( \frac{(-1)^k}{2^{3(k+1)}} \cdot \frac{1}{3k + m + 1} \right). \]
  2. Show that \[ \sum_{k=0}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^k}{2^{3(k+1)}} \left( \frac{1}{3k+3} - \frac{2}{3k+2} + \frac{4}{3k+1} \right) = \int_0^1 \frac{1}{x+2}\,\mathrm{d}x\,, \] and evaluate the integral.
  3. Show that \[ \sum_{k=0}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^k}{2^{3(k+1)}} \left( \frac{72(2k+1)}{(3k+1)(3k+2)} \right) = \pi\sqrt{a} - \ln b\,, \] where \(a\) and \(b\) are integers which you should determine.


Solution:

  1. Note that \(\,\) \begin{align*} && (8+x^3)^{-1} &= \tfrac18(1 + \tfrac18x^3)^{-1} \\ &&&= \tfrac18( 1 - \left (\tfrac{x}{2} \right)^3 + \left (\tfrac{x}{2} \right)^6 -\left (\tfrac{x}{2} \right)^9 + \cdots ) \end{align*} So \begin{align*} && \int_0^1 \frac{x^m}{8+x^3} \d x &= \int_0^1 x^m \sum_{k=0}^{\infty} \frac{1}{2^3} \left ( - \frac{x}{2} \right)^{3k} \d x \\ &&&= \sum_{k=0}^{\infty} (-1)^k \frac{1}{2^{3(k+1)}} \int_0^1 x^{m+3k} \d x \\ &&&= \sum_{k=0}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^k}{2^{3(k+1)}} \frac{1}{3k+m+1} \\ \end{align*}
  2. Notice that \begin{align*} && S &= \sum_{k=0}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^k}{2^{3(k+1)}} \left( \frac{1}{3k+3} - \frac{2}{3k+2} + \frac{4}{3k+1} \right) \\ &&&= \int_0^1 \frac{x^2}{8+x^3} \d x - 2\int_0^1 \frac{x^1}{8+x^3}+4\int_0^1 \frac{x^0}{8+x^3} \d x \\ &&&= \int_0^1 \frac{x^2-2x+4}{x^3+8} \d x \\ &&&= \int_0^1 \frac{1}{x+2} \d x = \left[ \ln(x+2)\right]_0^1 \\ &&&= \ln 3 - \ln 2 = \ln \tfrac32 \end{align*}
  3. Firstly, note that \begin{align*} && \frac{2k+1}{(3k+1)(3k+2)} &= \frac13 \left ( \frac{1}{3k+1} +\frac{1}{3k+2} \right) \end{align*} so \begin{align*} && S_2 &= \sum_{k=0}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^k}{2^{3(k+1)}} \left( \frac{72(2k+1)}{(3k+1)(3k+2)} \right) \\ &&&= \sum_{k=0}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^k}{2^{3(k+1)}} 24 \left ( \frac{1}{3k+1} +\frac{1}{3k+2} \right) \\ &&&= 24 \left [ \int_0^1 \frac{x^0}{8+x^3} \d x + \int_0^1 \frac{x^1}{8+x^3} \d x \right] \\ &&&= 24 \left [ \int_0^1 \frac{1+x}{(x+2)(x^2-2x+4)} \d x \right] \\ &&&= 24 \left [ \int_0^1 \frac{x+8}{12(x^2-2x+4)}-\frac{1}{12(x+2)} \d x \right] \\ &&&= 2\left [ \int_0^1 \frac{x+8}{x^2-2x+4}-\frac{1}{x+2} \d x \right] \\ &&&= 2\left [ \int_0^1 \frac{x-1}{x^2-2x+4}+ \frac{9}{(x-1)^2+3}-\frac{1}{x+2} \d x \right] \\ &&&=2 \left [ \int_0^1 \frac12\ln(x^2-2x+4)+3\sqrt{3}\arctan \frac{x-1}{\sqrt{3}} -\ln(x+2) \right]_0^1 \\ &&&=2 \left ( \frac12 \ln3+3\sqrt3 \arctan 0 - \ln 3 \right) - 2\left (\frac12 \ln 4-3\sqrt3 \arctan \frac{1}{\sqrt3} - \ln 2 \right) \\ &&&=\sqrt3 \pi - \ln3 \end{align*}

2024 Paper 3 Q1
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

Throughout this question, \(N\) is an integer with \(N \geqslant 1\) and \(S_N = \displaystyle\sum_{r=1}^{N} \frac{1}{r^2}\). You may assume that \(\displaystyle\lim_{N\to\infty} S_N\) exists and is equal to \(\frac{1}{6}\pi^2\).

  1. Show that \[\frac{1}{r+1} - \frac{1}{r} + \frac{1}{r^2} = \frac{1}{r^2(r+1)}.\] Hence show that \[\sum_{r=1}^{N} \frac{1}{r^2(r+1)} = \sum_{r=1}^{N} \frac{1}{r^2} - 1 + \frac{1}{N+1}.\] Show further that \(\displaystyle\sum_{r=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{r^2(r+1)} = \frac{1}{6}\pi^2 - 1\).
  2. Find \(\displaystyle\sum_{r=1}^{N} \frac{1}{r^2(r+1)(r+2)}\) in terms of \(S_N\), and hence evaluate \(\displaystyle\sum_{r=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{r^2(r+1)(r+2)}\).
  3. Show that \[\sum_{r=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{r^2(r+1)^2} = \sum_{r=1}^{\infty} \frac{2}{r^2(r+1)} - 1.\]


Solution:

  1. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && \frac1{r+1} - \frac1r + \frac1{r^2} &= \frac{-1}{r(r+1)} + \frac{1}{r^2} \\ &&&= \frac{r+1-r}{r^2(r+1)} \\ &&&= \frac{1}{r^2(r+1)} \end{align*} Therefore \begin{align*} && \sum_{r=1}^N \frac1{r^2(r+1)} &= \sum_{r=1}^N \left (\frac1{r+1} - \frac1r + \frac1{r^2} \right) \\ &&&= \sum_{r=1}^N \left (\frac1{r+1} - \frac1r\right) + \sum_{r=1}^N \frac1{r^2} \\ &&&=\frac{1}{N+1} - 1 + \sum_{r=1}^N \frac1{r^2} \\ \end{align*} therefore \begin{align*} && \sum_{r=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{r^2(r+1)} &= \lim_{N \to \infty } \sum_{r=1}^{N} \frac{1}{r^2(r+1)} \\ &&&= \lim_{N \to \infty } \left (\frac{1}{N+1} - 1 + \sum_{r=1}^N \frac1{r^2} \right) \\ &&&= -1 +\lim_{N \to \infty } \sum_{r=1}^N \frac1{r^2} \\ &&&= -1 + \sum_{r=1}^\infty \frac1{r^2} \\ &&&= \frac{\pi^2}{6}-1 \end{align*}
  2. Note that \begin{align*} && \frac{1}{r^2(r+1)(r+2)} &= \frac{Ar+B}{r^2} + \frac{C}{r+1} + \frac{D}{r+2} \\ &&&= \frac{1}{2r^2} + \frac{1}{r+1} - \frac{1}{4(r+2)} - \frac{3}{4r} \end{align*} So \begin{align*} && \sum_{r=1}^N \frac{1}{r^2(r+1)(r+2)} &= \sum_{r=1}^N \left ( \frac{1}{2r^2} + \frac{1}{r+1} - \frac{1}{4(r+2)} - \frac{3}{4r} \right ) \\ &&&= \frac12 \sum_{r=1}^N \frac{1}{r^2} + \frac{1}{2} - \frac14 \cdot \frac1{3} - \frac34 \frac11 + \\ &&& \quad \quad \quad + \frac13 - \frac14\frac14 - \frac34\frac12 + \\ &&& \quad \quad \quad + \frac14 - \frac14\frac15 - \frac34\frac13 + \\ &&&\quad \quad \quad+ \cdots + \\ &&&\quad \quad \quad + \frac1{N+1} - \frac14\frac1{N+2} - \frac34\frac1N \\ &&&= \frac12 \sum_{r=1}^N \frac{1}{r^2} +\frac14\frac12 - \frac34\frac11-\frac14\frac1{N+2}+\frac34 \frac1{N+1} \\ \\ \Rightarrow && \sum_{r=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{r^2(r+1)(r+2)} &= \lim_{N \to \infty} \left [ \frac12 \sum_{r=1}^N \frac{1}{r^2} +\frac14\frac12 - \frac34\frac11-\frac14\frac1{N+2}+\frac34 \frac1{N+1}\right] \\ &&&= \frac{\pi^2}{12} -\frac58 \end{align*}
  3. Notice that \(\frac{1}{r^2(r+1)^2} - \frac{2}{r^2(r+1)} = \frac{1-2(r+1)}{r^2(r+1)^2} = \frac{-1-2r}{r^2(r+1)^2} = \frac{1}{(r+1)^2} - \frac{1}{r^2}\) and so \begin{align*} && \sum_{r=1}^N \frac{1}{r^2(r+1)^2} &= \sum_{r=1}^N \left ( \frac{2}{r^2(r+1)} +\frac{1}{(r+1)^2} - \frac{1}{r^2} \right) \\ &&&= \sum_{r=1}^N \frac{2}{r^2(r+1)} +\frac{1}{(N+1)^2} - 1 \\ \end{align*} and the result follows as \(N \to \infty\)
[There is a beautiful paper by KConrad about this question: https://kconrad.math.uconn.edu/blurbs/analysis/series_acceleration.pdf]

2020 Paper 3 Q5
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

Show that for positive integer \(n\), \(x^n - y^n = (x-y)\displaystyle\sum_{r=1}^{n} x^{n-r} y^{r-1}\).

  1. Let \(\mathrm{F}\) be defined by \[ \mathrm{F}(x) = \frac{1}{x^n(x-k)} \quad \text{for } x \neq 0,\, k \] where \(n\) is a positive integer and \(k \neq 0\).
    1. Given that \[ \mathrm{F}(x) = \frac{A}{x-k} + \frac{\mathrm{f}(x)}{x^n}, \] where \(A\) is a constant and \(\mathrm{f}(x)\) is a polynomial, show that \[ \mathrm{f}(x) = \frac{1}{x-k}\left(1 - \left(\frac{x}{k}\right)^n\right). \] Deduce that \[ \mathrm{F}(x) = \frac{1}{k^n(x-k)} - \frac{1}{k}\sum_{r=1}^{n} \frac{1}{k^{n-r}x^r}. \]
    2. By differentiating \(x^n \mathrm{F}(x)\), prove that \[ \frac{1}{x^n(x-k)^2} = \frac{1}{k^n(x-k)^2} - \frac{n}{xk^n(x-k)} + \sum_{r=1}^{n} \frac{n-r}{k^{n+1-r}x^{r+1}}. \]
  2. Hence evaluate the limit of \[ \int_2^N \frac{1}{x^3(x-1)^2} \; \mathrm{d}x \] as \(N \to \infty\), justifying your answer.

2018 Paper 3 Q8
D: 1700.0 B: 1516.0

In this question, you should ignore issues of convergence.

  1. Let \[ I = \int_0^1 \frac{\f(x^{-1}) } {1+x} \, \d x \,, \] where \(\f(x)\) is a function for which the integral exists. Show that \[ I = \sum_{n=1}^\infty \int_n^{n+1} \frac{\f(y) } {y(1+y)}\, \d y \] and deduce that, if \(\f(x) = \f(x+1)\) for all \(x\), then \[ I= \int_0^1 \frac{\f(x)} {1+x} \, \d x \,. \]
  2. The {\em fractional part}, \(\{x\}\), of a real number \(x\) is defined to be \(x-\lfloor x\rfloor\) where \(\lfloor x \rfloor\) is the largest integer less than or equal to \(x\). For example \(\{3.2\} = 0.2\) and \(\{3\}=0\,\). Use the result of part (i) to evaluate \[ \displaystyle \int _0^1 \frac { \{x^{-1}\}}{1+x}\, \d x \text{ and } \displaystyle \int _0^1 \frac { \{2x^{-1}\}}{1+x}\, \d x \,. \]
  3. (Bonus) Use the same method to evaluate \[ \int_0^1 \frac {x\{x^{-1}\}}{1-x^2} \, \d x \,. \]
  4. (Bonus - harder) Use the same method to evaluate \[ \int_0^1 \frac {x^2\{x^{-1}\}}{1-x^2} \, \d x \,. \]


Solution:

  1. \begin{align*} && I &= \int_0^1 \frac{f(x^{-1})}{1+x} \d x \\ u = x^{-1}, \d u = -x^{-2} \d x: &&&= \int_{\infty}^1 \frac{f(u)}{1+\frac{1}{u}} \frac{-1}{u^2} \d u \\ &&&= \int_1^{\infty} \frac{f(u)}{u(1+u)} \d u \\ &&&= \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \int_n^{n+1} \frac{f(u)}{u(u+1)} \d u \\ \\ \text{if} f(x) = f(x+1)\, \forall x && &=\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \int_{0}^1 \frac{f(x+n)}{(x+n)(x+n+1)} \d x \\ &&&= \sum_{n=1}^\infty \int_0^1 \frac{f(x)}{(x+n)(x+n+1)} \d x \\ &&&= \int_0^1 f(x) \l \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{(x+n)(x+n+1)}\r \d x \\ &&&= \int_0^1 f(x) \l \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \l \frac{1}{x+n} - \frac{1}{x+n+1} \r\r \d x \\ &&&= \int_0^1 f(x) \l \frac{1}{x+1} \r \d x \\ &&&= \int_0^1\frac{f(x)}{x+1} \d x \\ \end{align*}
  2. Since the fractional part is periodic with period \(1\), we can say \begin{align*} && \int_0^1 \frac{\{ x^{-1} \} }{1+x} \d x &= \int_0^1 \frac{\{ x\}}{x+1} \d x \\ &&&= \int_0^1 \frac{x}{x+1} \d x \\ &&&= \int_0^1 1-\frac{1}{x+1} \d x \\ &&&= [x - \ln (1+x) ]_0^1 \\ &&&= 1 - \ln 2 \end{align*} \begin{align*} && \int_0^1 \frac{\{ 2x^{-1}\}}{1+x} \d x &= \int_0^1 \frac{\{2x\}}{x+1} \d x \\ &&&= \int_0^{1/2} \frac{2x}{x+1} \d x +\int_{1/2}^{1} \frac{2x-1}{x+1} \d x \\ &&&= 2\int_0^1 \frac{x}{x+1} \d x + \int_{1/2}^1 \frac{-1}{x+1} \d x \\ &&&= 2 - 2\ln 2 - \l \ln 2 - \ln \tfrac32 \r \\ &&&= 2 - 4 \ln 2 + \ln 3 \\ &&&= 2 + \ln \tfrac {3}{16} \end{align*}
  3. \begin{align*} && \int_0^1 \frac{x \{ x^{-1} \} }{1-x^2} \d x &= \frac12 \l \int_0^1 \frac{ \{ x^{-1} \}}{1-x} - \frac{\{x^{-1} \}}{1+x} \d x\r \end{align*} Consider for \(f\) periodic with period \(1\) \begin{align*} \int_0^1 \frac{f(x^{-1})}{1-x} \d x &= \int_1^{\infty} \frac{f(u)}{u(u-1)} \d u \\ &= \sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\int_{n}^{n+1} \frac{f(u)}{u(u-1)} \d u \\ &= \sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\int_{0}^{1} \frac{f(u)}{(u+n)(u+n-1)} \d u \\ &= \int_{0}^{1} \sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{f(u)}{(u+n)(u+n-1)} \d u \\ &= \int_{0}^{1} f(u) \sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\l\frac{1}{u+n-1} - \frac{1}{u+n} \r\d u \\ &= \int_0^1 \frac{f(u)}{u} \d u \end{align*} So we have \begin{align*} && \int_0^1 \frac{x \{ x^{-1} \} }{1-x^2} \d x &= \frac12 \l \int_0^1 \frac{ \{ x^{-1} \}}{1-x} - \frac{\{x^{-1} \}}{1+x} \d x \r \\ &&&= \frac12 \int_0^1 \frac{\{ x \}}{x} \d x - \frac12 (1 - \ln 2) \\ &&&= \frac12 - \frac12 + \frac12 \ln 2 \\ &&&= \frac12 \ln 2 \end{align*}

2017 Paper 2 Q1
D: 1600.0 B: 1516.0

Note: In this question you may use without proof the result \( \dfrac{\d \ }{\d x}\big(\!\arctan x \big) = \dfrac 1 {1+x^2}\,\). Let \[ I_n = \int_0^1 x^n \arctan x \, \d x \;, \] where \(n=0\), 1, 2, 3, \(\ldots\) .

  1. Show that, for \(n\ge0\,\), \[ (n+1) I_n = \frac \pi 4 - \int _0^1 \frac {x^{n+1}}{1+x^2} \, \d x \, \] and evaluate \(I_0\).
  2. Find an expression, in terms of \(n\), for \((n+3)I_{n+2}+(n+1)I_{n}\,\). Use this result to evaluate \(I_4\).
  3. Prove by induction that, for \(n\ge1\), \[ (4n+1) I_{4n} =A - \frac12 \sum_{r=1}^{2n} (-1)^r \frac 1 {r} \,, \] where \(A\) is a constant to be determined.


Solution:

  1. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && I_n &= \int_0^1 x^n \arctan x \d x \\ &&&= \left [ \frac{x^{n+1}}{n+1} \arctan x\right]_0^1 - \int_0^1 \frac{x^{n+1}}{n+1} \frac{1}{1+x^2} \d x \\ &&&= \frac{1}{n+1} \frac{\pi}{4} - \frac{1}{n+1} \int_0^1 \frac{x^{n+1}}{1+x^2}\d x \\ \Rightarrow && (n+1)I_n &= \frac{\pi}{4} - \int_0^1 \frac{x^{n+1}}{1+x^2}\d x \\ && I_0 &= \frac{\pi}{4} - \int_0^1 \frac{x}{1+x^2} \d x \\ &&&= \frac{\pi}{4} - \left [\frac12 \ln(1+x^2) \right]_0^1 \\ &&&= \frac{\pi}{4} - \frac12 \ln 2 \end{align*}
  2. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && (n+3)I_{n+2} + (n+1)I_n &=\left ( \frac{\pi}{4} - \int_0^1 \frac{x^{n+3}}{1+x^2} \d x \right)+ \left (\frac{\pi}{4} - \int_0^1 \frac{x^{n+1}}{1+x^2} \d x \right) \\ &&&=\frac{\pi}{2}+ \int_0^1 \frac{x^{n+1}+x^{n+3}}{1+x^2} \d x \\ &&&=\frac{\pi}{2}+ \int_0^1 x^{n+1} \d x \\ &&&= \frac{\pi}{2} + \frac{1}{n+2} \\ && 3I_2 + I_0 &= \frac{\pi}{2} + \frac{1}{2} \\ \Rightarrow && 3I_2 &=\frac{\pi}{4} + \frac12 \ln 2 + \frac12 \\ && 5I_4 + 3I_2 &= \frac{\pi}{2} + \frac14 \\ \Rightarrow && 5I_4 &= \frac{\pi}{2} + \frac14 - \left ( \frac{\pi}{4} + \frac12 \ln 2 + \frac12\right) \\ &&&= \frac{\pi}4-\frac12 \ln 2-\frac14 \\ \Rightarrow && I_4 &= \frac15 \left (\frac{\pi}4-\frac12 \ln 2-\frac14 \right) \\ &&&= \frac1{20} \left (\pi - 2\ln 2 -1 \right) \end{align*}
  3. Claim: \[ (4n+1) I_{4n} =\frac{\pi}4-\frac12 \ln 2 - \frac12 \sum_{r=1}^{2n} (-1)^r \frac 1 {r} \,, \] Proof: Base case we have just shown above Assume true for \(n = k\), consider \(n = k+1\), then \begin{align*} && (4(k+1)+1) I_{4(k+1)} &= \frac{\pi}{2} + \frac{1}{4(k+1)} - (4k+3)I_{4k+2} \\ &&&= \frac{\pi}{2} + \frac{1}{4(k+1)} - \left (\frac{\pi}{2} + \frac{1}{2(2k+1)} - (4k+1)I_{4k} \right)\\ &&&= (4k+1)I_{4k} - \frac12 \left ( \frac{1}{2k+2} - \frac{1}{2k+1}\right) \\ &&&= \frac{\pi}4-\frac12 \ln 2 - \frac12 \sum_{r=1}^{2k} (-1)^r \frac 1 {r} - \frac12 \left ( \frac{1}{2k+2} - \frac{1}{2k+1}\right)\\ &&&= \frac{\pi}4-\frac12 \ln 2 - \frac12 \sum_{r=1}^{2(k+1)} (-1)^r \frac 1 {r} \\ \end{align*} as required.

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*}

2017 Paper 3 Q1
D: 1700.0 B: 1516.0

  1. Prove that, for any positive integers \(n\) and \(r\), \[ \frac{1}{^{n+r}\C_{r+1}} =\frac{r+1}{r} \left(\frac{1}{^{n+r-1}\C_{r}}-\frac{1}{^{n+r}\C_{r}}\right). \] Hence determine \[ \sum_{n=1}^{\infty}{\frac{1}{^{n+r}\C_{r+1}}} \,, \] and deduce that \ \(\displaystyle \sum_{n=2}^\infty \frac 1 {^{n+2}\C_3} = \frac12\,\).
  2. Show that, for \(n \ge 3\,\), \[ \frac{3!}{n^3} < \frac{1}{^{n+1}\C_{3}} \ \ \ \ \ \text{and} \ \ \ \ \ \frac{20}{^{n+1}\C_3} - \frac{1}{^{n+2}\C_{5}} < \frac{5!}{n^3} \,. \] By summing these inequalities for \(n \ge 3\,\), show that \[ \frac{115}{96} < \sum_{n=1}^{\infty}{\frac{1}{n^3}} < \frac{116}{96} \, . \]
{\bf Note: } \(^n\C_r\) is another notation for \(\displaystyle \binom n r \).


Solution: \begin{align*} \frac{r+1}{r} \left(\frac{1}{^{n+r-1}\C_{r}}-\frac{1}{^{n+r}\C_{r}}\right) &= \frac{r+1}{r} \l \frac{r!(n-1)!}{(n+r-1)!} - \frac{r!n!}{(n+r)!} \r \\ &= \frac{(r+1)!(n-1)!}{r(n+r-1)!} \l 1 - \frac{n}{n+r} \r \\ &= \frac{(r+1)!(n-1)!}{r(n+r-1)!} \frac{r}{n+r} \\ &= \frac{(r+1)!n!}{(n+r)!} \\ &= \frac{1}{^{n+r}\C_{r+1}} \end{align*} \begin{align*} \sum_{n=1}^{\infty}{\frac{1}{^{n+r}\C_{r+1}}} &= \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \l \frac{r+1}{r} \left(\frac{1}{^{n+r-1}\C_{r}}-\frac{1}{^{n+r}\C_{r}}\right) \r \\ &= \frac{r+1}{r} \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \l \frac{1}{^{n+r-1}\C_{r}}-\frac{1}{^{n+r}\C_{r}} \r \\ &= \frac{r+1}{r} \lim_{N \to \infty} \sum_{n=1}^{N} \l \frac{1}{^{n+r-1}\C_{r}}-\frac{1}{^{n+r}\C_{r}} \r \\ &= \frac{r+1}{r} \lim_{N \to \infty} \l \frac{1}{^{1+r-1}\C_{r}} - \frac{1}{^{N+r}\C_{r}}\r \\ &= \frac{r+1}{r} \frac{1}{^{1+r-1}\C_{r}} \tag{since \(\frac{1}{^{N+r}\C_{r}} \to 0\)} \\ &= \frac{r+1}{r} \end{align*} When \(r = 2\), we have: \begin{align*} && \frac{3}{2} &= \sum_{n=1}^{\infty}{\frac{1}{^{n+2}\C_{3}}} \\ && &=\frac{1}{^{1+2}\C_{3}} + \sum_{n=2}^{\infty}{\frac{1}{^{n+2}\C_{3}}} \\ && &= 1 + \sum_{n=2}^{\infty}{\frac{1}{^{n+2}\C_{3}}} \\ \Rightarrow && \sum_{n=2}^{\infty}{\frac{1}{^{n+2}\C_{3}}} &= \frac12 \end{align*} \begin{align*} \frac{1}{^{n+1}\C_{3}} &= \frac{3!}{(n+1)n(n-1)} \\ &= \frac{3!}{n^3-n} \\ &> \frac{3!}{n^3} \end{align*} \begin{align*} \frac{20}{^{n+1}\C_3} - \frac{1}{^{n+2}\C_{5}} &= \frac{5!}{(n+1)n(n-1)} - \frac{5!}{(n+2)(n+1)n(n-1)(n-2)} \\ &= \frac{5!}{n^3} \frac{n^2}{n^2-1}\l 1- \frac{1}{n^2-4} \r \\ &= \frac{5!}{n^3} \frac{n^2}{n^2-1}\l \frac{n^2-5}{n^2-4} \r \\ &= \frac{5!}{n^3} \frac{n^2(n^2-5)}{(n^2-1)(n^2-4)} \\ &< \frac{5!}{n^3} \end{align*} Since \(k(k-5) < (k-1)(k-4) \Leftrightarrow 0 < 4\), this only makes sense if \(n \geq 3\) \begin{align*} &&\frac{3!}{n^3} &< \frac{1}{^{n+1}\C_{3}} \tag{if \(n \geq 3\)} \\ \Rightarrow &&\sum_{n=3}^\infty \frac{3!}{n^3} &< \sum_{n=3}^\infty \frac{1}{^{n+1}\C_{3}} \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{6}{1^3} + \frac{6}{2^3} + \sum_{n=3}^\infty \frac{3!}{n^3} &< \frac{6}{1^3} + \frac{6}{2^3} + \sum_{n=3}^\infty \frac{1}{^{n+1}\C_{3}} \\ \Rightarrow && \sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{3!}{n^3} &< 6 + \frac{3}{4} + \sum_{n=2}^\infty \frac{1}{^{n+2}\C_{2+1}} \\ \Rightarrow && \sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{3!}{n^3} &< 6 + \frac{3}{4} + \frac{1}{2} = \frac{29}{4} \\ \Rightarrow && \sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{1}{n^3} &< \frac{29}{24} = \frac{116}{96} \\ \end{align*} \begin{align*} && \frac{20}{^{n+1}\C_3} - \frac{1}{^{n+2}\C_{5}} &< \frac{5!}{n^3} \\ \Rightarrow && \sum_{n=3}^\infty \l \frac{20}{^{n+1}\C_3} - \frac{1}{^{n+2}\C_{5}} \r &< \sum_{n=3}^\infty \frac{5!}{n^3} \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{120}{1^3} + \frac{120}{2^3} + \sum_{n=3}^\infty \frac{20}{^{n+1}\C_3} - \sum_{n=3}^\infty \frac{1}{^{n+2}\C_{5}} &< \frac{120}{1^3} + \frac{120}{2^3} + \sum_{n=3}^\infty \frac{5!}{n^3} \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{120}{1^3} + \frac{120}{2^3} + \sum_{n=2}^\infty \frac{20}{^{n+2}\C_{2+1}} - \sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{1}{^{n+4}\C_{4+1}} &< \frac{120}{1^3} + \frac{120}{2^3} + \sum_{n=3}^\infty \frac{5!}{n^3} \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{120}{1^3} + \frac{120}{2^3} + \frac{20}{2} - \frac{4+1}{4} &< \sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{5!}{n^3} \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{115}{96} &< \sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{1}{n^3} \\ \end{align*}

2016 Paper 1 Q8
D: 1500.0 B: 1530.6

Given an infinite sequence of numbers \(u_0\), \(u_1\), \(u_2\), \(\ldots\,\), we define the generating function, \(\f\), for the sequence by \[ \f(x) = u_0 + u_1x +u_2 x^2 +u_3 x^3 + \cdots \,. \] Issues of convergence can be ignored in this question.

  1. Using the binomial series, show that the sequence given by \(u_n=n\,\) has generating function \(x(1-x)^{-2}\), and find the sequence that has generating function \(x(1-x)^{-3}\). Hence, or otherwise, find the generating function for the sequence \(u_n =n^2\). You should simplify your answer.
    • \(\bf (a)\) The sequence \(u_0\), \(u_1\), \(u_2\), \(\ldots\,\) is determined by \(u_{n} = ku_{n-1}\) (\(n\ge1\)), where \(k\) is independent of \(n\), and \(u_0=a\). By summing the identity \(u_{n}x^n \equiv ku_{n-1}x^n\), or otherwise, show that the generating function, f, satisfies \[ \f(x) = a + kx \f(x) \] Write down an expression for \(\f(x)\).
    • \(\bf (b)\) The sequence \(u_0, u_1, u_2, \ldots\,\) is determined by \(u_{n} = u_{n-1}+ u_{n-2}\) (\(n\ge2\)) and \(u_0=0\), \(u_1=1\). Obtain the generating function.


Solution:

  1. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && x(1-x)^{-2} &= x \left (1 + (-2)(-x) + \frac{(-2)(-3)}{2!}x^2 + \cdots + \frac{(-2)(-3)\cdots(-2-(k-1))}{k!} (-x)^k + \cdots \right) \\ &&&= x(1 + 2x + 3x^2 + \cdots + \frac{(-2)(-3)\cdots(-(k+1))}{k!}(-1)^k x^k + \cdots ) \\ &&&= x+2x^2 + 3x^3 + \cdots + (k+1)x^{k+1} + \cdots \\ \Rightarrow && u_n &= n \end{align*} \begin{align*} && x(1-x)^{-3} &= x \left (1 + 3x + 6x^2 + \cdots + \frac{(-3)(-4)\cdots(-k-2)}{k!}(-x)^k + \cdots \right) \\ &&&= x \left (1 + 3x + 6x^2 + \cdots + \frac{(k+2)(k+1)}{2}x^k + \cdots \right) \\ &&&= x + 3x^2 + 6x^3 + \cdots + \binom{k+2}{2}x^{k+1} + \cdots \\ && u_n &= \binom{n+1}{2} = \frac{n^2+n}{2} \\ \\ \Rightarrow && 2x(1-x)^{-3} - x(1-x)^{-2} &= (1-x)^{-3}(2x-x(1-x)) \\ &&&= (1-x)^{-3}(x+x^2) \end{align*}
    • \(u_n = ku_{n-1} \Rightarrow u_nx^n = ku_{n-1}x^n\) so \begin{align*} && \sum_{n=1}^\infty u_n x^n &= \sum_{n=1}^\infty k u_{n-1}x^n \\ && \sum_{n=0}^\infty u_n x^n - a &= x\sum_{n=0}^\infty k u_{n}x^n \\ \Rightarrow && f(x)-a &= kx f(x) \\ \Rightarrow && f(x) &= a + kxf(x) \\ \Rightarrow && f(x) &= \frac{a}{1-kx} \end{align*}
    • Suppose \(\displaystyle f(x) = \sum_{n=0}^\infty u_n x^n\) so \begin{align*} && x^n u_n &= x^n u_{n-1} + x^n u_{n-2} \\ \Rightarrow && \sum_{n=2}^\infty x^n u_n &= \sum_{n=2}^\infty x^n u_{n-1} + \sum_{n=2}^\infty x^n u_{n-2} \\ && \sum_{n=0}^\infty x^n u_n - u_0 - u_1 x &= \left ( \sum_{n=0}^\infty x^{n+1} u_{n} -xu_0 \right) + \sum_{n=0}^\infty x^{n+2} u_{n} \\ && f(x) - x &= xf(x) +x^2f(x) \\ \Rightarrow && f(x) &= \frac{x}{1-x-x^2} \end{align*}

2016 Paper 3 Q3
D: 1700.0 B: 1484.0

  1. Given that \[ \int \frac {x^3-2}{(x+1)^2}\, \e ^x \d x = \frac{\P(x)}{Q(x)}\,\e^x + \text{constant} \,, \] where \(\P(x)\)and \(Q(x)\) are polynomials, show that \(Q(x)\) has a factor of \(x + 1\). Show also that the degree of \(\P(x)\) is exactly one more than the degree of \(Q(x)\), and find \(\P(x)\) in the case \(Q(x) =x+1\).
  2. Show that there are no polynomials \(\P(x)\) and \(Q(x)\) such that \[ \int \frac 1 {x+1} \, \, \e^x \d x = \frac{\P(x)}{Q(x)}\,\e^x +\text{constant} \,. \] You need consider only the case when \(\P(x)\) and \(Q(x)\) have no common factors.


Solution:

  1. \begin{align*} && \int \frac {x^3-2}{(x+1)^2}\, \e ^x \d x &= \frac{\P(x)}{Q(x)}\,\e^x + \text{constant} \\ \underbrace{\Rightarrow}_{\frac{\d}{\d x}} && \frac{x^3-2}{(x+1)^2}e^x &= \frac{P'(x)Q(x)-Q'(x)P(x)}{Q(x)^2}e^x + \frac{P(x)}{Q(x)}e^x \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{x^3-2}{(x+1)^2} &= \frac{(P(x)+P'(x))Q(x)-Q'(x)P(x)}{Q(x)^2} \\ \Rightarrow && Q(x)^2(x^3-2) &= ((P(x)+P'(x))Q(x)-Q'(x)P(x))(x+1)^2 \\ \Rightarrow && Q(-1) &= 0 \\ \Rightarrow && x+1 &\mid Q(x) \end{align*} We have \(\frac{x^3-2}{(x+1)^2}\) has degree \(1\) (plus some remainder term). Therefore \begin{align*} 1 &= \deg \l (P(x)+P'(x))Q(x)-Q'(x)P(x)\r - 2 \deg Q(x) \\ &= \deg P(x) + \deg Q(x) - 2 \deg Q(x) \\ &= \deg P(x) - \deg Q(x) \end{align*} as required. Suppose \(Q(x) = x+1, P(x) = ax^2+bx+c\) then \begin{align*} && \frac{x^3-2}{(x+1)^2} &= \frac{(P(x)+P'(x))(x+1)-P(x)}{(x+1)^2} \\ \Rightarrow && x^3-2 &= (P(x)+P'(x))(x+1) - P(x) \\ \Rightarrow && x^3-2 &= (ax^2+bx+c+2ax+b)(x+1) - (ax^2+bx+c) \\ &&&= a x^3+ x^2 (2 a + b) + x (2 a + b + c)+b \\ \Rightarrow && a &= 1 \\ && b &= -2 \\ && c &= 0 \end{align*} So \(P(x) = x^2-2x\)
  2. \begin{align*} && \int \frac1{x+1}e^x \d x &= \frac{P(x)}{Q(x)}e^x + c \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{1}{x+1} e^x &= \frac{P'(x)Q(x)-Q'(x)P(x)}{Q(x)^2}e^x + \frac{P(x)}{Q(x)}e^x \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{1}{x+1} &= \frac{(P(x)+P'(x))Q(x)-Q'(x)P(x)}{Q(x)^2} \end{align*} Therefore \(Q(-1) = 0\) and so \(x +1 \mid Q(x)\). Considering degrees, we must have that \(P(x)\) has degree \(1\) less than \(Q(x)\). Consider also the number of factors of \(x+1\) in the numerator and denominator. Since \(P(x)\) and \(Q(x)\) have no common factors, the \(Q(x)\) could have \(q\) factors and \(P(x)\) must have none. The denominator therefore has \(2q\) factors and the numerator must have \(q-1\) factors (coming from \(Q'(x)\)), we must have \(2q = (q-1) + 1\), but that implies \(q = 0\). Contradiction! \end{align*}

2016 Paper 3 Q4
D: 1700.0 B: 1484.0

  1. By considering \(\displaystyle \frac1{1+ x^r} - \frac1{1+ x^{r +1}}\) for \(\vert x \vert \ne 1\), simplify \[ \sum_{r=1}^N \frac{x^r}{(1+x^r)(1+x^{r+1})} \] Show that, for \(\vert x \vert <1\), \[ \sum_{r=1}^\infty \frac{x^r}{(1+x^r)(1+x^{r+1})} = \frac x {1-x^2} \]
  2. Deduce that \[ \sum_{r=1}^\infty \textrm{sech}(ry)\textrm{sech}((r + 1)y) = 2\e^{-y} \textrm{cosech}(2 y) \] for \(y > 0\). Hence simplify \[ \sum_{r=-\infty}^\infty \textrm{sech}(ry) \textrm{sech}((r + 1)y) \] for \(y>0\).


Solution:

  1. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && \frac{1}{1+x^r} - \frac{1}{1+x^{r+1}} &= \frac{1+x^{r+1}-1-x^r}{(1+x^r)(1+x^{r+1})} \\ &&&= \frac{x^r(x-1)}{(1+x^r)(1+x^{r+1})} \\ \\ && \sum_{r=1}^N \frac{x^r}{(1+x^r)(1+x^{r+1})} &= \sum_{r=1}^N \frac{1}{x-1} \left ( \frac{1}{1+x^r} - \frac{1}{1+x^{r+1}}\right) \\ &&&= \frac{1}{x-1} \Bigg ( \frac{1}{1+x} + \cdots \\ &&& \qquad \qquad \quad - \frac{1}{1+x^2} + \frac{1}{1+x^2} + \cdots \\ &&& \qquad \qquad \quad - \frac{1}{1+x^3} + \frac{1}{1+x^3} + \cdots \\ &&& \qquad \qquad \quad - \cdots \\ &&& \qquad \qquad \quad - \frac{1}{1+x^{N+1}} \Bigg ) \\ &&&= \frac{1}{x-1} \left (\frac{1}{1+x} - \frac{1}{1+x^{N+1}} \right) \\ \\ && \sum_{r=1}^{\infty} \frac{x^r}{(1+x^r)(1+x^{r+1})} &= \lim_{N\to \infty} \frac{1}{x-1} \left (\frac{1}{1+x} - \frac{1}{1+x^{N+1}} \right) \\ &&&= \frac{1}{x-1} \left ( \frac{1}{1+x} - 1\right) \\ &&&= \frac{1}{x-1} \left ( \frac{-x}{1+x} \right) \\ &&&= \frac{x}{1-x^2} \end{align*}
  2. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && \sum_{r=1}^\infty \textrm{sech}(ry)\textrm{sech}((r + 1)y) &= \sum_{r=1}^\infty \frac{4}{(e^{ry}+e^{-ry})(e^{(r+1)y}+e^{-(r+1)y})} \\ &&&=\sum_{r=1}^\infty \frac{4e^{-(2r+1)y}}{(1+e^{-2ry})(1+e^{-2(r+1)y})} \\ x = e^{-2y}: &&&= \frac{4e^{-y}e^{-2y}}{1-e^{-4y}} \\ &&&= \frac{4e^{-y}e^{-2y}}{e^{-2y}(e^{2y}-e^{-2y})} \\ &&&=2e^{-y}\textrm{cosech}(2y) \end{align*} \begin{align*} && \sum_{r=-\infty}^\infty \textrm{sech}(ry) \textrm{sech}((r + 1)y) &= \sum_{r=1}^\infty \textrm{sech}(ry) \textrm{sech}((r + 1)y) + \sum_{r=-\infty}^0 \textrm{sech}(ry) \textrm{sech}((r + 1)y) \\ &&&= 2e^{-y}\textrm{cosech}(2y) + \sum_{r=0}^\infty \textrm{sech}(-ry) \textrm{sech}(-(r-1)y) \\ &&&= 2e^{-y}\textrm{cosech}(2y) + \sum_{r=0}^\infty \textrm{sech}((r-1)y) \textrm{sech}(ry) \\ &&&= 4e^{-y}\textrm{cosech}(2y) + \textrm{sech}(y) + \textrm{sech}(-y) \\ &&&= 4e^{-y}\textrm{cosech}(2y)+2\textrm{sech}(y) \\ &&&= 4e^{-y} \frac12 \textrm{sech}(y) \textrm{cosech}(y) + 2 \textrm{sech}(y) \\ &&&= 2\textrm{sech}(y) \left ( e^{-y} \textrm{cosech}(y)+1 \right) \\ &&&= 2\textrm{sech}(y) \left ( \frac{2}{e^{2y}-1} + 1 \right) \\ &&&= 2\textrm{sech}(y) \left ( \frac{e^{2y}+1}{e^{2y}-1} \right) \\ &&&= 2 \textrm{cosech}(y) \end{align*}

2016 Paper 3 Q11
D: 1700.0 B: 1484.0

A car of mass \(m\) travels along a straight horizontal road with its engine working at a constant rate \(P\). The resistance to its motion is such that the acceleration of the car is zero when it is moving with speed \(4U\).

  1. Given that the resistance is proportional to the car's speed, show that the distance \(X_1\) travelled by the car while it accelerates from speed \(U\) to speed \(2U\), is given by \[ \lambda X_1 = 2\ln \tfrac 9 5 - 1 \,, \] where \(\lambda= P/(16mU^3)\).
  2. Given instead that the resistance is proportional to the square of the car's speed, show that the distance \(X_2\) travelled by the car while it accelerates from speed \(U\) to speed \(2U\) is given by \[ \lambda X_2 = \tfrac43 \ln \tfrac 98 \,. \]
  3. Given that \(3.17<\ln 24 < 3.18\) and \(1.60<\ln 5 < 1.61\), determine which is the larger of \(X_1\) and \(X_2\).


Solution:

  1. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && F_{res} &= kv \\ && P &= Fv \\ v = 4U: && 0 &= F-F_{res} \\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= \frac{P}{4U} - 4Uk \\ \Rightarrow && k &= \frac{P}{16U^2} \\ \\ &&m v \frac{\d v}{\d x}&= \frac{P}{v} - \frac{P}{16U^2}v \\ \Rightarrow && X_1 &= \int_{v=U}^{v=2U} \frac{16U^2mv^2}{P(16U^2-v^2)} \d v \\ v = Ut&& &= \frac{16mU^2}{P} \int_{t=1}^{t=2}\left ( \frac{t^2}{16-t^2} \right)U\d t \\ &&&= \frac{16mU^3}{P} \int_1^2 \left ( -1 + \frac{16}{16-t^2} \right) \d t \\ &&&= \frac{16mU^3}{P} \int_1^2 \left ( -1 +\frac{2}{4+t} +\frac{2}{4-t} \right) \d t \\ &&&= \frac{1}{\lambda}\left (-1 + 2\ln(6)-2\ln(2)-2\ln(5)+2\ln(3) \right) \\ \Rightarrow && \lambda X_1 &= 2\ln \tfrac95-1 \end{align*}
  2. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && F_{res} = kv^2 \\ v = 4U: && 0 &= \frac{P}{4U} - 16U^2k \\ \Rightarrow && k &= \frac{P}{64U^3} \\ \\ && mv \frac{\d v}{\d x} &= \frac{P}{v} - \frac{P}{64U^3}v^2 \\ \Rightarrow && X_2 &= \int_{v=U}^{v=2U} \frac{64U^3mv^2}{P(64U^3-v^3)} \d v \\ &&&= \frac{64U^3m}{P} \int_{v=U}^{v=2U} \frac{v^2}{64U^3-v^3} \d v\\ v = Ut &&&= \frac{64U^3m}{P} \int_{t=1}^{t=2} \frac{U^2t^2}{64U^3-U^3v^3} U \d t\\ &&&= \frac{4}{\lambda} \int_1^2 \frac{t^2}{64-t^3} \d t \\ &&&= \frac{4}{\lambda} \left [ -\frac13\ln(64-t^3) \right]_1^2 \\ &&&= \frac{4}{3\lambda} \ln (63/56) \\ \Rightarrow && \lambda X_2 &= \tfrac43 \ln \tfrac98 \end{align*}
  3. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && 2\ln \tfrac95 - 1 &\overset{?}{>} \frac43 \ln \frac98 \\ \Leftrightarrow && 4 \ln 3 - 2\ln 5 - 1 &\overset{?}{>} \frac83\ln 3 -4 \ln 2 \\ \Leftrightarrow && \frac43(3\ln 3 + 3\ln 2 - 2 \ln 3) &\overset{?}{>} 2 \ln 5 + 1\\ \Leftrightarrow && \frac43\ln 24 &\overset{?}{>} 2 \ln 5 + 1\\ \end{align*} The \(LHS\) is \(>4.22\). The \(RHS\) is \(< 4.22\), and therefore our inequality holds, in particular, \(X_1 > X_2\).

2014 Paper 3 Q2
D: 1700.0 B: 1513.2

  1. Show, by means of the substitution \(u=\cosh x\,\), that \[ \int \frac{\sinh x}{\cosh 2x} \d x = \frac 1{2\sqrt2} \ln \left\vert \frac{\sqrt2 \cosh x - 1}{\sqrt2 \cosh x + 1 } \right\vert + C \,.\]
  2. Use a similar substitution to find an expression for \[ \int \frac{\cosh x}{\cosh 2x} \d x \,.\]
  3. Using parts (i) and (ii) above, show that \[ \int_0^1 \frac 1{1+u^4} \d u = \frac{\pi + 2\ln(\sqrt2 +1)}{4\sqrt2}\,. \]


Solution:

  1. \begin{align*} && \int \frac{\sinh x}{\cosh 2x} \d x &= \int \frac{\sinh x}{2\cosh^2 x -1} \d x \\ u = \cosh x, \d u = \sinh x \d x &&&= \int \frac{1}{2u^2 -1} \d u \\ &&&= \int\frac12 \left ( \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}u-1}-\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}u+1} \right) \d u \\ &&&= \frac1{2\sqrt{2}} \left (\ln (\sqrt{2}u-1) - \ln(\sqrt{2}u+1) \right) + C \\ &&&= \frac{1}{2\sqrt{2}} \ln \left ( \frac{\sqrt{2}\cosh x -1}{\sqrt{2}\cosh x +1} \right) + C \end{align*}
  2. \begin{align*} && \int \frac{\cosh x}{\cosh 2x} \d x &= \int \frac{\cosh x}{1+2\sinh^2 x} \d x \\ u = \sinh x && &= \int \frac{1}{1+2u^2} \d u \\ &&&=\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} \tan^{-1} (\sqrt{2}u) + C \\ &&&= \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} \tan^{-1}(\sqrt{2}\sinh x) + C \end{align*}
  3. \begin{align*} u = e^x : && \int_0^1 \frac{1}{1+u^4} \d u &= \int_{x=-\infty}^{x=0} \frac{1}{1+e^{4x}}e^{x} \d x \\ &&&= \int_{-\infty}^{0} \frac{e^{-x}}{e^{2x}+e^{-2x}} \d x \\ &&&= \int_{-\infty}^{0} \frac{\cosh x - \sinh x}{2\cosh 2x } \d x \\ &&&= \frac12 \int_{-\infty}^{0} \frac{\cosh x}{\cosh 2x} \d x - \frac12 \int_{-\infty}^{0} \frac{\sinh x}{\cosh 2x} \\ &&&= \frac12 \left [\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} \tan^{-1}(\sqrt{2}\sinh x) \right]_{-\infty}^{0}-\frac12 \left [ \frac{1}{2\sqrt{2}}\ln \left ( \frac{\sqrt{2}\cosh x -1}{\sqrt{2}\cosh x +1} \right) \right]_{-\infty}^{0} \\ &&&= 0 - \frac1{2\sqrt{2}} \frac{-\pi}{2}-\left (\frac1{4\sqrt{2}} \ln \left (\frac{\sqrt{2}-1}{\sqrt{2}+1} \right) - 0 \right) \\ &&&= \frac{\pi - \ln((\sqrt{2}-1)^2)}{4\sqrt{2}} \\ &&&= \frac{\pi + 2 \ln(1+\sqrt{2})}{4\sqrt{2}} \end{align*}

2012 Paper 2 Q1
D: 1600.0 B: 1500.0

Write down the general term in the expansion in powers of \(x\) of \((1-x^6)^{-2}\,\).

  1. Find the coefficient of \(x^{24}\) in the expansion in powers of \(x\) of \[ (1-x^6)^{-2} (1-x^3)^{-1}\,.\] Obtain also, and simplify, formulae for the coefficient of \(x^n\) in the different cases that arise.
  2. Show that the coefficient of \(x^{24}\) in the expansion in powers of \(x\) of \[ (1-x^6)^{-2} (1-x^3)^{-1} (1-x)^{-1}\,\] is \(55\), and find the coefficients of \(x^{25}\) and \(x^{66}\).


Solution: \(\displaystyle (1-x^6)^{-2} = \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} (n+1)x^{6n}\)

  1. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && f(x) &= (1-x^6)^{-2}(1-x^3)^{-1} \\ &&&= \left ( \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} (n+1)x^{6n} \right) \left ( \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} x^{3n} \right) \\ [x^{24}]: && c_{24} &= 1 + 2+ 3+4+5 = 15 \end{align*} Clearly \(n\) must be a multiple of \(3\). If \(n = 6k\) then we have \(1 + 2 + \cdots + (k+1) = \frac{(k+1)(k+2)}{2}\) If \(n = 6k+3\) then we have \(1 + 2 + \cdots + (k+1) = \frac{(k+1)(k+2)}{2}\) the same way, we just must always get one extra \(x^3\) term from the second expansion.
  2. We can obtain \(x^{24}\) from the product of \((1-x^6)^{-2}(1-x^3)^{-1}\) and \((1-x)^{-1}\) in the following ways: \begin{array}{c|c|c} (1-x^6)^{-2}(1-x^3)^{-1} & (1-x)^{-1} & \text{product} \\ \hline 15x^{24} & x^0 & 15x^{24} \\ 10x^{21} & x^3 & 10x^{24} \\ 10x^{18} & x^6 & 10x^{24} \\ 6x^{15} & x^9 & 6x^{24} \\ 6x^{12} & x^{12} & 6x^{24} \\ 3x^{9} & x^{15} & 3x^{24} \\ 3x^{6} & x^{18} & 3x^{24} \\ x^{3} & x^{21} & x^{24} \\ x^{0} & x^{24}& x^{24} \end{array} So the total is \(55\). Similarly for \(25\) we can only obtain this in the same ways but also taking an extra power of \(x\) from the geometric series, ie \(55\) For \(66\) we obtain by similar reasoning that it is: \(\frac{13\cdot12}{2} + 2 \left (1 + 3 + \cdots + \frac{13 \cdot 12}{2} \right) = \frac{13\cdot12}{2} + 2 \binom{14}{3} = \frac{13 \cdot 12}2 ( 1 + \frac{30}{3}) = 11 \cdot 6 \cdot 13 = 858\)

2012 Paper 2 Q5
D: 1600.0 B: 1484.0

  1. Sketch the curve \(y=\f(x)\), where \[ \f(x) = \frac 1 {(x-a)^2 -1} \hspace{2cm}(x\ne a\pm1), \] and \(a\) is a constant.
  2. The function \(\g(x)\) is defined by \[ \g(x) = \frac 1 {\big( (x-a)^2-1 \big) \big( (x-b)^2 -1\big)} \hspace{1cm}(x\ne a\pm1, \ x\ne b\pm1), \] where \(a\) and \(b\) are constants, and \(b>a\). Sketch the curves \(y=\g(x)\) in the two cases \(b>a+2\) and \(b=a+2\), finding the values of \(x\) at the stationary points.


Solution:

  1. \(\,\)
    TikZ diagram
  2. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && \frac{\d}{\d x} \left ( \frac{1}{g(x)} \right) &= \frac{\d }{\d x} \left ( \big( (x-a)^2-1 \big) \big( (x-b)^2 -1\big)\right) \\ &&&= ((x-a)^2-1)(2(x-b))+((x-b)^2-1)(2(x-a)) \\ &&&= 2(2x-a-b)(x^2-(a+b)x+ab-1) \\ \Rightarrow && x &= \frac{a+b}{2}, \frac{a+b \pm \sqrt{(a+b)^2-4ab+4}}{2} \\ &&&= \frac{a+b}{2}, \frac{a+b \pm \sqrt{(a-b)^2+4}}{2} \end{align*} If \(b > a+2\):
    TikZ diagram
    If \(b = a+2\):
    TikZ diagram

2012 Paper 3 Q2
D: 1700.0 B: 1516.0

In this question, \(\vert x \vert <1\) and you may ignore issues of convergence.

  1. Simplify \[ (1-x)(1+x)(1+x^2)(1+x^4) \cdots (1+x^{2^n})\,, \] where \(n\) is a positive integer, and deduce that \[ \frac1{1-x} = (1+x)(1+x^2)(1+x^4) \cdots (1+x^{2^n}) + \frac {x^{2^{n+1}}}{1-x}\,. \] Deduce further that \[ \ln(1-x) = - \sum_{r=0}^\infty \ln \left (1+ x ^{2^r}\right) \,, \] and hence that \[ \frac1 {1-x} = \frac 1 {1+x} + \frac {2x}{1+x^2} + \frac {4x^3}{1+x^4} +\cdots\,. \]
  2. Show that \[ \frac{1+2x}{1+x+x^2} = \frac{1-2x}{1-x+x^2} + \frac{2x-4x^3}{1-x^2+x^4} + \frac {4x^3-8x^7}{1-x^4+x^8} + \cdots\,. \]


Solution:

  1. \begin{align*} (1-x)&(1+x)(1+x^2)(1+x^4) \cdots (1+x^{2^n}) \\ &= (1-x^2)(1+x^2)(1+x^4) \cdots (1+x^{2^n}) \\ &= (1-x^4)(1+x^4) \cdots (1+x^{2^n}) \\ &= 1-x^{2^{n+1}} \\ \end{align*} Therefore, \begin{align*} && \frac{1}{1-x} - \frac{x^{2^{n+1}}}{1-x} &= (1+x)(1+x^2)\cdots(1+x^{2^n}) \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{1}{1-x} &=(1+x)(1+x^2)\cdots(1+x^{2^n})+ \frac{x^{2^{n+1}}}{1-x} \\ \Rightarrow && -\ln (1-x) &= \sum_{r=0}^{\infty} \ln (1+x^{2^r}) \\ \Rightarrow && \ln(1-x) &= - \sum_{r=0}^{\infty} \ln (1+x^{2^r}) \\ \underbrace{\Rightarrow}_{\frac{\d}{\d x}} && \frac{1}{1-x} &= \sum_{r=0}^{\infty} \frac{2^r x^{2^r-1}}{1+x^{2^r}} \\ &&&= \frac{1}{1+x} + \frac{2x}{1+x^2} + \frac{4x^3}{1+x^4} + \cdots \end{align*}
  2. Consider \begin{align*}(1+x+x^2)&(1-x+x^2)(1-x^2+x^4)\cdots(1-x^{2^n}+x^{2^{n+1}}) \\ &= (1+x^2 + x^4)(1-x^2+x^4) \cdots (1-x^{2^n}+x^{2^{n+1}}) \\ &= (1-x^{2^{n+1}}+x^{2^{n+2}}) \\ \end{align*} Therefore, \begin{align*} && \frac{1}{1+x+x^2} &= (1-x+x^2)(1-x^2+x^4)\cdots(1-x^{2^n}+x^{2^{n+1}}) + \frac{x^{2^{n+1}}}{1+x+x^2} -\frac{x^{2^{n+2}}}{1+x+x^2} \\ \Rightarrow && -\ln(1+x+x^2) &= \sum_{r=0}^\infty \ln (1 - x^{2^r}+x^{2^{r+1}}) \\ \underbrace{\Rightarrow}_{\frac{\d}{\d x}} && -\frac{1+2x}{1+x+x^2} &= \sum_{r=0}^{\infty} \frac{ -2^r x^{2^r-1}+2^{r+1}x^{2^{r+1}-1}}{1 - x^{2^r}+x^{2^{r+1}}} \\ &&&= \frac{-1+2x}{1-x+x^2}+\frac{-2x+4x^3}{1-x^2+x^4} + \frac{-4x^3+8x^7}{1-x^4+x^8} + \cdots \end{align*} Which is the desired result when we multiply both sides by \(-1\)