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1987 Paper 1 Q11
D: 1500.0 B: 1486.7

A smooth sphere of radius \(r\) stands fixed on a horizontal floor. A particle of mass \(m\) is displaced gently from equilibrium on top of the sphere. Find the angle its velocity makes with the horizontal when it loses contact with the sphere during the subsequent motion. By energy considerations, or otherwise, find the vertical component of the momentum of the particle as it strikes the floor.


Solution:

TikZ diagram
Whilst the particle is on the surface of the sphere consider the energy. Letting the height of centre of the sphere by our \(0\) GPE level, the initial energy is \(mgr\) (assuming that the initial speed is so close to \(0\) as to make no difference). When it makes an angle \(\theta\) with the horizontal it's energy will be \(mgr \sin \theta + \frac12 m v^2\). By conservation of energy: \(mgr \sin \theta + \frac12 m v^2 = mgr \Rightarrow v^2 = 2gr(1-\sin \theta)\) \begin{align*} \text{N2}(\text{radially}): && mg \sin \theta - R &= m \frac{v^2}{r} \\ \Rightarrow && R &= mg\sin \theta - \frac{m}{r} 2gr(1-\sin \theta) \\ &&&=mg \l 3\sin \theta - 2 \r \end{align*} Since \(R\) must be positive whilst the particle is in contact with the sphere, the angle \(\theta\) makes with the horizontal when it leaves the sphere is \(\sin^{-1} \frac{2}{3}\). At this point \(v^2 = 2gr(1-\sin \theta) = \frac{2}{3}gr\) Again, considering energy, the initial energy is \(mgr\). The final energy is \(-mgr + \frac12mu_x^2 + \frac12mu_y^2\) When the particle leaves the surface it has speed \(v= \frac23 gr\), so the component \(u_x = \sqrt{v}\sin \theta\). By conservation of energy therefore: \begin{align*} && mgr &= -mgr + \frac12mu_x^2 + \frac12mu_y^2 \\ \Rightarrow && \frac12 u_y^2 &= 2gr - \frac12 u_x^2 \\ &&&= 2gr - \frac12 (\sqrt{v} \sin \theta)^2 \\ &&&= 2gr - \frac12 \frac23gr \sin^2 \theta \\ &&&= 2gr - \frac13gr \frac{4}{9} \\ &&&= \frac{50}{27}gr \\ \Rightarrow && u_y &= \frac{10}{3\sqrt{3}}\sqrt{gr} \end{align*} Therefore vertical component of momentum is \(\displaystyle \frac{10}{3\sqrt{3}}\sqrt{gr}m\)

1987 Paper 1 Q12
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

\(\,\) \vspace{-1cm}

TikZ diagram
A particle is placed at the edge of the top step of a flight of steps. Each step is of width \(2d\) and height \(h\). The particle is kicked horizontally perpendicular to the edge of the top step. On its first and second bounces it lands exactly in the middle of each of the first and second steps from the top. Find the coefficient of restitution between the particle and the steps. Determine whether it is possible for the particle to continue bouncing down the steps, hitting the middle of each successive step.


Solution: Considering the horizontal component, this will be constant as there are no forces acting in that direction. The first step will take the particle \(t = \sqrt{\frac{2h}g}\) to reach. At which point it will be travelling with speed \(v = \sqrt{2gh} \) (by energy considerations, \(mgh = \frac12 mv^2\)). To reach the second step must take twice as long (since the ball has to travel \(2d\) horizontally, rather than \(d\)). Since \(t = 2\sqrt{\frac{2h}g}\) we must have that: \begin{align*} && s &= ut + \frac12 gt^2 \\ \Rightarrow && h &= u 2\sqrt{\frac{2h}g} + \frac12 g \frac{8h}g \\ \Rightarrow && u &= -\frac{3}{2} h\sqrt{\frac{g}{2h}} \\ &&&= -\frac{3}{2\sqrt{2}} \sqrt{gh} \end{align*} Therefore, using Newton's experimental law, we must have that \(e = \frac{\frac{3}{2 \sqrt{2}} \sqrt{gh}}{\sqrt{2} \sqrt{gh}} = \frac{3}{4}\). Again by conservation of energy \(mgh + \frac12 \frac{9}{8} mgh = \frac12 mv^2 \Rightarrow v = \frac{5}{2\sqrt{2}} \sqrt{gh}\) when it lands on the next step. Therefore we would need the coefficient of restitution for the second (and subsequent steps) to be: \(\displaystyle \frac{\frac{3}{2\sqrt{2}} \sqrt{gh}}{\frac{5}{2\sqrt{2}} \sqrt{gh}} = \frac35\)

1987 Paper 1 Q13
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

A particle of mass \(m\) moves along the \(x\)-axis. At time \(t=0\) it passes through \(x=0\) with velocity \(v_{0} > 0\). The particle is acted on by a force \(\mathrm{F}(x)\), directed along the \(x\)-axis and measured in the direction of positive \(x\), which is given by \[ \mathrm{F}(x)=\begin{cases} -m\mu^{2}x & \qquad(x\geqslant0),\\ -m\kappa\dfrac{\mathrm{d}x}{\mathrm{d}t} & \qquad(x < 0), \end{cases} \] where \(\mu\) and \(\kappa\) are positive constants. Obtain the particle's subsequent position as a function of time, and give a rough sketch of the \(x\)-\(t\) graph.


Solution: Using Newton's second law in the form, \(\F(x) = m \ddot{x}\). Our two different differential equations can be solved as follows: When \(x \geq 0\) \(-\mu^2x = \ddot{x} \Rightarrow x = A\sin \mu t + B \cos \mu t\) when \(x \geq 0\). And when \(x < 0\) \(-\kappa \dot{x} = \ddot{x} \Rightarrow \dot{x} = Ce^{-\kappa t} \Rightarrow x = De^{-\kappa t} + E\) when \(x < 0\) Following the trajectory of the particle: At \(t = 0, x = 0, \dot{x} = v_0 > 0\), so \(x = \frac{v_0}{\mu} \sin \mu t\) until \(t = \frac{\pi}{\mu}\). When \(t = \frac{\pi}{\mu}\) the particle will head into the negative \(x\)-axis with velocity \(-v_0\). At which point our initial conditions for our differential equations give us that \(De^{-\frac{\pi\kappa}{\mu}} + E = 0, -\kappa De^{-\frac{\pi\kappa}{\mu}} = -v_0 \Rightarrow De^{-\frac{\pi\kappa}{\mu}} = \frac{v_0}{\kappa}, E = -\frac{v_0}{\kappa}\). To summarise: \[ x(t) = \begin{cases} \frac{v_0}{\mu} \sin \mu t & 0 \leq t \leq \frac{\pi}{\mu} \\ -\frac{v_0}{\kappa} \l 1-e^{-\kappa(t-\frac{\pi}{\mu})}\r & t > \frac{\pi}{\mu}\end{cases}\]

TikZ diagram

1987 Paper 1 Q14
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

\(A,B\) and \(C\) play a table tennis tournament. The winner of the tournament will be the first person to win two games in a row. In any game, whoever is not playing acts as a referee, and each playerhas equal chance of winning the game. The first game of the tournament is played between \(A\) and \(B\), with \(C\) as referee. Thereafter, if the tournament is still undecided at the end of any game, the winner and referee of that game play the next game. The tournament is recorded by listing in order the winners of each game, so that, for example, \(ACC\) records a three-game tournament won by \(C\), the first game having been won by \(A\). Determine which of the following sequences of letters could be the record of a complete tournament, giving brief reasons for your answers:

  1. \(ACB\),
  2. \(ABB\),
  3. \(ACBB\).
Find the probability that the tournament is still undecided after 5 games have been played. Find also the probabilities that each of \(A,B\) and \(C\) wins in 5 or fewer games. Show that the probability that \(A\) wins eventually is \(\frac{5}{14}\), and find the corresponding probabilities for \(B\) and \(C\).


Solution:

  1. \(ACB\) is not a complete tournament since no-one has won two matches.
  2. \(ABB\) is not a possible complete tournament since it implies \(B\) won game 2, which is between \(A\) (winner of game 1) and \(C\) (referee of game 1).
  3. \(ACBB\) is a valid tournament, \(A\) beat \(B\), then \(C\) beat \(A\), then \(B\) beat \(C\) and finally \(B\) beat \(A\) to win.
After the first game there is always someone playing for the tournament, so for there to be no result after 5 games, 4 games must have gone against the leader, so the probability is \(\frac{1}{2^4} = \frac{1}{16}\). If \(A\) wins their first game, they can either win in two games (WW) or in five games (WLRWW). The probability of this is \(\frac14 + \frac1{16} = \frac{5}{16}\). Similarly \(B\) has exactly the same chance as \(A\) since everything about them is symmetric, ie a probability of \(\frac5{16}\) of winning. Since there is a \(\frac{15}{16}\) chance the tournament is decided after 5 games, the remaining \(\frac{5}{16}\) must be \(C\)'s chance of winning. After the first game is played, there's \(3\) states for each player. King (about to win if they win, becomes Ref if they lose), Challenger (needs to win to become king) and Ref (who becomes Challenger if Challenger wins). \begin{align*} \P(\text{King wins}) &= \frac{1}{2} + \frac{1}{2}\P(\text{Ref wins})\\ \P(\text{Challenger wins}) &= \frac{1}{2} \P(\text{King wins}) \\ \P(\text{Ref wins}) &= \frac{1}{2} \P(\text{Challenger wins}) \\ \end{align*} \(p_K = \frac12 + \frac12 (\frac12 \frac12 p_K) \Rightarrow \frac78 p_K = \frac12 \Rightarrow p_K = \frac47, p_C = \frac27, p_R = \frac17\). \(A\) has \(\frac12\) of being king, \(\frac12\) of being ref after the first match, so \(\frac12 \frac47 + \frac12 \frac17 = \frac{5}{14}\). Similarly \(B\) has \(\frac5{14}\) chance of winning, but unfortunately \(C\) must be the challenger after the first match and only has \(\frac27 = \frac4{14}\) chances of winning.

1987 Paper 1 Q15
D: 1500.0 B: 1516.7

A point \(P\) is chosen at random (with uniform distribution) on the circle \(x^{2}+y^{2}=1\). The random variable \(X\) denotes the distance of \(P\) from \((1,0)\). Find the mean and variance of \(X\). Find also the probability that \(X\) is greater than its mean.


Solution: Consider the angle from the origin, then \(P = (\cos \theta, \sin \theta)\) where \(\theta \sim U(0, 2\pi)\), and \(X = \sqrt{(\cos \theta - 1)^2 + \sin^2 \theta}\) \begin{align*} \mathbb{E}[X] &= \int_0^{2\pi} \sqrt{(\cos \theta - 1)^2 + \sin^2 \theta} \frac1{2\pi} \d \theta \\ &= \frac1{2\pi}\int_0^{2\pi} \sqrt{2 - 2\cos \theta} \d \theta \\ &= \frac{1}{2\pi}\int_0^{2\pi} \sqrt{4\sin^2 \frac{\theta}{2}} \d \theta \\ &= \frac{1}{\pi}\int_0^{2\pi} \left |\sin \frac{\theta}{2} \right| \d \theta \\ &= \frac{1}{\pi} \left [ -2\cos \frac{\theta}{2} \right]_0^{2\pi} \\ &= \frac1{\pi} \l 2 + 2\r \\ &= \frac{4}{\pi} \end{align*} \begin{align*} \mathbb{E}(X^2) &= \frac1{2\pi}\int_0^{2\pi} (\cos \theta - 1)^2 + \sin^2 \theta \d \theta \\ &= \frac1{2\pi}\int_0^{2\pi} 2 - 2 \cos \theta \d \theta \\ &= \frac{4\pi}{2\pi} \\ &= 2 \\ \end{align*} \(\Rightarrow\) \(\mathrm{Var}(X) = \mathbb{E}(X^2) - \mathbb{E}(X)^2 = 2 - \frac{16}{\pi^2} = \frac{2\pi^2 - 16}{\pi^2}\).

TikZ diagram
Where the line makes a length longer than \(\frac{4}{\pi}\) it will make an angle at the origin of \(2\sin^{-1} \frac{2}{\pi}\). Therefore the probability of being larger than this is \(\frac{2\pi - 2 \times 2\sin^{-1} \frac{2}{\pi}}{2 \pi} = 1 - \frac{2}{\pi} \sin^{-1} \frac{2}{\pi} \approx 0.560\)

1987 Paper 1 Q16
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

The parliament of Laputa consists of 60 Preservatives and 40 Progressives. Preservatives never change their mind, always voting the same way on any given issue. Progressives vote at random on any given issue.

  1. A randomly selected member is known to have voted the same way twice on a given issue. Find the probability that the member will vote the same way a third time on that issue.
  2. Following a policy change, a proportion \(\alpha\) of Preservatives now consistently votes against Preservative policy. The Preservative leader decides that an election must be called if the value of \(\alpha\) is such that, at any vote on an item of Preservative policy, the chance of a simple majority would be less than 80\%. By making a suitable normal approximation, estimate the least value of \(\alpha\) which will result in an election being called.


Solution:

  1. The vote is will now be \(60(1-\alpha)\) for, \(60\alpha\) against and \(X \sim B(40, \frac12)\) at random between those. For a majority, they need \(60(1-\alpha) + X > 50\), ie \(\P(X > 60\alpha - 10) \geq 0.8\). Using a normal approximation to the binomial, we need \(X \approx N(20, 10)\), so \begin{align*} \P(X > 60 \alpha - 10) &= 1- \P(X \leq 60 \alpha - 10) \\ &\approx 1 - \P(\sqrt{10}Z+20 \leq 60\alpha - 10.5) \\ &\approx 1 - \P(Z \leq \frac{60\alpha - 30.5}{\sqrt{10}}) \end{align*} If we want this to be less than \(0.2\) we need \( \frac{60\alpha - 30.5}{\sqrt{10}} < -0.8416 \Rightarrow \alpha < 0.4639\). This would correspond to 27 or fewer exiles or 33 or more remaining preservatives. [Actual computations using Binomial distribution shows we should expect at least 17 to randomly join 20% of the time, so 34 preservatives are required]