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1990 Paper 1 Q4
D: 1516.0 B: 1500.0

The sequence \(a_{1},a_{2},\ldots,a_{n},\ldots\) forms an arithmetic progression. Establish a formula, involving \(n,\) \(a_{1}\) and \(a_{2}\) for the sum \(a_{1}+a_{2}+\cdots+a_{n}\) of the first \(n\) terms. A sequence \(b_{1},b_{2},\ldots,b_{n},\ldots\) is called a double arithmetic progression if the sequence of differences \[ b_{2}-b_{1},b_{3}-b_{2},\ldots,b_{n+1}-b_{n},\ldots \] is an arithmetic progression. Establish a formula, involving \(n,b_{1},b_{2}\) and \(b_{3}\), for the sum \(b_{1}+b_{2}+b_{3}+\cdots+b_{n}\) of the first \(n\) terms of such a progression. A sequence \(c_{1},c_{2},\ldots,c_{n},\ldots\) is called a factorial progression if \(c_{n+1}-c_{n}=n!d\) for some non-zero \(d\) and every \(n\geqslant1\). Suppose \(1,b_{2},b_{3},\ldots\) is a double arithmetic progression, and also that \(b_{2},b_{4},b_{6}\) and \(220\) are the first four terms in a factorial progression. Find the sum \(1+b_{2}+b_{3}+\cdots+b_{n}.\)


Solution: Since the common difference is \(a_2 - a_1\) we can find that \(a_n = a_1 + (n-1)(a_2-a_1)\), then \begin{align*} && a_1 &&+&& a_2 &&+&& \cdots &&+&& (a_1 + (n-2)(a_2 - a_1) && + && (a_1 + (n-1) (a_2 - a_1)) \\ + && (a_1 + (n-1) (a_2 - a_1))&&+&& (a_1 + (n-2)(a_2 - a_1)&&+&& \cdots &&+&& a_2 && + && a_1 \\ \hline \\ = && 2a_1 + (n-1)(a_2 - a_1) && + && 2a_1 + (n-1)(a_2 - a_1) && + && \cdots && + 2a_1 + (n-1)(a_2 - a_1) && + 2a_1 + (n-1)(a_2 - a_1) \\ = && n(2a_1 + (n-1) (a_2 - a_1)) \end{align*} Therefore the sum is \(a_1 n + \frac{n(n-1)}{2} (a_2 - a_1)\). Since \(b_n - b_1 = (b_n - b_{n-1}) + (b_{n-1} - b_{n-2}) + \cdots (b_2 - b_1)\), \(b_n - b_1 = a_1 (n-1) + \frac{(n-1)(n-2)}{2}(a_2 - a_1) = (b_2-b_1)(n-1) + \frac{(n-1)(n-2)}{2}(b_3 -2b_2 +b_1)\). So \(b_n = b_1 + (b_2 - b_1)(n-1) + \frac{(n-1)(n-2)}{2} (b_3 - 2b_2 + b_1)\). In particular \begin{align*} \sum_{i=1}^n b_i &= \sum_{i=1}^n \l b_1 + (b_2 - b_1)(n-1) + \frac{(n-1)(n-2)}{2} (b_3 - 2b_2 + b_1)\r \\ &= nb_1 + (b_2-b_1) \frac{n(n-1)}{2} + \frac{n(n-1)(n-2)}{6}(b_3-2b_2+b_1) \end{align*} Let \(b_2 - b_1 = x\) and \(b_3 - 2b_2+b_1 = y\), then \begin{align*} b_4 - b_2 &= d &= &2x + 3y \\ b_6-b_4 &= 2d &=& 2x +(10-3)y \\ &&=&2x + 7y \\ 220-b_6&=6d &=& 220-(1 + 5x + 10y) \\ \end{align*} \begin{align*} && 4x + 6y &= 2x + 7y \\ && 6x+21y &= 219-5x-10y \\ \Rightarrow && 2x - y &= 0 \\ && 11x + 31y &= 219 \\ \Rightarrow && x &= 3 \\ && y &= 6 \end{align*} Therefore the final sum is \begin{align*} n + 3 \frac{n(n-1)}{2} + 6 \frac{n(n-1)(n-2)}{6} &= n^3-\frac32n^2+\frac32n \end{align*}

1990 Paper 2 Q4
D: 1600.0 B: 1516.0

A plane contains \(n\) distinct given lines, no two of which are parallel, and no three of which intersect at a point. By first considering the cases \(n=1,2,3\) and \(4\), provide and justify, by induction or otherwise, a formula for the number of line segments (including the infinite segments). Prove also that the plane is divided into \(\frac{1}{2}(n^{2}+n+2)\) regions (including those extending to infinity).


Solution: With \(n=1\) line, the plane is divided in half. With \(n=2\) lines the plane is divided into four pieces. (Each of the previous pieces are split in half) With \(n=3\) lines the plane is divided into up to \(7\) pieces. (The new line crosses two lines in two places dividing \(3\) regions into \(2\), thus increasing the number of regions by \(3\)). With \(n=4\) lines the plane is divided into \(11\) pieces. (The new line crosses three lines in three places doubling the number of regions of \(4\) places). Claim: With \(n\) lines the plane is divided into \(\frac12(n^2+n+2)\) regions. Proof: (By induction) (Base case) When \(n=1\) clearly the line is divided into \(2\) regions, and \(\frac12 (1^2 + 1^2 + 2) = 2\) so the base case is true. (Inductive step) Suppose our formula is true for \(n=k\), so we have placed \(k\) lines in general position and divided the plane into \(\frac12(k^2+k+2)\) regions. When we place a new line it will meet those \(k\) lines in \(k\) places (since no lines are parallel) and there will be k+1 regions the line will run through (since no three lines meet at a point). Each of those \(k+1\) regios is now split in half, so there are \(k+1\) "new regions". Therefore there are now \(\frac12(k^2+k+2)+(k+1) = \frac12(k^2+k+1+2k+2) = \frac12 ((k+1)^2+(k+1)+1)\) regions, ie our hypothesis is true for \(n=k+1\). (Conclusion) Therefore since our statement is true for \(n=1\) and since if it is true for some \(n=k\) it is true for \(n=k+1\) by the principle of mathematical induction it is true for all \(n \geq 1\) Proof: (Alternative). There are \(\binom{n}{2}\) places where the lines meet. Each intersection is the most extreme point (say lowest) for one region (if two are tied, rotate by a very small amount) so this is a unique mapping. There will be \(n+1\) regions which are infinite and don't have a most extreme point, hence \(\binom{n}{2} + n+1 = \frac12(n^2-n)+n+1 = \frac12(n^2+n+2)\)

1990 Paper 3 Q4
D: 1700.0 B: 1516.0

Given that \(\sin\beta\neq0,\) sum the series \[ \cos\alpha+\cos(\alpha+2\beta)+\cdots+\cos(\alpha+2r\beta)+\cdots+\cos(\alpha+2n\beta) \] and \[ \cos\alpha+\binom{n}{1}\cos(\alpha+2\beta)+\cdots+\binom{n}{r}\cos(\alpha+2r\beta)+\cdots+\cos(\alpha+2n\beta). \] Given that \(\sin\theta\neq0,\) prove that \[ 1+\cos\theta\sec\theta+\cos2\theta\sec^{2}\theta+\cdots+\cos r\theta\sec^{r}\theta+\cdots+\cos n\theta\sec^{n}\theta=\frac{\sin(n+1)\theta\sec^{n}\theta}{\sin\theta}. \]


Solution: \begin{align*} \sum_{r = 0}^n \cos (\alpha + 2r \beta) &= \sum_{r = 0}^n \textrm{Re} \left ( \exp(i(\alpha + 2r \beta)) \right) \\ &= \textrm{Re} \left (\sum_{r = 0}^n \exp(i(\alpha + 2r \beta)) \right) \\ &= \textrm{Re} \left (e^{i \alpha} \sum_{r = 0}^n \ (e^{i 2 \beta})^r\right) \\ &= \textrm{Re} \left (e^{i \alpha} \frac{e^{2(n+1)\beta i}-1}{e^{2\beta i}-1} \right) \\ &= \textrm{Re} \left (e^{i \alpha} \frac{e^{(n+1)\beta i} (e^{(n+1)\beta i}-e^{-(n+1)\beta i})}{e^{\beta i}(e^{\beta i}-e^{-\beta i})} \right) \\ &= \textrm{Re} \left (\frac{e^{i \alpha} e^{(n+1)\beta i}}{e^{\beta i}} \frac{\sin (n+1) \beta}{\sin \beta} \right) \\ &= \textrm{Re} \left ( e^{i(\alpha + n \beta)}\frac{\sin (n+1) \beta}{\sin \beta} \right) \\ &= \frac{\cos (\alpha + n \beta)\sin (n+1) \beta}{\sin \beta} \end{align*} \begin{align*} \sum_{r = 0}^n \binom{n}{r} \cos (\alpha + 2r \beta) &= \sum_{r = 0}^n \textrm{Re} \left ( \binom{n}{r}\exp(i(\alpha + 2r \beta)) \right) \\ &= \textrm{Re} \left (\sum_{r = 0}^n \binom{n}{r} \exp(i(\alpha + 2r \beta)) \right) \\ &= \textrm{Re} \left (e^{i \alpha}(e^{2\beta i}+1)^n \right) \\ &= \textrm{Re} \left (e^{i \alpha}e^{n\beta i}(e^{\beta i}+e^{-\beta i})^n \right) \\ &= \textrm{Re} \left (e^{i \alpha}e^{n\beta i}2^n \cos^n \beta \right) \\ &= 2^n \cos(\alpha + n \beta) \cos ^n \beta \end{align*} \begin{align*} \sum_{r = 0}^n \cos r \theta \sec^r \theta &= \sum_{r = 0}^n \textrm{Re} ( e^{i r \theta})\sec^r \theta \\ &= \textrm{Re} \left ( \sum_{r=0}^n e^{i r \theta} \sec^r \theta\right) \\ &= \textrm{Re} \left ( \frac{e^{i (n+1) \theta}\sec^{n+1} \theta -1}{e^{i \theta}\sec \theta -1} \right) \\ &= \textrm{Re} \left ( \frac{e^{i (n+1) \theta}\sec^{n} \theta -\cos \theta}{e^{i \theta} -\cos \theta} \right) \\ &= \textrm{Re} \left ( \frac{e^{i (n+1) \theta}\sec^{n} \theta -\cos \theta}{i \sin \theta} \right) \\ &= \frac{1}{\sin \theta} \textrm{Im} \left ( e^{i (n+1) \theta}\sec^{n} \theta -\cos \theta \right) \\ &= \frac{\sin(n+1) \theta \sec^{n} \theta}{\sin \theta} \end{align*}

1990 Paper 3 Q15
D: 1700.0 B: 1482.6

An unbiased twelve-sided die has its faces marked \(A,A,A,B,B,B,B,B,B,B,B,B.\) In a series of throws of the die the first \(M\) throws show \(A,\) the next \(N\) throws show \(B\) and the \((M+N+1)\)th throw shows \(A\). Write down the probability that \(M=m\) and \(N=n\), where \(m\geqslant0\) and \(n\geqslant1.\) Find

  1. the marginal distributions of \(M\) and \(N\),
  2. the mean values of \(M\) and \(N\).
Investigate whether \(M\) and \(N\) are independent. Find the probability that \(N\) is greater than a given integer \(k\), where \(k\geqslant1,\) and find \(\mathrm{P}(N > M).\) Find also \(\mathrm{P}(N=M)\) and show that \(\mathrm{P}(N < M)=\frac{1}{52}.\)


Solution: \begin{align*} \mathbb{P}(M = m, N = n) &= \left ( \frac{3}{12} \right)^m \left ( \frac{9}{12} \right)^n \frac{3}{12} \\ &= \frac{3^n}{4^{m+n+1}} \end{align*}

  1. \begin{align*} \mathbb{P}(M = m) &= \sum_{n = 1}^{\infty} \mathbb{P}(M=m,N=n) \\ &= \sum_{n = 1}^{\infty} \frac{3^n}{4^{m+n+1}} \\ &= \frac{1}{4^{m+1}} \sum_{n = 1}^{\infty} \left ( \frac34\right)^n \\ &= \frac{1}{4^{m+1}} \frac{3/4}{1/4} \\ &= \frac{3}{4^{m+1}} \\ \\ \mathbb{P}(N = n) &= \sum_{m = 0}^{\infty} \mathbb{P}(M=m,N=n) \\ &= \sum_{m = 0}^{\infty} \frac{3^n}{4^{m+n+1}} \\ &= \frac{3^n}{4^{n+1}} \sum_{m = 0}^{\infty} \left ( \frac14\right)^n \\ &= \frac{3^n}{4^{n+1}} \frac{1}{3/4} \\ &= \frac{3^{n-1}}{4^{n}} \\ \end{align*}
  2. \(M+1 \sim Geo(\frac34) \Rightarrow \mathbb{E}(M) = \frac43 -1 = \frac13\) \(N \sim Geo(\frac14) \Rightarrow \mathbb{E}(N) = 4\)
\(M,N\) are independent since \(\mathbb{P}(M = m, N =n ) = \mathbb{P}(M=m)\mathbb{P}(N=n)\) \begin{align*} \mathbb{P}(N > k) &= \sum_{n=k+1}^{\infty} \mathbb{P}(N = n) \\ &= \sum_{n=k+1}^{\infty} \frac{3^{n-1}}{4^{n}} \\ &= \frac{3^k}{4^{k+1}} \sum_{n = 0}^{\infty} \left ( \frac34\right)^n \\ &= \frac{3^k}{4^{k+1}} \frac{1}{1/4} \\ &= \frac{3^k}{4^k} \end{align*} \begin{align*} \mathbb{P}(N > M) &= \sum_{m=0}^{\infty} \mathbb{P}(N > m) \mathbb{P}(M = m) \\ &= \sum_{m=0}^{\infty} \left (\frac34 \right)^m \frac{3}{4^{m+1}}\\ &=\sum_{m=0}^{\infty} \frac{3^{m+1}}{4^{2m+1}}\\ &= \frac{3}{4} \frac{1}{13/16} \\ &= \frac{12}{13} \\ \\ \mathbb{P}(N=M) &= \sum_{m=1}^{\infty} \mathbb{P}(N=m, M=m) \\ &= \sum_{m=1}^{\infty} \frac{3^m}{4^{2m+1}} \\ &= \frac{3}{64} \sum_{m=0}^{\infty} \left ( \frac{3}{16} \right)^m \\ &= \frac{3}{64} \frac{1}{13/16} \\ &= \frac{3}{52}\\ \\ \mathbb{P}(N < M) &= 1 - \frac34 - \frac3{52} \\ &= 1 - \frac{48}{52} - \frac{3}{52} \\ &= 1 - \frac{51}{52} \\ &= \frac{1}{52} \end{align*}

1989 Paper 1 Q5
D: 1500.0 B: 1516.0

Write down the binomial expansion of \((1+x)^{n}\), where \(n\) is a positive integer.

  1. By substituting particular values of \(x\) in the above expression, or otherwise, show that, if \(n\) is an even positive integer, \[ \binom{n}{0}+\binom{n}{2}+\binom{n}{4}+\cdots+\binom{n}{n}=\binom{n}{1}+\binom{n}{3}+\binom{n}{5}+\cdots+\binom{n}{n-1}=2^{n-1}. \]
  2. Show that, if \(n\) is any positive integer, then \[ \binom{n}{1}+2\binom{n}{2}+3\binom{n}{3}+\cdots+n\binom{n}{n}=n2^{n-1}. \]
Hence evaluate \[ \sum_{r=0}^{n}\left(r+(-1)^{r}\right)\binom{n}{r}\,. \]


Solution: \[ (1+x)^n = \sum_{k=0}^n \binom{n}{k} x^k \]

  1. \begin{align*} (1+1)^n &= \sum_{k=0}^n \binom{n}{k} \\ (1-1)^n &= \sum_{k=0}^n (-1)^n\binom{n}{k} \\ &= \sum_{\text{even }k, 0 \leq k \leq n} \binom{n}{k} -\sum_{\text{odd }k, 0 \leq k \leq n} \binom{n}{k} \end{align*} Therefore \(\displaystyle \sum_{\text{even }k, 0 \leq k \leq n} \binom{n}{k} = \sum_{\text{odd }k, 0 \leq k \leq n} \binom{n}{k} = \frac{2^n}{2} = 2^{n-1}\)
  2. \begin{align*} && (1+x)^n &= \sum_{k=0}^n \binom{n}{k}x^k \\ \frac{\d}{\d x}: && n(1+x)^{n-1} &= \sum_{k=0}^n k\binom{n}{k} x^{k-1} \\ x = 1: && n2^{n-1} &= \sum_{k=1}^n k\binom{n}{k} \end{align*} as required
\begin{align*} \sum_{r=0}^n (r + (-1)^r) \binom{n}{r} &= n2^{n-1}+0 = n2^{n-1} \end{align*}

1989 Paper 3 Q10
D: 1700.0 B: 1516.0

  1. Prove that \[ \sum_{r=1}^{n}r(r+1)(r+2)(r+3)(r+4)=\tfrac{1}{6}n(n+1)(n+2)(n+3)(n+4)(n+5) \] and deduce that \[ \sum_{r=1}^{n}r^{5}<\tfrac{1}{6}n(n+1)(n+2)(n+3)(n+4)(n+5). \]
  2. Prove that, if \(n>1,\) \[ \sum_{r=0}^{n-1}r^{5}>\tfrac{1}{6}(n-5)(n-4)(n-3)(n-2)(n-1)n. \]
  3. Let \(\mathrm{f}\) be an increasing function. If the limits \[ \lim_{n\rightarrow\infty}\sum_{r=0}^{n-1}\frac{a}{n}\mathrm{f}\left(\frac{ra}{n}\right)\qquad\mbox{ and }\qquad\lim_{n\rightarrow\infty}\sum_{r=1}^{n}\frac{a}{n}\mathrm{f}\left(\frac{ra}{n}\right) \] both exist and are equal, the definite integral \({\displaystyle \int_{0}^{a}\mathrm{f}(x)\,\mathrm{d}x}\) is defined to be their common value. Using this definition, prove that \[ \int_{0}^{a}x^{5}\,\mathrm{d}x=\tfrac{1}{6}a^6. \]


Solution:

  1. Claim: \[ \sum_{r=1}^{n}r(r+1)(r+2)(r+3)(r+4)=\tfrac{1}{6}n(n+1)(n+2)(n+3)(n+4)(n+5) \] Proof: (By Induction) Base case: (n=1) \begin{align*} LHS &= 1 \cdot 2 \cdot 3 \cdot 4 \cdot 5 = 5! \\ RHS &= \frac16 1 \cdot 2 \cdot 3 \cdot 4 \cdot 5 \cdot 6 = 5! \end{align*} Therefore the base case is true. Inductive step: Suppose our statement is true for some \(n=k\), then consider \(n = k+1\) \begin{align*} \sum_{r=1}^{k+1} r(r+1)(r+2)(r+3)(r+4) &= \sum_{r=1}^{k} r(r+1)(r+2)(r+3)(r+4) + (k+1)(k+2)(k+3)(k+4)(k+5) \\ &\underbrace{=}_{\text{assumption}} \frac16 k(k+1)(k+2)(k+3)(k+4)(k+5) + (k+1)(k+2)(k+3)(k+4)(k+5) \\ &= (k+1)(k+2)(k+3)(k+4)(k+5) \l \frac{k}{6} +1\r \\ &= \frac16 (k+1)(k+2)(k+3)(k+4)(k+5)(k+6) \end{align*} Therefore our statement is true for \(n = k+1\). Therefore since our statement is true for \(n=1\) and if it is true for \(n=k\) then it is true for \(n = k+1\) by the principle of mathematical induction it is true for all \(n \geq 1\) Since \begin{align*} \sum_{r=1}^{n}r^5 &< \sum_{r=1}^{n}r(r+1)(r+2)(r+3)(r+4) \\ &= \frac16 n(n+1)(n+2)(n+3)(n+4)(n+5) \end{align*}
  2. \begin{align*}\sum_{r=0}^{n-1} r^5 &> \sum_{r=0}^{n-1} (r-4)(r-3)(r-2)(r-1)r \\ &= \sum_{r=0}^{n-5} r(r+1)(r+2)(r+3)(r+4) \\ &= \frac16 (n-5)(n-4)(n-3)(n-2)(n-1)n \end{align*}
  3. Let \(f(x) = x^5\) \begin{align*} S_{1,n} &= \sum_{r=0}^{n-1}\frac{a}{n}f\left(\frac{ra}{n}\right) \\ &= \sum_{r=0}^{n-1}\frac{a}{n}\left(\frac{ra}{n}\right)^5 \\ &=\frac{a^6}{n^6} \sum_{r=0}^{n-1}r^5\\ \end{align*} Therefore \(\frac{a^6}6 \frac{(n-5)(n-4)(n-3)(n-2)(n-1)n}{n^6} < S_{1,n} < \frac{a^6}6 \frac{(n-1)n(n+1)(n+2)(n+3)(n+4)}{n^6}\) and so \(\lim_{n\to\infty} S_{1,n} = \frac{a^6}{6}\). Similarly, \begin{align*} S_{2,n} &= \sum_{r=1}^{n}\frac{a}{n}f\left(\frac{ra}{n}\right) \\ &= \sum_{r=1}^{n}\frac{a}{n}\left(\frac{ra}{n}\right)^5 \\ &= \frac{a^6}{n^6} \sum_{r=1}^{n} r^5 \end{align*} Therefore \(\frac{a^6}6 \frac{(n-4)(n-3)(n-2)(n-1)n(n+1)}{n^6} < S_{2,n} < \frac{a^6}6 \frac{n(n+1)(n+2)(n+3)(n+4)(n+5)}{n^6}\) and so \(\lim_{n\to\infty} S_{2,n} = \frac{a^6}{6}\). Since both limits exist are are equal, we have \[ \int_{0}^{a}x^{5}\,\mathrm{d}x=\tfrac{1}{6}a^6. \]

1988 Paper 2 Q15
D: 1600.0 B: 1516.0

An examination consists of several papers, which are marked independently. The mark given for each paper can be an integer from \(0\) to \(m\) inclusive, and the total mark for the examination is the sum of the marks on the individual papers. In order to make the examination completely fair, the examiners decide to allocate the mark for each paper at random, so that the probability that any given candidate will be allocated \(k\) marks \((0\leqslant k\leqslant m)\) for a given paper is \((m+1)^{-1}\). If there are just two papers, show that the probability that a given candidate will receive a total of \(n\) marks is \[ \frac{2m-n+1}{\left(m+1\right)^{2}} \] for \(m< n\leqslant2m\), and find the corresponding result for \(0\leqslant n\leqslant m\). If the examination consists of three papers, show that the probability that a given candidate will receive a total of \(n\) marks is \[ \frac{6mn-4m^{2}-2n^{2}+3m+2}{2\left(m+1\right)^{2}} \] in the case \(m< n\leqslant2m\). Find the corresponding result for \(0\leqslant n\leqslant m\), and deduce the result for \(2m< n\leqslant3m\).


Solution: In order to receive \(n\) marks over the two papers, where \(m < n \leq 2m\) the student must receive \(k\) and \(n-k\) marks in each paper. Since \(n > m\), \(n-k\) is a valid mark when \(n-k \leq m\) ie when \(n-m\leq k\), therefore the probability is: \begin{align*} \sum_{k = n-m}^m \mathbb{P}(\text{scores }k\text{ and }n-k) &= \sum_{k=n-m}^m \frac{1}{(m+1)^2} \\ &= \frac{m-(n-m-1)}{(m+1)^2} \\ &= \frac{2m-n+1}{(m+1)^2} \end{align*} If \(0 \leq n \leq m\) then we need \(n-k\) marks in the second paper to be positive, ie \(n-k \geq 0 \Rightarrow n \geq k\), so \begin{align*} \sum_{k = 0}^n \mathbb{P}(\text{scores }k\text{ and }n-k) &= \sum_{k = 0}^n \frac{1}{(m+1)^2} \\ &= \frac{n+1}{(m+1)^2} \end{align*} On the first paper, they can score any number of marks, since \(n > m\), so we must have: \begin{align*} \sum_{k=0}^m \mathbb{P}(\text{scores }k\text{ and }n-k) &= \frac{1}{m+1} \sum_{k=0}^m \mathbb{P}(\text{scores }n-k\text{ on second papers}) \\ &= \frac{1}{m+1}\l \sum_{k=0}^{n-m} \frac{2m-(n-k)+1}{(m+1)^2} +\sum_{k=n-m+1}^m \frac{n-k+1}{(m+1)^2}\r \end{align*}

1987 Paper 1 Q4
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

Show that the sum of the infinite series \[ \log_{2}\mathrm{e}-\log_{4}\mathrm{e}+\log_{16}\mathrm{e}-\ldots+(-1)^{n}\log_{2^{2^{n}}}\mathrm{e}+\ldots \] is \[ \frac{1}{\ln(2\sqrt{2})}. \] {[}\(\log_{a}b=c\) is equivalent to \(a^{c}=b\).{]}


Solution: Let \(S = \log_{2}\mathrm{e}-\log_{4}\mathrm{e}+\log_{16}\mathrm{e}-\ldots+(-1)^{n}\log_{2^{2^{n}}}\mathrm{e}+\ldots\) then \begin{align*} S &= \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} (-1)^n \log_{2^{2^n}} e \\ &= \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} (-1)^n \frac{\log e}{\log {2^{2^n}}} \\ &= \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} (-1)^n \frac{\log e}{2^n\log {2}} \\ &= \frac{\log e}{\log 2} \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^n}{2^n} \\ &= \frac{1}{\log_e 2} \frac{1}{1+\frac12} \\ &= \frac{1}{\ln (2^{3/2})} \\ &= \frac{1}{\ln (2 \sqrt{2})} \end{align*}

1987 Paper 1 Q7
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

Sum each of the series \[ \sin\left(\frac{2\pi}{23}\right)+\sin\left(\frac{6\pi}{23}\right)+\sin\left(\frac{10\pi}{23}\right)+\cdots+\sin\left(\frac{38\pi}{23}\right)+\sin\left(\frac{42\pi}{23}\right) \] and \[ \sin\left(\frac{2\pi}{23}\right)-\sin\left(\frac{6\pi}{23}\right)+\sin\left(\frac{10\pi}{23}\right)-\cdots-\sin\left(\frac{38\pi}{23}\right)+\sin\left(\frac{42\pi}{23}\right), \] giving each answer in terms of the tangent of a single angle. {[}No credit will be given for a numerical answer obtained purely by use of a calculator.{]}


Solution: \(\sin x = \frac{e^{ix} - e^{-ix}}{2i}\). Also let \(z = e^{ \frac{2\pi i}{23}}\) \begin{align*} \sum_{k=0}^{10} \sin \l \frac{(4k +2)\pi}{23} \r &= \sum_{k=0}^{10} \textrm{Im} \l \exp\l \frac{(4k +2)\pi i}{23} \r \r \\ &= \textrm{Im} \l \sum_{k=0}^{10} \exp\l \frac{(4k +2)\pi i}{23} \r \r \\ &= \textrm{Im} \l e^{ \frac{2\pi i}{23}} \sum_{k=0}^{10} z^{2k} \r \\ &= \textrm{Im} \l z \l \frac{z^{22}-1}{z^2-1} \r \r \\ &= \textrm{Im} \l z \l \frac{z^{11}(z^{11}-z^{-11})}{z(z-z^{-1})} \r \r \\ &= \textrm{Im} \l \frac{z^{11}2i \sin \frac{22 \pi}{23} }{2i \sin \frac{2 \pi}{23}} \r \r \\ &= \frac{\sin \frac{22 \pi}{23}}{\sin \frac{2 \pi}{23}} \textrm{Im} ( z^{11}) \\ &= \frac{\sin^2 \frac{22 \pi}{23}}{\sin \frac{2 \pi}{23}} \\ &= \frac{\sin^2 \frac{\pi}{23}}{2\sin \frac{\pi}{23}\cos \frac{\pi}{23}} \\ &= \frac12 \tan \frac{\pi}{23} \end{align*} Similarly, \begin{align*} \sum_{k=0}^{10} (-1)^k\sin \l \frac{(4k +2)\pi}{23} \r &= \sum_{k=0}^{10} \textrm{Im} \l (-1)^k\exp\l \frac{(4k +2)\pi i}{23} \r \r \\ &= \textrm{Im} \l \sum_{k=0}^{10} (-1)^k\exp\l \frac{(4k +2)\pi i}{23} \r \r \\ &= \textrm{Im} \l e^{ \frac{2\pi i}{23}} \sum_{k=0}^{10} (-1)^kz^{2k} \r \\ &= \textrm{Im} \l z \l \frac{z^{22}+1}{z^2+1} \r \r \\ &= \textrm{Im} \l z \l \frac{z^{11}(z^{11}+z^{-11})}{z(z+z^{-1})} \r \r \\ &= \textrm{Im} \l \frac{z^{11}2 \cos \frac{22 \pi}{23} }{2 \cos\frac{2 \pi}{23}} \r \r \\ &= \frac{\cos\frac{22 \pi}{23}}{\cos \frac{2 \pi}{23}} \textrm{Im} ( z^{11}) \\ &= \frac{\cos \frac{22 \pi}{23}\sin \frac{22 \pi}{23}}{\cos\frac{2 \pi}{23}} \\ &= \frac12 \frac{\sin \frac{44 \pi}{23}}{\cos\frac{2 \pi}{23}} \\ &= \frac12 \frac{-\sin \frac{2\pi}{23}}{\cos\frac{2 \pi}{23}} \\ &= -\frac12 \tan \frac{2\pi}{23} \end{align*}

1987 Paper 3 Q10
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

The Bernoulli polynomials \(P_{n}(x)\), where \(n\) is a non-negative integer, are defined by \(P_{0}(x)=1\) and, for \(n\geqslant1\), \[ \frac{\mathrm{d}P_{n}}{\mathrm{d}x}=nP_{n-1}(x),\qquad\int_{0}^{1}P_{n}(x)\,\mathrm{d}x=0 \] Show by induction or otherwise, that \[ P_{n}(x+1)-P_{n}(x)=nx^{n-1},\quad\mbox{ for }n\geqslant1. \] Deduce that \[ n\sum_{m=0}^{k}m^{n-1}=P_{n}(k+1)-P_{n}(0) \] Hence show that \({\displaystyle \sum_{m=0}^{1000}m^{3}=(500500)^{2}}\)


Solution: \(\displaystyle \int_x^{x+1} nP_{n-1}(x) \, dx = P_n(x+1) - P_n(x)\) Claim: \(P_{n}(x+1)-P_{n}(x)=nx^{n-1},\) for \(n \geq 1\) Proof: (By induction). (Base case, \(n=1\)). \(P_1(x) = x - \frac12\), \(P_1(x+1) - P_1(x) = 1 x^{0}\) as required. Assume the equation is true for \(n = k\). So \(P_k(x+1) - P_k(x) = kx^{k-1}\) now consider \begin{align*} P_{k+1}(x+1) - P_{k+1}(x) &= \int_0^{x+1} (k+1) P_k(t) \d t + P_{k+1}(0)- \int_0^{x} (k+1) P_k(t) \d t - P_{k+1}(0) \\ &= \int_0^x (k+1)(P_k(t+1)-P_k(t)) \d t + \int_0^1 (k+1)P_k(t) \d t \\ &= (k+1)x^{k} + 0 \end{align*} So by induction we are done. \begin{align*} n\sum_{m=0}^{k}m^{n-1} &= \sum_{m=0}^{k}n \cdot m^{n-1} \\ &= \sum_{m=0}^{k}\l P_n(m+1)-P_n(m) \r \\ &= P_n(k+1) - P_n(0) \end{align*} We need to find \(P_4\) \begin{align*} P_0(x) &= 1 \\ P_1(x) &= x - \frac12 \\ P_2(x) &= x^2 -x - \int_0^1 \l x^2 - x \r \d x \\ &= x^2 - x + \frac16 \\ P_3(x) &= x^3 -\frac{3}{2}x^2 + \frac12x - \int_0^1 \l x^3 -\frac{3}{2}x^2 + \frac12x \r \d x \\ &= x^3 -\frac{3}{2}x^2 + \frac12x \\ P_4(x) &= x^4 - 2x^3 + x^2 + c \end{align*} Therefore the sum we are interested in is \(\frac14 \l P_4(1001) - P_4(0) \r = \frac14 (1001)^2 (1001-1)^2 = (1001 \cdot 500)^2 = (500500)^2\)