1531 problems found
Use the substitution \(x = 2-\cos \theta \) to evaluate the integral $$ \int_{3/2}^2 \left(x - 1 \over 3 - x\right)^{\!\frac12}\! \d x. $$ Show that, for \(a < b\), $$ \int_p^q \left( x - a \over b - x\right)^{\!\frac12} \!\d x = \frac{(b-a)(\pi +3{\surd3} -6)}{12}, $$ where \(p= {(3a+b)/4}\) and \(q={(a+b)/2}\).
Given that \(\alpha = \e^{\mathrm{i} \pi/3}\) , prove that \(1 + \alpha^2 = \alpha\). A triangle in the Argand plane has vertices \(A\), \(B\), and \(C\) represented by the complex numbers \(p\), \(q\alpha^2\) and \(- r\alpha\) respectively, where \(p\), \(q\) and \(r\) are positive real numbers. Sketch the triangle~\(ABC\). Three equilateral triangles \(ABL\), \(BCM\) and \(CAN\) (each lettered clockwise) are erected on sides \(AB\), \(BC\) and \(CA\) respectively. Show that the complex number representing \(N\) is \mbox{\(( 1 - \alpha) p- \alpha^2 r\)} and find similar expressions for the complex numbers representing \(L\) and \(M\). Show that lines \(LC\), \(MA\) and \(NB\) all meet at the origin, and that these three line segments have the common length \(p+q+r\).
The function \(\f(x)\) is defined by $$ \f(x) = \frac{x( x - 2 )(x-a)}{ x^2 - 1}. $$ Prove algebraically that the line \(y = x + c\) intersects the curve \(y = \f ( x )\) if \(\vert a \vert \ge1\), but there are values of \(c\) for which there are no points of intersection if \(\vert a \vert <1\). Find the equation of the oblique asymptote of the curve \(y=\f(x)\). Sketch the graph in the two cases
Solution: \begin{align*} && x+ c &= f(x) \\ \Rightarrow && (x+c)(x^2-1) &= x(x-2)(x-a) \\ \Rightarrow && x^3 + cx^2-x-c &= x^3-(2+a)x^2+2ax \\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= (c+2+a)x^2-(1+2a)x-c \\ && 0 &\leq \Delta = (1+2a)^2 + 4(2+c+a)c \\ &&&= 4c^2+(4a+8)c + (1+2a)^2 \\ && \Delta_c &= 16(a+2)^2-16(1+2a)^2 \\ &&&= 16(1-a)(3a+3) \\ &&&= 48(1-a^2) \end{align*} Therefore if \(|a| \geq 1\) we must have \(\Delta_c \leq 0\) which means \(\Delta \geq 0\) and so there are always solutions. If \(|a| < 1\) there are values for \(c\) where \(\Delta < 0\) and there would be no solutions. \begin{align*} && y &= \frac{x^3-(2+a)x^2+2ax}{x^2-1} \\ &&&= \frac{(x^2-1)(x-(2+a))+(2a+1)x-(2+a)}{x^2-1} \\ &&&= x - (2+a) + \frac{(2a+1)x-(2+a)}{x^2-1} \end{align*} therefore the oblique asymptote has equation \(y = x - (2+a)\)
Given two non-zero vectors $\mathbf{a}=\begin{pmatrix}a_{1}\\ a_{2} \end{pmatrix}\( and \)\mathbf{b}=\begin{pmatrix}b_{1}\\ b_{2} \end{pmatrix}\( define \)\Delta\!\! \left( \bf a, \bf b \right)\( by \)\Delta\!\! \left( \bf a, \bf b \right) = a_1 b_2 - a_2 b_1$. Let \(A\), \(B\) and \(C\) be points with position vectors \(\bf a\), \(\bf b\) and \(\bf c\), respectively, no two of which are parallel. Let \(P\), \(Q\) and \(R\) be points with position vectors \(\bf p\), \(\bf q\) and \(\bf r\), respectively, none of which are parallel.
Solution:
Given that \[ x^4 + p x^2 + q x + r = ( x^2 - a x + b ) ( x^2 + a x + c ) , \] express \(p\), \(q\) and \(r\) in terms of \(a\), \(b\) and \(c\). Show also that \( a^2\) is a root of the cubic equation $$ u^3 + 2 p u^2 + ( p^2 - 4 r ) u - q^2 = 0 . $$ Explain why this equation always has a non-negative root, and verify that \(u = 9\) is a root in the case \(p = -1\), \(q = -6\), \(r = 15\) . Hence, or otherwise, express $$y^4 - 8 y^3 + 23 y^2 - 34 y + 39$$ as a product of two quadratic factors.
Solution: \begin{align*} && ( x^2 - a x + b ) ( x^2 + a x + c ) &= x^4 + (b+c-a^2)x^2 + a(b-c)x + bc \\ \Rightarrow && x^4 + p x^2 + q x + r &= x^4 + (b+c-a^2)x^2 + a(b-c)x + bc \\ \Rightarrow && p &= b+c-a^2 \tag{1}\\ && q &= a(b-c) \tag{2}\\ && r &= bc \tag{3} \end{align*} \begin{align*} (1): && p+a^2 &= b+ c \\ (2): && \frac{q}{a} &= b - c \\ \Rightarrow && b &= \frac12 (p+a^2 + \frac{q}{a}) \\ && c &= \frac12 (p+a^2 - \frac{q}{a}) \\ (3): && r &= \frac12 (p+a^2 + \frac{q}{a}) \frac12 (p+a^2 - \frac{q}{a}) \\ \Rightarrow && 4ra^2 &= (pa + a^3 + q)(pa+a^3-q) \\ &&&= (pa+a^3)^2 - q^2 \\ &&&= a^2(p+a^2)^2 -q^2 \\ &&&= a^2(p^2 + 2pa^2 + a^4) - q^2 \\ &&&= pa^2 + 2pa^4 + a^6 - q^2 \\ \end{align*} Therefore \(a^2\) is a root of \(u^3 + 2pu^2 + pu - q^2 = 4ru\), ie the given equation. When \(u = 0\), this equation is \(-q^2\), therefore the cubic is negative. But as \(u \to \infty\) the cubic tends to \(\infty\), therefore it must cross the \(x\)-axis and have a positive root. If \(p=-1, q = -6, r = 15\) then the cubic is: \(u^3 - 2u^2 + (1-60)u -36\) and so when \(u = 9\) we have \begin{align*} 9^3 - 2\cdot 9^2 -59 \cdot 9 -36 &= 9(9^2-2\cdot 9 - 29 -4) \\ &= 9(81 -18-59-4) \\ &= 0 \end{align*} so \(u = 9\) is a root Let \(y=z + 2\) \begin{align*} &&y^4 - 8 y^3 + 23 y^2 - 34 y + 39 &= (z+2)^4-8(z+2)^3 + 23(z+2)^2 - 34(z+2) + 39 \\ &&&= z^4+8z^3+24z^2+32z+16 - \\ &&&\quad -8z^3-48z^2-96z-64 \\ &&&\quad\quad +23z^2+92z+92 \\ &&&\quad\quad -34z-68 + 39 \\ &&&= z^4-z^2-6z+15 \end{align*} So conveniently this is \(p = -1, q = -6, r = 15\), so we know that \(a = 3\) is a sensible thing to true. \(b = \frac12(-1 + 9 + \frac{-6}{3}) = 3\) \(c = \frac12(-1+9-\frac{-6}{3}) = 5\) so \begin{align*} && z^4-z^2-6z+15 &= (z^2-3z+3)(z^2+3z+5) \\ &&y^4 - 8 y^3 + 23 y^2 - 34 y + 39 &= ((y-2)^2-3(y-2)+3)((y-2)^2+3(y-2)+5) \\ &&&= (y^2-4y+4-3y+6+3)(y^2-4y+4+3y-6+5) \\ &&&= (y^2-7y+13)(y^2-y+3) \end{align*}
Given that $$\e = 1 + {1 \over 1 !} + {1 \over 2 !} + {1 \over 3 !} + \cdots + {1 \over r !} + \cdots \; ,$$ use the binomial theorem to show that $$ {\left( 1 + {1 \over n} \right)}^{\!n} < \e $$ for any positive integer \(n\). The product \({\rm P }( n )\) is defined, for any positive integer \(n\), by $$ {\rm P} ( n ) = {3 \over 2} \cdot {5 \over 4} \cdot {9 \over 8} \cdot \ldots \cdot {2^n + 1 \over 2^n} . $$ Use the arithmetic-geometric mean inequality, $$ {a_1 + a_2 + \cdots + a_n \over n} \ge \ {\left( a_1 \cdot a_2 \cdot \ldots \cdot a_n \right)}^{1 \over n}\,, $$ to show that \({\rm P }( n ) < \e\) for all \(n\) . Explain briefly why \({\rm P} ( n )\) tends to a limit as \(n\to\infty\). Show that this limit, \(L\), satisfies \(2 < L\le\e\).
The sequence \(a_n\) is defined by \(a_0 = 1\) , \(a_1 = 1\) , and $$ a_n = {1 + a_{n - 1}^2 \over a_{n - 2} } \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ ( n \ge 2 ) . $$ Prove by induction that $$ a_n = 3 a_{n - 1} - a_{n - 2} \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ ( n \ge2 ) . $$ Hence show that $$ a_n = {\alpha^{2 n - 1} + \alpha^{- ( 2 n - 1 )} \over \sqrt 5} \ \ \ \ \ \ (n\ge1), $$ where \(\displaystyle{\alpha = {1 + \sqrt 5 \over 2}}\).
Two small discs of masses \(m\) and \(\mu m\) lie on a smooth horizontal surface. The disc of mass \(\mu m\) is at rest, and the disc of mass \(m\) is projected towards it with velocity \(\mathbf{u}\). After the collision, the disc of mass \(\mu m\) moves in the direction given by unit vector \(\mathbf{n}\). The collision is perfectly elastic.
Solution:
A sphere of radius \(a\) and weight \(W\) rests on horizontal ground. A thin uniform beam of weight \(3\sqrt3\,W\) and length \(2a\) is freely hinged to the ground at \(X\), which is a distance \({\sqrt 3} \, a\) from the point of contact of the sphere with the ground. The beam rests on the sphere, lying in the same vertical plane as the centre of the sphere. The coefficients of friction between the beam and the sphere and between the sphere and the ground are \(\mu_1\) and \(\mu_2\) respectively. Given that the sphere is on the point of slipping at its contacts with both the ground and the beam, find the values of \(\mu_1\) and \(\mu_2\).
Solution:
A thin beam is fixed at a height \(2a\) above a horizontal plane. A uniform straight rod \(ACB\) of length \(9a\) and mass \(m\) is supported by the beam at \(C\). Initially, the rod is held so that it is horizontal and perpendicular to the beam. The distance \(AC\) is \(3a\), and the coefficient of friction between the beam and the rod is \(\mu\). The rod is now released. Find the minimum value of \(\mu\) for which \(B\) strikes the horizontal plane before slipping takes place at \(C\).
In a lottery, any one of \(N\) numbers, where \(N\) is large, is chosen at random and independently for each player by machine. Each week there are \(2N\) players and one winning number is drawn. Write down an exact expression for the probability that there are three or fewer winners in a week, given that you hold a winning ticket that week. Using the fact that $$ {\biggl( 1 - {a \over n} \biggr) ^n \approx \e^{-a}}$$ for \(n\) much larger than \(a\), or otherwise, show that this probability is approximately \({2 \over 3}\) . Discuss briefly whether this probability would increase or decrease if the numbers were chosen by the players. Show that the expected number of winners in a week, given that you hold a winning ticket that week, is \( 3-N^{-1}\).
A set of \(n\) dice is rolled repeatedly. For each die the probability of showing a six is \(p\). Show that the probability that the first of the dice to show a six does so on the \(r\)th roll is $$q^{n r } ( q^{-n} - 1 )$$ where \(q = 1 - p\). Determine, and simplify, an expression for the probability generating function for this distribution, in terms of \(q\) and \(n\). The first of the dice to show a six does so on the \(R\)th roll. Find the expected value of \(R\) and show that, in the case \(n = 2\), \(p=1/6\), this value is \(36/11\). Show that the probability that the last of the dice to show a six does so on the \(r\)th roll is \[ \big(1-q^r\big)^n-\big(1-q^{r-1}\big)^n. \] Find, for the case \(n = 2\), the probability generating function. The last of the dice to show a six does so on the \(S\)th roll. Find the expected value of \(S\) and evaluate this when \(p=1/6\).
The random variable \(X\) takes only the values \(x_1\) and \(x_2\) (where \( x_1 \not= x_2 \)), and the random variable \(Y\) takes only the values \(y_1\) and \(y_2\) (where \(y_1 \not= y_2\)). Their joint distribution is given by $$ \P ( X = x_1 , Y = y_1 ) = a \ ; \ \ \P ( X = x_1 , Y = y_2 ) = q - a \ ; \ \ \P ( X = x_2 , Y = y_1 ) = p - a \ . $$ Show that if \(\E(X Y) = \E(X)\E(Y)\) then $$ (a - p q ) ( x_1 - x_2 ) ( y_1 - y_2 ) = 0 . $$ Hence show that two random variables each taking only two distinct values are independent if \(\E(X Y) = \E(X) \E(Y)\). Give a joint distribution for two random variables \(A\) and \(B\), each taking the three values \(- 1\), \(0\) and \(1\) with probability \({1 \over 3}\), which have \(\E(A B) = \E( A)\E (B)\), but which are not independent.
Solution: \begin{align*} \mathbb{P}(X = x_1) &= a + q - a = q \\ \mathbb{P}(X = x_2) &= 1 - q \\ \mathbb{P}(Y = y_1) & = a + p - a = p \\ \mathbb{P}(Y = y_2) & = 1 - p \end{align*} \begin{align*} \mathbb{E}(X)\mathbb{E}(Y) &= \l qx_1 + (1-q)x_2 \r \l p y_1 + (1-p)y_2\r \\ &= qpx_1y_1 + q(1-p)x_1y_2 + (1-q)px_2y_1 + (1-q)(1-p)x_2y_2 \\ \mathbb{E}(XY) &= ax_1y_1 + (q-a)x_1y_2 + (p-a)x_2y_1 + (1 + a - p - q)x_2y_2 &= \end{align*} Therefore \(\mathbb{E}(XY) - \mathbb{E}(X)\mathbb{E}(Y)\) is a degree 2 polynomial in the \(x_i, y_i\). If \(x_1 = x_2\) then we have: \begin{align*} \mathbb{E}(X)\mathbb{E}(Y) &=x_1 \l p y_1 + (1-p)y_2\r \\ \mathbb{E}(XY) &= x_1(ay_1 + (q-a)y_2 + (p-a)y_1 + (1 + a - p - q)y_2) \\ &= x_1 (py_1 + (1-p)y_2) \end{align*} Therefore \(x_1 - x_2\) is a root and by symmetry \(y_1 - y_2\) is a root. Therefore it remains to check the coefficient of \(x_1y_1\) which is \(a - pq\) to complete the factorisation. For any two random variables taking two distinct values, we can find \(a, q, p\) satisfying the relations above. We also note that \(X\) and \(Y\) are independent if \(\mathbb{P}(X = x_i, Y = y_i) = \mathbb{P}(X = x_i)\mathbb{P}(Y = y_i)\). Since \(x_1 \neq x_2\) and \(y_1 \neq y_2\) and \(\E(A B) = \E( A)\E (B) \Rightarrow a = pq\). But if \(a = pq\), we have \(\mathbb{P}(X = x_1, Y = y_1) = \mathbb{P}(X = x_1)\mathbb{P}(Y = y_1)\) and all the other relations drop out similarly. Consider \begin{align*} \mathbb{P}(A = -1, B = 1) &= \frac{1}{6} \\ \mathbb{P}(A = -1, B = -1) &= \frac{1}{6} \\ \mathbb{P}(A = 0, B = 0) &= \frac{1}{3} \\ \mathbb{P}(A = 1, B = -1) &= \frac{1}{6} \\ \mathbb{P}(A = -1, B = -1) &= \frac{1}{6} \end{align*}
How many integers greater than or equal to zero and less than a million are not divisible by 2 or 5? What is the average value of these integers? How many integers greater than or equal to zero and less than 4179 are not divisible by 3 or 7? What is the average value of these integers?
Solution: There are \(1\,000\,000\) numbers between 1 and a million (inclusive). \(500\,000\) are divisible by \(2\), \(200\,000\) are divisible by \(5\) and \(100\,000\) are divisible by both. Therefore there are: \(1\,000\,000 - 500\,000-200\,000+100\,000 = 400\,000\). (Alternatively, the only numbers are those which are \(1,3,7,9 \pmod{10}\) so there are \(4\) every \(10\), or \(4 \cdot 100\,000\)). We can sum all these values similarly, \begin{align*} S &= \underbrace{\sum_{i=1}^{10^6} i}_{\text{all numbers}}-\underbrace{\sum_{i=1}^{5 \cdot 10^5} 2i}_{\text{all multiples of } 2}-\underbrace{\sum_{i=1}^{2 \cdot 10^5} 5i}_{\text{all multiples of } 5}+\underbrace{\sum_{i=1}^{10^5} 10i}_{\text{all multiples of } 5} \\ &= \frac{10^6 \cdot (10^6 + 1)}{2} - \frac{10^6 \cdot (5\cdot 10^5+1)}{2} - \frac{10^6 \cdot (2\cdot 10^5+1)}{2} + \frac{10^6 \cdot (10^5+1)}{2} \\ &= \frac{10^6 (10^5 \cdot (10-5-2+1))))}{2} \\ &= \frac{10^6 \cdot 10^5 \cdot 4}{2} \\ &= 2\cdot 10^{11} \end{align*} So the average value is \(\frac{2 \cdot 10^{11}}{4 \cdot 10^5} = \frac{10^6}{2} = 500\,000\). (Alternatively, each value can be paired off eg \(999\,999\) with \(1\) and so on, leaving averages of \(500\,000\)). Note that \(4197\) is divisible by \(3\) and \(7\). Using the same long we have: \(4179 - \frac{4179}{3} - \frac{4179}{7} + \frac{4179}{21} = 4179 - 1393 - 597 + 199 = 2388\). The sum will be: \begin{align*} S &= \underbrace{\sum_{i=1}^{4179}i }_{\text{all numbers}}- \underbrace{\sum_{i=1}^{1393}3i }_{\text{multiples of }3}- \underbrace{\sum_{i=1}^{597}7i }_{\text{multiples of }7}+ \underbrace{\sum_{i=1}^{199}21i }_{\text{mulitples of }21} \\ &= \frac{4179 \cdot 4180}{2} - \frac{4179 \cdot 1394}{2} - \frac{4179 \cdot 598}{2} +\frac{4179 \cdot 200}{2} \\ &= \frac{4179 \cdot 2388}{2} \end{align*} So the average value is \(\frac{4179}{2}\).
A point moves in the \(x\)-\(y\) plane so that the sum of the squares of its distances from the three fixed points \((x_{1},y_{1})\), \((x_{2},y_{2})\), and \((x_{3},y_{3})\) is always \(a^{2}\). Find the equation of the locus of the point and interpret it geometrically. Explain why \(a^2\) cannot be less than the sum of the squares of the distances of the three points from their centroid. [The centroid has coordinates \((\bar x, \bar y)\) where \(3\bar x = x_1+x_2+x_3,\) $3\bar y =y_1+y_2+y_3. $]
Solution: \begin{align*} && a^2 &= d_1^2 + d_2^2 + d_3^2 \\ &&&= (x-x_1)^2+(y-y_1)^2 + (x-x_2)^2+(y-y_2)^2 + (x-x_3)^2+(y-y_3)^2 \\ &&&= \sum (x-\bar{x}+\bar{x}-x_i)^2 + \sum (y-\bar{y}+\bar{y}-y_i)^2 \\ &&&= \sum \left ( (x-\bar{x})^2+(\bar{x}-x_i)^2 + 2(x-\bar{x})(\bar{x}-x_i) \right)+ \sum \left ( (y-\bar{y})^2+(\bar{y}-y_i)^2 + 2(y-\bar{y})(\bar{y}-y_i) \right)\\ &&&= 3(x-\bar{x})^2 + \sum (\bar{x}-x_i)^2 + 6x\bar{x} -6\bar{x}^2-2x\sum x_i+2\bar{x}\sum x_i + \\ &&&\quad\quad\quad 3(y-\bar{y})^2 + \sum (\bar{y}-y_i)^2 + 6y\bar{y} -6\bar{y}^2-2y\sum y_i+2\bar{y}\sum y_i \\ &&&= 3(x-\bar{x})^2 + \sum (\bar{x}-x_i)^2+3(y-\bar{y})^2 + \sum (\bar{y}-y_i)^2 \\ \\ \Rightarrow && (x-\bar{x})^2+(y-\bar{y})^2 &= \frac13\left ( a^2- \sum \left((\bar{x}-x_i)^2+(\bar{y}-y_i)^2 \right) \right) \end{align*} Therefore the locus is a circle, centre \((\bar{x}, \bar{y})\). radius \(\sqrt{\frac13(a^2 - \text{sum of squares distances of centroid to vertices}})\). \(a^2\) cannot be less than this distance, because clearly the right hand side is always bigger than it!