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1994 Paper 1 Q11
D: 1500.0 B: 1469.5

\(\,\)

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The diagram shows a small railway wagon \(A\) of mass \(m\) standing at the bottom of a smooth railway track of length \(d\) inclined at an angle \(\theta\) to the horizontal. A light inextensible string, also of length \(d\), is connected to the wagon and passes over a light frictionless pulley at the top of the incline. On the other end of the string is a ball \(B\) of mass \(M\) which hangs freely. The system is initially at rest and is then released.
  1. Find the condition which \(m,M\) and \(\theta\) must satisfy to ensure that the ball will fall to the ground. Assuming that this condition is satisfied, show that the velocity \(v\) of the ball when it hits the ground satisfies \[ v^{2}=\frac{2g(M-m\sin\theta)d\sin\theta}{M+m}. \]
  2. Find the condition which \(m,M\) and \(\theta\) must satisfy if the wagon is not to collide with the pulley at the top of the incline.

1994 Paper 1 Q12
D: 1500.0 B: 1468.0

There are 28 colleges in Cambridge, of which two (New Hall and Newnham) are for women only; the others admit both men and women. Seven women, Anya, Betty, Celia, Doreen, Emily, Fariza and Georgina, are all applying to Cambridge. Each has picked three colleges at random to enter on her application form.

  1. What is the probability that Anya's first choice college is single-sex?
  2. What is the probability that Betty has picked Newnham?
  3. What is the probability that Celia has picked at least one single-sex college?
  4. Doreen's first choice is Newnham. What is the probability that one of her other two choices is New Hall?
  5. Emily has picked Newnham. What is the probability that she has also picked New Hall?
  6. Fariza's first choice college is single-sex. What is the probability that she has also chosen the other single-sex college?
  7. One of Georgina's choices is a single-sex college. What is the probability that she has also picked the other single-sex college?


Solution:

  1. \(\frac{2}{28} = \frac{1}{14}\)
  2. \(1-\frac{27}{28}\frac{26}{27}\frac{25}{26} = \frac{3}{28}\)
  3. \(1 - \frac{26}{28}\frac{25}{27}\frac{24}{26} = \frac{13}{63}\)
  4. \(1-\frac{26}{27}\frac{25}{26} = \frac{2}{27}\)
  5. \(\frac{1}{27}\)
  6. There are \(\binom{2}{1} \binom{26}{2} + \binom{2}{2}\binom{26}{1}\) ways to choose at least one single sex college and \( \binom{2}{2}\binom{26}{1}\) ways to choose both, therefore \begin{align*} P &= \frac{ \binom{2}{2}\binom{26}{1}}{\binom21 \binom{26}2+ \binom{2}{2}\binom{26}{1}} \\ &= \frac{26}{2\cdot \frac{26\cdot25}{2}+26 }\\ &= \frac{1}{25+1} = \frac{1}{26} \end{align*}

1994 Paper 1 Q13
D: 1500.0 B: 1512.0

I have a bag containing \(M\) tokens, \(m\) of which are red. I remove \(n\) tokens from the bag at random without replacement. Let \[ X_{i}=\begin{cases} 1 & \mbox{ if the ith token I remove is red;}\\ 0 & \mbox{ otherwise.} \end{cases} \] Let \(X\) be the total number of red tokens I remove.

  1. Explain briefly why \(X=X_{1}+X_{2}+\cdots+X_{n}.\)
  2. Find the expectation \(\mathrm{E(}X_{i}).\)
  3. Show that \(\mathrm{E}(X)=mn/M\).
  4. Find \(\mathrm{P}(X=k)\) for \(k=0,1,2,\ldots,n\).
  5. Deduce that \[ \sum_{k=1}^{n}k\binom{m}{k}\binom{M-m}{n-k}=m\binom{M-1}{n-1}. \]


Solution:

  1. The left hand side counts the number of red tokens we have taken. The right hand side counts the number of red tokens we have taken at each point, across all points. Therefore these must be the same.
  2. \(\E[X_i] = \mathbb{P}(i\text{th token is red}) = \frac{m}{M}\) (since there is nothing special about the \(i\)th token.
  3. Therefore \(\E[X] = \E[X_1 + \cdots + X_n] = n\E[X_i] = \frac{nm}{M}\)
  4. \(\mathbb{P}(X=k) = \binom{m}{k}\binom{M-m}{n-k}/\binom{M}{n}\) since this is the number of ways we can choose \(k\) of the \(m\) red objects, \(n-k\) of the \(M-m\) non-red objects divided by the total number of ways we can choose our \(n\) tokens.
  5. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && \frac{mn}{M} &= \E[X] \\ &&&= \sum_{k=1}^n k \mathbb{P}(X=k) \\ &&&= \sum_{k=1}^n k \binom{m}{k}\binom{M-m}{n-k}/\binom{M}{n} \\ \Rightarrow && \sum_{k=1}^n k \binom{m}{k}\binom{M-m}{n-k} &= m \frac{n}{M} \binom{M}{n} = m \binom{M-1}{n-1} \end{align*}
This question is a nice example of how to find the mean of the hypergeometric distribution

1994 Paper 1 Q14
D: 1500.0 B: 1532.7

Each of my \(n\) students has to hand in an essay to me. Let \(T_{i}\) be the time at which the \(i\)th essay is handed in and suppose that \(T_{1},T_{2},\ldots,T_{n}\) are independent, each with probability density function \(\lambda\mathrm{e}^{-\lambda t}\) (\(t\geqslant0\)). Let \(T\) be the time I receive the first essay to be handed in and let \(U\) be the time I receive the last one.

  1. Find the mean and variance of \(T_{i}.\)
  2. Show that \(\mathrm{P}(U\leqslant u)=(1-\mathrm{e}^{-\lambda u})^{n}\) for \(u\geqslant0,\) and hence find the probability density function of \(U\).
  3. Obtain \(\mathrm{P}(T>t),\) and hence find the probability density function of \(T\).
  4. Write down the mean and variance of \(T\).


Solution:

  1. \(T_i \sim \textrm{Exp}(\lambda)\) so \(\E[T_i] = \lambda^{-1}, \var[T_i] = \lambda^{-2}\)
  2. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && \mathbb{P}(U \leq u) &= \mathbb{P}(T_i \leq u\quad \forall i) \\ &&&= \prod \mathbb{P}(T_i \leq u) \\ &&&= \prod \int_0^u \lambda e^{-\lambda t} \d t \\ &&&= (1-e^{-\lambda u})^n \\ \\ \Rightarrow && f_U(u) &= n\lambda e^{-\lambda u}(1-e^{-\lambda u})^{n-1} \end{align*}
  3. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && \mathbb{P}(T > t) &= \mathbb{P}(T_i > t \quad \forall i) \\ &&&= \prod \mathbb{P}(T_i > t) \\ &&&= e^{-n\lambda t} \\ \Rightarrow && f_T(t) &= n\lambda e^{-n\lambda t} \end{align*}
  4. Therefore \(\E[T] = \frac{1}{n\lambda}, \var[T] = \frac{1}{(n\lambda)^2}\)

1994 Paper 2 Q1
D: 1600.0 B: 1484.0

In this question we consider only positive, non-zero integers written out in the usual (decimal) way. We say, for example, that 207 ends in 7 and that 5310 ends in 1 followed by 0. Show that, if \(n\) does not end in 5 or an even number, then there exists \(m\) such that \(n\times m\) ends in 1. Show that, given any \(n\), we can find \(m\) such that \(n\times m\) ends either in 1 or in 1 followed by one or more zeros. Show that, given any \(n\) which ends in 1 or in 1 followed by one or more zeros, we can find \(m\) such that \(n\times m\) contains all the digits \(0,1,2,\ldots,9\).


Solution: \begin{array}{c|c} \text{ends in} & \text{multiply by} \\ \hline 1 & 1 \\ 3 & 7 \\ 7 & 3 \\ 9 & 9 \end{array} If if \(n = 2^a \cdot 5^b \cdot c\) where \(c\) has no factors of \(2\) and \(5\) then we can multiply by \(2^b \cdot 5^a\) to obtain \(c\) followed by \(0\)s. Since \(c\) is neither even, nor a multiple of \(5\), by the earlier part of the question we can find a multiple such that it ends in \(1\). Suppose it is a \(k\) digit number, the consider Now consider \(1\underbrace{00\cdots0}_{k\text{ digits}}2\underbrace{00\cdots0}_{k\text{ digits}}\cdots 8\underbrace{00\cdots0}_{k\text{ digits}}9\cdot 0\), then clearly each section will end in the leading digit (ie all digits from \(1\) to \(9\)) and also end with a \(0\)

1994 Paper 2 Q2
D: 1600.0 B: 1516.0

If \(\mathrm{Q}\) is a polynomial, \(m\) is an integer, \(m\geqslant1\) and \(\mathrm{P}(x)=(x-a)^{m}\mathrm{Q}(x),\) show that \[ \mathrm{P}'(x)=(x-a)^{m-1}\mathrm{R}(x) \] where \(\mathrm{R}\) is a polynomial. Explain why \(\mathrm{P}^{(r)}(a)=0\) whenever \(1\leqslant r\leqslant m-1\). (\(\mathrm{P}^{(r)}\) is the \(r\)th derivative of \(\mathrm{P}.\)) If \[ \mathrm{P}_{n}(x)=\frac{\mathrm{d}^{n}}{\mathrm{d}x^{n}}(x^{2}-1)^{n} \] for \(n\geqslant1\) show that \(\mathrm{P}_{n}\) is a polynomial of degree \(n\). By repeated integration by parts, or otherwise, show that, if \(n-1\geqslant m\geqslant0,\) \[ \int_{-1}^{1}x^{m}\mathrm{P}_{n}(x)\,\mathrm{d}x=0 \] and find the value of \[ \int_{-1}^{1}x^{n}\mathrm{P}_{n}(x)\,\mathrm{d}x. \] {[}Hint. \textit{You may use the formula \[ \int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}}\cos^{2n+1}t\,\mathrm{d}t=\frac{(2^{2n})(n!)^{2}}{(2n+1)!} \] without proof if you need it. However some ways of doing this question do not use this formula.}{]}


Solution: \begin{align*} && P(x) &= (x-a)^mQ(x) \\ \Rightarrow && P'(x) &= m(x-a)^{m-1}Q(x) + (x-a)^mQ'(x) \\ &&&= (x-a)^{m-1}(\underbrace{mQ(x) + (x-a)Q'(x)}_{\text{a polynomial}}) \\ &&&= (x-a)^{m-1}R(x) \end{align*} Therefore \(P^{(r)}(a) = 0\) for \(1 \leq r \leq m-1\) since each time we differentiate we will have a factor of \((x-a)^{m-r}\) which is zero when we evaluate at \(x = a\). If \(P_n(x) = \frac{\d^n}{\d x^n}(x^2-1)^n\) then we are differentiating a degree \(2n\) polynomial \(n\) times. Each time we differentiate we reduce the degree by \(1\), therefore the degree of \(P_n\) is \(n\). \begin{align*} && \int_{-1}^1 x^mP_n(x) \d x &= \left [x^m \underbrace{\frac{\d^{n-1}}{\d x^{n-1}}\left ( (x-1)^{n} (x+1)^{n} \right)}_{\text{has a factor of }x-1\text{ and }x+1}\right]_{-1}^1 - \int_{-1}^1 mx^{m-1}\frac{\d^{n-1}}{\d x^{n-1}}\left ( (x-1)^{n} (x+1)^{n} \right) \d x\\ &&&= 0 - \int_{-1}^1 mx^{m-1}\frac{\d^{n-1}}{\d x^{n-1}}\left ( (x-1)^{n} (x+1)^{n} \right) \d x\\ &&&= -\left [mx^{m-1} \underbrace{\frac{\d^{n-2}}{\d x^{n-2}}\left ( (x-1)^{n} (x+1)^{n} \right)}_{\text{has a factor of }x-1\text{ and }x+1}\right]_{-1}^1+ \int_{-1}^1 m(m-1)x^{m-2}\frac{\d^{n-2}}{\d x^{n-2}}\left ( (x-1)^{n} (x+1)^{n} \right) \d x\\ &&&= m(m-1)\int_{-1}^1 x^{m-2}\frac{\d^{n-2}}{\d x^{n-2}}\left ( (x-1)^{n} (x+1)^{n} \right) \d x\\ &&& \cdots \\ &&&= (-1)^m m!\int_{-1}^1 \frac{\d^{n-m}}{\d x^{n-m}} \left ( (x-1)^{n} (x+1)^{n} \right) \d x\\ &&&= 0 \end{align*} If \(n = m\), we have \begin{align*} && \int_{-1}^1 x^n P_n(x) \d x&= (-1)^nn! \int_{-1}^1 (x^2-1)^n \d x \\ && &= (-1)^{2n}n! \cdot 2\int_{0}^1 (1-x^2)^n \d x \\ x = \sin \theta, \d x = \cos \theta \d \theta: &&&= 2 \cdot n!\int_{0}^{\pi/2} \cos^{2n} \theta \cdot \cos \theta \d \theta \\ &&&= 2 \cdot n!\int_{0}^{\pi/2} \cos^{2n+1} \theta \d \theta \\ &&&= 2 \cdot n!\frac{(2^{2n})(n!)^{2}}{(2n+1)!} \\ &&&= \frac{(2^{2n+1})(n!)^{3}}{(2n+1)!} \\ \end{align*}

1994 Paper 2 Q3
D: 1600.0 B: 1500.0

The function \(\mathrm{f}\) satisfies \(\mathrm{f}(0)=1\) and \[ \mathrm{f}(x-y)=\mathrm{f}(x)\mathrm{f}(y)-\mathrm{f}(a-x)\mathrm{f}(a+y) \] for some fixed number \(a\) and all \(x\) and \(y\). Without making any further assumptions about the nature of the function show that \(\mathrm{f}(a)=0\). Show that, for all \(t\),

  1. \(\mathrm{f}(t)=\mathrm{f}(-t)\),
  2. \(\mathrm{f}(2a)=-1\),
  3. \(\mathrm{f}(2a-t)=-\mathrm{f}(t)\),
  4. \(\mathrm{f}(4a+t)=\mathrm{f}(t)\).
Give an example of a non-constant function satisfying the conditions of the first paragraph with \(a=\pi/2\). Give an example of an non-constant function satisfying the conditions of the first paragraph with \(a=-2\).


Solution: Let \(P(x,y)\) be the statement that the functional equation holds, then: \begin{align*} P(0,0): && f(0) &= f(0)f(0)-f(a)f(a) \\ \Rightarrow && 1 &= 1 - f(a)^2 \\ \Rightarrow && f(a)^2 &= 0 \\ \Rightarrow && f(a) &= 0 \end{align*}

  1. \begin{align*} P(0,t): && f(-t) &= f(0)f(t) - f(a)f(a-t) \\ \Rightarrow && f(-t) &= f(t) - 0 \\ \Rightarrow && f(t) &= f(-t) \end{align*}
  2. \begin{align*} P(a,a): && f(0) &= f(a)f(a)-f(0)f(2a) \\ \Rightarrow && 1 &= 0 - f(2a) \\ \Rightarrow && f(2a) &= -1 \end{align*}
  3. \begin{align*} P(2a,t): && f(2a-t) &= f(2a)f(t) - f(-a)f(a+t) \\ \Rightarrow && f(2a-t) &= -f(t)-f(a)f(a+t) \\ &&&= -f(t)-0 \\ \Rightarrow && f(2a-t) &= -f(t) \end{align*}
  4. \begin{align*} && f(4a+t) &= f(2a-(-2a-t)) \\ &&&=-f(2a+t) \\ &&&=-f(2a-(-t)) \\ &&&=f(-t) \\ &&&=f(t) \end{align*}
Let \(f(x) = \cos x\) then \(f(\frac{\pi}{2}-x) = \sin x\) and \(f(\frac{\pi}{2}+y) = -\sin y\) so the equation becomes \(\cos(x-y) = \cos x \cos y + \sin x \sin y\) which is the normal cosine addition formula. Similarly, consider \(f(x) = \cos \frac{\pi}{4} x\).

1994 Paper 2 Q4
D: 1600.0 B: 1500.0

By considering the area of the region defined in terms of Cartesian coordinates \((x,y)\) by \[ \{(x,y):\ x^{2}+y^{2}=1,\ 0\leqslant y,\ 0\leqslant x\leqslant c\}, \] show that \[ \int_{0}^{c}(1-x^{2})^{\frac{1}{2}}\,\mathrm{d}x=\tfrac{1}{2}[c(1-c^{2})^{\frac{1}{2}}+\sin^{-1}c], \] if \(0 < c\leqslant1.\) Show that the area of the region defined by \[ \left\{ (x,y):\ \frac{x^{2}}{a^{2}}+\frac{y^{2}}{b^{2}}=1,\ 0\leqslant y,\ 0\leqslant x\leqslant c\right\} , \] is \[ \frac{ab}{2}\left[\frac{c}{a}\left(1-\frac{c^{2}}{a^{2}}\right)^{\frac{1}{2}}+\sin^{-1}\left(\frac{c}{a}\right)\right], \] if \(0 < c\leqslant a\) and \(0 < b.\) Suppose that \(0 < b\leqslant a.\) Show that the area of intersection \(E\cap F\) of the two regions defined by \[ E=\left\{ (x,y):\ \frac{x^{2}}{a^{2}}+\frac{y^{2}}{b^{2}}\leqslant1\right\} \qquad\mbox{ and }\qquad F=\left\{ (x,y):\ \frac{x^{2}}{b^{2}}+\frac{y^{2}}{a^{2}}\leqslant1\right\} \] is \[ 4ab\sin^{-1}\left(\frac{b}{\sqrt{a^{2}+b^{2}}}\right). \]

1994 Paper 2 Q5
D: 1600.0 B: 1484.8

  1. Show that the equation \[ (x-1)^{4}+(x+1)^{4}=c \] has exactly two real roots if \(c>2,\) one root if \(c=2\) and no roots if \(c<2\).
  2. How many real roots does the equation \(\left(x-3\right)^{4}+\left(x-1\right)^{4}=c\) have?
  3. How many real roots does the equation \(\left|x-3\right|+\left|x-1\right|=c\) have?
  4. How many real roots does the equation \(\left(x-3\right)^{3}+\left(x-1\right)^{3}=c\) have?
{[}The answers to parts (ii), (iii) and (iv) may depend on the value of \(c\). You should give reasons for your answers.{]}


Solution:

  1. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && c &= (x-1)^4+(x+1)^4 \\ &&&= 2x^4+12x^2+2 \\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= (x^2+6)^2-\frac{c}{2} - 35 \\ \Rightarrow && \underbrace{x^2+6}_{\geq 6} &= \pm \sqrt{35 + \frac{c}{2}}\\ \end{align*} Therefore there are two solutions if \(c > 2\), one solution if \(c = 2\) and no solutions otherwise.
  2. \(\,\) This equation is the same equation if \(y = x-2\), ie there are two solutions if \(c > 2\), one solution if \(c = 2\) and no solutions otherwise.
  3. Rewriting as \(|x-1|+|x+1| = c\) we have For \(x < -1\): \(1-x-1-x = -2x\) For \(-1 \leq x \leq 1\): \(1-x+x+1 = 2\) For \(x > 1\): \(x-1+x+1 = 2x\) Therefore there are infinitely many solutions if \(c = 2\) (the interval \([-3,-1]\)), two solutions if \(c > 2\) and none otherwise.
  4. Rewriting as \((x-1)^3+(x+1)^3\) we have \(x^3+6x = c\). Notice that \(3x^2+6 > 0\) so the function is increasing, ie there is one solution for all \(c\)

1994 Paper 2 Q6
D: 1600.0 B: 1500.0

Prove by induction, or otherwise, that, if \(0<\theta<\pi\), \[ \frac{1}{2}\tan\frac{\theta}{2}+\frac{1}{2^{2}}\tan\frac{\theta}{2^{2}}+\cdots+\frac{1}{2^{n}}\tan\frac{\theta}{2^{n}}=\frac{1}{2^{n}}\cot\frac{\theta}{2^{n}}-\cot\theta. \] Deduce that \[ \sum_{r=1}^{\infty}\frac{1}{2^{r}}\tan\frac{\theta}{2^{r}}=\frac{1}{\theta}-\cot\theta. \]


Solution: Claim: \(\displaystyle \sum_{r=1}^n \frac1{2^r} \tan \tfrac{\theta}{2^r} = \frac1{2^n}\cot \tfrac{\theta}{2^n} - \cot \theta\) Proof: (By Induction) Base case: \(n = 1\) \begin{align*} && LHS &= \sum_{r=1}^1 \frac1{2^r} \tan \frac{\theta}{2^r} \\ &&&= \frac1{2} \tan \frac{\theta}{2}\\ \\ && RHS &= \frac12 \cot \frac{\theta}{2} - \cot \theta \\ &&&= \frac12 \frac{1}{\tan \frac{\theta}{2}} - \frac{1-\tan^2 \frac{\theta}{2}}{2 \tan \frac{\theta}{2}} \\ &&&= \frac{1}{2} \tan \frac{\theta}{2} = LHS \end{align*} Therefore our base case is true. Assume our statement is true for some \(n=k\), then consider \(n = k+1\), ie \begin{align*} \sum_{r=1}^{k+1} \frac1{2^r} \tan \tfrac{\theta}{2^r} &= \sum_{r=1}^{k} \frac1{2^r} \tan \tfrac{\theta}{2^r} + \frac1{2^{k+1}} \tan \frac{\theta}{2^{k+1}} \\ &= \frac{1}{2^k} \cot \frac{\theta}{2^k} - \cot \theta + \frac{1}{2^{k+1}}\tan \frac{\theta}{2^{k+1}} \\ &= \frac{1}{2^{k+1}} \left (2 \cot \frac{\theta}{2^k} +\tan \frac{\theta}{2^{k+1}} \right) - \cot \theta \\ &= \frac{1}{2^{k+1}} \left (2\frac{1-\tan^2 \frac{\theta}{2^{k+1}}}{2 \tan \frac{\theta}{2^{k+1}}} + \tan \frac{\theta}{2^{k+1}} \right) - \cot \theta \\ &= \frac{1}{2^{k+1}} \cot \frac{\theta}{2^{k+1}} - \cot \theta \\ \end{align*} Therefore, since as \(x \to 0, x\cot x \to 1\) or \(x \cot \theta x \to \frac{1}{\theta}\) \begin{align*} \sum_{r=1}^{\infty}\frac{1}{2^{r}}\tan\frac{\theta}{2^{r}} &= \lim_{k\to \infty} \sum_{r=1}^{k}\frac{1}{2^{r}}\tan\frac{\theta}{2^{r}} \\ &= \lim_{k\to \infty} \left ( \frac{1}{2^{k+1}} \cot \frac{\theta}{2^{k+1}} - \cot \theta \right) \\ &= \lim_{k\to \infty}\frac{1}{2^{k+1}} \cot \frac{\theta}{2^{k+1}} - \cot \theta \\ &= \lim_{k\to \infty}\frac{1}{2^{k+1}} \cot \frac{\theta}{2^{k+1}} - \cot \theta \\ &= \lim_{k\to \infty}\frac{1}{2^{k+1}} \cot \frac{\theta}{2^{k+1}} - \cot \theta \\ &= \frac{1}{\theta} - \cot \theta \end{align*}