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2006 Paper 2 Q7
D: 1600.0 B: 1500.0

An ellipse has equation $\dfrac{x^2}{a^2} +\dfrac {y^2}{b^2} = 1$. Show that the equation of the tangent at the point \((a\cos\alpha, b\sin\alpha)\) is \[ y=- \frac {b \cot \alpha} a \, x + b\, {\rm cosec\,}\alpha\,. \] The point \(A\) has coordinates \((-a,-b)\), where \(a\) and \(b\) are positive. The point \(E\) has coordinates \((-a,0)\) and the point \(P\) has coordinates \((a,kb)\), where \(0 < k < 1\). The line through \(E\) parallel to \(AP\) meets the line \(y=b\) at the point \(Q\). Show that the line \(PQ\) is tangent to the above ellipse at the point given by \(\tan(\alpha/2)=k\). Determine by means of sketches, or otherwise, whether this result holds also for \(k=0\) and \(k=1\).

2006 Paper 2 Q8
D: 1600.0 B: 1500.0

Show that the line through the points with position vectors \(\bf x\) and \(\bf y\) has equation \[{\bf r} = (1-\alpha){\bf x} +\alpha {\bf y}\,, \] where \(\alpha\) is a scalar parameter. The sides \(OA\) and \(CB\) of a trapezium \(OABC\) are parallel, and \(OA>CB\). The point \(E\) on \(OA\) is such that \(OE : EA = 1:2\), and \(F\) is the midpoint of \(CB\). The point \(D\) is the intersection of \(OC\) produced and \(AB\) produced; the point \(G\) is the intersection of \(OB\) and \(EF\); and the point \(H\) is the intersection of \(DG\) produced and \(OA\). Let \(\bf a\) and \(\bf c\) be the position vectors of the points \(A\) and \(C\), respectively, with respect to the origin \(O\).

  1. Show that \(B\) has position vector \(\lambda {\bf a} + {\bf c}\) for some scalar parameter \(\lambda\).
  2. Find, in terms of \(\bf a\), \(\bf c\) and \(\lambda\) only, the position vectors of \(D\), \(E\), \(F\), \(G\) and \(H\). Determine the ratio \(OH:HA\).

2006 Paper 2 Q9
D: 1600.0 B: 1500.7

A painter of weight \(kW\) uses a ladder to reach the guttering on the outside wall of a house. The wall is vertical and the ground is horizontal. The ladder is modelled as a uniform rod of weight \(W\) and length \(6a\). The ladder is not long enough, so the painter stands the ladder on a uniform table. The table has weight \(2W\) and a square top of side \(\frac12 a\) with a leg of length \(a\) at each corner. The foot of the ladder is at the centre of the table top and the ladder is inclined at an angle \(\arctan 2\) to the horizontal. The edge of the table nearest the wall is parallel to the wall. The coefficient of friction between the foot of the ladder and the table top is \(\frac12\). The contact between the ladder and the wall is sufficiently smooth for the effects of friction to be ignored.

  1. Show that, if the legs of the table are fixed to the ground, the ladder does not slip on the table however high the painter stands on the ladder.
  2. It is given that \(k=9\) and that the coefficient of friction between each table leg and the ground is \(\frac13\). If the legs of the table are not fixed to the ground, so that the table can tilt or slip, determine which occurs first when the painter slowly climbs the ladder.
[Note: \(\arctan 2\) is another notation for \(\tan^{-1}2\).]

2006 Paper 2 Q10
D: 1600.0 B: 1500.0

Three particles, \(A\), \(B\) and \(C\), of masses \(m\), \(km\) and \(3m\) respectively, are initially at rest lying in a straight line on a smooth horizontal surface. Then \(A\) is projected towards \(B\) at speed \(u\). After the collision, \(B\) collides with \(C\). The coefficient of restitution between \(A\) and \(B\) is \(\frac12\) and the coefficient of restitution between \(B\) and \(C\) is \(\frac14\).

  1. Find the range of values of \(k\) for which \(A\) and \(B\) collide for a second time.
  2. Given that \(k=1\) and that \(B\) and \(C\) are initially a distance \(d\) apart, show that the time that elapses between the two collisions of \(A\) and \(B\) is \(\dfrac{60d}{13u}\,\).


Solution:

  1. After the first collision, it takes \(B\), \(\frac{d}{v_B} = \frac{d}{u} \frac{2(k+1)}{3} = \frac{4d}{3u}\) to collide with \(C\). During which time \(B\) and \(A\) have been moving apart with speed \(\frac12u\) and so are a distance \(\frac{2d}{3}\) apart. After the second collision, \(w_B = \frac{3(4\cdot 1 - 3)}{8(1+1)(1+3)}u = \frac{3}{64}u\) and \(v_A = \frac{1}{4}u\) so they are moving together at speed \(\frac{16-3}{64}u = \frac{13}{64}u\). It will take them \(\frac{2d}{3} \div \frac{13}{64}u = \frac{128d}{3 \times 13u}\) to do this for a total time of \(\frac{128d}{3 \times 13u} + \frac{4d}{3u} = \frac{(128+52)d}{3 \times 13 u} = \frac{60d}{13u}\)

2006 Paper 2 Q11
D: 1600.0 B: 1484.0

A projectile of unit mass is fired in a northerly direction from a point on a horizontal plain at speed \(u\) and an angle \(\theta\) above the horizontal. It lands at a point \(A\) on the plain. In flight, the projectile experiences two forces: gravity, of magnitude \(g\); and a horizontal force of constant magnitude \(f\) due to a wind blowing from North to South. Derive an expression, in terms of \(u\), \(g\), \(f\) and \(\theta\) for the distance \(OA\).

  1. Determine the angle \(\alpha\) such that, for all \(\theta>\alpha\), the wind starts to blow the projectile back towards \(O\) before it lands at \(A\).
  2. An identical projectile, which experiences the same forces, is fired from \(O\) in a northerly direction at speed \(u\) and angle \(45^\circ\) above the horizontal and lands at a point \(B\) on the plain. Given that \(\theta\) is chosen to maximise \(OA\), show that \[ \frac{OB}{OA} = \frac{ g-f}{\; \sqrt{g^2+f^2\;}- f \;\;}\;. \] Describe carefully the motion of the second projectile when \(f=g\).

2006 Paper 2 Q12
D: 1600.0 B: 1516.0

A cricket team has only three bowlers, Arthur, Betty and Cuba, each of whom bowls 30 balls in any match. Past performance reveals that, on average, Arthur takes one wicket for every 36 balls bowled, Betty takes one wicket for every 25 balls bowled, and Cuba takes one wicket for every 41 balls bowled.

  1. In one match, the team took exactly one wicket, but the name of the bowler was not recorded. Using a binomial model, find the probability that Arthur was the bowler.
  2. Show that the average number of wickets taken by the team in a match is approximately 3. Give with brief justification a suitable model for the number of wickets taken by the team in a match and show that the probability of the team taking at least five wickets in a given match is approximately \(\frac15\). [You may use the approximation \(\e^3 = 20\).]


Solution:

  1. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && \mathbb{P}(\text{Arthur took wicket and exactly one wicket}) &= \binom{30}{1} \frac{1}{36} \left ( \frac{35}{36} \right)^{29} \binom{30}{0} \left ( \frac{24}{25} \right)^{30} \binom{30}{0} \left ( \frac{40}{41} \right)^{30}\\ &&&= \frac{30 \cdot 35^{29} \cdot 24^{30} \cdot 40^{30}}{36^{30} \cdot 25^{30} \cdot {41}^{30}}\\ &&&= \frac{1}{35} N\\ && \mathbb{P}(\text{B took wicket and exactly one wicket}) &= \binom{30}{0}\left ( \frac{35}{36} \right)^{30} \binom{30}{1} \frac{1}{25} \left ( \frac{24}{25} \right)^{29} \binom{30}{0} \left ( \frac{40}{41} \right)^{30}\\ &&&= \frac{1}{24} N \\ && \mathbb{P}(\text{C took wicket and exactly one wicket}) &= \binom{30}{0}\left ( \frac{35}{36} \right)^{30} \binom{30}{0}\left ( \frac{24}{25} \right)^{30} \binom{30}{1} \frac{1}{41} \left ( \frac{40}{41} \right)^{29}\\ &&&= \frac{1}{40} N \\ && \mathbb{P}(\text{Arthur took wicket} | \text{exactly one wicket}) &= \frac{ \mathbb{P}(\text{Arthur took wicket and exactly one wicket}) }{ \mathbb{P}(\text{exactly one wicket}) } \\ &&&= \frac{ \frac{1}{35} N}{\frac1{35} N + \frac{1}{24}N + \frac{1}{40} N} \\ &&&= \frac{3}{10} \end{align*} Alternatively, we could look at: \begin{align*} && \mathbb{P}(X_A = 1 | X_A + X_B + X_C =1) &= \frac{\mathbb{P}(X_A = 1, X_B = 0,X_C = 0)}{\mathbb{P}(X_A = 1, X_B = 0,X_C = 0)+\mathbb{P}(X_A = 0, X_B = 1,X_C = 0)+\mathbb{P}(X_A = 0, X_B = 0,X_C = 1)} \\ &&&= \frac{\frac{\mathbb{P}(X_A = 1)}{\mathbb{P}(X_A=0)}}{\frac{\mathbb{P}(X_A = 1)}{\mathbb{P}(X_A=0)}+\frac{\mathbb{P}(X_B = 1)}{\mathbb{P}(X_B=0)}+\frac{\mathbb{P}(X_C = 1)}{\mathbb{P}(X_C=0)}} \end{align*} and we can calculate these relatively likelihoods in a similar way to above.
  2. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && \mathbb{E}(\text{number of wickets}) &= \mathbb{E} \left ( \sum_{i=1}^{90} \mathbb{1}_{i\text{th ball is a wicket}} \right) \\ &&&= \sum_{i=1}^{90} \mathbb{E} \left (\mathbb{1}_{i\text{th ball is a wicket}} \right) \\ &&&= 30 \cdot \frac{1}{36} + 30 \cdot \frac{1}{25} + 30 \cdot \frac{1}{41} \\ &&&\approx 1 + 1 + 1 = 3 \end{align*} We might model the number of wickets taken as \(Po(\lambda)\), where \(\lambda\) is the average number of wickets taken. We can think of this roughly as the Poisson approximation to the binomial where \(N\) is large and \(Np\) is small. Assuming we use \(Po(3)\) we have \begin{align*} && \mathbb{P}(\text{at least 5 wickets}) &= 1-\mathbb{P}(\text{4 or fewer wickets}) \\ &&&= 1- e^{-3} \left (1 + \frac{3}{1} + \frac{3^2}{2} + \frac{3^3}{6} + \frac{3^4}{24} \right) \\ &&&= 1 - \frac{1}{20} \left ( 1 + 3 + \frac{9}{2} + \frac{9}{2} + \frac{27}{8} \right) \\ &&&= 1 - \frac{1}{20} \left (13 + 3\tfrac38 \right) \\ &&&\approx 1 - \frac{16}{20} = \frac15 \end{align*}

2006 Paper 2 Q13
D: 1600.0 B: 1516.0

I know that ice-creams come in \(n\) different sizes, but I don't know what the sizes are. I am offered one of each in succession, in random order. I am certainly going to choose one - the bigger the better - but I am not allowed more than one. My strategy is to reject the first ice-cream I am offered and choose the first one thereafter that is bigger than the first one I was offered; if the first ice-cream offered is in fact the biggest one, then I have to put up with the last one, however small. Let \(\P_n(k)\) be the probability that I choose the \(k\)th biggest ice-cream, where \(k=1\) is the biggest and \(k=n\) is the smallest.

  1. Show that \(\P_4(1) = \frac{11}{24}\) and find \(\P_4(2)\), \(\P_4(3)\) and \(\P_4(4)\).
  2. Find an expression for \(\P_n(1)\).

2006 Paper 2 Q14
D: 1600.0 B: 1500.0

Sketch the graph of \[ y= \dfrac1 { x \ln x} \text{ for \(x>0\), \(x\ne1\)}.\] You may assume that \(x\ln x \to 0\) as \(x\to 0\). The continuous random variable \(X\) has probability density function \[ \f(x) = \begin{cases} \dfrac \lambda {x\ln x}& \text{for \(a\le x \le b\)}\;, \\[3mm] \ \ \ 0 & \text{otherwise }, \end{cases} \] where \(a\), \(b\) and \(\lambda\) are suitably chosen constants.

  1. In the case \(a=1/4\) and \(b=1/2\), find \(\lambda\,\).
  2. In the case \(\lambda=1\) and \(a>1\), show that \(b=a^\e\).
  3. In the case \(\lambda =1\) and \(a=\e\), show that \(\P(\e^{3/2}\le X \le \e^2)\approx \frac {31}{108}\,\).
  4. In the case \(\lambda =1\) and \(a=\e^{1/2}\), find \(\P(\e^{3/2}\le X \le \e^2)\;\).


Solution:

  1. \begin{align*} 1 &= \int_{1/4}^{1/2} \frac{\lambda}{x\ln x} \, dx \\ &= \lambda\left [ \ln |\ln x| \right ]_{1/4}^{1/2} \\ &= \lambda \l \ln |-\ln 2| - \ln |-2 \ln 2| \r \\ &= \lambda (-\ln 2) \end{align*} So \(\lambda = -\frac{1}{\ln 2} = \frac{1}{\ln \frac12}\)
  2. \begin{align*} 1 &= \int_{a}^{b} \frac{1}{x\ln x} \, dx \\ &= \left [ \ln |\ln x| \right ]_{a}^{b} \\ &= \l \ln \ln b - \ln \ln a \r \\ &= \ln \l \frac{\ln b}{\ln a} \r \\ \end{align*} So \(b = e^{a}\)
  3. If \(\lambda = 1, a = e, b = e^e\), then \begin{align*} \P(\e^{3/2}\le X \le \e^2) &= \int_{e^{3/2}}^{e^2} \frac{1}{x \ln x} \, dx \\ &= \left [ \ln \ln x \right]_{e^{3/2}}^{e^2} \\ &= \ln 2 - \ln \frac{3}{2} \\ &= \ln \frac{4}{3} \\ &= \ln \l 1 + \frac{1}{3} \r \\ &\approx \frac{1}{3} - \frac{1}{2 \cdot 3^2} + \frac{1}{3 \cdot 3^3} - \frac{1}{4 \cdot 3^4} \\ &= \frac{31}{108} \end{align*}
  4. Note that \(2 > e^{\frac12} > 1\) so \(a = e^{\frac12}, b = e^{\frac{e}2}\). Since \(3 > e \Rightarrow e^{3/2} > e^{\frac{e}{2}}\) this probability is out of range, therefore \(\P(\e^{3/2}\le X \le \e^2) = 0\)

2006 Paper 3 Q1
D: 1700.0 B: 1500.0

Sketch the curve with cartesian equation \[ y = \frac{2x(x^2-5)}{x^2-4} \] and give the equations of the asymptotes and of the tangent to the curve at the origin. Hence determine the number of real roots of the following equations:

  1. \(3x(x^2-5)= (x^2-4)(x+3)\,\);
  2. \(4x(x^2-5)= (x^2-4)(5x-2)\,\);
  3. \(4x^2(x^2-5)^2= (x^2-4)^2(x^2+1)\,\).


Solution: \begin{align*} && y &= \frac{2x(x^2-5)}{x^2-4} \\ &&&= 2x(x^2-5)(-\tfrac14)(1-\tfrac14x^2)^{-1} \\ &&&= \tfrac52x + \cdots \\ &&&= \frac{2x(x^2-4)-2x}{x^2-4} \\ &&&= 2x - \frac{2x}{x^2-4} \end{align*}

TikZ diagram
  1. We are looking for the intersections of \(y = \frac23(x+3)\) and \(y = f(x)\)
    TikZ diagram
    Therefore 3 real roots.
  2. We are looking for intersections of \(y = \frac12(5x-2)\) and \(y = f(x)\)
    TikZ diagram
    so one solution.
  3. We are looking for intersections of \(y = f(x)^2\) and \(y = x^2+1\), or \(y = \sqrt{x^2+1}\) and \(y = f(x)\) where \(f(x) \geq 0\)
    TikZ diagram
    So \(3\) solutions.

2006 Paper 3 Q2
D: 1700.0 B: 1513.8

Let \[ I = \int_{-\frac12 \pi}^{\frac12\pi} \frac {\cos^2\theta}{1-\sin\theta\sin2\alpha} \, \d\theta \text{ and } J = \int_{-\frac12 \pi}^{\frac12\pi} \frac {\sec^2\theta}{1+\tan^2\theta\cos^22\alpha} \, \d\theta \] where \(0 < \alpha < \frac14\pi\,\).

  1. Show that \[ I = \int_{-\frac12 \pi}^{\frac12\pi} \frac {\cos^2\theta}{1+\sin\theta\sin2\alpha} \d\theta \] and hence that \[ \displaystyle 2I = \int_{-\frac12 \pi}^{\frac12\pi} \frac {2}{1+\tan^2\theta\cos^22\alpha} \, \d\theta \]
  2. Find \(J\).
  3. By considering \(I\sin^2 2\alpha +J\cos^2 2\alpha \), or otherwise, show that \(I =\frac12 \pi \sec^2\alpha\).
  4. Evaluate \(I\) in the case \(\frac14\pi < \alpha < \frac12\pi\).


Solution:

  1. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && I &= \int_{-\frac12 \pi}^{\frac12\pi} \frac {\cos^2\theta}{1-\sin\theta\sin2\alpha} \, \d\theta \\ \phi = -\theta, \d \phi = - \d \theta: &&&= \int_{\phi=\frac12\pi}^{\phi=-\frac12\pi} \frac{\cos^2(-\phi)}{1-\sin(-\phi)\sin 2 \alpha} (-1) \d \phi \\ &&&= \int_{-\frac12 \pi}^{\frac12\pi} \frac {\cos^2\phi}{1+\sin\phi\sin2\alpha} \d\phi \\ \\ && 2I &= \int_{-\frac12 \pi}^{\frac12\pi} \frac {\cos^2\theta}{1-\sin\theta\sin2\alpha} \, \d\theta +\int_{-\frac12 \pi}^{\frac12\pi} \frac {\cos^2\theta}{1+\sin\theta\sin2\alpha} \, \d\theta \\ &&&= \int_{-\frac12 \pi}^{\frac12\pi} \left ( \frac {\cos^2\theta}{1-\sin\theta\sin2\alpha} +\frac {\cos^2\theta}{1+\sin\theta\sin2\alpha} \right) \, \d\theta \\ &&&= \int_{-\frac12 \pi}^{\frac12\pi} \left ( \frac {2\cos^2\theta}{1-\sin^2\theta\sin^22\alpha} \right) \, \d\theta \\ &&&= \int_{-\frac12 \pi}^{\frac12\pi} \left ( \frac {2\cos^2\theta}{1-(1-\cos^2\theta)(1-\cos^22\alpha)} \right) \, \d\theta \\ &&&= \int_{-\frac12 \pi}^{\frac12\pi} \left ( \frac {2\cos^2\theta}{\cos^2\theta+\cos^22\alpha-\cos^2 \theta \cos^2 2 \alpha)} \right) \, \d\theta \\ &&&= \int_{-\frac12 \pi}^{\frac12\pi} \left ( \frac {2}{1+\cos^22\alpha(\sec^2 \theta - 1))} \right) \, \d\theta \\ &&&= \int_{-\frac12 \pi}^{\frac12\pi} \left ( \frac {2}{1+\tan^2 \theta \cos^22\alpha} \right) \, \d\theta \\ \end{align*}
  2. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && J &= \int_{-\frac12 \pi}^{\frac12\pi} \frac {\sec^2\theta}{1+\tan^2\theta\cos^22\alpha} \, \d\theta \\ &&&= \left [\sec 2 \alpha \tan^{-1} \left ( \cos 2 \alpha \tan \theta \right) \right]_{-\frac12 \pi}^{\frac12\pi} \\ &&&= \sec(2\alpha)\pi = \frac{\pi}{\cos 2 \alpha} \end{align*}
  3. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && I\sin^2 2\alpha +J\cos^2 2\alpha &= \int_{-\frac12\pi}^{\frac12 \pi} \frac{\sin^2 2 \alpha+\cos^2 2 \alpha \sec^2 \theta}{1+\tan^2 \theta \cos^2 2\alpha} \d \theta \\ &&&= \int_{-\frac12\pi}^{\frac12 \pi} \frac{\sin^2 2 \alpha+\cos^2 2 \alpha (1 + \tan^2 \theta)}{1+\tan^2 \theta \cos^2 2\alpha} \d \theta \\ &&&= \pi \\ \\ \Rightarrow && I &= \frac{\pi - \pi \cos 2 \alpha}{\sin^2 2 \alpha} \\ &&&= \pi \frac{2\sin^2 \alpha}{4 \sin^2 \alpha \cos^2 \alpha} \\ &&&= \frac12 \pi \sec^2 \alpha \end{align*}
  4. If \(\frac14 \pi < \alpha < \frac12 \pi\) then our calculation for \(J\) is not correct. \begin{align*} && J &= \int_{-\frac12 \pi}^{\frac12\pi} \frac {\sec^2\theta}{1+\tan^2\theta\cos^22\alpha} \, \d\theta \\ &&&= \left [\sec 2 \alpha \tan^{-1} \left ( \cos 2 \alpha \tan \theta \right) \right]_{-\frac12 \pi}^{\frac12\pi} \\ &&&= \sec(2\alpha) \left ( \lim_{\theta \to \frac{\pi}{2}} \tan^{-1} \left ( \cos 2 \alpha \tan \theta \right) - \lim_{\theta \to -\frac{\pi}{2}} \tan^{-1} \left ( \cos 2 \alpha \tan \theta \right) \right) \\ &&&= \sec(2\alpha) \left ( \tan^{-1} \left ( \lim_{x\to -\infty} x \right) - \tan^{-1} \left ( \lim_{x\to \infty} x \right) \right) \\ &&&= -\pi \sec 2 \alpha \end{align*} Still using the same logic, we can say \begin{align*} && I &= \frac{\pi+\pi\cos 2 \alpha}{\sin^2 2 \alpha} \\ &&&= \pi \frac{2 \cos^2 \alpha}{4 \sin^2 \alpha \cos^2 \alpha}\\ &&&= \frac12 \pi \cosec^2 \alpha \end{align*}