Solution:
The function \(f\) satisfies the identity \begin{equation} f(x) +f(y) \equiv f(x+y) \tag{\(*\)} \end{equation} for all \(x\) and \(y\). Show that \(2\f(x)\equiv \f(2x)\) and deduce that \(f''(0)=0\). By considering the Maclaurin series for \(\f(x)\), find the most general function that satisfies \((*)\). [{\it Do not consider issues of existence or convergence of Maclaurin series in this question.}]
Solution: \begin{align*} &&2f(x) &\equiv f(x) + f(x) \\ &&&\equiv f(x+x) \\ &&&\equiv f(2x) \\ \\ \Rightarrow && 2f(0) &= f(0) \\ \Rightarrow && f(0) &= 0 \\ && f''(0) &= \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{f(2h)-2f(0)+f(-2h)}{h^2} \\ &&&= \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{f(2h)+f(-2h)}{h^2} \\ &&&= \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{f(0)}{h^2} \\ &&&= 0 \\ \Rightarrow && f''(0) &= 0 \end{align*} If \(f(x)\) satisfies the equation, then \(f'(x)\) satisfies the equation. In particular this means that \(f^{(n)}(0) = 0\) for all \(n \geq 2\). Therefore the only non-zero term in the Maclaurin series is \(x^1\). Therefore \(f(x) = cx\)
Show that the distinct complex numbers \(\alpha\), \(\beta\) and \(\gamma\) represent the vertices of an equilateral triangle (in clockwise or anti-clockwise order) if and only if \[ \alpha^2 + \beta^2 +\gamma^2 -\beta\gamma - \gamma \alpha -\alpha\beta =0\,. \] Show that the roots of the equation \begin{equation*} z^3 +az^2 +bz +c=0 \tag{\(*\)} \end{equation*} represent the vertices of an equilateral triangle if and only if \(a^2=3b\). Under the transformation \(z=pw+q\), where \(p\) and \(q\) are given complex numbers with \(p\ne0\), the equation (\(*\)) becomes \[ w^3 +Aw^2 +Bw +C=0\,. \tag{\(**\)} \] Show that if the roots of equation \((*)\) represent the vertices of an equilateral triangle, then the roots of equation \((**)\) also represent the vertices of an equilateral triangle.
Solution: The complex numbers represent an equilateral triangle iff \(\gamma\) is a \(\pm 60^\circ\) rotation of \(\beta\) around \(\alpha\), ie \begin{align*} && \gamma - \alpha &= \omega(\beta - \alpha) \\ \Leftrightarrow && \omega &= \frac{\gamma - \alpha}{\beta - \alpha} \\ \Leftrightarrow && -1 &= \left (\frac{\gamma - \alpha}{\beta - \alpha} \right)^3 \\ \Leftrightarrow && -(\beta - \alpha)^3 &=(\gamma - \alpha)^3 \\ \Leftrightarrow && 0 &= (\gamma-\alpha)^3+(\beta-\alpha)^3 \\ &&&= \gamma^3-3\gamma^2\alpha +3\gamma\alpha^2-\alpha^3 +\beta^3-3\beta^2\alpha+3\beta\alpha^2-\alpha^3 \\ &&&= (\beta + \gamma - 2\alpha)(\alpha^2+\beta^2+\gamma^2 - \alpha\beta - \beta\gamma - \gamma \delta) \\ \Leftrightarrow && 0 &= \alpha^2+\beta^2+\gamma^2 - \alpha\beta - \beta\gamma - \gamma \delta \end{align*} The roots of the equation \(z^3+az^2+bz+c = 0\) represents the vertices of an equilateral triangle iff \(a^2-3b = (\alpha+\beta+\gamma^2) - 3(\alpha\beta+\beta\gamma+\gamma\alpha) = \alpha^2+\beta^2+\gamma^2 - \alpha\beta - \beta\gamma - \gamma \delta = 0\) as erquired. Suppose \(a^2 = 3b\), then consider \(z = pw +q\), we must have \begin{align*} && 0 &= (pw+q)^3+a(pw+q)^2 + b(pw+q)+c \\ &&&= p^3w^3 +(3p^2q+ap^2)w^2+(3pq^2+2apq+bp)w+(q^3+aq^2+bq+c) \\ &&&= p^3w^3+p^2(3q+a)w^2+p(3q^2+2aq+b)w+(q^3+aq^2+bq+c) \\ \end{align*} We need to check if \(\left(\frac{3q+a}{p} \right)^2 = 3 \left (\frac{3q^2+2qa+b}{p^2} \right)\). Clearly the denominators match, so consider the numerators \begin{align*} && (3q+a)^2 &= 9q^2+6aq+a^2 \\ &&&= 9q^2+6aq+3b \\ &&&= 3(3q^2+2qa+b) \end{align*} as required
Show that in polar coordinates the gradient of any curve at the point \((r,\theta)\) is \[ \frac{ \ \ \dfrac{\d r }{\d\theta} \tan\theta + r \ \ } { \dfrac{\d r }{\d\theta} -r\tan\theta}\,. \] \noindent
\(\triangle\) is an operation that takes polynomials in \(x\) to polynomials in \(x\); that is, given any polynomial \(\h(x)\), there is a polynomial called \(\triangle \h(x)\) which is obtained from \(\h(x)\) using the rules that define \(\triangle\). These rules are as follows:
A long, light, inextensible string passes through a small, smooth ring fixed at the point \(O\). One end of the string is attached to a particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) which hangs freely below \(O\). The other end is attached to a bead, \(B\), also of mass \(m\), which is threaded on a smooth rigid wire fixed in the same vertical plane as \(O\). The distance \(OB\) is \(r\), the distance \(OH\) is \(h\) and the height of the bead above the horizontal plane through~\(O\) is \(y\), as shown in the diagram.
A disc rotates freely in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis through its centre. The moment of inertia of the disc about this axis is \(mk^2\) (where \(k>0\)). Along one diameter is a smooth narrow groove in which a particle of mass \(m\) slides freely. At time \(t=0\,\), the disc is rotating with angular speed \(\Omega\), and the particle is a distance \(a\) from the axis and is moving with speed~\(V\) along the groove, towards the axis, where \(k^2V^2 = \Omega^2a^2(k^2+a^2)\,\). Show that, at a later time \(t\), while the particle is still moving towards the axis, the angular speed \(\omega\) of the disc and the distance \(r\) of the particle from the axis are related by \[ \omega = \frac{\Omega(k^2+a^2)}{k^2+r^2} \text{ \ \ and \ \ } \left(\frac{\d r}{\d t}\right)^{\!2} = \frac{\Omega^2r^2(k^2+a^2)^2}{k^2(k^2+r^2)}\;. \] Deduce that \[ k\frac{\d r}{\d\theta} = -r(k^2+r^2)^{\frac12}\,, \] where \(\theta \) is the angle through which the disc has turned by time \(t\). By making the substitution \(u=k/r\), or otherwise, show that \(r\sinh (\theta+\alpha) = k\), where \(\sinh \alpha = k/a\,\). Deduce that the particle never reaches the axis.
A lift of mass \(M\) and its counterweight of mass \(M\) are connected by a light inextensible cable which passes over a fixed frictionless pulley. The lift is constrained to move vertically between smooth guides. The distance between the floor and the ceiling of the lift is \(h\). Initially, the lift is at rest, and the distance between the top of the lift and the pulley is greater than \(h\). A small tile of mass \(m\) becomes detached from the ceiling of the lift and falls to the floor of the lift. Show that the speed of the tile just before the impact is \[ \sqrt{\frac{(2M-m)gh \;}{M}}\;. \] The coefficient of restitution between the tile and the floor of the lift is \(e\). Given that the magnitude of the impulsive force on the lift due to tension in the cable is equal to the magnitude of the impulsive force on the counterweight due to tension in the cable, show that the loss of energy of the system due to the impact is \(mgh(1-e^2)\). Comment on this result.
Fifty times a year, 1024 tourists disembark from a cruise liner at a port. From there they must travel to the city centre either by bus or by taxi. Tourists are equally likely to be directed to the bus station or to the taxi rank. Each bus of the bus company holds 32 passengers, and the company currently runs 15 buses. The company makes a profit of \(\pounds\)1 for each passenger carried. It carries as many passengers as it can, with any excess being (eventually) transported by taxi. Show that the largest annual licence fee, in pounds, that the company should consider paying to be allowed to run an extra bus is approximately \[ 1600 \Phi(2) - \frac{800}{\sqrt{2\pi}}\big(1- \e^{-2}\big)\,, \] where \(\displaystyle \Phi(x) =\dfrac1{\sqrt{2\pi}} \int_{-\infty}^x \e^{-\frac12t^2}\d t\,\). You should not consider continuity corrections.
Solution: The the number of people being directed towards the buses (each cruise) is \(X \sim B(1024, \tfrac12) \approx N(512, 256) \approx 16Z + 512\). Therefore without an extra bus, the expected profit is \(\mathbb{E}[\min(X, 15 \times 32)]\). With the extra bus, the extra profit is \(\mathbb{E}[\min(X, 16 \times 32)]\), therefore the expected extra profit is: \(\mathbb{E}[\min(X, 16 \times 32)]-\mathbb{E}[\min(X, 15 \times 32)] = \mathbb{E}[\min(X, 16 \times 32)-\min(X, 15 \times 32)] \) \begin{align*} \text{Expected extra profit} &= \mathbb{E}[\min(X, 16 \times 32)-\min(X, 15 \times 32)] \\ &= \mathbb{E}[\min(16Z+512, 16 \times 32)-\min(16Z+512, 15 \times 32)] \\ &= 16\mathbb{E}[\min(Z+32, 32)-\min(Z+32, 30)] \\ &=16\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} \left (\min(Z+32, 32)-\min(Z+32, 30) \right)p_Z(z) \d z \\ &= 16 \left ( \int_{-2}^{0} (z+32-30) p_Z(z) \d z + \int_0^\infty (32-30)p_Z(z) \d z \right) \\ &= 16 \left ( \int_{-2}^{0} (z+2) p_Z(z) \d z + \int_0^\infty 2p_Z(z) \d z \right) \\ &= 16 \left ( \int_{-2}^{0} zp_Z(z) \d z + 2\int_{-2}^\infty p_Z(z) \d z \right) \\ &= 16 \left ( \int_{-2}^{0} z \frac{1}{\sqrt{2\pi}} e^{-\frac12 z^2} \d z + 2(1-\Phi(2)) \right) \\ &= 32(1-\Phi(2)) + \frac{16}{\sqrt{2\pi}} \left [ -e^{-\frac12z^2} \right]_{-2}^0 \\ &= 32(1-\Phi(2)) - \frac{16}{\sqrt{2\pi}} \left ( 1-e^{-2}\right) \end{align*} Across \(50\) different runs, this profit is \[ 1600(1-\Phi(2)) - \frac{800}{\sqrt{2\pi}} \left ( 1-e^{-2}\right) \]