Problems

Filters
Clear Filters

21 problems found

1996 Paper 3 Q5
D: 1700.0 B: 1516.0

Show, using de Moivre's theorem, or otherwise, that \[ \tan7\theta=\frac{t(t^{6}-21t^{4}+35t^{2}-7)}{7t^{6}-35t^{4}+21t^{2}-1}\,, \] where \(t=\tan\theta.\)

  1. By considering the equation \(\tan7\theta=0,\) or otherwise, obtain a cubic equation with integer coefficients whose roots are \[ \tan^{2}\left(\frac{\pi}{7}\right),\ \tan^{2}\left(\frac{2\pi}{7}\right)\ \mbox{ and }\tan^{2}\left(\frac{3\pi}{7}\right) \] and deduce the value of \[ \tan\left(\frac{\pi}{7}\right)\tan\left(\frac{2\pi}{7}\right)\tan\left(\frac{3\pi}{7}\right)\,. \]
  2. Find, without using a calculator, the value of \[ \tan^{2}\left(\frac{\pi}{14}\right)+\tan^{2}\left(\frac{3\pi}{14}\right)+\tan^{2}\left(\frac{5\pi}{14}\right)\,. \]

1993 Paper 3 Q7
D: 1700.0 B: 1516.0

The real numbers \(x\) and \(y\) satisfy the simultaneous equations $$ \sinh (2x) = \cosh y \qquad\hbox{and}\qquad \sinh(2y) = 2 \cosh x. $$ Show that \(\sinh^2 y\) is a root of the equation $$ 4t^3 + 4t^2 -4t -1=0 $$ and demonstrate that this gives at most one valid solution for \(y\). Show that the relevant value of \(t\) lies between \(0.7\) and \(0.8\), and use an iterative process to find \(t\) to 6 decimal places. Find \(y\) and hence find \(x\), checking your answers and stating the final answers to four decimal places.


Solution: Let \(t = \sinh^2 y\), then \begin{align*} && \sinh(2x) &= \cosh y \tag{1}\\ && \sinh(2y) &= 2 \cosh x \tag{2} \\ \\ && \cosh(2x) &= 2 \cosh^2 x -1 \\ (2): &&&= \frac12 \sinh^2(2y) -1 \\ && 1 &= \left (\frac12 \sinh^2(2y) -1 \right)^2 - \cosh^2 y \\ &&&= \frac14 \sinh^4(2y)-\sinh^2(2y)+1-\cosh^2 y \\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= \frac14 (\cosh^2 (2y)-1)^2- (\cosh^2 (2y)-1) - \cosh^2 y \\ &&&= \frac14 \left ( \left (1+2\sinh^2 y \right)^2-1 \right)^2 -\left ( \left (1+2\sinh^2 y \right)^2 -1\right) - (1 + \sinh^2 y ) \\ &&&= \frac14 \left ( 1 + 4t+4t^2 -1\right)^2 - \left ( 1+4t+4t^2-1\right) - (1 + t) \\ &&&= \frac14 (4t + 4t^2)^2 - (4t+4t^2)-1-t \\ &&&= 4(t+t^2)^2 - 4t^2-5t-1 \\ &&&= 4t^4+8t^3+4t^2-4t^2-5t-1 \\ &&& = 4t^4+8t^3-5t-1 \\ &&&= (t+1)(4t^3+4t^2-4t-1) \end{align*} Since \(\sinh^2 y\) is positive, we must be a root of the second cubic. Let \(f(t) = 4t^3+4t^2-4t-1\), then \(f(0) = -1\) and \(f'(t) = 12t^2+8t-4 = 4(t+1)(3t-1)\), so we have turning points at \(-1\) and \(\frac13\). Since \(f(-1) = 3 > 0\) and \(f(0) < 0\) we must have exactly one root larger than zero. Therefore there is a unique root. \(f(0.7) = -0.468 < 0\) \(f(0.8) = 0.408 > 0\) since \(f\) is continuous and changes sign, the root must fall in the interval \((0.7, 0.8)\). Let \(t_{n+1} = t_n - \frac{f(t_n)}{f'(t_n)}\), and \(t_0 = 0.75\), then \begin{align*} t_0 &= 0.75 \\ t_1 &= 0.7571428571 \\ t_2 &= 0.7570684728 \\ t_3 &= 0.7570684647 \end{align*} So \(t \approx 0.757068\), \(\sinh y \approx 0.870097\), \(y \approx 0.786474\), \(x \approx 0.546965\)

1991 Paper 1 Q1
D: 1484.0 B: 1513.2

If \(\theta+\phi+\psi=\tfrac{1}{2}\pi,\) show that \[ \sin^{2}\theta+\sin^{2}\phi+\sin^{2}\psi+2\sin\theta\sin\phi\sin\psi=1. \] By taking \(\theta=\phi=\tfrac{1}{5}\pi\) in this equation, or otherwise, show that \(\sin\tfrac{1}{10}\pi\) satisfies the equation \[ 8x^{3}+8x^{2}-1=0. \]


Solution: \begin{align*} S &= \sin^{2}\theta+\sin^{2}\phi+\sin^{2}\psi+2\sin\theta\sin\phi\sin\psi \\ &= \sin^{2}\theta+\sin^{2}\phi+\sin^{2}(\tfrac\pi2-\theta-\phi)+2\sin\theta\sin\phi\sin(\tfrac\pi2-\theta-\phi) \\ &= \sin^{2}\theta+\sin^{2}\phi+\cos^{2}(\theta+\phi)+2\sin\theta\sin\phi\cos(\theta+\phi) \\ &= \sin^{2}\theta+\sin^{2}\phi+\left ( \cos(\theta)\cos(\phi)-\sin(\theta)\sin(\phi)\right)^2+2\sin\theta\sin\phi\left ( \cos(\theta)\cos(\phi)-\sin(\theta)\sin(\phi)\right) \\ &= \sin^{2}\theta+\sin^{2}\phi+\cos^2 \theta\cos^2 \phi-\sin^2 \theta \sin^2 \phi \\ &= \sin^{2}\theta(1-\sin^2 \phi)+\sin^{2}\phi+\cos^2 \theta\cos^2 \phi \\ &= \sin^{2}\theta\cos^2 \phi+\sin^{2}\phi+\cos^2 \theta\cos^2 \phi \\ &= \sin^{2}\phi+\cos^2 \phi \\ &= 1 \end{align*} Suppose \(\theta = \phi = \tfrac15 \pi, \psi = \tfrac1{10}\pi\). Also let \(s = \sin \tfrac1{10}\) \begin{align*} 1 &= 2\sin^2 \tfrac15 \pi + \sin^2 \tfrac1{10} \pi + 2 \sin^2\tfrac15 \pi \sin \tfrac1{10} \pi \\ &= 8\sin^2 \tfrac1{10} \pi \cos^2 \tfrac1{10} \pi + \sin^2 \tfrac1{10} \pi + 8 \sin^2 \tfrac1{10} \pi \cos^2 \tfrac1{10} \pi \sin \tfrac1{10} \pi \\ &= 8\sin^2 \tfrac1{10} \pi(1- \sin^2 \tfrac1{10} \pi) + \sin^2 \tfrac1{10} \pi + 8 \sin^2 \tfrac1{10} \pi (1-\sin^2 \tfrac1{10} \pi) \sin \tfrac1{10} \pi \\ &= 8s^2(1-s^2)+s^2 + 8s^2(1-s^2)s \\ &= -8 s^5 - 8 s^4 + 8 s^3 + 9 s^2 \end{align*} Therefore \(s\) is a root of \(8s^5+8s^4-8s^3-9s^2+1 = 0\), but notice that \begin{align*} 8s^5+8s^4-8s^3-9s^2+1 &= (s-1)(8 s^4 + 16 s^3 + 8 s^2 - s - 1 ) \\ &= (s-1)(s+1)(8s^3+8s^2-1) \end{align*} Therefore since \(\sin \tfrac{1}{10} \pi \neq \pm 1\) it must be a root of \(8x^3+8x^2-1=0\)

1990 Paper 1 Q10
D: 1516.0 B: 1500.0

In a certain race, runners run 5\(\,\)km in a straight line to a fixed point and then turn and run back to the starting point. A steady wind of 3\(\,\text{ms}^{-1}\) is blowing from the start to the turning point. At steady racing pace, a certain runner expends energy at a constant rate of 300\(\,\)W. Two resistive forces act. One is of constant magnitude \(50\,\text{N}\). The other, arising from air resistance, is of magnitude \(2w\,\mathrm{N}\), where \(w\,\text{ms}^{-1}\) is the runner's speed relative to the air. Give a careful argument to derive formulae from which the runner's steady speed in each half of the race may be found. Calculate, to the nearest second, the time the runner will take for the whole race. \textit{Effects due to acceleration and deceleration at the start and turn may be ignored.} The runner may use alternative tactics, expending the same total energy during the race as a whole, but applying different constant powers, \(x_{1}\,\)W in the outward trip, and \(x_{2}\,\)W on the return trip. Prove that, with the wind as above, if the outward and return speeds are \(v_{1}\,\)ms\(^{-1}\) and \(v_{2}\,\)ms\(^{-1}\) respectively, then \(v_{1}+v_{2}\) is independent of the choices for \(x_{1}\) and \(x_{2}\). Hence show that these alternative tactics allow the runner to run the whole race approximately 15 seconds faster.


Solution: Note that \(P = Fv\). Since he is running at a steady pace, we can say that \(F\) must be equal to the resistive forces (as net force is \(0\)). Therefore \(F = 50 + 2(v+3)\) on the way out. ie, \(300 = (2v + 56)v \Rightarrow 150 = v^2 + 28v \Rightarrow v = \sqrt{346}-14\) On the way back, \(F = 50 + 2(v-3)\), ie \(300 = (2v+44)v \Rightarrow 150 = v^2 +22v \Rightarrow v = \sqrt{271}-11\) Therefore the total time will be \(\frac{5000}{\sqrt{346}-150} + \frac{5000}{\sqrt{271}-11} \approx 2002\), or 33 minutes, 22 seconds. Very respectable! The total energy in this first run is \(E = Pt = 2002 \cdot 300\). Now suppose we apply two different powers as in the question, then we must have: \begin{align*} && x_1 &= 2v_1^2 + 56v_1 \\ && x_2 &= 2v_2^2 + 44v_2 \\ && E &= x_1 \frac{5000}{v_1} + x_2 \frac{5000}{v_2} \\ &&&= 5000 \left ( \frac{x_1}{v_1} + \frac{x_2}{v_2} \right) \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{x_1}{v_1} &= 2v_1 + 56 \\ && \frac{x_2}{v_2} &= 2v_2 + 44 \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{E}{5000} &= 2(v_1+v_2) + 100 \\ \Rightarrow && v_1+v_2 &\text{ is independent of the choices for }x_i \end{align*} We wish to minimize \begin{align*} && \frac{5000}{v_1} + \frac{5000}{v_2} &\underbrace{\geq}_{AM-HM} 10\,000 \cdot \frac{2}{v_1+v_2} \\ &&&= 10\,000 \cdot \frac{2}{\sqrt{346}-14+\sqrt{271}-11} \\ &&&\approx 1987 \end{align*} ie they can go 15 seconds quicker with better strategy.

1990 Paper 3 Q1
D: 1700.0 B: 1516.0

Show, using de Moivre's theorem, or otherwise, that \[ \tan9\theta=\frac{t(t^{2}-3)(t^{6}-33t^{4}+27t^{2}-3)}{(3t^{2}-1)(3t^{6}-27t^{4}+33t^{2}-1)},\qquad\mbox{ where }t=\tan\theta. \] By considering the equation \(\tan9\theta=0,\) or otherwise, obtain a cubic equation with integer coefficients whose roots are \[ \tan^{2}\left(\frac{\pi}{9}\right),\qquad\tan^{2}\left(\frac{2\pi}{9}\right)\qquad\mbox{ and }\qquad\tan^{2}\left(\frac{4\pi}{9}\right). \] Deduce the value of \[ \tan\left(\frac{\pi}{9}\right)\tan\left(\frac{2\pi}{9}\right)\tan\left(\frac{4\pi}{9}\right). \] Show that \[ \tan^{6}\left(\frac{\pi}{9}\right)+\tan^{6}\left(\frac{2\pi}{9}\right)+\tan^{6}\left(\frac{4\pi}{9}\right)=33273. \]


Solution: Writing \(c = \cos \theta, s = \sin \theta\) then de Moivre states that: \begin{align*} && \cos 9 \theta + i \sin 9 \theta &= (c +i s)^9 \\ &&&= c^9 + 9ic^8s - 36c^7s^2-84ic^6s^3+126c^5s^4 + 126ic^4s^5 -84c^3s^6 -36ic^2s^7+9cs^8+is^9 \\ &&&= (c^9-36c^7s^2+126c^5s^3-84c^3s^6+8cs^8)+i(9c^8s-75c^6s^3+126c^4s^5-36c^2s^7+s^9) \\ \Rightarrow && \tan 9\theta &= \frac{(9c^8s-75c^6s^3+126c^4s^5-36s^2c^7+s^9)}{(c^9-36c^7s^2+126c^5s^4-84c^3s^6+8cs^8)} \\ &&&= \frac{9t-75t^3+126s^5-36t^7+t^9}{1-36t^2+126t^4-84t^6+8t^8} \\ &&&= \frac{t(t^{2}-3)(t^{6}-33t^{4}+27t^{2}-3)}{(3t^{2}-1)(3t^{6}-27t^{4}+33t^{2}-1)} \end{align*} If we consider \(\tan 9\theta = 0\) it will have the roots \(\theta = \frac{n \pi}{9}, n \in \mathbb{Z}\), in particular, the numerator of our fraction for \(\tan 9 \theta\) will be zero for \(t = 0, \tan \frac{\pi}{9}, \tan \frac{2\pi}{9}, \tan \frac{3\pi}{9}, \tan \frac{4 \pi}{9}, \tan \frac{5\pi}{9}, \tan \frac{6 \pi}{9}, \tan \frac{7 \pi}{9}, \tan \frac{8\pi}{9}\). It's worth noting all other values of \(\theta\) will repeat these values. Also note that \(0,\tan \frac{\pi}{3}, \tan \frac{2\pi}{3}\) are the roots of \(t\) and \(t^2-3\) respectively. Therefore the other values are the roots of our sextic. However, also note that \(\tan \frac{8\pi}{9} = - \tan \frac{\pi}{9}\) and similar, therefore we can notice that all the roots in pairs can be mapped to \(\tan \frac{\pi}{9}, \tan \frac{2 \pi}{9}\) and \(\tan \frac{4 \pi}{9}\) and all those values are squared, so the roots of: \(x^3 - 33x^2+27x-3\) will be \(\tan^2 \frac{\pi}{9}, \tan^2 \frac{2 \pi}{9}\) and \(\tan^2 \frac{4 \pi}{9}\). The product of the roots will be \(3\), so \begin{align*} && \tan^2 \frac{\pi}{9} \tan^2 \frac{2 \pi}{9} \tan^2 \frac{4 \pi}{9} &= 3 \\ \Rightarrow && \tan \frac{\pi}{9} \tan \frac{2 \pi}{9} \tan \frac{4 \pi}{9} &= \pm \sqrt{3} \\ \underbrace{\Rightarrow}_{\text{all positive}} && \tan \frac{\pi}{9} \tan \frac{2 \pi}{9} \tan \frac{4 \pi}{9} &= \sqrt{3} \\ \end{align*} Notice that \(x^3 + y^3 +z^3 - 3xyz = (x+y+z)((x+y+z)^2-3(xy+yz+zx))\) Therefore \begin{align*} \tan^{6}\left(\frac{\pi}{9}\right)+\tan^{6}\left(\frac{2\pi}{9}\right)+\tan^{6}\left(\frac{4\pi}{9}\right) &= 33(33^2-3\cdot27) + 3 \cdot 3 \\ &= 33\,273 \end{align*}

1989 Paper 2 Q1
D: 1600.0 B: 1516.0

Prove that \(\cos3\theta=4\cos^{3}\theta-3\cos\theta\). Show how the cubic equation \[ 24x^{3}-72x^{2}+66x-19=0\tag{*} \] can be reduced to the form \[ 4z^{3}-3z=k \] by means of the substitution \(y=x+a\) and \(z=by\), for suitable values of the constants \(a\) and \(b\). Hence find the three roots of the equation \((*)\), to three significant figures. Show, by means of a counterexample, or otherwise, that not all cubic equations of the form \[ x^{3}+\alpha x^{2}+\beta x+\gamma=0 \] can be solved by this method.


Solution: \begin{align*} \cos 3\theta &= \cos 2\theta\cos\theta - \sin 2\theta \sin \theta \\ &= (2\cos^2\theta-1)\cos \theta - 2\cos \theta \sin^2 \theta \\ &= 2\cos^3\theta-\cos \theta - 2\cos \theta(1- \cos^2 \theta) \\ &= 4\cos^3 \theta - 3\cos \theta \end{align*} \begin{align*} 0 &= 24x^{3}-72x^{2}+66x-19 \\ &= 24(y+1)^3-72(y+1)^2+66(y+1)-19 \\ &= 24(y^3+3y^2+3y+1)-72(y^2+2y+1)+66(y+1)-19\\ &= 24y^3+(72-144+66)y+(24-72+66-19) \\ &= 24y^3-6y-1 \\ &= 24b'^3z^3 - 6b'z - 1 \\ &= \frac{2}{\sqrt{3}}(4 z^3 -3z) - 1 \\ \end{align*} Therefore if \(b = \sqrt{3}, a = 1\), we have: \(4z^3 - 3z = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\) So if \(z = \cos \theta \Rightarrow \cos 3\theta = \frac{\sqrt{3}}2 \Rightarrow 3 \theta = \frac{\pi}{6}, \frac{11\pi}{6}, \frac{13\pi}{6} \Rightarrow \theta = \frac{\pi}{18}, \frac{11\pi}{18}, \frac{13\pi}{18}\). Since \(\frac{\cos x}{\sqrt{3}} < 1\) we only need to approximate the first part to 2 significant figures. Therefore: \begin{align*} \sqrt{3} &\approx 1 + \frac{1}{1 + \frac{1}{2+\frac11}} = \frac{7}{4} = 1.75\\ \cos \tfrac{\pi}{18} &\approx \cos \frac{1}{6} \approx 1 - \frac{1}{2} \frac{1}{6^2} = \frac{71}{72} \approx 1 - \frac{1}{70} = 1 - 0.014 = 0.986 \\ \frac{\cos \tfrac{\pi}{18}}{\sqrt{3}} & \approx \frac{.986}{1.75} = 0.57 \\ \end{align*} Final answers: \(1.57, 0.803, 0.629\). We wouldn't be able to solve \(x^3 + 1= 0\) using this method, as we would have 2 non-real roots