A horizontal disc of radius \(r\) rotates about a vertical axis through its centre with angular speed \(\omega\). One end of a light rod is fixed by a smooth hinge to the edge of the disc so that it can rotate freely in a vertical plane through the centre of the disc. A particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) is attached to the rod at a distance \(d\) from the hinge. The rod makes a constant angle \(\alpha\) with the upward vertical, as shown in the diagram, and \(d\sin\alpha < r\).
By considering moments about the hinge for the (light) rod, show that the force exerted on the rod by \(P\) is parallel to the rod.
Show also that
\[
r\cot\alpha = a + d \cos\alpha \,,
\]
where \(a = \dfrac {g \;} {\omega^2}\,\). State clearly the direction of the force exerted by the hinge on the rod, and find an expression for its magnitude in terms of \(m\), \(g\) and \(\alpha\).
The disc and rod rotate as in part (i), but two particles (instead of \(P\)) are attached to the rod. The masses of the particles are \(m_1\) and \(m_2\) and they are attached to the rod at distances \(d_1\) and \(d_2\) from the hinge, respectively. The rod makes a constant angle \(\beta\) with the upward vertical and \(d_1\sin\beta < d_2\sin\beta < r\). Show that \(\beta\) satisfies an equation of the form
\[
r\cot\beta = a+ b \cos\beta \,,
\]
where \(b\) should be expressed in terms of \(d_1\), \(d_2\), \(m_1\) and \(m_2\).
Solution:
Since the particle is not moving (relative to the hinge) there is no moment about the hinge and in particular the only forces must be directed towards the hinge, ie parallel to the rod.
\begin{align*}
\text{N2}(\uparrow): && R \cos \alpha &= mg \\
\\
\text{N2}(\leftarrow, \text{radially}): && R \sin \alpha &= m (r-d\sin \alpha) \omega^2 \\
\Rightarrow && \cot \alpha &= \frac{g}{(r-d\sin \alpha) \omega^2} \\
\Rightarrow && r\cot \alpha-d \cos \alpha &= a \\
\Rightarrow && r \cot \alpha &= a + d \cos \alpha
\end{align*}
The force of the hinge is acting in the same direction and magnitude as the rod on the particle (the force \(R\) in the diagram). It has magnitude \(mg \sec \alpha\)
A 6-sided fair die has the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 on its faces. The die is thrown \(n\) times, the outcome (the number on the top face) of each throw being independent of the outcome of any other throw. The random variable \(S_n\)
is the sum of the outcomes.
The random variable~\(R_n\) is the remainder when \(S_n\) is divided by 6. Write down the probability generating function, \(\G(x)\), of \(R_1\) and show that the probability generating function of \(R_2\) is also \(\G(x)\). Use a generating function to find the probability that \(S_n\) is divisible by 6.
The random variable \(T_n\) is the remainder when \(S_n\) is divided by 5. Write down the probability generating function, \(\G_1(x)\), of \(T_1\) and show that \(\G_2(x)\), the probability generating function of \(T_2\), is given by
\[
{\rm G}_2(x) = \tfrac 1 {36} (x^2 +7y)
\]
where \(y= 1+x+x^2+x^3+x^4\,\).
Obtain the probability generating function of \(T_n\) and hence show that the probability that \(S_n\) is divisible by \(5\) is
\[
\frac15\left(1- \frac1 {6^n}\right)
\]
if \(n\) is not divisible by 5. What is the corresponding probability if \(n\) is divisible by 5?
Solution:
\(G(x) = \frac{1}{6} (1 + x + x^2 + x^3 + x^4 + x^5)\)
The pgf for \(R_2\) is:
\begin{align*}
\frac1{36}x^2 + \frac{2}{36}x^3 + \frac{3}{36}x^4 + \frac{4}{36}x^5 + \frac{5}{36} +\\
\quad \quad + \frac{6}{36}x^1 + \frac{5}{36}x^2 + \frac4{36}x^3 + \frac3{36}x^4 + \frac{2}{36}x^5 + \frac{1}{36} \\
= \frac{1}{6}(1 + x + x^2 + x^3 + x^4 + x^5) = G(x)
\end{align*}
Since rolling the dice twice is the same as rolling the dice once, rolling the dice \(n\) times will be the same as rolling it once, ie the pgf for \(R_n\) will be \(G(x)\) and the probability \(S_n\) is divisible by \(6\) is \(\frac16\)
\(G_1(x) = \frac{1}{6} + \frac{1}{3}x^1 + \frac{1}{6}x^2 + \frac16x^3+ \frac16x^4 = \frac16(1 + 2x+x^2+x^3+x^4)\).
If \(G_n\) is the probability generating function for \(T_n\) then we can obtain \(G_n\) by multiplying \(G_{n-1}\) by \(G(x)\) and replacing any terms of order higher than \(5\) with their remainder on division by \(5\). (Or equivalently, working over \(\mathbb{R}[x]/(x^5-1)\). If \(y = 1 + x + x^2 + x^3 + x^4\) then:
\begin{align*}
xy &= x + x^2 + x^3 + x^4 +x^5 \\
&= x + x^2 + x^3 + x^4 + 1 \\
&= y \\
\\
y^2 &= (1 + x+x^2 + x^3+x^4)^2 \\
&= 1 + 2x + 3x^2 + 4x^3+5x^4+4x^5+3x^6 + 2x^7 + x^8 \\
&= (1+4) + (2+3)x+(3+2)x^2 + (4+1)x^3 + 5x^4 \\
&= 5y
\end{align*}
\begin{align*}
\frac{1}{36}(y+x)(y+x) &= \frac1{36}(y^2 + 2xy + x^2) \\
&= \frac1{36}(5y + 2y + x^2 ) \\
&= \frac1{36}(7y + x^2)
\end{align*}
Similarly,
\begin{align*}
G_n(x) &= \l\frac{1}{6}(x+y) \r^n \\
&= \frac1{6^n} \l \sum_{i=0}^n \binom{n}{i} y^ix^{n-i} \r \\
&= \frac1{6^n} \l \sum_{i=1}^n \binom{n}{i} y^i + x^n \r \\
&= \frac1{6^n} \l \sum_{i=1}^n \binom{n}{i} 5^{i-1}y + x^n \r \\
&= \frac1{6^n} \l \frac{1}{5}y((5+1)^n-1) + x^n \r \\
&= \frac1{6^n} \l \frac{1}{5}y(6^n-1) + x^n \r \\
\end{align*}
Therefore if \(n \not \equiv 0 \pmod{5}\), we can find the probability of \(T_n = 0\) by looking at the constant coefficient, ie plugging in \(x = 0\), which is:
\[\frac1{6^n} \l \frac{1}{5}(6^n-1) \r = \frac{1}{5} \l 1- \frac{1}{6^n} \r \]
When \(n \equiv 0 \pmod{5}\) we can also find the constant coefficient by plugging in \(x = 0\), which is:
\[\frac1{6^n} \l \frac{1}{5}(6^n-1) + 1 \r = \frac{1}{5} \l 1+ \frac{4}{6^n} \r \]
Note: this whole question can be considered a "roots-of-unity" filter in disguise. Our computations in \(\mathbb{R}[x]/(x^5 - 1)\) are the same as computations using \(\omega\), in fact \(\mathbb{R}[x]/(x^5 - 1) \cong \mathbb{R}[\omega]\) where \(\omega\) is a primitive \(5\)th root of unity
Each of the two independent random variables \(X\) and \(Y\) is uniformly distributed on the interval~\([0,1]\).
By considering the lines \(x+y =\) \(\mathrm{constant}\) in the \(x\)-\(y\) plane, find the cumulative distribution function of \(X+Y\).
Hence show that the probability density function \(f\) of \((X+Y)^{-1}\)
is given by
\[
\f(t) =
\begin{cases}
2t^{-2} -t^{-3} & \text{for \( \tfrac12 \le t \le 1\)} \\
t^{-3} & \text{for \(1\le t <\infty\)}\\
0 & \text{otherwise}.
\end{cases}
\]
Evaluate \(\E\Big(\dfrac1{X+Y}\Big)\,\).
Find the cumulative distribution function of \(Y/X\) and use this result to find the probability density function of \(\dfrac X {X+Y}\).
Write down \(\E\Big( \dfrac X {X+Y}\Big)\) and verify your result by integration.
Solution:
\(\mathbb{P}(X + Y \leq c) \) is the area between the \(x\)-axis, \(y\)-axis and the line \(x + y = c\). There are two cases for this:
\[\mathbb{P}(X + Y \leq c) = \begin{cases}
0 & \text{ if } c \leq 0 \\
\frac{c^2}{2} & \text{ if } c \leq 1 \\
1- \frac{(2-c)^2}{2} & \text{ if } 1 \leq c \leq 2 \\
1 & \text{ otherwise} \end{cases}\]