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2023 Paper 3 Q2
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

The polar curves \(C_1\) and \(C_2\) are defined for \(0 \leqslant \theta \leqslant \pi\) by \[r = k(1 + \sin\theta)\] \[r = k + \cos\theta\] respectively, where \(k\) is a constant greater than \(1\).

  1. Sketch the curves on the same diagram. Show that if \(\theta = \alpha\) at the point where the curves intersect, \(\tan\alpha = \dfrac{1}{k}\).
  2. The region A is defined by the inequalities \[0 \leqslant \theta \leqslant \alpha \quad \text{and} \quad r \leqslant k(1+\sin\theta)\,.\] Show that the area of A can be written as \[\frac{k^2}{4}(3\alpha - \sin\alpha\cos\alpha) + k^2(1 - \cos\alpha)\,.\]
  3. The region B is defined by the inequalities \[\alpha \leqslant \theta \leqslant \pi \quad \text{and} \quad r \leqslant k + \cos\theta\,.\] Find an expression in terms of \(k\) and \(\alpha\) for the area of B.
  4. The total area of regions A and B is denoted by \(R\). The area of the region enclosed by \(C_1\) and the lines \(\theta = 0\) and \(\theta = \pi\) is denoted by \(S\). The area of the region enclosed by \(C_2\) and the lines \(\theta = 0\) and \(\theta = \pi\) is denoted by \(T\). Show that as \(k \to \infty\), \[\frac{R}{T} \to 1\] and find the limit of \[\frac{R}{S}\] as \(k \to \infty\).

2021 Paper 3 Q5
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

Two curves have polar equations \(r = a + 2\cos\theta\) and \(r = 2 + \cos 2\theta\), where \(r \geqslant 0\) and \(a\) is a constant.

  1. Show that these curves meet when \[ 2\cos^2\theta - 2\cos\theta + 1 - a = 0. \] Hence show that these curves touch if \(a = \tfrac{1}{2}\) and find the other two values of \(a\) for which the curves touch.
  2. Sketch the curves \(r = a + 2\cos\theta\) and \(r = 2 + \cos 2\theta\) on the same diagram in the case \(a = \tfrac{1}{2}\). Give the values of \(r\) and \(\theta\) at the points at which the curves touch and justify the other features you show on your sketch.
  3. On two further diagrams, one for each of the other two values of \(a\), sketch both the curves \(r = a + 2\cos\theta\) and \(r = 2 + \cos 2\theta\). Give the values of \(r\) and \(\theta\) at the points at which the curves touch and justify the other features you show on your sketch.


Solution:

  1. The curves meet when they have the same radius for a given \(\theta\) ie \begin{align*} && a + 2 \cos \theta &= 2 + \cos 2 \theta \\ &&&= 2 + 2\cos^2 \theta - 1 \\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= 2 \cos ^2 \theta - 2 \cos \theta + 1 - a \end{align*} The curves touch if this has a repeated root, ie \(0 = \Delta = 4 - 8(1-a) \Rightarrow a = \frac12\). The second way the curves can touch is if there is a single root, but it's at an extreme value of \(\cos \theta = \pm 1\) ie \(0 = 2 - 2\cdot(\pm1) + 1 - a \Rightarrow a = 3 \pm 2 = 1, 5\)
  2. Suppose \(a = \frac12\) then the curves touch when \(0 = 2\cos^2 \theta - 2 \cos \theta + \frac12 = (2 \cos \theta-1 )(\cos \theta -\frac12) \Rightarrow \theta = \pm \frac{\pi}{3}\)
    TikZ diagram
  3. \(a = 1\)
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    \(a = 5\)
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2020 Paper 3 Q6
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

  1. Sketch the curve \(y = \cos x + \sqrt{\cos 2x}\) for \(-\frac{1}{4}\pi \leqslant x \leqslant \frac{1}{4}\pi\).
  2. The equation of curve \(C_1\) in polar co-ordinates is \[ r = \cos\theta + \sqrt{\cos 2\theta} \qquad -\tfrac{1}{4}\pi \leqslant \theta \leqslant \tfrac{1}{4}\pi. \] Sketch the curve \(C_1\).
  3. The equation of curve \(C_2\) in polar co-ordinates is \[ r^2 - 2r\cos\theta + \sin^2\theta = 0 \qquad -\tfrac{1}{4}\pi \leqslant \theta \leqslant \tfrac{1}{4}\pi. \] Find the value of \(r\) when \(\theta = \pm\frac{1}{4}\pi\). Show that, when \(r\) is small, \(r \approx \frac{1}{2}\theta^2\). Sketch the curve \(C_2\), indicating clearly the behaviour of the curve near \(r=0\) and near \(\theta = \pm\frac{1}{4}\pi\). Show that the area enclosed by curve \(C_2\) and above the line \(\theta = 0\) is \(\dfrac{\pi}{2\sqrt{2}}\).

2017 Paper 3 Q5
D: 1700.0 B: 1484.0

The point with cartesian coordinates \((x,y)\) lies on a curve with polar equation \(r=\f(\theta)\,\). Find an expression for \(\dfrac{\d y}{\d x}\) in terms of \(\f(\theta)\), \(\f'(\theta)\) and \(\tan\theta\,\). Two curves, with polar equations \(r=\f(\theta)\) and \(r=\g(\theta)\), meet at right angles. Show that where they meet \[ \f'(\theta) \g'(\theta) +\f(\theta)\g(\theta) = 0 \,. \] The curve \(C\) has polar equation \(r=\f(\theta)\) and passes through the point given by \(r=4\), \(\theta = - \frac12\pi\). For each positive value of \(a\), the curve with polar equation \(r= a(1+\sin\theta)\) meets~\(C\) at right angles. Find \(\f(\theta)\,\). Sketch on a single diagram the three curves with polar equations \(r= 1+\sin\theta\,\), \ \(r= 4(1+\sin\theta)\) and \(r=\f(\theta)\,\).


Solution: \((x, y) = (f(\theta)\cos(\theta), f(\theta)\sin(\theta))\) so \begin{align*} \frac{dy}{d\theta} &= -f(\theta)\sin(\theta) + f'(\theta)\cos(\theta) \\ \frac{dx}{d\theta} &= f(\theta)\cos(\theta) + f'(\theta)\sin(\theta) \\ \frac{dy}{dx} &= \frac{-f(\theta)\sin(\theta) + f'(\theta)\cos(\theta)}{f(\theta)\cos(\theta) + f'(\theta)\sin(\theta) } \\ &= \frac{-f(\theta)\tan(\theta) + f'(\theta)}{f(\theta) + f'(\theta)\tan(\theta) } \end{align*} If the curves meet at right angles then the product of their gradients is \(-1\), ie \begin{align*} \frac{-f(\theta)\tan(\theta) + f'(\theta)}{f(\theta) + f'(\theta)\tan(\theta) } \cdot \frac{-g(\theta)\tan(\theta) + g'(\theta)}{g(\theta) + g'(\theta)\tan(\theta) } &= -1 \\ f(\theta)g(\theta)\tan^2 \theta - f(\theta)g'(\theta)\tan \theta - f'(\theta)g(\theta)\tan \theta + f'(\theta)g'(\theta) &= \\ \quad - \l f(\theta)g(\theta) + f(\theta)g'(\theta)\tan(\theta) + f'(\theta)g(\theta)\tan(\theta) + f'(\theta)g'(\theta)\tan^2 \theta \r \\ \tan^2\theta \l f(\theta)g(\theta) + f'(\theta)g'(\theta) \r + f'(\theta)g'(\theta) + f(\theta)g(\theta) &= 0 \\ (\tan^2\theta + 1) \l f(\theta)g(\theta) + f'(\theta)g'(\theta) \r &= 0 \\ f(\theta)g(\theta) + f'(\theta)g'(\theta) &= 0 \end{align*} \(g(\theta) = a(1+\sin\theta), g'(\theta) = a\cos\theta\) Therefore \(f'(\theta)a\cos \theta+f(\theta)a(1+\sin(\theta)) = 0\) \begin{align*} && \frac{f'(\theta)}{f(\theta)} &= -\sec(\theta) - \tan(\theta) \\ \Rightarrow && \ln(f(\theta)) &= -\ln |\tan(\theta) + \sec(\theta)| + \ln |\cos(\theta)| + C \\ \Rightarrow && f(\theta) &= A \frac{\cos \theta}{\tan \theta + \sec \theta} \\ &&&= A \frac{\cos^2 \theta}{\sin \theta + 1} \\ &&&= A \frac{1-\sin^2 \theta}{\sin \theta + 1} \\ &&&= A (1-\sin \theta) \end{align*} When \(\theta = -\frac12 \pi, r = 4\), so \(A = 2\).

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2015 Paper 3 Q3
D: 1700.0 B: 1484.0

In this question, \(r\) and \(\theta\) are polar coordinates with \(r \ge0\) and \(- \pi < \theta\le \pi\), and \(a\) and \(b\) are positive constants. Let \(L\) be a fixed line and let \(A\) be a fixed point not lying on \(L\). Then the locus of points that are a fixed distance (call it \(d\)) from \(L\) measured along lines through \(A\) is called a conchoid of Nicomedes.

  1. Show that if \[ \vert r- a \sec\theta \vert = b\,, \tag{\(*\)} \] where \(a>b\), then \(\sec\theta >0\). Show that all points with coordinates satisfying (\(*\)) lie on a certain conchoid of Nicomedes (you should identify \(L\), \(d\) and \(A\)). Sketch the locus of these points.
  2. In the case \(a < b\), sketch the curve (including the loop for which \(\sec\theta<0\)) given by \[ \vert r- a \sec\theta \vert = b\, . \] Find the area of the loop in the case \(a=1\) and \(b=2\). [Note: $ %\displaystyle \int \! \sec\theta \,\d \theta = \ln \vert \sec\theta + \tan\theta \vert + C \,. $]


Solution:

  1. \(r = a \sec \theta \pm b\). The points on \(r = a \sec \theta \Leftrightarrow r \cos \theta = a \Leftrightarrow x = a\) are points on the line \(x = a\). Therefore points on the curve \(r = a \sec \theta \pm b\) are points which are a distance \(b\) from the line \(x = a\) measured towards \(O\). So \(A\) is the origin and \(d = b\).
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  2. TikZ diagram
    The loop starts and ends when \(r = a \sec \theta - b = 0 \Rightarrow \cos \theta = \frac{a}{b}\), so when \(a = 1, b = 2\), this is \(-\frac{\pi}{3}\) to \(\frac{\pi}{3}\) \begin{align*} && A &= \frac12 \int r^2 \d \theta \\ &&&= \frac12 \int_{-\pi/3}^{\pi/3} \left ( \sec \theta - 2 \right)^2 \d \theta \\ &&&= \frac12 \int_{-\pi/3}^{\pi/3} \left (\sec^2 \theta - 4 \sec \theta + 4\right)\d \theta \\ &&&= \frac12 \left [ \tan \theta -4 \ln | \sec \theta + \tan \theta| + 4 \theta \right]_{-\pi/3}^{\pi/3} \\ &&&= \frac12 \left (\left (\tan \frac{\pi}3 - 4 \ln | \sec \frac{\pi}3 + \tan \frac{\pi}3 | + 4\left ( \frac{\pi}3 \right)\right) - \left (\tan \left (-\frac{\pi}3 \right) - 4 \ln | \sec \left (-\frac{\pi}3 \right)+ \tan\left ( -\frac{\pi}3 \right) | + 4\left ( -\frac{\pi}3 \right)\right) \right) \\ &&&= \frac12 \left ( 2\sqrt{3} - 4 \ln |2 + \sqrt{3}| + 4 \ln |2-\sqrt{3}| + \frac{8\pi}3 \right) \\ &&&= \sqrt{3} + 2\ln \frac{2-\sqrt{3}}{2+\sqrt{3}} + \frac{4\pi}3 \\ &&&= \sqrt{3} + 4 \ln (2 - \sqrt{3})+ \frac{4\pi}3 \end{align*}

2015 Paper 3 Q8
D: 1700.0 B: 1500.0

  1. Show that under the changes of variable \(x= r\cos\theta\) and \(y = r\sin\theta\), where \(r\) is a function of \(\theta\) with \(r>0\), the differential equation \[ (y+x)\frac{\d y}{\d x} = y-x \] becomes \[ \frac{\d r}{\d\theta} + r=0 \,. \] Sketch a solution in the \(x\)-\(y\) plane.
  2. Show that the solutions of \[ \left( y+x -x(x^2+y^2) \right) \, \frac{\d y }{\d x} = y-x - y(x^2+y^2) \] can be written in the form \\ \[ r^2 = \dfrac 1 {1+A\e^{2\theta}}\, \]\\ and sketch the different forms of solution that arise according to the value of \(A\).


Solution:

  1. \begin{align*} && (y+x)\frac{\d y}{\d x} &= y-x \\ \Rightarrow && (r \sin \theta + r \cos\theta) \frac{\frac{dy}{d\theta}}{\frac{dx}{d\theta}} &= (r \sin\theta - r \cos\theta) \\ \Rightarrow && ( \sin \theta + \cos\theta) \frac{dy}{d\theta} &= (\sin\theta - \cos\theta){\frac{dx}{d\theta}} \\ \Rightarrow && ( \sin \theta + \cos\theta) \left ( \frac{dr}{d\theta} \cos \theta - r \sin \theta\right ) &= (\sin\theta - \cos\theta)\left ( \frac{dr}{d\theta} \sin\theta + r \cos \theta\right) \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{dr}{d\theta} \left (\sin \theta \cos \theta + \cos^2 \theta - \sin^2 \theta + \sin \theta \cos \theta \right)&= r \left (\sin \theta \cos \theta - \cos^2 \theta + \sin^2 \theta + \sin\theta \cos \theta\right) \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{dr}{d\theta}&= -r \\ \end{align*} Therefore \(r = Ae^{-\theta}\)
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  2. \begin{align*} && \left( y+x -x(x^2+y^2) \right) \, \frac{\d y }{\d x} &= y-x - y(x^2+y^2) \\ \Rightarrow && \left( r \sin \theta+r\cos \theta -r^3\cos \theta \right) \, \frac{\d y }{\d \theta} &= \left ( r \sin \theta- r \cos \theta- r^3\sin \theta \right)\frac{\d x }{\d \theta} \\ \Rightarrow && \left( r \sin \theta+r\cos \theta -r^3\cos \theta \right) \, \left (\frac{\d r}{\d \theta} \sin \theta + r \cos \theta \right) &= \\ && \left ( r \sin \theta- r \cos \theta- r^3\sin \theta \right)&\left (\frac{\d r}{\d \theta} \cos \theta - r \sin \theta \right) \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{\d r}{\d \theta} \left (\sin \theta ( \sin \theta + \cos \theta - r^2 \cos \theta) - \cos \theta (\sin \theta - \cos \theta - r^2 \sin \theta) \right) &= \\ && r ( -\sin \theta (\sin \theta - \cos \theta - r^2 \sin \theta) - \cos \theta ( \sin \theta + \cos \theta &- r^2 \cos \theta)) \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{\d r}{\d \theta} &= r ( -1 +r^2) \\ \Rightarrow && \int \frac{1}{r(r-1)(r+1)} \d r &= \int \d \theta \\ \Rightarrow && \int \l \frac{-1}{r} + \frac{1}{2(r-1)} + \frac{1}{2(r+1)} \r \d r &= \int \d \theta \\ \Rightarrow && \l -\log r+ \frac12 \log (1+r)+ \frac12 \log (1-r)\r + C &= \theta \\ \Rightarrow && \frac12 \log \left (\frac{1-r^2}{r^2} \right) + C &= \theta \\ \Rightarrow && \log \left (\frac{1}{r^2}-1 \right) + C &= 2\theta \\ \Rightarrow && r &= \frac{1}{1 + Ae^{2\theta}} \\ \end{align*}
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2013 Paper 3 Q8
D: 1700.0 B: 1484.0

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.

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The curve \(E\) shown in the diagram is such that, for any point \(P\) on \(E\), the relation \(r = k s\) holds, where \(k\) is a fixed number with \(0< k <1\). Each of the \(n\) lines \(L_1\), \(\ldots\,\), \(L_n\) passes through \(O\) and the angle between adjacent lines is \(\frac \pi n\). The line \(L_j\) (\(j=1\), \(\ldots\,\), \(n\)) intersects \(E\) in two points forming a chord of length \(l_j\). Show that, for \(n\ge2\), \[ \sum_{j=1}^n \frac 1 {l_j} = \frac {(2-k^2)n} {4kd}\,. \]


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*}

2011 Paper 3 Q5
D: 1700.0 B: 1476.9

A movable point \(P\) has cartesian coordinates \((x,y)\), where \(x\) and \(y\) are functions of \(t\). The polar coordinates of \(P\) with respect to the origin \(O\) are \(r\) and \(\theta\). Starting with the expression \[ \tfrac12 \int r^2 \, \d \theta \] for the area swept out by \(OP\), obtain the equivalent expression \[ \tfrac12 \int \left( x\frac{\d y}{\d t} - y \frac{\d x}{\d t}\right)\d t \,. \tag{\(*\)} \] The ends of a thin straight rod \(AB\) lie on a closed convex curve \(\cal C\). The point \(P\) on the rod is a fixed distance \(a\) from \(A\) and a fixed distance \(b\) from \(B\). The angle between \(AB\) and the positive \(x\) direction is \(t\). As \(A\) and \(B\) move anticlockwise round \(\cal C\), the angle \(t\) increases from \(0\) to \(2\pi\) and \(P\) traces a closed convex curve \(\cal D\) inside \(\cal C\), with the origin \(O\) lying inside \(\cal D\), as shown in the diagram.

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Let \((x,y)\) be the coordinates of \(P\). Write down the coordinates of \(A\) and \(B\) in terms of \(a\), \(b\), \(x\), \(y\) and \(t\). The areas swept out by \(OA\), \(OB\) and \(OP\) are denoted by \([A]\), \([B]\) and \([P]\), respectively. Show, using \((*)\), that \[ [A] = [P] +\pi a^2 - af \] where \[ f = \tfrac12 \int _0^{2\pi} \left( \Big(x+\frac{\d y}{\d t}\Big)\cos t + \Big(y- \frac{\d x}{\d t}\Big)\sin t \right) \d t\,. \] Obtain a corresponding expression for \([B]\) involving \(b\). Hence show that the area between the curves \(\cal C\) and \(\cal D\) is \(\pi ab\).


Solution: \begin{align*} && \tan \theta &= y/x \\ \Rightarrow && \sec^2 \theta \frac{\d \theta}{\d t} &= \frac{x \frac{\d y}{\d t} - y \frac{\d x}{\d t}}{x^2} \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{\d \theta}{\d t} &=\left (x \frac{\d y}{\d t} - y \frac{\d x}{\d t} \right) \frac{\cos^2 \theta}{x^2} \\ &&&=\left (x \frac{\d y}{\d t} - y \frac{\d x}{\d t} \right) \frac{\cos^2 \theta}{r^2 \cos^2 \theta } \\ &&&=\left (x \frac{\d y}{\d t} - y \frac{\d x}{\d t} \right) \frac{1}{r^2 } \\ && \tfrac12 \int r^2 \, \d \theta &= \tfrac12 \int \left (x \frac{\d y}{\d t} - y \frac{\d x}{\d t} \right) \d t \end{align*} \(A = (x - a \cos t, y - a \sin t), B = (x + b \cos t , y + b \sin t)\) \begin{align*} && [A] &= \tfrac12 \int_0^{2\pi} \left ((x-a \cos t) \frac{\d (y-a \sin t)}{\d t} - (y-a \sin t) \frac{\d (x-a \cos t)}{\d t} \right) \d t \\ &&&= \tfrac12 \int_0^{2\pi} \left ((x - a \cos t) \left ( \frac{\d y}{\d t} - a \cos t \right) - (y - a \sin t) \left ( \frac{\d x}{\d t} + a \sin t \right)\right) \d t \\ &&&= \tfrac12 \int_0^{2\pi} \left ( x \frac{\d y}{\d t} - y \frac{\d x}{\d t} - a \cos t \frac{\d y}{\d t}-ax \cos t +a^2 \cos^2 t + a \sin t \frac{\d x}{\d t}-y a \sin t + a^2 \sin^2 t \right) \d t \\ &&&= \tfrac12 \int_0^{2\pi} \left ( \underbrace{x \frac{\d y}{\d t} - y \frac{\d x}{\d t}}_{[P]}-a\left ((x + \frac{\d y}{\d x}) \cos t + (y - \frac{\d x}{\d t}) \sin t \right) + \underbrace{a^2}_{\pi a^2} \right) \d t \\ &&&= [P] + \pi a^2 - af \end{align*} \begin{align*} && [B] &= \tfrac12 \int_0^{2\pi} \left ((x+b \cos t) \frac{\d (y+b \sin t)}{\d t} - (y+b \sin t) \frac{\d (x+b \cos t)}{\d t} \right) \d t \\ &&&= \tfrac12 \int_0^{2\pi} \left ((x+b \cos t) (\frac{\d y}{\d t} + b \cos t) - (y+b \sin t)(\frac{\d x}{\d t} - b \sin t) \right) \d t \\ &&&= \tfrac12 \int_0^{2\pi} \left (x \frac{\d y}{\d t} - y \frac{\d x}{\d t} + b^2 + b(\cos t (x + \frac{\d y}{\d t}) +(y - \frac{\d x}{\d t})\sin t\right) \d t \\ &&&= [P] + \pi b^2 + b f \end{align*} Since \(A\) and \(B\) trace out the same area, we must have \(\pi a^2 - af = \pi b^2 + bf \Rightarrow \pi (a^2-b^2) = f(b+a) \Rightarrow f = \pi (a-b)\). In particular the area inbetween is \([A] - [P] = \pi a^2 - a \pi (a-b)\)

2006 Paper 3 Q6
D: 1700.0 B: 1516.0

Show that in polar coordinates the gradient of any curve at the point \((r,\theta)\) is \[ \frac{ \ \ \dfrac{\d r }{\d\theta} \tan\theta + r \ \ } { \dfrac{\d r }{\d\theta} -r\tan\theta}\,. \] \noindent

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A mirror is designed so that if an incident ray of light is parallel to a fixed line \(L\) the reflected ray passes through a fixed point \(O\) on \(L\). Prove that the mirror intersects any plane containing \(L\) in a parabola. You should assume that the angle between the incident ray and the normal to the mirror is the same as the angle between the reflected ray and the normal.

2006 Paper 3 Q10
D: 1700.0 B: 1469.6

A disc rotates freely in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis through its centre. The moment of inertia of the disc about this axis is \(mk^2\) (where \(k>0\)). Along one diameter is a smooth narrow groove in which a particle of mass \(m\) slides freely. At time \(t=0\,\), the disc is rotating with angular speed \(\Omega\), and the particle is a distance \(a\) from the axis and is moving with speed~\(V\) along the groove, towards the axis, where \(k^2V^2 = \Omega^2a^2(k^2+a^2)\,\). Show that, at a later time \(t\), while the particle is still moving towards the axis, the angular speed \(\omega\) of the disc and the distance \(r\) of the particle from the axis are related by \[ \omega = \frac{\Omega(k^2+a^2)}{k^2+r^2} \text{ \ \ and \ \ } \left(\frac{\d r}{\d t}\right)^{\!2} = \frac{\Omega^2r^2(k^2+a^2)^2}{k^2(k^2+r^2)}\;. \] Deduce that \[ k\frac{\d r}{\d\theta} = -r(k^2+r^2)^{\frac12}\,, \] where \(\theta \) is the angle through which the disc has turned by time \(t\). By making the substitution \(u=k/r\), or otherwise, show that \(r\sinh (\theta+\alpha) = k\), where \(\sinh \alpha = k/a\,\). Deduce that the particle never reaches the axis.

1998 Paper 3 Q4
D: 1700.0 B: 1516.0

Show that the equation (in plane polar coordinates) \(r=\cos\theta\), for $-\frac{1}{2}\pi \le \theta \le \frac{1}{2}\pi$, represents a circle. Sketch the curve \(r=\cos2\theta\) for \(0\le\theta\le 2\pi\), and describe the curves \(r=\cos2n\theta\), where \(n\) is an integer. Show that the area enclosed by such a curve is independent of \(n\). Sketch also the curve \(r=\cos3\theta\) for \(0\le\theta\le 2\pi\).

1997 Paper 2 Q5
D: 1600.0 B: 1484.0

The complex numbers \(w=u+\mathrm{i}v\) and \(z=x+\mathrm{i}y\) are related by the equation $$z= (\cos v+\mathrm{i}\sin v)\mathrm{e}^u.$$ Find all \(w\) which correspond to \(z=\mathrm{i\,e}\). Find the loci in the \(x\)--\(y\) plane corresponding to the lines \(u=\) constant in the \(u\)--\(v\) plane. Find also the loci corresponding to the lines \(v=\) constant. Illustrate your answers with clearly labelled sketches. Identify two subsets \(W_1\) and \(W_2\) of the \(u\)--\(v\) plane each of which is in one-to-one correspondence with the first quadrant \(\{(x,\,y):\,x>0,\,y>0\}\) of the \(x\)--\(y\) plane. Identify also two subsets \(W_3\) and \(W_4\) each of which is in one-to-one correspondence with the set \(\{z\,:0<\,\vert z\vert\,<1\}\). \noindent[{\bf NB} `one-to-one' means here that to each value of \(w\) there is only one corresponding value of \(z\), and vice-versa.]

1995 Paper 3 Q12
D: 1700.0 B: 1484.0

The random variables \(X\) and \(Y\) are independently normally distributed with means 0 and variances 1. Show that the joint probability density function for \((X,Y)\) is \[ \mathrm{f}(x,y)=\frac{1}{2\pi}\mathrm{e}^{-\frac{1}{2}(x^{2}+y^{2})}\qquad-\infty < x < \infty,-\infty < y < \infty. \] If \((x,y)\) are the coordinates, referred to rectangular axes, of a point in the plane, explain what is meant by saying that this density is radially symmetrical. The random variables \(U\) and \(V\) have a joint probability density function which is radially symmetrical (in the above sense). By considering the straight line with equation \(U=kV,\) or otherwise, show that \[ \mathrm{P}\left(\frac{U}{V} < k\right)=2\mathrm{P}(U < kV,V > 0). \] Hence, or otherwise, show that the probability density function of \(U/V\) is \[ \mathrm{g}(k)=\frac{1}{\pi(1+k^{2})}\qquad-\infty < k < \infty. \]

1993 Paper 2 Q5
D: 1600.0 B: 1500.0

\noindent

\psset{xunit=1.0cm,yunit=1.0cm,algebraic=true,dotstyle=o,dotsize=3pt 0,linewidth=0.5pt,arrowsize=3pt 2,arrowinset=0.25} \begin{pspicture*}(-0.57,-0.63)(8.51,6.23) \psline(0,0)(7,5) \psline(7,5)(7.75,1.98) \psline(7.75,1.98)(0,0) \parametricplot{-0.6740818217636368}{0.22208190190547994}{1*5.52*cos(t)+0*5.52*sin(t)+1.48|0*5.52*cos(t)+1*5.52*sin(t)+4.9} \psline(7,5)(5.79,1.45) \rput[tl](-0.4,-0.02){\(O\)} \rput[tl](5.76,1.29){\(P\)} \rput[tl](8.1,2.01){\(R\)} \rput[tl](7.2,5.26){\(Q\)} \psline(7.67,2.29)(7.37,2.22) \psline(7.37,2.22)(7.45,1.91) \end{pspicture*} \par
In the diagram, \(O\) is the origin, \(P\) is a point of a curve \(r=r(\theta)\) with coordinates \((r,\theta)\) and \(Q\) is another point of the curve, close to \(P\), with coordinates \((r+\delta r,\theta+\delta\theta).\) The angle \(\angle PRQ\) is a right angle. By calculating \(\tan\angle QPR,\) show that the angle at which the curve cuts \(OP\) is \[ \tan^{-1}\left({\displaystyle r\dfrac{\mathrm{d}\theta}{\mathrm{d}r}}\right). \] Let \(\alpha\) be a constant angle, \(0<\alpha<\frac{1}{2}\pi\). The curve with the equation \[ r=\mathrm{e}^{\theta\cot\alpha} \] in polar coordinates is called an equiangular spiral. Show that it cuts every radius line at an angle \(\alpha.\) Sketch the spiral. Find the length of the complete turn of the spiral beginning at \(r=1\) and going outwards. What is the total length of the part of the spiral for which \(r\leqslant1\)? {[}You may assume that the arc length \(s\) of the curve satisfies \[ {\displaystyle \left(\frac{\mathrm{d}s}{\mathrm{d}\theta}\right)^{2}=r^{2}+\left(\frac{\mathrm{d}r}{\mathrm{d}\theta}\right)^{2}.}] \]

1993 Paper 3 Q2
D: 1700.0 B: 1500.0

The curve \(C\) has the equation \(x^3+y^3 = 3xy\).

  1. Show that there is no point of inflection on \(C\). You may assume that the origin is not a point of inflection.
  2. The part of \(C\) which lies in the first quadrant is a closed loop touching the axes at the origin. By converting to polar coordinates, or otherwise, evaluate the area of this loop.