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1993 Paper 3 Q14
D: 1700.0 B: 1484.0

A particle rests at a point \(A\) on a horizontal table and is joined to a point \(O\) on the table by a taut inextensible string of length \(c\). The particle is projected vertically upwards at a speed \(64\surd(6gc)\). It next strikes the table at a point \(B\) and rebounds. The coefficient of restitution for any impact between the particle and the table is \({1\over 2}\). After rebounding at \(B\), the particle will rebound alternately at \(A\) and \(B\) until the string becomes slack. Show that when the string becomes slack the particle is at height \(c/2\) above the table. Determine whether the first rebound between \(A\) and \(B\) is nearer to \(A\) or to \(B\).


Solution: \begin{align*} \text{N2}(radially): && T + mg \cos \theta &= m\frac{v^2}{r} \\ \Rightarrow && v^2-gc \cos \theta &\geq 0 \\ \text{COE}: && \frac12 m u^2 &= \frac12mv^2 + mgc\cos \theta \\ \Rightarrow && u^2 &= v^2 + 2gc\cos \theta \\ && u^2 &\geq gc \cos \theta+2gc\cos \theta \\ \Rightarrow && u^2 &\geq 3gc\cos \theta \end{align*} Therefore it will complete bounces with the string taught if it leaves the table with \(u^2 \geq 3gc\). After \(6\) bounces it will leave the table with speed \(\sqrt{6gc} > \sqrt{3gc}\) and after \(7\) bounces it will leave the table with speed \(\sqrt{\frac{3}{2} gc} < \sqrt{3 gc}\). When it leaves the table with speed \(\sqrt{\tfrac32 gc}\), the string will go slack when \begin{align*} && \tfrac32 gc &= 3gc \cos \theta \\ \Rightarrow && \cos \theta &= \frac{1}{2} \end{align*} ie at a height \(c\cos \theta = \frac12c\) above the table. Once the string goes slack, the particle travels under circular motion, \begin{align*} && u^2 &= \frac12 gc \\ \Rightarrow && u_\rightarrow &= \sqrt{\tfrac12 gc} \cos \theta \\ && u_{\uparrow} &= \sqrt{\tfrac12 gc} \sin \theta \\ \Rightarrow && s &= ut - \tfrac12 gt^2 \\ \Rightarrow && -\frac{c}{2} &= \sqrt{\tfrac12 gc} \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} t - \tfrac12 g t^2 \\ \Rightarrow && t &= \sqrt{\frac{c}{g}} \left ( \frac{\sqrt{6}+\sqrt{22}}{4} \right) \\ \Rightarrow && s_{\rightarrow} &= \tfrac12 \sqrt{\tfrac12 gc} \sqrt{\frac{c}{g}} \left ( \frac{\sqrt{6}+\sqrt{22}}{4} \right) - \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}c \\ &&&= \left ( \frac{\sqrt{11}-3\sqrt{3}}{8} \right)c \\ \end{align*} We need to establish whether this position is positive or negative (ie if we cross the centre line. Clearly \(\sqrt{11} < 3\sqrt{3}\) so we haven't crossed the centre line and we land closer to where we took off. Since it's the 7th take off, this is closer to \(B\).

1993 Paper 3 Q15
D: 1700.0 B: 1501.5

The probability of throwing a head with a certain coin is \(p\) and the probability of throwing a tail is \(q=1-p\). The coin is thrown until at least two heads and at least two tails have been thrown; this happens when the coin has been thrown \(N\) times. Write down an expression for the probability that \(N=n\). Show that the expectation of \(N\) is $$ 2\bigg({1\over pq} -1-pq\bigg). $$


Solution: This can either occur via \(N-2\) heads and \(1\) tail in the first \(N-1\) flips, followed by a tail, or \(N-2\) tails and \(1\) head in the first \(N-1\) flips, followed by another head, ie \begin{align*} \mathbb{P}(N = n) &= \underbrace{\binom{n-1}{1}}_{\text{ways to choose when the first tail occurs}}p^{n-2}q^2 + \underbrace{\binom{n-1}{1}}_{\text{ways to choose when the first head occurs}}q^{n-2}p^2 \\ &= (n-1)p^2q^2(p^{n-4}+q^{n-4}) \\ \\ \mathbb{E}(N) &= \sum_{n=4}^{\infty} n \cdot \mathbb{P}(N = n) \\ &= \sum_{n=4}^{\infty} n \cdot (n-1)p^2q^2(p^{n-4}+q^{n-4}) \\ &= \sum_{n=4}^{\infty} n \cdot (n-1)(p^{n-2}q^2+q^{n-2}p^2) \\ &= q^2\sum_{n=4}^{\infty} n(n-1)p^{n-2}+p^2\sum_{n=4}^{\infty} n(n-1)q^{n-2} \\ &= q^2\left ( \sum_{n=2}^{\infty} n(n-1)p^{n-2} -2 \cdot 1 - 3 \cdot 2 \cdot p\right)+p^2\left ( \sum_{n=2}^{\infty} n(n-1)q^{n-2} - 2-6q\right) \\ &= q^2\left ( 2(1-p)^{-3} -2 - 6 p\right)+p^2\left ( 2(1-q)^{-3} - 2-6q\right) \\ &= q^2\left ( 2q^{-3} -2 - 6 p\right)+p^2\left ( 2p^{-3} - 2-6q\right) \\ &= \frac{2}{q} - 2q^2 - 6pq^2+\frac{2}{p} -2p^2-6p^2q \\ &= \frac{2}{q}+\frac2p - 2(p^2+q^2) - 6pq \\ &= \frac{2}{pq} - 2((p+q)^2-2pq) - 6pq \\ &= \frac{2}{pq} - 2 -2pq \\ &= 2 \left (\frac1{pq} - 1 - pq \right) \end{align*}

1993 Paper 3 Q16
D: 1700.0 B: 1484.9

The time taken for me to set an acceptable examination question it \(T\) hours. The distribution of \(T\) is a truncated normal distribution with probability density \(\f\) where \[ \mathrm{f}(t)=\begin{cases} \dfrac{1}{k\sigma\sqrt{2\pi}}\exp\left(-\dfrac{1}{2}\left(\dfrac{t-\sigma}{\sigma}\right)^{2}\right) & \mbox{ for }t\geqslant0\\ 0 & \mbox{ for }t<0. \end{cases} \] Sketch the graph of \(\f(t)\). Show that \(k\) is approximately \(0.841\) and obtain the mean of \(T\) as a multiple of \(\sigma\). Over a period of years, I find that the mean setting time is 3 hours.

  1. Find the approximate probability that none of the 16 questions on next year's paper will take more than 4 hours to set.
  2. Given that a particular question is unsatisfactory after 2 hours work, find the probability that it will still be unacceptable after a further 2 hours work.

1992 Paper 1 Q1
D: 1484.0 B: 1500.0

Today's date is June 26th 1992 and the day of the week is Friday. Find which day of the week was April 3rd 1905, explaining your method carefully. {[}30 days hath September, April, June and November. All the rest have 31, excepting February alone which has 28 days clear and 29 in each leap year.{]}


Solution: There are \(87\) years between 1905 and 1992. Of those years, every 4th is a leap years, starting with 1908, and ending with 1992, so there are 22 leap years. There are 30 days between Apr 3 and May 3, 31 days between May 3 and Jun 3 and a further 23 days to the 26th. Therefore \(87 \times 365 + 22 \cdot 1 + 61 + 23\) total days. \(\pmod{7}\) this is \(3 \times 1 + 1 + 5 + 2 = 3\), therefore it is \(4\) week days before Friday, ie Monday.

1992 Paper 1 Q2
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

A \(3\times3\) magic square is a \(3\times3\) array \[ \begin{array}{ccc} a & b & c\\ d & e & f\\ g & h & k \end{array} \] whose entries are the nine distinct integers \(1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9\) and which has the property that all its rows, columns and main diagonals add up to the same number \(n\). (Thus \(a+b+c=d+e+f=g+h+k=a+d+g=b+e+h=c+f+k=a+e+k=c+e+g=n.)\)

  1. Show that \(n=15.\)
  2. Show that \(e=5.\)
  3. Show that one of \(b,d,h\) or \(f\) must have value \(9\).
  4. Find all \(3\times3\) magic squares with \(b=9.\)
  5. How many different \(3\times3\) magic squares are there? Why?
{[}Two magic squares are different if they have different entries in any place of the array.{]}


Solution:

  1. \((a+b+c)+(d+e+f)+(g+h+k) = 3n = 1 + 2 + \cdots + 9 = 45 \Rightarrow n = 15\).
  2. Summing all rows, columns, diagonals through \(e\) we have \((a+e+k)+(b+e+h)+(c+e+g)+(d+e+f) = 45 + 3e = 60 \Rightarrow e = 5\).
  3. Suppose that one of the corners is \(9\), then we need to find \(2\) ways to make \(6\) not using \(5\) and \(1\) (as \(5\) is in the middle and \(1\) diagonally opposite). Clearly this is not possible as the only remaining numbers are \(2,3,4\) and only \(2+4 = 6\). Therefore \(9\) cannot be in the corner or central squares, ie it's one of \(b,d,h,f\)
  4. We must have \begin{array}{ccc} a & 9 & c\\ d & 5 & f\\ g & 1 & k \end{array} and so \(a\) or \(c = 4\). Once we place \(4\) by symmetry there will be another solution with \(a = 2\). So: \begin{array}{ccc} 4 & 9 & 2\\ d & 5 & f\\ g & 1 & k \end{array} we now see \(k\), then \(f\), then \(d\) then \(g\) must be determined, ie: \begin{array}{ccc} 4 & 9 & 2\\ 3 & 5 & 7\\ 8 & 1 & 6 \end{array} so our two solutions must be this and \begin{array}{ccc} 2 & 9 & 4\\ 7 & 5 & 3\\ 6 & 1 & 8 \end{array}
  5. For each of the \(4\) possible placements of \(9\) there are two magic squares, so there are \(8\) possible magic squares, all related by reflection and rotation.

1992 Paper 1 Q3
D: 1500.0 B: 1486.1

Evaluate

  1. \({\displaystyle \int_{-\pi}^{\pi}\left|\sin x\right|\,\mathrm{d}x,}\)
  2. \({\displaystyle \int_{-\pi}^{\pi}\sin\left|x\right|\,\mathrm{d}x},\)
  3. \({\displaystyle \int_{-\pi}^{\pi}x\sin x\,\mathrm{d}x},\)
  4. \({\displaystyle \int_{-\pi}^{\pi}x^{10}\sin x\,\mathrm{d}x.}\)


Solution:

  1. \begin{align*} \int_{-\pi}^\pi |\sin x | \d x &= \int_{-\pi}^{0} - \sin x \d x + \int_0^\pi \sin x \d x \\ &= \left [\cos x \right]_{-\pi}^{0} +[-\cos x]_0^{\pi} \\ &= 1-(-1)+(1)-(-1) \\ &= 4 \end{align*}
  2. \begin{align*} \int_{-\pi}^\pi \sin | x | \d x &= \int_{-\pi}^0 - \sin x \d x + \int_0^\pi \sin x \d x \\ &= 4 \end{align*}
  3. \begin{align*} \int_{-\pi}^\pi x \sin x \d x &= \left [ -x \cos x \right]_{-\pi}^\pi + \int_{-\pi}^{\pi} \cos x \d x \\ &= \pi -(-\pi) + \left [\sin x \right]_{-\pi}^\pi \\ &= 2\pi \end{align*}
  4. \begin{align*} \int_{-\pi}^{\pi} x^{10} \sin x \d x &\underbrace{=}_{x^{10}\sin x \text{ is odd}} 0 \end{align*}

1992 Paper 1 Q4
D: 1500.0 B: 1516.0

Sketch the following subsets of the complex plane using Argand diagrams. Give reasons for your answers.

  1. \(\{z:\mathrm{Re}((1+\mathrm{i})z)\geqslant0\}.\)
  2. \(\{z: |z^{2}| \leqslant2,\mathrm{Re}(z^{2})\geqslant0\}.\)
  3. \(\{z=z_{1}+z_{2}:\left|z_{1}\right|=2,\left|z_{2}\right|=1\}.\)


Solution:

  1. Multiplication by \(1+i\) rotates by \(45^{\circ}\) anticlockwise
    TikZ diagram
  2. \(|z| \leq \sqrt{2}\), \(\textrm{Re}(z^2) \geq 0\) means \(\textrm{Re}{z} \geq \textrm{Im}{z}\)
    TikZ diagram
  3. These are all points within \(1\) unit from a circle radius \(2\) units.
    TikZ diagram

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 \(r = 1,2,3\)

1992 Paper 1 Q6
D: 1500.0 B: 1519.4

Explain briefly, by means of a diagram, or otherwise, why \[ \mathrm{f}(\theta+\delta\theta)\approx\mathrm{f}(\theta)+\mathrm{f}'(\theta)\delta\theta, \] when \(\delta\theta\) is small. Two powerful telescopes are placed at points \(A\) and \(B\) which are a distance \(a\) apart. A very distant point \(C\) is such that \(AC\) makes an angle \(\theta\) with \(AB\) and \(BC\) makes an angle \(\theta+\phi\) with \(AB\) produced. (A sketch of the arrangement is given in the diagram.) \noindent

\psset{xunit=0.8cm,yunit=0.8cm,algebraic=true,dimen=middle,dotstyle=o,dotsize=3pt 0,linewidth=0.5pt,arrowsize=3pt 2,arrowinset=0.25} \begin{pspicture*}(-4.18,-0.94)(4.4,5.22) \psline(-4,0)(4,0) \psline(-2,0)(2,5) \psline(2,5)(1,0) \rput[tl](-2.3,-0.14){\(A\)} \rput[tl](1.08,-0.14){\(B\)} \rput[tl](-1.6,0.46){\(\theta\)} \rput[tl](1.24,0.52){\(\theta+\phi\)} \rput[tl](2.14,5.1){\(C\)} \end{pspicture*} \par
If the perpendicular distance \(h\) of \(C\) from \(AB\) is very large compared with \(a\) show that \(h\) is approximately \((a\sin^{2}\theta)/\phi\) and find the approximate value of \(AC\) in terms of \(a,\theta\) and \(\phi.\) It is easy to show (but you are not asked to show it) that errors in measuring \(\phi\) are much more important than errors in measuring \(\theta.\) If we make an error of \(\delta\phi\) in measuring \(\phi\) (but measure \(\theta\) correctly) what is the approximate error in our estimate of \(AC\) and, roughly, in what proportion is it reduced by doubling the distance between \(A\) and \(B\)?

1992 Paper 1 Q7
D: 1484.0 B: 1500.0

Let \(\mathrm{g}(x)=ax+b.\) Show that, if \(\mathrm{g}(0)\) and \(\mathrm{g}(1)\) are integers, then \(\mathrm{g}(n)\) is an integer for all integers \(n\). Let \(\mathrm{f}(x)=Ax^{2}+Bx+C.\) Show that, if \(\mathrm{f}(-1),\mathrm{f}(0)\) and \(\mathrm{f}(1)\) are integers, then \(\mathrm{f}(n)\) is an integer for all integers \(n\). Show also that, if \(\alpha\) is any real number and \(\mathrm{f}(\alpha-1),\) \(\mathrm{f}(\alpha)\) and \(\mathrm{f}(\alpha+1)\) are integers, then \(\mathrm{f}(\alpha+n)\) is an integer for all integers \(n\).


Solution: If \(g(0) \in \mathbb{Z} \Rightarrow b \in \mathbb{Z}\). If \(g(1) \in \mathbb{Z} \Rightarrow a+b \in \mathbb{Z} \Rightarrow a \in \mathbb{Z}\), therefore \(a \cdot n + b \in \mathbb{Z}\), in particular \(g(n) \in \mathbb{Z}\) for all integers \(n\). \(f(0) \in \mathbb{Z} \Rightarrow C \in \mathbb{Z}\), \(f(1) \in \mathbb{Z} = A+ B + C \in \mathbb{Z} \Rightarrow A+ B \in \mathbb{Z}\) \(f(-1) \in \mathbb{Z} = A- B + C \in \mathbb{Z} \Rightarrow A- B \in \mathbb{Z}\) \(\Rightarrow 2A, 2B \in \mathbb{Z}\) \begin{align*} f(n) &= An^2 + Bn + C \\ &= An^2-An + An+Bn + C \\ &= 2A \frac{n(n-1)}2 + (A+B)n + C \\ &\in \mathbb{Z} \end{align*} Consider \(g(x) = f(x + \alpha)\), therefore \(g(0), g(1), g(-1) \in \mathbb{Z} \Rightarrow g(n) \in \mathbb{Z} \Rightarrow f(n+\alpha) \in \mathbb{Z}\)