The \(n\)th degree polynomial P\((x)\) is said to be reflexive if:
Solution:
Solution:
The point \(P\) in the Argand diagram is represented by the the complex number \(z\), which satisfies $$zz^* - az^* - a^*z + aa^* - r^2 = 0.$$ Here, \(r\) is a positive real number and \(r^2 \neq a^*a\). By writing \(|z - a|^2\) as \((z - a)(z - a)^*\), show that the locus of \(P\) is a circle, \(C\), the radius and the centre of which you should give.
Solution: \begin{align*} && |z-a|^2 &= (z-a)(z-a)^* \\ &&&= (z-a)(z^*-a^*) \\ &&&= zz^*-az^*-a^*z+aa^* \\ &&&= r^2 \end{align*} Therefore the locus of \(P\) is a circle centre \(a\) radius \(r\).
The Devil's Curve is given by $$y^2(y^2 - b^2) = x^2(x^2 - a^2),$$ where \(a\) and \(b\) are positive constants.
Solution:
A pyramid has a horizontal rectangular base \(ABCD\) and its vertex \(V\) is vertically above the centre of the base. The acute angle between the face \(AVB\) and the base is \(\alpha\), the acute angle between the face \(BVC\) and the base is \(\beta\) and the obtuse angle between the faces \(AVB\) and \(BVC\) is \(\pi - \theta\).
Solution:
In this question, \(\mathbf{i}\) and \(\mathbf{j}\) are perpendicular unit vectors and \(\mathbf{j}\) is vertically upwards. A smooth hemisphere of mass \(M\) and radius \(a\) rests on a smooth horizontal table with its plane face in contact with the table. The point \(A\) is at the top of the hemisphere and the point \(O\) is at the centre of its plane face. Initially, a particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) rests at \(A\). It is then given a small displacement in the positive \(\mathbf{i}\) direction. At a later time \(t\), when the particle is still in contact with the hemisphere, the hemisphere has been displaced by \(-s\mathbf{i}\) and \(\angle AOP = \theta\).
Solution:
Two identical smooth spheres \(P\) and \(Q\) can move on a smooth horizontal table. Initially, \(P\) moves with speed \(u\) and \(Q\) is at rest. Then \(P\) collides with \(Q\). The direction of travel of \(P\) before the collision makes an acute angle \(\alpha\) with the line joining the centres of \(P\) and \(Q\) at the moment of the collision. The coefficient of restitution between \(P\) and \(Q\) is \(e\) where \(e < 1\). As a result of the collision, \(P\) has speed \(v\) and \(Q\) has speed \(w\), and \(P\) is deflected through an angle \(\theta\).
Solution:
The number of customers arriving at a builders' merchants each day follows a Poisson distribution with mean \(\lambda\). Each customer is offered some free sand. The probability of any given customer taking the free sand is \(p\).
Solution:
The set \(S\) is the set of all integers from 1 to \(n\). The set \(T\) is the set of all distinct subsets of \(S\), including the empty set \(\emptyset\) and \(S\) itself. Show that \(T\) contains exactly \(2^n\) sets. The sets \(A_1, A_2, \ldots, A_m\), which are not necessarily distinct, are chosen randomly and independently from \(T\), and for each \(k\) \((1 \leq k \leq m)\), the set \(A_k\) is equally likely to be any of the sets in \(T\).
Solution: For every element in \(S\) we can choose whether or not it appears in a subset of \(S\), therefore there are \(2^n\) choices so \(2^n\) distinct subsets.
The line \(y=a^2 x\) and the curve \(y=x(b-x)^2\), where \(0 < a < b\,\), intersect at the origin \(O\) and at points \(P\) and \(Q \). The \(x\)-coordinate of \(P\) is less than the \(x\)-coordinate of \(Q\). Find the coordinates of \(P\) and \(Q\), and sketch the line and the curve on the same axes. Show that the equation of the tangent to the curve at \(P\) is \[ y = a(3a-2b)x + 2a(b-a)^2 . \] This tangent meets the \(y\)-axis at \(R\). The area of the region between the curve and the line segment \(OP\) is denoted by \(S\). Show that \[ S= \frac1{12}(b-a)^3(3a+b)\,. \] The area of triangle \(OPR\) is denoted by \(T\). Show that \(S>\frac{1}{3}T\,\).
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