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2019 Paper 2 Q6
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

Note: You may assume that if the functions \(y_1(x)\) and \(y_2(x)\) both satisfy one of the differential equations in this question, then the curves \(y = y_1(x)\) and \(y = y_2(x)\) do not intersect.

  1. Find the solution of the differential equation $$\frac{dy}{dx} = y + x + 1$$ that has the form \(y = mx + c\), where \(m\) and \(c\) are constants. Let \(y_3(x)\) be the solution of this differential equation with \(y_3(0) = k\). Show that any stationary point on the curve \(y = y_3(x)\) lies on the line \(y = -x - 1\). Deduce that solution curves with \(k < -2\) cannot have any stationary points. Show further that any stationary point on the solution curve is a local minimum. Use the substitution \(Y = y + x\) to solve the differential equation, and sketch, on the same axes, the solutions with \(k = 0\), \(k = -2\) and \(k = -3\).
  2. Find the two solutions of the differential equation $$\frac{dy}{dx} = x^2 + y^2 - 2xy - 4x + 4y + 3$$ that have the form \(y = mx + c\). Let \(y_4(x)\) be the solution of this differential equation with \(y_4(0) = -2\). (Do not attempt to find this solution.) Show that any stationary point on the curve \(y = y_4(x)\) lies on one of two lines that you should identify. What can be said about the gradient of the curve at points between these lines? Sketch the curve \(y = y_4(x)\). You should include on your sketch the two straight line solutions and the two lines of stationary points.


Solution:

  1. Looking for solution of the form \(y = mx+c\) we find that \(m = mx+c+x+1 \Rightarrow m = -1, c = -2\). At stationary points \(\frac{\d y}{\d x} = 0 \Rightarrow y = -x-1\). If \(y_3(0)= k < -2\) then the solution curve lies below \(y = -x-2\) and therefore it cannot cross \(y = -x -2\) to reach \(y = -x-1\) for a stationary point. Suppose \(Y = y+x\) then \(\frac{\d Y}{\d x} = \frac{\d y}{\d x} + 1=Y+2 \Rightarrow Y = Ae^x-2 \Rightarrow y= (k+2)e^x-x-2\)
    TikZ diagram
  2. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && m &= x^2 + (mx+c)^2 -2x(mx+c) - 4x+4(mx+c) + 3 \\ &&0&= (m^2-2m+1)x^2+(2mc-2c-4+4m)x + (c^2+4c+3-m)\\ \Rightarrow && m &= 1 \\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= c^2+4c+2 \\ \Rightarrow &&&= (c+2)^2-2 \\ \Rightarrow && c &= -2 \pm \sqrt{2} \end{align*} Therefore the lines are \(y = x -2-\sqrt{2}\) and \(y = x -2+\sqrt{2}\). Any stationary point will satisfy \(y' = 0\), ie \(0 = x^2+y^2-2xy-4x+4y+3 = (x-y)^2-4(x-y)+3 = (x-y-3)(x-y-1)\) therefore they must lie on \(y = x-1\) or \(y = x-3\). Any point between these lines must have negative gradient (since one factor is positive and one factor is negative).
    TikZ diagram

2019 Paper 2 Q7
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

  1. The points \(A\), \(B\) and \(C\) have position vectors \(\mathbf{a}\), \(\mathbf{b}\) and \(\mathbf{c}\), respectively. Each of these vectors is a unit vector (so \(\mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{a} = 1\), for example) and $$\mathbf{a} + \mathbf{b} + \mathbf{c} = \mathbf{0}.$$ Show that \(\mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{b} = -\frac{1}{2}\). What can be said about the triangle ABC? You should justify your answer.
  2. The four distinct points \(A_i\) (\(i = 1, 2, 3, 4\)) have unit position vectors \(\mathbf{a}_i\) and $$\sum_{i=1}^{4} \mathbf{a}_i = \mathbf{0}.$$ Show that \(\mathbf{a}_1 \cdot \mathbf{a}_2 = \mathbf{a}_3 \cdot \mathbf{a}_4\).
    1. Given that the four points lie in a plane, determine the shape of the quadrilateral with vertices \(A_1\), \(A_2\), \(A_3\) and \(A_4\).
    2. Given instead that the four points are the vertices of a regular tetrahedron, find the length of the sides of this tetrahedron.


Solution:

  1. Given \(\mathbf{a} + \mathbf{b} + \mathbf{c} = \mathbf{0}\), we can form the following results: \begin{align*} && \begin{cases} \mathbf{a} \cdot (\mathbf{a} + \mathbf{b} + \mathbf{c}) &= 0 \\ \mathbf{b} \cdot (\mathbf{a} + \mathbf{b} + \mathbf{c}) &= 0 \\ \mathbf{c} \cdot (\mathbf{a} + \mathbf{b} + \mathbf{c}) &= 0 \\ \end{cases} \\ \Rightarrow && \begin{cases} \mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{a} + \mathbf{a} \cdot\mathbf{b} + \mathbf{a} \cdot\mathbf{c} &= 0 \\ \mathbf{b} \cdot \mathbf{a} + \mathbf{b} \cdot \mathbf{b} + \mathbf{b} \cdot \mathbf{c} &= 0 \\ \mathbf{c} \cdot \mathbf{a} + \mathbf{c} \cdot \mathbf{b} + \mathbf{c} \cdot \mathbf{c} &= 0 \\ \end{cases} \\ \Rightarrow && \begin{cases} \mathbf{a} \cdot\mathbf{b} + \mathbf{a} \cdot\mathbf{c} &= -1 \\ \mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{b} + \mathbf{b} \cdot \mathbf{c} &= -1 \\ \mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{c} + \mathbf{b} \cdot \mathbf{c} &= -1 \\ \end{cases} \\ \Rightarrow && \begin{cases} \mathbf{a} \cdot\mathbf{b} + \mathbf{a} \cdot\mathbf{c} &= -1 \\ \mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{b} + \mathbf{b} \cdot \mathbf{c} &= -1 \\ \mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{c} + \mathbf{b} \cdot \mathbf{c} &= -1 \\ \mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{b} +\mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{c} + \mathbf{b} \cdot \mathbf{c} &= -\frac12 \\ \end{cases} \\ \Rightarrow && \begin{cases} \mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{b} = -\frac12 \\ \mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{c} = -\frac12 \\ \mathbf{b} \cdot \mathbf{c} = -\frac12 \\ \end{cases} \end{align*} The triangle must be equilateral since the angles between each vertex are the same.
  2. We have \(\displaystyle \sum_{i=1}^{4} \mathbf{a}_i = \mathbf{0}\) so \(\displaystyle \mathbf{a}_i \cdot \sum_{i=1}^{4} \mathbf{a}_i = 0\) or for each \(i\), \(\displaystyle \sum_{j \neq i} \mathbf{a}_i \cdot \mathbf{a}_j = -1\). \begin{align*} && \begin{cases} \mathbf{a}_1 \cdot \mathbf{a}_2 + \mathbf{a}_1 \cdot \mathbf{a}_3 + \mathbf{a}_1 \cdot \mathbf{a}_4 = -1 \\ \mathbf{a}_1 \cdot \mathbf{a}_2 + \mathbf{a}_2 \cdot \mathbf{a}_3 + \mathbf{a}_2 \cdot \mathbf{a}_4 = -1 \\ \mathbf{a}_1 \cdot \mathbf{a}_3 + \mathbf{a}_2 \cdot \mathbf{a}_3 + \mathbf{a}_3 \cdot \mathbf{a}_4 = -1 \\ \mathbf{a}_2 \cdot \mathbf{a}_4 + \mathbf{a}_2 \cdot \mathbf{a}_4 + \mathbf{a}_3 \cdot \mathbf{a}_4 = -1 \\ \end{cases} \\ && \text{adding the first two, subtracting the last two} \\ \Rightarrow && \begin{cases} \mathbf{a}_1 \cdot \mathbf{a}_2 +\cancel{\mathbf{a}_1 \cdot \mathbf{a}_3} + \cancel{\mathbf{a}_1 \cdot \mathbf{a}_4} = -1 \\ \mathbf{a}_1 \cdot \mathbf{a}_2 + \cancel{\mathbf{a}_2 \cdot \mathbf{a}_3} + \cancel{\mathbf{a}_2 \cdot \mathbf{a}_4} = -1 \\ \cancel{\mathbf{a}_1 \cdot \mathbf{a}_3} + \cancel{\mathbf{a}_2 \cdot \mathbf{a}_3} + \mathbf{a}_3 \cdot \mathbf{a}_4 = -1 \\ \cancel{\mathbf{a}_1 \cdot \mathbf{a}_4} + \cancel{\mathbf{a}_2 \cdot \mathbf{a}_4} + \mathbf{a}_3 \cdot \mathbf{a}_4 = -1 \\ \end{cases} \\ \Rightarrow && 2 (\mathbf{a}_1 \cdot \mathbf{a}_2) - 2(\mathbf{a}_3 \cdot \mathbf{a}_4) = 0 \end{align*} Rather than adding the first two and last two, we could have done any pair, resulting in the relations: \begin{align*} \mathbf{a}_1 \cdot \mathbf{a}_2 &= \mathbf{a}_3 \cdot \mathbf{a}_4 \\ \mathbf{a}_1 \cdot \mathbf{a}_3 &= \mathbf{a}_2 \cdot \mathbf{a}_4 \\ \mathbf{a}_1 \cdot \mathbf{a}_4 &= \mathbf{a}_2 \cdot \mathbf{a}_3 \end{align*}
    1. [(a)] The shape must be a parallelogram (from the angle requirement, but also cyclic quadrilateral (since all vectors are unit length), therefore it must be a rectangle
    2. [(b)] Given it's a regular tetrahedron, \(\mathbf{a}_i \cdot \mathbf{a}_j\) must be the same for all \(i \neq j\), ie \(-\frac13\). We are interested in \(|\mathbf{a}_i - \mathbf{a}_j|\) so consider, \begin{align*} |\mathbf{a}_i - \mathbf{a}_j|^2 &= (\mathbf{a}_i - \mathbf{a}_j) \cdot (\mathbf{a}_i - \mathbf{a}_j) \\ &= \mathbf{a}_i \cdot \mathbf{a}_i - 2 \mathbf{a}_i \cdot \mathbf{a}_j + \mathbf{a}_j \cdot \mathbf{a}_j \\ &= 1 - \frac23 + 1 \\ &= \frac43 \end{align*} Therefore the unit side lengths are \(\frac{2}{\sqrt{3}}\)

2019 Paper 2 Q8
D: 1500.0 B: 1638.7

The domain of the function f is the set of all \(2 \times 2\) matrices and its range is the set of real numbers. Thus, if \(M\) is a \(2 \times 2\) matrix, then \(f(M) \in \mathbb{R}\). The function f has the property that \(f(MN) = f(M)f(N)\) for any \(2 \times 2\) matrices \(M\) and \(N\).

  1. You are given that there is a matrix \(M\) such that \(f(M) \neq 0\). Let \(I\) be the \(2 \times 2\) identity matrix. By considering \(f(MI)\), show that \(f(I) = 1\).
  2. Let \(J = \begin{pmatrix} 0 & 1 \\ 1 & 0 \end{pmatrix}\). You are given that \(f(J) \neq 1\). By considering \(J^2\), evaluate \(f(J)\). Using \(J\), show that, for any real numbers \(a\), \(b\), \(c\) and \(d\), $$.f\left(\begin{pmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{pmatrix}\right) = -f\left(\begin{pmatrix} c & d \\ a & b \end{pmatrix}\right) = f\left(\begin{pmatrix} d & c \\ b & a \end{pmatrix}\right)$$
  3. Let \(K = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 \\ 0 & k \end{pmatrix}\) where \(k \in \mathbb{R}\). Use \(K\) to show that, if the second row of the matrix \(A\) is a multiple of the first row, then \(f(A) = 0\).
  4. Let \(P = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 1 \\ 0 & 1 \end{pmatrix}\). By considering the matrices \(P^2\), \(P^{-1}\), and \(K^{-1}PK\) for suitable values of \(k\), evaluate \(f(P)\).


Solution:

  1. Consider \(f(M) = f(MI) = f(M)f(I)\). Since \(f(M) \neq 0\) we can divide by \(f(M)\) to obtain \(f(I) = 1\)
  2. Let \(J = \begin{pmatrix} 0 & 1 \\ 1 & 0 \end{pmatrix}\), then \(J^2 = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 \end{pmatrix} = I\). Therefore \(1 = f(I) = f(J^2) = f(J)f(J) \Rightarrow f(J) = \pm 1 \Rightarrow f(J) = -1\) since \(f(J) \neq 1\). \begin{align*} \begin{pmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{pmatrix}J &= \begin{pmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{pmatrix}\begin{pmatrix} 0 & 1 \\ 1 & 0 \end{pmatrix} \\ &= \begin{pmatrix} b & a \\ d & c \end{pmatrix} \\ J\begin{pmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{pmatrix} &= \begin{pmatrix} 0 & 1 \\ 1 & 0 \end{pmatrix}\begin{pmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{pmatrix} \\ &= \begin{pmatrix} c & d \\ a & b \end{pmatrix} \\ J\begin{pmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{pmatrix}J &=\begin{pmatrix} d & c \\ b & a \end{pmatrix} \end{align*} Therefore \(f\left(\begin{pmatrix} c & d \\ a & b \end{pmatrix}\right) = f \left (J\begin{pmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{pmatrix} \right) = f(J) f\left(\begin{pmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{pmatrix}\right) = -f\left(\begin{pmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{pmatrix}\right)\) and \(f\left(\begin{pmatrix} d & c \\ b & a \end{pmatrix}\right) = f\left(J\begin{pmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{pmatrix}J \right) = f(J)f\left(\begin{pmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{pmatrix}\right)f(J) = f\left(\begin{pmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{pmatrix}\right)\) as required.
  3. First consider \(O\) the matrix of \(0\), then \begin{align*} && JO &= O \\ \Rightarrow && f(JO) &= f(O) \\ \Rightarrow && f(J)f(O) &= f(O) \\ \Rightarrow && -f(O) &= f(O) \\ \Rightarrow && f(O) &= 0 \end{align*} Now consider \(K_{k} = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 \\ 0 & k \end{pmatrix}\). Suppose \(A = \begin{pmatrix} a & b \\ ka & kb \end{pmatrix}\) then \begin{align*} K_{\frac1k}A &= \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 \\ 0 & \frac1k \end{pmatrix} \begin{pmatrix} a & b \\ ka & kb \end{pmatrix} \\ &= \begin{pmatrix} a & b \\ a & b \end{pmatrix} \end{align*} And so \(f(K_{\frac1k}A) = f\left ( \begin{pmatrix} a & b \\ a & b \end{pmatrix} \right) = - f \left ( \begin{pmatrix} a & b \\ a & b \end{pmatrix} \right) = 0\), therefore either \(f(K_{\frac1k}) = 0\) or \(f(A) = 0\), but we know that \(f(I) \neq 0\) therefore \(f(A) = 0\).
  4. Let \(P = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 1 \\ 0 & 1 \end{pmatrix}\), then \(P^2 = \begin{pmatrix} 1 &2 \\ 0 & 1 \end{pmatrix}\), \(P^{-1} = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & -1 \\ 0 & 1 \end{pmatrix}\), \(K_k^{-1}PK_k = K_k^{-1}\begin{pmatrix} 1 & k \\ 0 & k \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & k \\ 0 & 1 \end{pmatrix}\). If \(A\) has an inverse then \(f(A) \neq 0\) since \(1 = f(I) = f(A)f(A^{-1})\), in particular, \(f(A)f(A^{-1}) = 1\). Using this for \(K_2\) we have: \(f(P)^2 = f(P^2) = f(K_2^{-1}PK_2) = f(P)\) therefore \(f(P) = 0, 1\), but since \(f(P)\) has an inverse, \(f(P) \neq 0\) so \(f(P) = 1\)

2019 Paper 2 Q9
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

A particle \(P\) is projected from a point \(O\) on horizontal ground with speed \(u\) and angle of projection \(\alpha\), where \(0 < \alpha < \frac{1}{2}\pi\).

  1. Show that if \(\sin \alpha < \frac{2\sqrt{2}}{3}\), then the distance \(OP\) is increasing throughout the flight. Show also that if \(\sin \alpha > \frac{2\sqrt{2}}{3}\), then \(OP\) will be decreasing at some time before the particle lands.
  2. At the same time as \(P\) is projected, a particle \(Q\) is projected horizontally from \(O\) with speed \(v\) along the ground in the opposite direction from the trajectory of \(P\). The ground is smooth. Show that if $$2\sqrt{2}v > (\sin \alpha - 2\sqrt{2} \cos \alpha)u,$$ then \(QP\) is increasing throughout the flight of \(P\).


Solution:

  1. Notice that \(P = \begin{pmatrix} u \cos \alpha t\\ u \sin \alpha t - \frac12 g t^2 \end{pmatrix}\), so \begin{align*} && |OP|^2 &= u^2 \cos^2 \alpha t^2 + \left (u \sin \alpha t - \frac12 g t^2 \right)^2 \\ &&&= u^2 \cos^2 \alpha t^2 +u^2 \sin^2 \alpha t^2 - u \sin \alpha g t^3 +\frac14 g^2 t^4 \\ &&&= u^2 t^2 -u\sin \alpha g t^3 + \frac14g^2t^4 \\ && \frac{\d |OP|^2}{\d t} &= 2u^2 t - 3u \sin \alpha g t^2+g^2 t^3 \\ &&&= t \left (2u^2 - 3u \sin \alpha (gt)+(gt)^2\right) \\ && \Delta &= 9u^2 \sin^2 \alpha -4 \cdot 2u^2 \cdot 1 \\ &&&= u^2 (9\sin^2 \alpha -8) \\ \end{align*} Therefore if \(\sin \alpha < \frac{2\sqrt{2}}3\) the discriminant is negative, the quadratic factor is always positive and the distance \(|OP|\) is always increasing. Similarly, if \(\sin \alpha > \frac{2 \sqrt{2}}3\) then the derivative has a root. This means somewhere on its (possibly extended) trajectory \(OP\) is decreasing. This must be before it lands, since if it were after it 'landed' then both the \(x\) and \(y\) distances are increasing, therefore it cannot occur after it 'lands'.
  2. Note that \(Q = \begin{pmatrix} -v t \\0 \end{pmatrix}\) \begin{align*} && |QP|^2 &= (u \cos \alpha t+vt)^2 + \left (u \sin \alpha t - \frac12 g t^2 \right)^2 \\ &&&= u^2 \cos^2 \alpha t^2+2u\cos \alpha v t^2 + v^2 t^2 +u^2 \sin^2 \alpha t^2 - u \sin \alpha g t^3 +\frac14 g^2 t^4 \\ &&&= (u^2+2u v \cos \alpha+v^2) t^2 - u \sin \alpha g t^3 + \frac14 g^2 t^4 \\ \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{\d |QP|^2}{\d t} &= 2(u^2+u v \cos \alpha+v^2) t - 3u \sin \alpha g t^2 + g^2 t^3 \\ &&&= t \left ( 2(u^2+2u v \cos \alpha+v^2) - 3u \sin \alpha (g t) + (g t)^2\right) \\ && \Delta &= 9u^2 \sin^2 \alpha - 8(u^2+2u v \cos \alpha+v^2) \\ &&&= (9 \sin^2 \alpha -8)u^2 - 16v \cos \alpha u - 8v^2 \\ &&&= \left (( \sin \alpha-2\sqrt{2}\cos \alpha)u-2\sqrt{2} v \right) \left ( ( \sin \alpha+2\sqrt{2}\cos \alpha)u+2\sqrt{2} v \right) \end{align*} Since the second bracket is clearly positive, the first bracket must be negative (for \(\Delta < 0\) and our derivative to be positive), ie \(2\sqrt{2} v > ( \sin \alpha-2\sqrt{2}\cos \alpha)u\)

2019 Paper 2 Q10
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

A small light ring is attached to the end \(A\) of a uniform rod \(AB\) of weight \(W\) and length \(2a\). The ring can slide on a rough horizontal rail. One end of a light inextensible string of length \(2a\) is attached to the rod at \(B\) and the other end is attached to a point \(C\) on the rail so that the rod makes an angle of \(\theta\) with the rail, where \(0 < \theta < 90^{\circ}\). The rod hangs in the same vertical plane as the rail. A force of \(kW\) acts vertically downwards on the rod at \(B\) and the rod is in equilibrium.

  1. You are given that the string will break if the tension \(T\) is greater than \(W\). Show that (assuming that the ring does not slip) the string will break if $$2k + 1 > 4 \sin \theta.$$
  2. Show that (assuming that the string does not break) the ring will slip if $$2k + 1 > (2k + 3)\mu \tan \theta,$$ where \(\mu\) is the coefficient of friction between the rail and the ring.
  3. You are now given that \(\mu \tan \theta < 1\). Show that, when \(k\) is increased gradually from zero, the ring will slip before the string breaks if $$\mu < \frac{2 \cos \theta}{1 + 2 \sin \theta}.$$


Solution:

TikZ diagram
  1. \(\,\) \begin{align*} \overset{\curvearrowright}{A}:&& W \cos \theta \cdot a + kW \cos \theta \cdot 2a - T \cos \theta \sin \theta \cdot 2a - T \sin \theta \cos \theta \cdot 2a &= 0 \\ && (2k+1) \cos \theta W &= T \cos \theta \cdot 4 \sin \theta \\ \Rightarrow && T &= \frac{2k+1}{4 \sin \theta} W \\ \Rightarrow && \text{breaks if }\quad \quad 2k+1 &> 4 \sin \theta \end{align*}
  2. \(\,\) \begin{align*} \text{N2}(\uparrow): && R - W - kW - T \sin \theta &= 0 \\ \Rightarrow && R &= (k+1)W - T \sin \theta \\ &&&= (k+1)W - \frac{2k+1}{4} W \\ &&&= \frac{2k+3}{4}W \\ \text{N2}(\leftarrow): && F_A - T \cos \theta &= 0 \\ \Rightarrow && F_A &= \frac{2k+1}{4 }\cot \theta \\ \Rightarrow && \text{slips if }\quad \quad\quad \quad\quad \quad F_A &> \mu R \\ \Rightarrow && \text{slips if }\quad \quad \frac{2k+1}{4 }\cot \theta &> \mu \frac{2k+3}{4}W \\ \Rightarrow && 2k+1 &> (2k+3) \mu \tan \theta \end{align*}
  3. The condition for breaking is \(k > 2\sin \theta -\frac12\). The condition for slipping is equivalent to: \begin{align*} && 2k+1 &> (2k+3) \mu \tan \theta \\ \Leftrightarrow && 2k(1- \mu \tan \theta) &> 3 \mu \tan \theta-1 \\ \Leftrightarrow && k &> \frac{3 \mu \tan \theta-1}{2(1- \mu \tan \theta)} \end{align*} Therefore we will slip first if: \begin{align*} && \frac{3 \mu \tan \theta-1}{2(1- \mu \tan \theta)} &< 2 \sin \theta - \frac12 \\ \Leftrightarrow && 3 \mu \tan \theta-1 &< 4 \sin \theta (1- \mu \tan \theta) - (1- \mu \tan \theta) \\ &&&=4 \sin \theta - 1 + \mu \tan \theta (1-4 \sin \theta) \\ \Leftrightarrow && 3 \mu \tan \theta &< 4 \sin \theta + \mu \tan \theta (1- 4 \sin \theta) \\ \Leftrightarrow && \mu \tan \theta(3-1+4\sin \theta) &< 4 \sin \theta \\ \Leftrightarrow && \mu &< \frac{2 \cos \theta}{1+2 \sin \theta} \end{align*}

2019 Paper 2 Q11
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

  1. The three integers \(n_1\), \(n_2\) and \(n_3\) satisfy \(0 < n_1 < n_2 < n_3\) and \(n_1 + n_2 > n_3\). Find the number of ways of choosing the pair of numbers \(n_1\) and \(n_2\) in the cases \(n_3 = 9\) and \(n_3 = 10\). Given that \(n_3 = 2n + 1\), where \(n\) is a positive integer, write down an expression (which you need not prove is correct) for the number of ways of choosing the pair of numbers \(n_1\) and \(n_2\). Simplify your expression. Write down and simplify the corresponding expression when \(n_3 = 2n\), where \(n\) is a positive integer.
  2. You have \(N\) rods, of lengths \(1, 2, 3, \ldots, N\) (one rod of each length). You take the rod of length \(N\), and choose two more rods at random from the remainder, each choice of two being equally likely. Show that, in the case \(N = 2n + 1\) where \(n\) is a positive integer, the probability that these three rods can form a triangle (of non-zero area) is $$\frac{n - 1}{2n - 1}.$$ Find the corresponding probability in the case \(N = 2n\), where \(n\) is a positive integer.
  3. You have \(2M + 1\) rods, of lengths \(1, 2, 3, \ldots, 2M + 1\) (one rod of each length), where \(M\) is a positive integer. You choose three at random, each choice of three being equally likely. Show that the probability that the rods can form a triangle (of non-zero area) is $$\frac{(4M + 1)(M - 1)}{2(2M + 1)(2M - 1)}.$$ Note: \(\sum_{k=1}^{K} k^2 = \frac{1}{6}K(K + 1)(2K + 1)\).


Solution:

  1. If \(n_3 = 9\) and we are looking for \(0 < n_1 < n_2 < n_3\) we can consider values for each \(n_2\). \begin{array}{clc|c} n_2 & \text{range} & \text{count} \\ \hline 6 & 4-5 & 2 \\ 7 & 3-6 & 4 \\ 8 & 2-7 & 6 \\ \hline & & 12 \end{array} When \(n_3 = 10\) \begin{array}{clc|c} n_2 & \text{range} & \text{count} \\ \hline 6 & 5 & 1 \\ 7 & 4-6 & 3 \\ 8 & 3-7 & 5 \\ 9 & 2-8 & 7 \\ \hline & & 16 \end{array} When \(n_3 = 2n+1\) we can have \(2 + 4 + \cdots + 2n-2 = n(n-1)\) When \(n_3 = 2n\) we can have \(1 + 3 + \cdots + 2n-3 = (n-1)^2\)
  2. For the 3 rods to form a triangle, it suffices for the sum of the lengths of the shorter rods to be larger than \(N\). When \(N = 2n+1\) there are \(n(n-1)\) ways this can happen, out of \(\binom{2n}{2}\) ways to choos the numbers, ie \begin{align*} && P &= \frac{n(n-1)}{\frac{2n(2n-1)}{2}} \\ &&&= \frac{n-1}{2n-1} \end{align*} When \(N = 2n\) there are \((n-1)^2\) ways this can happen, out of \(\binom{2n-1}{2}\) ways, ie \begin{align*} && P &= \frac{(n-1)^2}{\frac{(2n-1)(2n-2)}{2}} \\ &&&= \frac{n-1}{2n-1} \end{align*}
  3. The number of ways this can happen is: \begin{align*} C &= \sum_{k=3}^{2M+1} \# \{ \text{triangles where }k\text{ is largest} \} \\ &= \sum_{k=1}^{M} \# \{ \text{triangles where }2k+1\text{ is largest} \} +\sum_{k=1}^{M} \# \{ \text{triangles where }2k\text{ is largest} \}\\ &= \sum_{k=1}^{M} n(n-1)+\sum_{k=1}^{M} (n-1)^2\\ &= \sum_{k=1}^{M} (2n^2-3n+1)\\ &= \frac26M(M+1)(2M+1) - \frac32M(M+1) + M \\ &= \frac16 M(4M+1)(M-1) \end{align*} Therefore the probability is \begin{align*} && P &= \frac{M(4M+1)(M-1)}{6 \binom{2M+1}{3}} \\ &&&= \frac{M(4M+1)(M-1)}{(2M+1)2M(2M-1)} \\ &&&= \frac{(4M+1)(M-1)}{2(2M+1)(2M-1)} \end{align*}

2019 Paper 2 Q12
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

The random variable \(X\) has the probability density function on the interval \([0, 1]\): $$f(x) = \begin{cases} nx^{n-1} & 0 \leq x \leq 1, \\ 0 & \text{elsewhere}, \end{cases}$$ where \(n\) is an integer greater than 1.

  1. Let \(\mu = E(X)\). Find an expression for \(\mu\) in terms of \(n\), and show that the variance, \(\sigma^2\), of \(X\) is given by $$\sigma^2 = \frac{n}{(n + 1)^2(n + 2)}.$$
  2. In the case \(n = 2\), show without using decimal approximations that the interquartile range is less than \(2\sigma\).
  3. Write down the first three terms and the \((k + 1)\)th term (where \(0 \leq k \leq n\)) of the binomial expansion of \((1 + x)^n\) in ascending powers of \(x\). By setting \(x = \frac{1}{n}\), show that \(\mu\) is less than the median and greater than the lower quartile. Note: You may assume that $$1 + \frac{1}{1!} + \frac{1}{2!} + \frac{1}{3!} + \cdots < 4.$$


Solution:

  1. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && \mu &= \E[X] \\ &&&= \int_0^1 x f(x) \d x \\ &&&= \int_0^1 nx^n \d x \\ &&&= \frac{n}{n+1} \\ \\ && \var[X] &= \sigma^2 \\ &&&= \E[X^2] - \mu^2 \\ &&&= \int_0^1 x^2 f(x) \d x - \mu^2 \\ &&&= \int_0^1 nx^{n+1} \d x - \mu^2 \\ &&&= \frac{n}{n+2} - \frac{n^2}{(n+1)^2} \\ &&&= \frac{n(n+1)^2 - n^2(n+2)}{(n+1)^2(n+2)} \\ &&&= \frac{n}{(n+1)^2(n+2)} \end{align*}
  2. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && \frac14 &= \int_0^{Q_1} 2x \d x \\ &&&= Q_1^2 \\ \Rightarrow && Q_1 &= \frac12 \\ && \frac34 &= \int_0^{Q_3} 2x \d x \\ &&&= Q_3^2 \\ \Rightarrow && Q_3 &= \frac{\sqrt{3}}2 \\ \\ \Rightarrow && IQR &= Q_3 - Q_1 = \frac{\sqrt{3}-1}{2} \\ && 2 \sigma &= 2\sqrt{\frac{2}{3^2 \cdot 4}} \\ &&&= \frac{\sqrt{2}}{3} \\ \\ && 2\sigma - IRQ &= \frac{\sqrt{2}}{3} - \frac{\sqrt{3}-1}{2} \\ &&&= \frac{2\sqrt{2}-3\sqrt{3}+3}{6} \\ && (3+2\sqrt{2})^2 &= 17+12\sqrt{2} > 29 \\ && (3\sqrt{3})^2 &= 27 \end{align*} Therefore \(2\sigma > IQR\)
  3. \[ (1+x)^n = 1 + nx + \frac{n(n-1)}2 x^2 + \cdots + \binom{n}{k} x^k+ \cdots \] \begin{align*} && Q_1^{-n} &= 4 \\ && Q_2^{-n} &= 2\\ && \mu &=\frac{n}{n+1} \\ \Rightarrow && \mu^{-n} &= \left (1 + \frac1n \right)^n\\ &&&\geq 1 + n \frac1n + \cdots > 2 \\ \Rightarrow && \mu &< Q_2 \\ \\ && \mu^{-n} &= \left (1 + \frac1n \right)^n\\ &&&= 1 + n \frac1n + \frac{n(n-1)}{2!} \frac{1}{n^2} + \cdots + \frac{n(n-1) \cdots (n-k+1)}{k!} \frac{1}{n^k} + \cdots \\ &&&= 1 + 1 + \left (1 - \frac1n \right ) \frac1{2!} + \cdots + \left (1 - \frac1n \right)\cdot\left (1 - \frac2n \right) \cdots \left (1 - \frac{k-1}n \right) \frac{1}{k!} + \cdots \\ &&&< 1 + 1 + \frac1{2!} + \cdots + \frac1{k!} \\ &&&< 4 \\ \Rightarrow && \mu &> Q_1 \end{align*}

2019 Paper 3 Q1
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

The coordinates of a particle at time \(t\) are \(x\) and \(y\). For \(t \geq 0\), they satisfy the pair of coupled differential equations \[ \begin{cases} \dot{x} &= -x -ky \\ \dot{y} &= x - y \end{cases}\] where \(k\) is a constant. When \(t = 0\), \(x = 1\) and \(y = 0\).

  1. Let \(k = 1\). Find \(x\) and \(y\) in terms of \(t\) and sketch \(y\) as a function of \(t\). Sketch the path of the particle in the \(x\)-\(y\) plane, giving the coordinates of the point at which \(y\) is greatest and the coordinates of the point at which \(x\) is least.
  2. Instead, let \(k = 0\). Find \(x\) and \(y\) in terms of \(t\) and sketch the path of the particle in the \(x\)-\(y\) plane.


Solution:

  1. Let \(k = 1\), then \begin{align*} \dot{x} &= - x - y \\ \dot{y} &= x - y \\ \dot{x}-\dot{y} &= -2x \\ \ddot{x} &= -\dot{x}-\dot{y} \\ &= -\dot{x} - (\dot{x}+2x) \\ &= -2\dot{x}- 2x \\ \dot{x}+\dot{y} &= -2y \\ \ddot{y} &= \dot{x}-\dot{y} \\ &= -2y-2\dot{y} \end{align*} So we have an auxiliary equation for \(x\) and \(y\) which is \(\lambda^2 + 2 \lambda+2 = 0 \Rightarrow \lambda = -1 \pm i\). Therefore \(x = Ae^{-t} \cos t + B e^{-t} \sin t, y = Ce^{-t}\cos t + De^{-t} \sin t\). We also must have that, \(A = 1, C = 0\), so \(x = e^{-t} \cos t + Be^{-t} \sin t\) and \(y = De^{-t} \sin x\). \begin{align*} \dot{y} &= -De^{-t} \sin t +De^{-t} \cos t \\ &= e^{-t} \cos x + Be^{-t} \sin t- De^{-t} \sin t \\ \end{align*} therefore \(B = 0, D = 1\) and \(x = e^{-t} \cos t, y = e^{-t} \sin t\)
    TikZ diagram
    \begin{align*} y &= e^{-t} \sin t \\ \dot{y} &= -e^{-t} \sin t + e^{-t} \cos t \\ \dot{x} &= e^{-t} \cos t -e^{-t} \sin t \end{align*}
    TikZ diagram
  2. \begin{align*} \dot{x} = -x \\ \dot{y} = x-y \end{align*} So \(x = e^{-t}\). \(\dot{y} + y = e^{-t}\) so \(y = (t+B)e^{-t}\) and so \(y =te^{-t}\).
    TikZ diagram

2019 Paper 3 Q2
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

The definition of the derivative \(f'\) of a (differentiable) function f is $$f'(x) = \lim_{h\to 0} \frac{f(x + h) - f(x)}{h}. \quad (*)$$

  1. The function f has derivative \(f'\) and satisfies $$f(x + y) = f(x)f(y)$$ for all \(x\) and \(y\), and \(f'(0) = k\) where \(k \neq 0\). Show that \(f(0) = 1\). Using \((*)\), show that \(f'(x) = kf(x)\) and find \(f(x)\) in terms of \(x\) and \(k\).
  2. The function g has derivative \(g'\) and satisfies $$g(x + y) = \frac{g(x) + g(y)}{1 + g(x)g(y)}$$ for all \(x\) and \(y\), \(|g(x)| < 1\) for all \(x\), and \(g'(0) = k\) where \(k \neq 0\). Find \(g'(x)\) in terms of \(g(x)\) and \(k\), and hence find \(g(x)\) in terms of \(x\) and \(k\).


Solution:

  1. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && f(0+x) &= f(0)f(x) \\ \Rightarrow && f(0) &= 0, 1\\ &&\text{since }f'(0) \neq 0 & \text{ there is some non-zero } f(x) \\ \Rightarrow && f(0) &= 1 \end{align*} \begin{align*} && f'(x) &= \lim_{h\to 0} \frac{f(x+h)-f(x)}{h} \\ &&&= \lim_{h\to 0} \frac{f(x)f(h)-f(x)}{h} \\ &&&= f(x) \cdot \lim_{h\to 0} \frac{f(h)-1}{h} \\ &&&= f(x) \cdot \lim_{h\to 0} \frac{f(0+h)-f(0)}{h} \\ &&&= f(x) \cdot f'(0) \\ &&&= kf(x) \end{align*} Since \(f'(x) = kf(x)\) we must have \(\frac{f'(x)}{f(x)} = k \Rightarrow \ln f(x) = kx + c \Rightarrow f(x) = Ae^{kx}\) but \(f(0) = 1\) so \(f(x) = e^{kx}\)
  2. Consider \begin{align*} && g(0+0) &= \frac{g(0)+g(0)}{1+(g(0))^2} \\ \Rightarrow && g(0)(1+(g(0))^2)&= 2g(0) \\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= g(0)\left (1- (g(0))^2 \right) \\ \Rightarrow && g(0) &= -1, 0, 1 \\ \Rightarrow && g(0) &= 0 \tag{\(|g(0)| < 1\)} \end{align*} \begin{align*} && g'(x) &=\lim_{h\to 0} \frac{g(x+h)-g(x)}{h} \\ &&&= \lim_{h\to 0} \frac{\frac{g(x)+g(h)}{1+g(x)g(h)}-g(x)}{h} \\ &&&= \lim_{h\to 0} \frac{g(x)+g(h)-g(x)(1+g(x)g(h))}{h(1+g(x)g(h))} \\ &&&= \lim_{h\to 0} \frac{g(h)-g(x)(g(x)g(h))}{h(1+g(x)g(h))} \\ &&&= (1-(g(x))^2) \cdot \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{1}{1+g(x)g(h)} \cdot \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{g(h)}{h} \\ &&&= (1-(g(x))^2) \cdot \frac{1}{1+g(x)\cdot 0} \cdot \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{g(h) - g(0)}{h} \\ &&&= (1-(g(x))^2) \cdot g'(0)\\ &&&= k (1-(g(x))^2) \\ \end{align*} Let \(y = g(x)\) so \begin{align*} && y' &= k(1-y^2) \\ \Rightarrow && kx &= \int \frac{1}{1-y^2} \d y \\ \Rightarrow &&&= \int \frac12\left ( \frac{1}{1-y} + \frac{1}{1+y} \right) \d y \\ &&&= \frac12\ln \left ( \frac{1+y}{1-y} \right) + C \\ x = 0, y = 0: && 0 &= \ln 1 + C \\ \Rightarrow && C &= 0 \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{1+y}{1-y} &= e^{2kx} \\ \Rightarrow && 1+y &= e^{2kx} - e^{2kx}y \\ \Rightarrow && y &= \frac{e^{2kx}-1}{e^{2kx}+1} \\ &&&= \tanh kx \end{align*}

2019 Paper 3 Q3
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

The matrix A is given by $$\mathbf{A} = \begin{pmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{pmatrix}.$$

  1. You are given that the transformation represented by A has a line \(L_1\) of invariant points (so that each point on \(L_1\) is transformed to itself). Let \((x, y)\) be a point on \(L_1\). Show that \(((a - 1)(d - 1) - bc)xy = 0\). Show further that \((a - 1)(d - 1) = bc\). What can be said about A if \(L_1\) does not pass through the origin?
  2. By considering the cases \(b \neq 0\) and \(b = 0\) separately, show that if \((a - 1)(d - 1) = bc\) then the transformation represented by A has a line of invariant points. You should identify the line in the different cases that arise.
  3. You are given instead that the transformation represented by A has an invariant line \(L_2\) (so that each point on \(L_2\) is transformed to a point on \(L_2\)) and that \(L_2\) does not pass through the origin. If \(L_2\) has the form \(y = mx + k\), show that \((a - 1)(d - 1) = bc\).


Solution:

  1. Suppose \((x,y)\) is on the line of invariant points, then \begin{align*} &&\begin{pmatrix} x \\ y \end{pmatrix} &= \begin{pmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{pmatrix} \begin{pmatrix} x \\ y \end{pmatrix} \\ &&&= \begin{pmatrix} ax + by \\ cx + dy \end{pmatrix} \\ \Rightarrow && \begin{cases} (a-1)x + by = 0 \\ (cx + (d-1)y = 0 \end{cases} \tag{*} \end{align*} Therefore either \(x = 0, y = 0\) or \((a-1)(d-1)-bc = 0\) \(\Rightarrow ((a-1)(d-1)-bc)xy = 0\). We also know this is true for all values \(x,y\) on the line of invariant points. If there is one where both \(x \neq 0, y \neq 0\) we are done, otherwise the line of invariant points must be one of the axes. ie but then one of \(\begin{pmatrix} a \\ c \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 0 \end{pmatrix}\) or \(\begin{pmatrix} b \\ d \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} 0 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}\) is true and we'd also be done. If the line doesn't go through the origin then there are points on every line, not equal to the origin which are fixed. But then every point on those lines is fixed (since \(\mathbf{A}\) is a linear operator) and so every point is fixed. ie \(\mathbf{A} = \mathbf{I}\).
  2. Suppose \((a-1)(d-1) -bc = 0\) and \(b \neq 0\) then I claim that \(y = \frac{1-a}{b}x\) is a line of invariant points. It's clear that the first equation will be satisfied in \((*)\) so it suffices to check the second, but the first condition is equivalent to the equations being linearly dependent, ie both equations are satisfied. If \(b = 0\) then \((a-1)(d-1) = 0\), so our matrix must look like \(\begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 \\ c & d\end{pmatrix}\) (if \(d \neq 1\))or \(\begin{pmatrix} * & 0 \\ * & 1\end{pmatrix}\). In the first case, the line \(y = \frac{c}{1-d}x\) and in the second \(x = 0\) is an invariant line.
  3. Suppose the invariant line is \(y = mx+k\) then we must have that \begin{align*} \begin{pmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{pmatrix} \begin{pmatrix} x \\ mx + k \end{pmatrix} &= \begin{pmatrix} (a + mb)x + bk \\ (c+dm)x + dk \end{pmatrix} \end{align*} and \((c+dm)x + dk = m((a + mb)x + bk) +k \Rightarrow k(d-mb-1) = x(-c+(a-d)m+m^2b)\) Since this equation must be true for all values of \(x\), and \(k \neq 0\) we can say that \(mb = d-1\) and \(-c+(a-d)m+m^2b = 0\), ie \(-c + (a-d)m + m(d-1) = 0 \Rightarrow (a-1)m-c = 0\) if \(m \neq 0\) then \((a-1)\frac{(d-1)}{b} - c = 0\) ie our desired relation is true. If \(m = 0\) then we must have that \(y = k\) is an invariant line, ie \(d-1=0\) and \(c=0\) which also satisfies our relation.