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2002 Paper 1 Q11
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2002 Paper 1 Q12
Harry the Calculating Horse will do any mathematical problem I set him, providing the answer is 1, 2, 3 or 4. When I set him a problem, he places a hoof on a large grid consisting of unit squares and his answer is the number of squares partly covered by his hoof. Harry has circular hoofs, of radius \(1/4\) unit. After many years of collaboration, I suspect that Harry no longer bothers to do the calculations, instead merely placing his hoof on the grid completely at random. I often ask him to divide 4 by 4, but only about \(1/4\) of his answers are right; I often ask him to add 2 and 2, but disappointingly only about \(\pi/16\) of his answers are right. Is this consistent with my suspicions? I decide to investigate further by setting Harry many problems, the answers to which are 1, 2, 3, or 4 with equal frequency. If Harry is placing his hoof at random, find the expected value of his answers. The average of Harry's answers turns out to be 2. Should I get a new horse?
2002 Paper 1 Q13
The random variable \(U\) takes the values \(+1\), \(0\) and \(-1\,\), each with probability \(\frac13\,\). The random variable \(V\) takes the values \(+1\) and \(-1\) as follows:
- Show that the probability that both roots of the equation \(x^2+Ux+V=0\) are real is \(\frac12\;\).
- Find the expected value of the larger root of the equation \(x^2+Ux+V=0\,\), given that both roots are real.
- Find the probability that the roots of the equation $$x^3+(U-2V)x^2+(1-2UV)x + U=0$$ are all positive.
2002 Paper 1 Q14
In order to get money from a cash dispenser I have to punch in an identification number. I have forgotten my identification number, but I do know that it is equally likely to be any one of the integers \(1\), \(2\), \ldots , \(n\). I plan to punch in integers in order until I get the right one. I can do this at the rate of \(r\) integers per minute. As soon as I punch in the first wrong number, the police will be alerted. The probability that they will arrive within a time \(t\) minutes is \(1-\e^{-\lambda t}\), where \(\lambda\) is a positive constant. If I follow my plan, show that the probability of the police arriving before I get my money is \[ \sum_{k=1}^n \frac{1-\e^{-\lambda(k-1)/r}}n\;. \] Simplify the sum. On past experience, I know that I will be so flustered that I will just punch in possible integers at random, without noticing which I have already tried. Show that the probability of the police arriving before I get my money is \[ 1-\frac1{n-(n-1)\e^{-\lambda/r}} \;. \]
2002 Paper 2 Q1
Show that \[ \int_{\frac{1}{6}\pi}^{\frac{1}{4}\pi} \frac 1{1-\cos2\theta} \;\d\theta = \frac{\sqrt3}2 - \frac12\;. \] By using the substitution \(x=\sin2\theta\), or otherwise, show that \[ \int_{\sqrt3/2}^1 \frac 1 {1-\sqrt{1-x^2}} \, \d x = \sqrt 3 -1 -\frac\pi 6 \;. \] Hence evaluate the integral \[ \int_1^{2/\sqrt3} \frac 1{y ( y - \sqrt{y^2-1^2})} \, \d y \;. \]
Solution: \begin{align*} && I &= \int_{\frac{1}{6}\pi}^{\frac{1}{4}\pi} \frac 1{1-\cos2\theta} \;\d\theta \\ &&&= \int_{\frac{1}{6}\pi}^{\frac{1}{4}\pi} \frac 1{2\sin^2 \theta} \;\d\theta \\ &&&= \frac12\int_{\frac{1}{6}\pi}^{\frac{1}{4}\pi} \cosec^2 \theta \;\d\theta \\ &&&= \frac12\left [-\cot \theta \right]_{\frac{1}{6}\pi}^{\frac{1}{4}\pi} \\ &&&= \frac12 \left (\cot \frac{\pi}{6} - \cot \frac{\pi}{4} \right)\\ &&&= \frac{\sqrt{3} - 1}{2} \end{align*} \begin{align*} && J &= \int_{\sqrt3/2}^1 \frac 1 {1-\sqrt{1-x^2}} \, \d x \\ x = \sin 2 \theta, \d x = 2\cos 2\theta \d \theta &&&=\int_{\pi/6}^{\pi/4} \frac{2 \cos 2 \theta }{1-\cos 2 \theta} \d \theta \\ &&&=\int_{\pi/6}^{\pi/4} \frac{2 \cos 2 \theta -2+2}{1-\cos 2 \theta} \d \theta \\ &&&= -2\left (\frac{\pi}{4} - \frac{\pi}6 \right) + 2I \\ &&&= \sqrt{3}-1-\frac{\pi}{6} \end{align*} \begin{align*} && K &= \int_1^{2/\sqrt{3}} \frac{1}{y(y-\sqrt{y^2-1})} \d y \\ y = 1/x, \d x = -1/y^2 \d y &&&= \int_{x=1}^{x=\sqrt{3}/2} \frac{1}{1-\sqrt{1-x^2}} \d x\\ &&&= \sqrt{3}-1 -\frac{\pi}6 \end{align*}
2002 Paper 2 Q2
Show that setting \(z - z^{-1}=w\) in the quartic equation \[ z^4 +5z^3 +4z^2 -5z +1=0 \] results in the quadratic equation \(w^2+5w+6=0\). Hence solve the above quartic equation. Solve similarly the equation \[ 2z^8 -3z^7-12z^6 +12z^5 +22z^4-12z^3 -12 z^2 +3z +2=0 \;. \]
Solution: \begin{align*} && 0 &= z^4 +5z^3 +4z^2 -5z +1 \\ &&0 &= z^2 + z^{-2} + 5(z-z^{-1}) + 4 \\ &&&= (z-z^{-1})^2+2+5(z-z^{-1})+4 \\ &&&= w^2 + 5w + 6 \\ &&&= (w+3)(w+2) \\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= z-z^{-1}+3 \\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= z^2+3z-1 \\ \Rightarrow && z &= \frac{-3 \pm \sqrt{3^2+4}}{2} = \frac{-3 \pm \sqrt{13}}{2} \\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= z-z^{-1}+2 \\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= z^2+2z-1 \\ \Rightarrow && z &= \frac{-2 \pm \sqrt{2^2+4}}{2} = - 1 \pm \sqrt{2} \\ \end{align*} \begin{align*} &&0 &= 2z^8 -3z^7-12z^6 +12z^5 +22z^4-12z^3 -12 z^2 +3z +2 \\ && 0 &= 2(z^4+z^{-4}) - 3(z^3-z^{-3})-12(z^2+z^{-2})+12(z-z^{-1})+22 \\ &&&= 2\left ((z-z^{-1})^4+4(z^2+z^{-2})-6\right)-3 \left ((z-z^{-1})^3+3(z-z^{-1}) \right)-12 \left ((z-z^{-1})^2+2 \right)+12(z-z^{-1})+22 \\ &&&= 2(w^4+4(w^2+2)-6)-3w^3-9w-12w^2-24+12w+22 \\ &&&= 2 w^4-3w^3-4w^2+3w+2 \\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= 2(w^2+w^{-2})-3(w-w^{-1})-4 \\ &&&= 2((w-w^{-1})^2+2)-3(w-w^{-1})-4 \\ &&&= 2x^2-3x \\ &&&= x(2x-3) \\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= w -w^{-1} \\ \Rightarrow && w &= \pm 1 \\ \Rightarrow && \pm 1 &= z-z^{-1} \\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= z^2 \mp z-1 \\ \Rightarrow && z &= \frac{\pm 1 \pm \sqrt{5}}{2} \\ \Rightarrow && \frac32 &= w-w^{-1} \\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= 2w^2-3w -2 \\ &&&= (2w+1)(w-2) \\ \Rightarrow && 2 &= z-z^{-1} \\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= z^2-2z-1 \\ \Rightarrow && z &= 1 \pm \sqrt{2} \\ \Rightarrow && -\frac12 &= z-z^{-1} \\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= 2z^2+z-2 \\ \Rightarrow && z &= \frac{-1 \pm \sqrt{17}}{4} \\ \Rightarrow && z &\in \left \{ \frac{\pm 1 \pm \sqrt{5}}{2}, 1 \pm \sqrt{2}, \frac{-1 \pm \sqrt{17}}{4} \right \} \end{align*}
2002 Paper 2 Q3
The \(n\)th Fermat number, \(F_n\), is defined by \[ F_n = 2^{2^n} +1\, , \ \ \ \ \ \ \ n=0, \ 1, \ 2, \ \ldots \ , \] where \(\ds 2^{2^n}\) means \(2\) raised to the power \(2^n\,\). Calculate \(F_0\), \(F_1\), \(F_2\) and \(F_3\,\). Show that, for \(k=1\), \(k=2\) and \(k=3\,\), $$ F_0F_1 \ldots F_{k-1} = F_k-2 \;. \tag{*} $$ Prove, by induction, or otherwise, that \((*)\) holds for all \(k\ge1\). Deduce that no two Fermat numbers have a common factor greater than \(1\). Hence show that there are infinitely many prime numbers.
Solution: \begin{align*} && F_0 &= 2^{2^0}+1 \\ &&&= 2^1+1 = 3\\ && F_1 &= 2^{2^1}+1 \\ &&&= 2^2+1 = 5 \\ && F_2 &= 2^{2^2}+1 \\ &&&= 2^4+1 \\ &&&= 17 \\ &&F_3 &= 2^{2^3}+1 \\ &&&= 2^8+1 \\ &&&= 257 \\ \\ && \text{empty product} &= 1\\ && F_1 - 2 &= 3-2 = 1\\ \Rightarrow&& 1 &= F_1-2\\ && F_0 &=3 \\ && F_2-2 &= 3 \\ \Rightarrow && F_0 &= F_2 - 2\\ && F_0F_1 &= 3 \cdot 5 = 15 \\ && F_3-2 &= 17-2 = 15 \\ \Rightarrow && F_0F_1 &= F_3-2 \end{align*} \begin{align*} && F_0 F_1 \cdots F_{k-1} &= \prod_{i=0}^{k-1} \left ( 2^{2^{i}}+1\right) \\ &&&= \sum_{l = \text{sum of }2^i} 2^l \\ &&&= \sum_{l=0}^{2^{k}-1}2^l \\ &&&= 2^{2^k}-1 \\ &&&= F_k-2 \end{align*} Suppose \(p \mid F_a, F_b\) with \(b > a\), then \(p \mid 2=F_b - F_0\cdots F_a \cdots F_{b-1}\) therefore \(p = 1, 2\), but \(2 \nmid F_a\) for any \(a\). Therefore any number dividing two Fermat numbers is \(1\), ie they are all coprime. Consider the smallest prime dividing \(F_n\) for each \(n\). Clearly these are all different since each \(F_n\) is coprime from all the others. Clearly there are infinitely many of time (since there are infinitely many \(F_n\)). Therefore there are infinitely many primes.
2002 Paper 2 Q4
Give a sketch to show that, if \(\f(x) > 0\) for \(p < x < q\,\), then \(\displaystyle \int_p^{q} \f(x) \d x > 0\,\).
- By considering \(\f(x) = ax^2-bx+c\,\) show that, if \(a > 0\) and \(b^2 < 4ac\), then \(3b < 2a+6c\,\).
- By considering \(\f(x)= a\sin^2x - b\sin x + c\,\) show that, if \(a > 0\) and \(b^2< 4ac\), then \(4b < (a+2c)\pi\)
- Show that, if \(a > 0\), \(b^2 < 4ac\) and \(q > p > 0\,\), then $$ b\ln(q/p) < a\left(\frac1p -\frac1q\right) +c(q-p)\;. $$
Solution:
- If \(a > 0\) and \(b^2 < 4ac \Rightarrow \Delta < 0\) then \(f(x) = ax^2-bx+c > 0\) for all \(x\). Therefore \begin{align*} && 0 & < \int_0^1 (ax^2-bx+c) \d x\\ &&&= \frac13 a-\frac12b+c \\ \Rightarrow && 3b &< 2a+6c \end{align*}
- Similar logic tells us this must also be always positive, therefore \begin{align*} && 0 &< \int_0^{\pi} (a \sin^2 x - b \sin x +c ) \d x\\ &&&= \frac{\pi}{2}a - 2b+\pi c \\ \Rightarrow && 4b &< (a+2c)\pi \end{align*}
- Similar logic shows that \(f(x) = \frac{a}{x^2}-\frac{b}{x} +c>0\), therefore \begin{align*} && 0 &< \int_p^q \left (\frac{a}{x^2} - \frac{b}{x} + c\right) \d x \\ &&&=a\left (\frac{1}{p} - \frac{1}{q} \right) - b(\ln q - \ln p)+c(q-p) \\ \Rightarrow && b \ln (q/p) &,< a\left (\frac{1}{p} - \frac{1}{q} \right) +c(q-p) \end{align*}
2002 Paper 2 Q5
The numbers \(x_n\), where \(n=0\), \(1\), \(2\), \(\ldots\) , satisfy \[ x_{n+1} = kx_n(1-x_n) \;. \]
- Prove that, if \(0
- Given that \(x_0=x_1=x_2 = \cdots =a\,\), with \(a\ne0\) and \(a\ne1\), find \(k\) in terms of \(a\,\).
- Given instead that \(x_0=x_2=x_4 = \cdots = a\,\), with \(a\ne0\) and \(a\ne1\), show that \(ab^3 -b^2 +(1-a)=0\), where \(b=k(1-a)\,\). Given, in addition, that \(x_1 \ne a\), find the possible values of \(k\) in terms of \(a\,\).
2002 Paper 2 Q6
The lines \(l_1\), \(l_2\) and \(l_3\) lie in an inclined plane \(P\) and pass through a common point \(A\). The line \(l_2\) is a line of greatest slope in \(P\). The line \(l_1\) is perpendicular to \(l_3\) and makes an acute angle \(\alpha\) with \(l_2\). The angles between the horizontal and \(l_1\), \(l_2\) and \(l_3\) are \(\pi/6\), \(\beta\) and \(\pi/4\), respectively. Show that \(\cos\alpha\sin\beta = \frac12\,\) and find the value of \(\sin\alpha \sin\beta\,\). Deduce that \(\beta = \pi/3\,\). The lines \(l_1\) and \(l_3\) are rotated in \(P\) about \(A\) so that \(l_1\) and \(l_3\) remain perpendicular to each other. The new acute angle between \(l_1\) and \(l_2\) is \(\theta\). The new angles which \(l_1\) and \(l_3\) make with the horizontal are \(\phi\) and \(2\phi\), respectively. Show that \[ \tan^2\theta = \frac{3+\sqrt{13}}2\;. \]