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1996 Paper 3 Q14
Whenever I go cycling I start with my bike in good working order. However if all is well at time \(t\), the probability that I get a puncture in the small interval \((t,t+\delta t)\) is \(\alpha\,\delta t.\) How many punctures can I expect to get on a journey during which my total cycling time is \(T\)? When I get a puncture I stop immediately to repair it and the probability that, if I am repairing it at time \(t\), the repair will be completed in time \((t,t+\delta t)\) is \(\beta\,\delta t.\) If \(p(t)\) is the probability that I am repairing a puncture at time \(t\), write down an equation relating \(p(t)\) to \(p(t+\delta t)\), and derive from this a differential equation relating \(p'(t)\) and \(p(t).\) Show that \[ p(t)=\frac{\alpha}{\alpha+\beta}(1-\mathrm{e}^{-(\alpha+\beta)t}) \] satisfies this differential equation with the appropriate initial condition. Find an expression, involving \(\alpha,\beta\) and \(T\), for the time expected to be spent mending punctures during a journey of total time \(T\). Hence, or otherwise, show that, the fraction of the journey expected to be spent mending punctures is given approximately by \[ \quad\frac{\alpha T}{2}\quad\ \mbox{ if }(\alpha+\beta)T\text{ is small, } \] and by \[ \frac{\alpha}{\alpha+\beta}\quad\mbox{ if }(\alpha+\beta)T\text{ is large.} \]
1995 Paper 1 Q1
- Find the real values of \(x\) for which \[ x^{3}-4x^{2}-x+4\geqslant0. \]
- Find the three lines in the \((x,y)\) plane on which \[ x^{3}-4x^{2}y-xy^{2}+4y^{3}=0. \]
- On a sketch shade the regions of the \((x,y)\) plane for which \[ x^{3}-4x^{2}y-xy^{2}+4y^{3}\geqslant0. \]
Solution:
- \(\,\) \begin{align*} && 0 & \leq x^3 - 4x^2 - x + 4 \\ &&&= (x-1)(x^2-3x-4) \\ &&&= (x-1)(x-4)(x+1) \\ \Leftrightarrow && x &\in [-1, 1] \cup [4, \infty) \end{align*}
- \(\,\) \begin{align*} && 0 &= x^{3}-4x^{2}y-xy^{2}+4y^{3} \\ && 0 &= (x-y)(x-4y)(x+y) \end{align*} Therefore the lines are \(y = x, 4y = x, y=-x\).
- (quickest way to see this is to check the \(x\) or \(y\)-axis)
1995 Paper 1 Q2
- Suppose that \[ S=\int\frac{\cos x}{\cos x+\sin x}\,\mathrm{d}x\quad\mbox{ and }\quad T=\int\frac{\sin x}{\cos x+\sin x}\,\mathrm{d}x. \] By considering \(S+T\) and \(S-T\) determine \(S\) and \(T\).
- Evaluate \({\displaystyle \int_{\frac{1}{4}}^{\frac{1}{2}}(1-4x)\sqrt{\frac{1}{x}-1}\,\mathrm{d}x}\) by using the substitution \(x=\sin^{2}t.\)
Solution:
- \begin{align*} && S + T &= \int \frac{\cos x + \sin x }{\cos x + \sin x} \d x \\ &&&= \int \d x \\ &&&= x + C \\ && S - T &= \int \frac{\cos x - \sin x}{\cos x + \sin x} \d x \\ &&&= \ln( \cos x + \sin x) + C \\ \Rightarrow && 2S &= x + \ln(\cos x + \sin x) + C \\ \Rightarrow && S &= \frac12 \left ( x + \ln(\cos x + \sin x) \right) + C \\ \Rightarrow && 2T &= x - \ln(\cos x + \sin x) + C \\ \Rightarrow && T &= \frac12 \left ( x - \ln(\cos x + \sin x) \right) + C \end{align*}
- \begin{align*} && I &= \int_{1/4}^{1/2} (1-4x)\sqrt{\frac1x-1} \d x \\ x = \sin^2 t, \d x = 2 \sin t \cos t \d t: &&&= \int_{\pi/6}^{\pi/4} (1-4\sin^2 t) \sqrt{\frac{1-\sin^2 t}{\sin^2 t}} 2 \sin t \cos t \d t\\ &&&=\int_{\pi/6}^{\pi/4} (1-4\sin^2 t)\frac{\cos t}{\sin t} 2 \sin t \cos t \d t \\ &&&= \int_{\pi/6}^{\pi/4} (1-4\sin^2 t) 2 \cos^2 t \d t \\ &&&= \int_{\pi/6}^{\pi/4} \left ( 2\cos^2t - 8 \sin^2t \cos^2 t \right) \d t \\ &&&= \int_{\pi/6}^{\pi/4} \left ( 1+\cos2t - 2 \sin^2 2t \right) \d t \\ &&&= \int_{\pi/6}^{\pi/4} \left ( 1+\cos2t +(\cos 4t-1)\right) \d t \\ &&&= \left[\frac12 \sin 2t + \frac14 \sin 4t \right]_{\pi/6}^{\pi/4} \\ &&&= \left ( \frac12 \right) - \left (\frac12 \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} + \frac14 \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \right) \\ &&&= \frac{4-3\sqrt{3}}{8} \end{align*}
1995 Paper 1 Q3
- If \(\mathrm{f}(r)\) is a function defined for \(r=0,1,2,3,\ldots,\) show that \[ \sum_{r=1}^{n}\left\{ \mathrm{f}(r)-\mathrm{f}(r-1)\right\} =\mathrm{f}(n)-\mathrm{f}(0). \]
- If \(\mathrm{f}(r)=r^{2}(r+1)^{2},\) evaluate \(\mathrm{f}(r)-\mathrm{f}(r-1)\) and hence determine \({\displaystyle \sum_{r=1}^{n}r^{3}.}\)
- Find the sum of the series \(1^{3}-2^{3}+3^{3}-4^{3}+\cdots+(2n+1)^{3}.\)
Solution:
- \(\,\) \begin{align*} && \sum_{r=1}^n \left (f(r) - f(r-1) \right) &= \cancel{f(1)} - f(0) + \cdots\\ &&&\quad\, \cancel{\f(2)}-\cancel{f(1)} + \cdots \\ &&&\quad\, \cancel{f(3)}-\cancel{f(2)} + \cdots \\ &&&\quad\, +\cdots + \cdots \\ &&&\quad\, \cancel{f(n-1)}-\cancel{f(n-2)} + \cdots \\ &&&\quad\, f(n)-\cancel{f(n-1)} \\ &&&=f(n) - f(0) \end{align*}
- If \(f(r) = r^2(r+1)^2\) then \begin{align*} && f(r) - f(r-1) &= r^2(r+1)^2 - (r-1)r^2 \\ &&&= r^2((r+1)^2-(r-1)^2) \\ &&&=4r^3 \end{align*} Therefore \begin{align*} && \sum_{r=1}^n 4r^3 &= n^2(n+1)^2-0 \\ \Rightarrow && \sum_{r=1}^n r^3 &= \frac{n^2(n+1)^2}{4} \\ \end{align*}
- So \begin{align*} && \sum_{r=1}^{2n+1} (-1)^{r-1}r^3 &= \sum_{r=1}^{2n+1} r^3 - 2 \sum_{r=1}^n (2r)^3 \\ &&&= \frac14(2n+1)^2(2n+2)^2 - 8 \frac{n^2(n+1)^2}{4} \\ &&&= (2n+1)^2(n+1)^2 - 2n^2(n+1)^2 \\ &&&= (n+1)^2(4n^2+4n+1 - 2n^2) \\ &&&= (n+1)^2(2n^2+4n+1) \end{align*}
1995 Paper 1 Q4
By applying de Moivre's theorem to \(\cos5\theta+\mathrm{i}\sin5\theta,\) expanding the result using the binomial theorem, and then equating imaginary parts, show that \[ \sin5\theta=\sin\theta\left(16\cos^{4}\theta-12\cos^{2}\theta+1\right). \] Use this identity to evaluate \(\cos^{2}\frac{1}{5}\pi\), and deduce that \(\cos\frac{1}{5}\pi=\frac{1}{4}(1+\sqrt{5}).\)
Solution: \begin{align*} && (\cos \theta + i \sin \theta)^n &= \cos n \theta + i \sin n \theta \\ n = 5: && \cos 5 \theta + i \sin 5 \theta &= (\cos \theta + i \sin \theta)^5 \\ \textrm{Im}: && \sin 5 \theta &= \binom{5}{1}\cos^4 \theta \sin \theta + \binom{5}{3} \cos^2 \theta (- \sin^3 \theta) + \binom{5}{5} \sin^5 \theta \\ &&&= \sin \theta (5\cos^4 \theta-10\cos^2 \theta \sin^2 \theta+\sin^4 \theta) \\ &&&= \sin \theta (5\cos^4 \theta-10\cos^2 \theta (1-\cos^2 \theta)+(1-\cos^2 \theta)^2) \\ &&&= \sin \theta((5+10+1)\cos^4 \theta +(-10-2)\cos^2 \theta + 1) \\ &&&= \sin \theta(16\cos^4 \theta -12\cos^2 \theta + 1) \\ \end{align*} Suppose \(\theta= \frac{\pi}{5}\), then \(\sin 5 \theta = 0, \sin \theta \neq 0\), therefore if \(c = \cos \theta\) we must have \begin{align*} && 0 &= 16c^4-12c^2+1 \\ \Rightarrow && c^2 &= \frac{3 \pm \sqrt{5}}{8} \\ &&&= \frac{6\pm 2\sqrt{5}}{16} \\ &&&= \frac{(1 \pm \sqrt{5})^2}{16} \\ \Rightarrow && c &= \pm \frac{1 \pm \sqrt{5}}{4} \end{align*} Since \(c > 0\) we either have \(\cos \frac15 \pi = \frac{1+\sqrt{5}}4\) or \(\cos \frac15 \pi = \frac{\sqrt{5}-1}4\), however \(\sqrt{5}-1 < 1.5\) and so \(\frac{\sqrt{5}-1}{4} < \frac12 = \cos \frac13 \pi\) we must have \(\cos \frac15 \pi = \frac{1+\sqrt{5}}4\)
1995 Paper 1 Q5
If \[ \mathrm{f}(x)=nx-\binom{n}{2}\frac{x^{2}}{2}+\binom{n}{3}\frac{x^{3}}{3}-\cdots+(-1)^{r+1}\binom{n}{r}\frac{x^{r}}{r}+\cdots+(-1)^{n+1}\frac{x^{n}}{n}\,, \] show that \[ \mathrm{f}'(x)=\frac{1-(1-x)^{n}}{x}\,. \] Deduce that \[ \mathrm{f}(x)=\int_{1-x}^{1}\frac{1-y^{n}}{1-y}\,\mathrm{d}y. \] Hence show that \[ \mathrm{f}(1)=1+\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{3}+\cdots+\frac{1}{n}\,. \]
Solution: \begin{align*} f(x) & =nx-\binom{n}{2}\frac{x^{2}}{2}+\binom{n}{3}\frac{x^{3}}{3}-\cdots+(-1)^{r+1}\binom{n}{r}\frac{x^{r}}{r}+\cdots+(-1)^{n+1}\frac{x^{n}}{n} \\ f'(x) &= n - \binom{n}{2} x + \binom{n}{3}x^2 - \cdots (-1)^{r+1} \binom{n}{r} + \cdots + (-1)^{n+1} x^{n-1} \\ &= \frac{1-(1-x)^n}{x} \end{align*} Therefore, since \(\displaystyle f(x) = \int_0^xf'(t)\,dt\) \begin{align*} f(x) &= \int_0^x \frac{1 - (1-t)^n}{t} \, dt \\ &= \int_{1}^{1-x} \frac{1-y^n}{1-y} (-1)\, dy \tag{Let \(y = 1-t, \frac{dy}{dt} = -1\)} \\ &= \boxed{\int_{1-x}^1 \frac{1-y^n}{1-y} dy} \\ &= \int_{1-x}^1 \l 1 + y + y^2 + \cdots + y^{n-1} \r \, dy \\ &= \left [ y + \frac{y^2}{2} + \frac{y^3}{3} + \cdots + \frac{y^n}{n} \right]_{1-x}^1 \\ \end{align*} So when \(x = 1, 1-x = 0\) so we exactly have the sum required.
1995 Paper 1 Q6
- In the differential equation \[ \frac{1}{y^{2}}\frac{\mathrm{d}y}{\mathrm{d}x}+\frac{1}{y}=\mathrm{e}^{2x} \] make the substitution \(u=1/y,\) and hence show that the general solution of the original equation is \[ y=\frac{1}{A\mathrm{e}^{x}-\mathrm{e}^{2x}}\,. \]
- Use a similar method to solve the equation \[ \frac{1}{y^{3}}\frac{\mathrm{d}y}{\mathrm{d}x}+\frac{1}{y^{2}}=\mathrm{e}^{2x}. \]
Solution:
- \(,\) \begin{align*} u = 1/y, \frac{\d u}{\d x} = -1/y^2 y': && -\frac{\d u}{\d x} + u &= e^{2x} \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{\d}{\d x} \left (e^{-x}u \right) = -e^{x} \\ \Rightarrow && e^{-x}u &= -e^x+C \\ \Rightarrow && u &= Ce^x-e^{2x} \\ \Rightarrow && y &= \frac{1}{Ce^x-e^{2x}} \end{align*}
- \(\,\) \begin{align*} u = 1/y^2, u' = -2/y^3 y': && -2u'+u &= e^{2x} \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{\d}{\d x} \left (e^{-1/2x}u\right) &= -\frac12e^{\frac32x} \\ \Rightarrow && e^{-\frac12x}u &= -\frac13e^{\frac32x}+C \\ \Rightarrow && u &= -\frac13e^{2x}+Ce^{\frac12x} \\ \Rightarrow && y &= \left ( \frac{1}{Ce^{\frac12x}-\frac13e^{2x}}\right)^{\frac12} \end{align*}
1995 Paper 1 Q7
Let \(A,B,C\) be three non-collinear points in the plane. Explain briefly why it is possible to choose an origin equidistant from the three points. Let \(O\) be such an origin, let \(G\) be the centroid of the triangle \(ABC,\) let \(Q\) be a point such that \(\overrightarrow{GQ}=2\overrightarrow{OG},\) and let \(N\) be the midpoint of \(OQ.\)
- Show that \(\overrightarrow{AQ}\) is perpendicular to \(\overrightarrow{BC}\) and deduce that the three altitudes of \(\triangle ABC\) are concurrent.
- Show that the midpoints of \(AQ,BQ\) and \(CQ\), and the midpoints of the sides of \(\triangle ABC\) are all equidistant from \(N\).
1995 Paper 1 Q8
Find functions \(\mathrm{f,g}\) and \(\mathrm{h}\) such that \[ \frac{\mathrm{d}^{2}y}{\mathrm{d}x^{2}}+\mathrm{f}(x)\frac{\mathrm{d}y}{\mathrm{d}x}+\mathrm{g}(x)y=\mathrm{h}(x)\tag{\ensuremath{*}} \] is satisfied by all three of the solutions \(y=x,y=1\) and \(y=x^{-1}\) for \(0 < x < 1.\) If \(\mathrm{f,g}\) and \(\mathrm{h}\) are the functions you have found in the first paragraph, what condition must the real numbers \(a,b\) and \(c\) satisfy in order that \[ y=ax+b+\frac{c}{x} \] should be a solution of \((*)\)?
1995 Paper 1 Q9
A particle is projected from a point \(O\) with speed \(\sqrt{2gh},\) where \(g\) is the acceleration due to gravity. Show that it is impossible, whatever the angle of projection, for the particle to reach a point above the parabola \[ x^{2}=4h(h-y), \] where \(x\) is the horizontal distance from \(O\) and \(y\) is the vertical distance above \(O\). State briefly the simplifying assumptions which this solution requires.
Solution: The position of the particle is projected at angle \(\theta\) is \((x,y) = (v \cos \theta t, v \sin \theta t - \frac12 g t^2)\), ie \(t = \frac{x}{v \cos \theta}\), \begin{align*} && y &= x\tan \theta -\frac12 g \frac{x^2}{v^2} \sec^2 \theta \\ && y &= x \tan \theta -\frac{1}{4h} (1+\tan^2 \theta) x^2 \\ && 0 &= \frac{1}{4h} x^2\tan^2 \theta - x \tan \theta + \frac{x^2}{4h} +y \\ \Delta \geq 0: && 0 &\leq \Delta = x^2-4\frac{x^2}{4h}\left (\frac{x^2}{4h}+y \right) \\ &&&=1-\frac{1}{4h^2}(x^2+4hy) \\ \Rightarrow && x^2+4hy &\leq 4h^2 \\ \Rightarrow && x^2 &\leq 4h(h-y) \end{align*} We are assuming that there are no forces acting other than gravity (eg air resistance)