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1990 Paper 1 Q12
D: 1516.0 B: 1484.0

\(\,\)

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In the above diagram, \(ABC\) represents a light spring of natural length \(2l\) and modulus of elasticity \(\lambda,\) which is coiled round a smooth fixed horizontal rod. \(B\) is the midpoint of \(AC.\) The two ends of a light inelastic string of length \(2l\) are attached to the spring at \(A\) and \(C\). A particle of mass \(m\) is fixed to the string at \(D\), the midpoint of the string. The system can be in equilibrium with the angle \(CAD\) equal to \(\pi/6.\) Show that \[ mg=\lambda\left(\frac{2}{\sqrt{3}}-1\right). \] Write the length \(AC\) as \(2xl\), obtain an expression for the potential energy of the system as a function of \(x\). The particle is held at \(B\), and the spring is restored to its natural length \(2l.\) The particle is then released and falls vertically. Obtain an equation satisfied by \(x\) when the particle next comes to rest. Verify numerically that a possible solution for \(x\) is approximately \(0.66.\)


Solution:

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\(|AB| = l \cos \tfrac{\pi}{6} = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}l\) therefore \(|AC| = \sqrt{3}l\) and the compression is \((2l - \sqrt{3}l)\) and so \(T_2 = \frac{\lambda}{2l} (2l - \sqrt{3}l) = \frac12\lambda(2- \sqrt{3})\) \begin{align*} \text{N2}(\rightarrow, A): && T_1 \cos \tfrac{\pi}{6} - T_2 &= 0 \\ \Rightarrow && T_1 &= \frac12 \frac{2\lambda(2-\sqrt{3})}{\sqrt{3}} \\ &&&= \lambda \left ( \frac{2}{\sqrt{3}} - 1 \right) \\ \\ \text{N2}(\uparrow, D): && 2T_1 \cos \frac{\pi}{3} - mg &= 0 \\ \Rightarrow && mg &= \lambda \left ( \frac{2}{\sqrt{3}} - 1 \right) \end{align*} Suppose \(|AC| = 2xl\), then: \begin{array}{c|c} \text{energy} & \\ \hline \text{GPE} & -mg \sqrt{l^2 - x^2l^2} \\ \text{EPE} & \frac12 \frac{\lambda (2l - 2lx)^2}{2l} \\ \text{KE} & \frac12 m v^2 \end{array} Therefore \[ E = \frac12 mv^2 + \lambda l (1-x)^2-mgl \sqrt{1-x^2}\] Initially, \(E = 0 + 0 + 0 = 0\). When the particle first comes to rest: \begin{align*} \text{COE}: && 0 &= E \\ &&&= \lambda l^2 (1-x)^2 - mgl \sqrt{1-x^2} \\ &&&= \lambda l (1-x)^2 - l \lambda \left ( \frac{2}{\sqrt{3}} - 1 \right) \sqrt{1-x^2} \\ \Rightarrow && (1-x)^2 &= \sqrt{1-x^2} \left ( \frac{2}{\sqrt{3}} - 1 \right) \\ \Rightarrow && (1-x)^2(1-x^2)^{-1/2} &= \left ( \frac{2}{\sqrt{3}} - 1 \right) \\ \Rightarrow && (1-2x+x^2)(1+\frac12 x^2+\cdots) &= \left ( \frac{2}{\sqrt{3}} - 1 \right) \\ \end{align*} If \(x = \frac23\) then \((1-x)^2(1-x^2)^{-1/2} = \frac19 \cdot \left ( \frac{5}{9} \right)^{-1/2} = \frac{\sqrt{5}}{15}\) If \(2\sqrt{3}-3 \approx \frac{\sqrt{5}}5\) we're done.

1990 Paper 1 Q13
D: 1500.0 B: 1484.0

A rough circular cylinder of mass \(M\) and radius \(a\) rests on a rough horizontal plane. The curved surface of the cylinder is in contact with a smooth rail, parallel to the axis of the cylinder, which touches the cylinder at a height \(a/2\) above the plane. Initially the cylinder is held at rest. A particle of mass \(m\) rests in equilibrium on the cylinder, and the normal reaction of the cylinder on the particle makes an angle of \(\theta\) with the upward vertical. The particle is on the same side of the centre of the cylinder as the rail. The coefficient of friction between the cylinder and the particle and between the cylinder and the plane are both \(\mu\). Obtain the condition on \(\theta\) for the particle to rest in equilibrium. Show that, if the cylinder is released, equilibrium of both particle and cylinder is possible provided another inequality involving \(\mu\) and \(\theta\) (which should be found explicitly) is satisfied. Determine the largest possible value of \(\theta\) for equilibrium, if \(m=7M\) and \(\mu=0.75\).


Solution:

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\begin{align*} \text{N2}(\nwarrow): && R -mg \cos \theta &= 0 \\ \text{N2}(\rightarrow): && -R \sin \theta + F \cos \theta &= 0 \\ \\ \Rightarrow && F &= \tan \theta R \\ \\ && F & \leq \mu R \\ \Rightarrow && \tan \theta R &\leq \mu R \\ \Rightarrow && \tan \theta &\leq \mu \end{align*} (Notice also \(F = mg \sin \theta\)) Once everything is released, we have the following situation. (Red forces act on the cylinder, blue forces on the particle).
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\begin{align*} \text{N2}(\uparrow): && 0 &= R_g - Mg - \underbrace{mg}_{R_p \text{ and } F_p} + \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}R_r \\ \text{N2}(\rightarrow): && 0 &= \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}R_r - F_g \\ \overset{\curvearrowleft}{O}: && 0 &= aF_p - aF_g \\ \Rightarrow && F_g &= mg \sin \theta \\ \Rightarrow && R_r &= \sqrt{2} mg \sin \theta \\ \Rightarrow && R_g &=(M+m)g + mg \sin \theta \\ \\ && F_g &\leq \mu R_g \\ \Rightarrow && mg \sin \theta &\leq \mu (M+m(1+\sin \theta))g \\ \Rightarrow && \mu &\geq \frac{m \sin \theta}{M+m(1+\sin \theta)} \end{align*} If \(m = 7M\) and \(\mu = \frac34\) we have: \begin{align*} && \tan \theta &\leq \frac34 \\ && 3(M+7M(1 + \sin \theta)) &\geq 4 \cdot 7 M \sin \theta \\ \Rightarrow && 10 + 7 \sin \theta & \geq 28 \sin \theta \\ \Rightarrow && 10 &\geq 21 \sin \theta \\ \Rightarrow && \sin \theta &\leq \frac{10}{21} \end{align*} If \(\tan \theta = \frac{3}{4}, \sin \theta = \frac35 > \frac{10}{21}\), so the critical bound is \(\sin \theta \leq \frac{10}{21}\), ie \( \theta \leq \sin^{-1} \frac{10}{21} \approx 30^{\circ}\)

1990 Paper 1 Q14
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.7

A bag contains 5 white balls, 3 red balls and 2 black balls. In the game of Blackball, a player draws a ball at random from the bag, looks at it and replaces it. If he has drawn a white ball, he scores one point, while for a red ball he scores two points, these scores being added to his total score before he drew the ball. If he has drawn a black ball, the game is over and his final score is zero. After drawing a red or white ball, he can either decide to stop, when his final score for the game is the total so far, or he may elect to draw another ball. The starting score is zero. Juggins' strategy is to continue drawing until either he draws a black ball (when of course he must stop, with final score zero), or until he has drawn three (non-black) balls, when he elects to stop. Find the probability that in any game he achieves a final score of zero by employing this strategy. Find also his expected final score. Muggins has so far scored \(N\) points, and is deciding whether to draw another ball. Find the expected score if another ball is drawn, and suggest a strategy to achieve the greatest possible average final score in each game.


Solution: The probability Juggin's has a non-zero score is the probability he never draws a black ball in his three goes. This is \((1-\frac15)^3 = \frac{64}{125}\). Let's consider the \(\frac{61}{125}\) probability world where he never draws a black ball. In this conditional probability space, he has \(\frac{5}{8}\) chances of pulling out white balls and \(\frac38\) or pulling out red. His expected score per pull is \(\frac58 \cdot 1 + \frac38 \cdot 2 = \frac{11}{8}\). Therefore his expected score in this universe is \(\frac{33}8\) and his expected score is \(\frac{33}{8} \cdot \frac{61}{125} = \frac{2013}{1000} = 2.013\) . The expected score after drawing another ball is \(( N + 1)\frac{5}{10} + (N+2) \frac{3}{10} + 0 \cdot \frac{2}{10} = \frac{8}{10}N + \frac{11}{10}\). A sensible strategy would be to only draw if \(\frac{8}{10}N + \frac{11}{10} > N \Rightarrow N < \frac{11}{2}\), ie keep drawing until \(N \geq 6\) or we bust out. [The expected score for this strategy is: \begin{array}{ccc} \text{score} & \text{route} & \text{count} & \text{prob} \\ \hline 6 & \text{6 1s} & 1 & \left ( \frac12 \right)^6 \\ 6 & \text{4 1s, 1 2} & 5 & 5 \cdot \left ( \frac12 \right)^4 \cdot \frac{3}{10} \\ 6 & \text{2 1s, 2 2s} & 6 & 6 \cdot \left ( \frac12 \right)^2 \cdot \left ( \frac{3}{10} \right)^2 \\ 6 & \text{3 2s} & 1 & 1 \cdot \left ( \frac{3}{10} \right)^3 \\ 7 & \text{5 1s, 1 2} & 1 &\left ( \frac12 \right)^5 \cdot \frac{3}{10} \\ 7 & \text{3 1s, 2 2s} & 4 & 4\cdot \left ( \frac12 \right)^3 \cdot \left ( \frac{3}{10} \right)^2 \\ 7 & \text{1 1, 3 2s} & 3 & 3\cdot \left ( \frac12 \right) \cdot \left ( \frac{3}{10} \right)^3 \\ \end{array} For an expected value of \(\frac{2171}{8000} \cdot 6 + \frac{759}{8000} \cdot 7 = \frac{18\,339}{8000} = 2.29 \quad (3\text{ s.f.})\)]

1990 Paper 1 Q15
D: 1500.0 B: 1591.4

A coin has probability \(p\) (\(0 < p < 1\)) of showing a head when tossed. Give a careful argument to show that the \(k\)th head in a series of consecutive tosses is achieved after exactly \(n\) tosses with probability \[ \binom{n-1}{k-1}p^{k}(1-p)^{n-k}\qquad(n\geqslant k). \] Given that it took an even number of tosses to achieve exactly \(k-1\) heads, find the probability that exactly \(k\) heads are achieved after an even number of tosses. If this coin is tossed until exactly 3 heads are obtained, what is the probability that exactly 2 of the heads occur on even-numbered tosses?


Solution: We must have a sequence consisting of \(\underbrace{HTT\cdots TH}_{k-1\text{ heads and }n-k\text{ tails}}\underbrace{H}_{k\text{th head}}\). There are \(\binom{n-1}{k-1}\) ways to chose how to place the \(k-1\) heads in the first \(n-1\) flips, and each sequence has probability \(p^{k-1}(1-p)^{n-k}p\) which gives a probability of \(\displaystyle \binom{n-1}{k-1} p^k (1-p)^{n-k}\). Given that it took an even number of tosses to achieve \(k-1\) heads, this is equivalent to the problem of what is the probability that the first head occurs on an even flip, ie \begin{align*} \mathbb{P}(\text{even flip}) &= \mathbb{P}(2\text{nd flip}) +\mathbb{P}(4\text{th flip}) +\mathbb{P}(6\text{th flip}) + \cdots \\ &= (1-p)p + (1-p)^3p + (1-p)^5p + \cdots \\ &= (1-p)p \left ( \sum_{r=0}^\infty (1-p)^{2r}\right) \\ &= \frac{p(1-p)}{1-(1-p)^2} \\ &= \frac{p(1-p)}{2p-p^2} \\ &= \frac{1-p}{2-p} \end{align*} The ways to achieve \(2\) heads on even tosses are \(EEO\), \(EOE\), \(OEE\). The probability of going from \(O\) to \(E\) is the same as the initial probability of an \(O\) flip, etc. Therefore \begin{align*} \mathbb{P}(EEO) &=\left( \frac{1-p}{2-p} \right)^2 \left ( 1- \frac{1-p}{2-p} \right) \\ &= \left( \frac{1-p}{2-p} \right)^2 \left ( \frac{1}{2-p} \right) \\ \mathbb{P}(EOE) &= \left( \frac{1-p}{2-p} \right) \left ( \frac{1}{2-p} \right)^2 \\ \mathbb{P}(OEE) &= \left ( \frac{1}{2-p} \right)^2 \left( \frac{1-p}{2-p} \right)\\ \mathbb{P}(2 \text{ heads on even tosses}) &= \frac{(1-p)^2 + 2(1-p)}{(2-p)^3} \\ &= \frac{(1-p)(2-p)}{(2-p)^3} \\ &= \frac{1-p}{(2-p)^2} \end{align*}

1990 Paper 1 Q16
D: 1500.0 B: 1486.1

A bus is supposed to stop outside my house every hour on the hour. From long observation I know that a bus will always arrive some time between 10 minutes before and ten minutes after the hour. The probability it arrives at a given instant increases linearly (from zero at 10 minutes before the hour) up to a maximum value at the hour, and then decreases linearly at the same rate after the hour. Obtain the probability density function of \(T\), the time in minutes after the scheduled time at which a bus arrives. If I get up when my alarm clock goes off, I arrive at the bus stop at 7.55am. However, with probability 0.5, I doze for 3 minutes before it rings again. In that case with probability 0.8 I get up then and reach the bus stop at 7.58am, or, with probability 0.2, I sleep a little longer, not reaching the stop until 8.02am. What is the probability that I catch a bus by 8.10am? I buy a louder alarm clock which ensures that I reach the stop at exactly the same time each morning. This clock keeps perfect time, but may be set to an incorrect time. If it is correct, the alarm goes off so that I should reach the stop at 7.55am. After 100 mornings I find that I have had to wait for a bus until after 9am (according to the new clock) on 5 occasions. Is this evidence that the new clock is incorrectly set? {[}The time of arrival of different buses are independent of each other.{]}


Solution: The probability density function will look like a triangle with base \(20\) minutes and therefore height \(\frac{1}{10}\) per minute, ie: \begin{align*} f_T(t) &= \begin{cases} \frac{1}{100}(t+10) & \text{if } -10 \leq t \leq 0 \\ \frac{1}{100}(10-t) & \text{if } 0 \leq t \leq 10 \\ 0 & \text{otherwise} \end{cases} \end{align*} \begin{align*} \mathbb{P}(\text{catch bus}) &=0.5 \mathbb{P}(\text{bus arrives after 7:55})+0.4 \mathbb{P}(\text{bus arrives after 7:58}) + 0.1 \mathbb{P}(\text{bus arrives after 8:02}) \\ &= \frac12 \cdot \left (1 - \frac18 \right) + \frac{2}{5} \cdot \left ( 1 - \frac{4^2}{5^2} \cdot \frac{1}{2} \right) + \frac{1}{10} \cdot \frac{4^2}{5^2} \cdot \frac12 \\ &= \frac{1\,483}{2\,000} \\ &\approx 74\% \end{align*} \begin{align*} \mathbb{P}(\text{catch bus}) &= \mathbb{P}(\text{bus arrives after 7:55}) \mathbb{P}(\text{catch next bus by 9:00}) \\ &= \frac78 + \frac18 \cdot \frac12 \\ &= \frac{15}{16} \end{align*} He should expect to miss \(6.25\) buses, so missing \(5\) seems about right. (Using a binomial calculation, seeing 5 or fewer buses is ~\(40\%\) which isn't suspicious).

1990 Paper 2 Q1
D: 1600.0 B: 1516.0

Prove that both \(x^{4}-2x^{3}+x^{2}\) and \(x^{2}-8x+17\) are non-negative for all real \(x\). By considering the intervals \(x\leqslant0\), \(0 < x\leqslant2\) and \(x > 2\) separately, or otherwise, prove that the equation \[ x^{4}-2x^{3}+x^{2}-8x+17=0 \] has no real roots. Prove that the equation \(x^{4}-x^{3}+x^{2}-4x+4=0\) has no real roots.


Solution: \begin{align*} x^4 - 2x^3+x^2 &= x^2(x^2-2x+1) \\ &= x^2(x-1)^2 > 0 \end{align*} Since \(x\)and \(x-1\) can't both be zero, and square cannot be negative. \begin{align*} x^2 - 8x+17 &= (x-4)^2 +1 \geq 1 > 0 \end{align*} If \(x \leq 2\) then \(x^4 - 2x^3+x^2 > 0\) and \(17-8x \geq 1\) so \(x^4-2x^3+x^2-8x+17 > 0\) If \(x > 2\) then \(x^4-2x^3 = x^3(x-2) \geq 0\) and \(x^2-8x+17 > 0\) so \(x^4-2x^3+x^2-8x+17 > 0\), so for all real numbers our polynomial is positive and therefore cannot have any roots. Note that: \(x^4-x^3+x^2 = x^2(x^2-x+1) > 0\) and \(x^2-4x+4 =(x-2)^2 \geq 0\) If \(x < 1\) then \(x^4-x^3+x^2 > 0\) and \(4(1-x) > 0\) so \(x^4-x^3+x^2-4x+4 > 0\). If \(x > 1\) then \(x^4-x^3 = x^3(x-1) > 0\) and \(x^2-4x+4 \geq 0\) therefore \(x^4-x^3+x^2-4x+4 > 0\). Therefore \(x^4-x^3+x^2-4x+4 > 0\) for all real \(x\) and hence there are no real roots.

1990 Paper 2 Q2
D: 1600.0 B: 1500.0

Prove that if \(A+B+C+D=\pi,\) then \[ \sin\left(A+B\right)\sin\left(A+D\right)-\sin B\sin D=\sin A\sin C. \] The points \(P,Q,R\) and \(S\) lie, in that order, on a circle of centre \(O\). Prove that \[ PQ\times RS+QR\times PS=PR\times QS. \]


Solution: \begin{align*} \sin(A+B)\sin(A+D) - \sin B \sin D &= \sin (A+B)\sin(\pi - B-C) - \sin B \sin (\pi - A - B - C) \\ &= \sin (A+B)\sin(B+C) - \sin B \sin(A+B+C) \\ &= \sin(A+B)\sin (B+C) - \sin B (\sin (A+B)\cos C +\cos(A+B) \sin C) \\ &= \sin(A+B)\cos B \sin C + \cos(A+B)\sin B \sin C \\ &= \sin A \sin C \cos^2 B + \cos A \sin B \cos B \sin C - \cos A \cos B \sin B \sin C + \sin A \sin^2 B \sin C \\ &= \sin A \sin C (\cos^2 B + \sin^2 B) \\ &= \sin A \sin C \end{align*}

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Using the extended form of the sine rule: \(\frac{a}{\sin A} = \frac{b}{\sin B} = \frac{c}{\sin C} = 2R\) where \(R\) is the circumradius, we have \begin{align*} PR \times QS &= 2R \sin (A+D) \times 2R \sin (A+B) \\ &= 4R^2 \l \sin A \sin C + \sin B \sin D \r \\ &= 2R \sin A \times 2R \sin C + 2R \sin B 2R \sin D \\ &= PS \times QR + PQ \times RS \end{align*} as required.

1990 Paper 2 Q3
D: 1600.0 B: 1500.0

Sketch the curves given by \[ y=x^{3}-2bx^{2}+c^{2}x, \] where \(b\) and \(c\) are non-negative, in the cases: \begin{questionparts} \item \(2b < c\sqrt{3}\) \item \(2b=c\sqrt{3}\neq0\) \item \(c\sqrt{3} < 2b < 2c\), \item \(b=c\neq0\) \item \(b > c > 0\), \item \(c=0,b\neq0\) \item \(c=b=0\). \end{questionpart} Sketch also the curves given by \(y^{2}=x^{3}-2bx^{2}+c^{2}x\) in the cases \((i), (v)\) and \((vii)\).


Solution:

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\((i)\)
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\((v)\)
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\((vii)\)
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1990 Paper 2 Q4
D: 1600.0 B: 1516.0

A plane contains \(n\) distinct given lines, no two of which are parallel, and no three of which intersect at a point. By first considering the cases \(n=1,2,3\) and \(4\), provide and justify, by induction or otherwise, a formula for the number of line segments (including the infinite segments). Prove also that the plane is divided into \(\frac{1}{2}(n^{2}+n+2)\) regions (including those extending to infinity).


Solution: With \(n=1\) line, the plane is divided in half. With \(n=2\) lines the plane is divided into four pieces. (Each of the previous pieces are split in half) With \(n=3\) lines the plane is divided into up to \(7\) pieces. (The new line crosses two lines in two places dividing \(3\) regions into \(2\), thus increasing the number of regions by \(3\)). With \(n=4\) lines the plane is divided into \(11\) pieces. (The new line crosses three lines in three places doubling the number of regions of \(4\) places). Claim: With \(n\) lines the plane is divided into \(\frac12(n^2+n+2)\) regions. Proof: (By induction) (Base case) When \(n=1\) clearly the line is divided into \(2\) regions, and \(\frac12 (1^2 + 1^2 + 2) = 2\) so the base case is true. (Inductive step) Suppose our formula is true for \(n=k\), so we have placed \(k\) lines in general position and divided the plane into \(\frac12(k^2+k+2)\) regions. When we place a new line it will meet those \(k\) lines in \(k\) places (since no lines are parallel) and there will be k+1 regions the line will run through (since no three lines meet at a point). Each of those \(k+1\) regios is now split in half, so there are \(k+1\) "new regions". Therefore there are now \(\frac12(k^2+k+2)+(k+1) = \frac12(k^2+k+1+2k+2) = \frac12 ((k+1)^2+(k+1)+1)\) regions, ie our hypothesis is true for \(n=k+1\). (Conclusion) Therefore since our statement is true for \(n=1\) and since if it is true for some \(n=k\) it is true for \(n=k+1\) by the principle of mathematical induction it is true for all \(n \geq 1\) Proof: (Alternative). There are \(\binom{n}{2}\) places where the lines meet. Each intersection is the most extreme point (say lowest) for one region (if two are tied, rotate by a very small amount) so this is a unique mapping. There will be \(n+1\) regions which are infinite and don't have a most extreme point, hence \(\binom{n}{2} + n+1 = \frac12(n^2-n)+n+1 = \frac12(n^2+n+2)\)

1990 Paper 2 Q5
D: 1600.0 B: 1484.0

The distinct points \(L,M,P\) and \(Q\) of the Argand diagram lie on a circle \(S\) centred on the origin and the corresponding complex numbers are \(l,m,p\) and \(q\). By considering the perpendicular bisectors of the chords, or otherwise, prove that the chord \(LM\) is perpendicular to the chord \(PQ\) if and only if \(lm+pq=0.\) Let \(A_{1},A_{2}\) and \(A_{3}\) be three distinct points on \(S\). For any given point \(A_{1}'\) on \(S\), the points \(A_{2}',A_{3}'\) and \(A_{1}''\) are chosen on \(S\) such that \(A_{1}'A_{2}',A_{2}'A_{3}'\) and \(A_{3}'A_{1}''\) are perpendicular to \(A_{1}A_{2},A_{2}A_{3}\) and \(A_{3}A_{1},\) respectively. Show that for exactly two positions of \(A_{1}',\) the points \(A_{1}'\) and \(A_{1}''\) coincide. If, instead, \(A_{1},A_{2},A_{3}\) and \(A_{4}\) are four given distinct points on \(S\) and, for any given point \(A_{1}',\) the points \(A_{2}',A_{3}',A_{4}'\) and \(A_{1}''\) are chosen on \(S\) such that \(A_{1}'A_{2}',A_{2}'A_{3}',A_{3}'A_{4}'\) and \(A_{4}'A_{1}''\) are respectively perpendicular to \(A_{1}A_{2},A_{2}A_{3},A_{3}A_{4}\) and \(A_{4}A_{1},\) show that \(A_{1}'\) coincides with \(A_{1}''.\) Give the corresponding result for \(n\) distinct points on \(S\).


Solution: The perpendicular bisector of the chords runs through the origin, therefore \(LM\) is perpendicular to \(PQ\) if and only if \(\frac{l+m}{2}\) is perpendicular to \(\frac{p+q}{2}\), ie \begin{align*} && (l+m) &= it (p+q) \\ \Leftrightarrow && \frac{l+m}{p+q} & \in i \mathbb{R} \\ \Leftrightarrow && 0 &= \frac{l+m}{p+q} + \frac{l^*+m^*}{p^*+q^*} \\ &&&= \frac{l+m}{p+q} + \frac{\frac{r^2}{l}+\frac{r^2}{m}}{\frac{r^2}{p}+\frac{r^2}{q}} \\ &&&=\frac{l+m}{p+q} + \frac{l+m}{p+q} \frac{pq}{lm} \\ &&&= \frac{l+m}{p+q} \left ( \frac{lm+pq}{lm} \right) \end{align*} Therefore as long as \(l+m, p+q \neq 0\) \(lm+pq = 0\) is equivalent to the chords being perpendicular. In the case where (say) \(l,m\) is a diameter, then the condition for the chords to be perpendicular is that \(p,q\) is also a diameter and at right angles, but clearly this is also equivalent to our condition. Suppose \(A_1, A_2, A_3\) are distinct points on \(S\), and \(A_1'\) is given and suppose \(a_i, a_i'\) are the corresponding complex numbers, then the conditions are: \begin{align*} A_1'A_2' \perp A_1A_2: && 0 &= a_1'a_2' + a_1a_2 \\ A_2'A_3' \perp A_2A_3: && 0 &= a_2'a_3' + a_2a_3 \\ A_3'A_1'' \perp A_3A_1: && 0 &= a_3'a_1'' + a_3a_1 \\ \\ \Rightarrow && a_2' &= -\frac{a_1a_2}{a_1'} \\ && a_3' &= -\frac{a_2a_3}{a_2'} \\ &&&= \frac{a_1'a_2a_3}{a_1a_2} \\ &&&= \frac{a_1'a_3}{a_1} \\ && a_1'' &= - \frac{a_3a_1}{a_3'} \\ &&&= \frac{a_3a_1a_1}{a_1'a_3} \\ &&&= \frac{a_1^2}{a_1'} \\ \Rightarrow && a_1'a_1'' &= a_1^2 \end{align*} Therefore \(a_1' = a_1''\) if \(a_1' = \pm a_1\) Suppose we have \(4\) points, then \begin{align*} A_1'A_2' \perp A_1A_2: && 0 &= a_1'a_2' + a_1a_2 \\ A_2'A_3' \perp A_2A_3: && 0 &= a_2'a_3' + a_2a_3 \\ A_3'A_4' \perp A_3A_4: && 0 &= a_3'a_4' + a_3a_4 \\ A_4'A_1'' \perp A_4A_1: && 0 &= a_4'a_1'' + a_4a_1 \\ \\ \Rightarrow && a_4' &= -\frac{a_3a_4}{a_3'} \\ &&&= -\frac{a_1a_3a_4}{a_1'a_3} \\ &&&= -\frac{a_1a_4}{a_1'} \\ \Rightarrow && a_1'' &= -\frac{a_4a_1}{a_4'} \\ &&&= \frac{a_4a_1a_1'}{a_1a_4} \\ &&&= a_1' \end{align*} So they coincide. For \(n\) points if there are an even number of points they coincide, an odd number and there are two points when they coincide.