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1998 Paper 2 Q4
D: 1600.0 B: 1470.2

The integral \(I_n\) is defined by $$I_n=\int_0^\pi(\pi/2-x)\sin(nx+x/2)\,{\rm cosec}\,(x/2)\,\d x,$$ where \(n\) is a positive integer. Evaluate \(I_n-I_{n-1}\), and hence evaluate \(I_n\) leaving your answer in the form of a sum.


Solution: \begin{align*} && I_n - I_{n-1} &= \int_0^\pi \left ( \frac{\pi}{2} - x \right) \left ( \sin\left(nx + \frac{x}{2}\right) - \sin \left ((n-1)x + \frac{x}{2} \right)\right) \cosec \frac{x}{2} \d x \\ &&&= \int_0^\pi \left ( \frac{\pi}{2} - x \right) \left (2 \sin \left ( \frac{nx + \frac{x}{2} - (n-1)x - \frac{x}{2} }{2}\right)\cos nx \right) \cosec \frac{x}{2} \d x \\ &&&= \int_0^\pi \left ( \frac{\pi}{2} - x \right) \left (2 \sin \left ( \frac{x}{2}\right)\cos nx \right) \cosec \frac{x}{2} \d x \\ &&&=2 \int_0^\pi \left ( \frac{\pi}{2} - x \right) \cos nx \d x \\ &&&=\pi \left [ \frac{\sin nx}{n}\right]_0^{\pi} - 2\int_0^\pi x \cos n x \d x \\ &&&= 0 - 2\left[ \frac{x \sin nx}{n} \right]_0^{\pi} + 2\int_0^\pi \frac{\sin nx}{n} \d x \\ &&&= 2\left[ -\frac{\cos nx}{n^2} \right]_0^{\pi} \\ &&&=2 \frac{1-(-1)^{n}}{n^2} \\ \\ && I_0 &= \int_0^\pi (\pi/2 - x) \d x =0 \\ \Rightarrow && I_{2k+2} = I_{2k+1} &= 4 \left (\frac{1}{1^2} + \frac{1}{3^2} + \cdots + \frac{1}{(2k+1)^2} \right) \end{align*}

1998 Paper 2 Q7
D: 1600.0 B: 1458.4

\begin{eqnarray*} {\rm f}(x)&=& \tan x-x,\\ {\rm g}(x)&=& 2-2\cos x-x\sin x,\\ {\rm h}(x)&=& 2x+x\cos 2x-\tfrac{3}{2}\sin 2x,\\ {\rm F}(x)&=& {x(\cos x)^{1/3}\over\sin x}. \end{eqnarray*} \vspace{1mm}

  1. By considering \(\f(0)\) and \(\f'(x)\), show that \(\f(x)>0\) for \(0
  2. Show similarly that \(\g(x)>0\) for \(0
  3. Show that \(\h(x)>0\) for \(00\] for \(0
  4. By considering \(\displaystyle {{\rm F}'(x)\over {\rm F}(x)}\), show that \({\rm F}'(x)<0\) for \(0

1998 Paper 3 Q1
D: 1700.0 B: 1484.0

Let $$ {\rm f}(x)=\sin^2x + 2 \cos x + 1 $$ for \(0 \le x \le 2\pi\). Sketch the curve \(y={\rm f}(x)\), giving the coordinates of the stationary points. Now let $$ \hspace{0.6in}{\rm g}(x)={a{\rm f}(x)+b \over c{\rm f}(x)+d} \hspace{0.8in} ad\neq bc\,,\; d\neq -3c\,,\; d\neq c\;. $$ Show that the stationary points of \(y={\rm g}(x)\) occur at the same values of \(x\) as those of \(y={\rm f}(x)\), and find the corresponding values of \({\rm g}(x)\). Explain why, if \(d/c <-3\) or \(d/c>1\), \(|{\rm g}(x)|\) cannot be arbitrarily large.

1998 Paper 3 Q4
D: 1700.0 B: 1516.0

Show that the equation (in plane polar coordinates) \(r=\cos\theta\), for $-\frac{1}{2}\pi \le \theta \le \frac{1}{2}\pi$, represents a circle. Sketch the curve \(r=\cos2\theta\) for \(0\le\theta\le 2\pi\), and describe the curves \(r=\cos2n\theta\), where \(n\) is an integer. Show that the area enclosed by such a curve is independent of \(n\). Sketch also the curve \(r=\cos3\theta\) for \(0\le\theta\le 2\pi\).

1997 Paper 1 Q9
D: 1500.0 B: 1484.0

A single stream of cars, each of width \(a\) and exactly in line, is passing along a straight road of breadth \(b\) with speed \(V\). The distance between the successive cars is \(c\).

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A chicken crosses the road in safety at a constant speed \(u\) in a straight line making an angle \(\theta\) with the direction of traffic. Show that \[u\geqslant \frac{Va}{c\sin\theta+a\cos\theta}.\] Show also that if the chicken chooses \(\theta\) and \(u\) so that it crosses the road at the least possible uniform speed, it crosses in time \[\frac{b}{V}\left(\frac{c}{a}+\frac{a}{c}\right) . \]

1997 Paper 2 Q13
D: 1600.0 B: 1516.0

A needle of length two cm is dropped at random onto a large piece of paper ruled with parallel lines two cm apart.

  1. By considering the angle which the needle makes with the lines, find the probability that the needle crosses the nearest line given that its centre is \(x\) cm from it, where \(0 < x < 1\).
  2. Given that the centre of the needle is \(x\) cm from the nearest line and that the needle crosses that line, find the cumulative distribution function for the length of the shorter segment of the needle cut off by the line.
  3. Find the probability that the needle misses all the lines.


Solution:

  1. Suppose the needle's center is \(x\) cm from the nearest line and makes an angle of \(\theta\). Then if \(\sin \theta > x\) it will cross the line, otherwise it will not. Given that \(\theta \sim U(0, \frac{\pi}{2})\), we can see that \begin{align*} && \mathbb{P}(\text{needle crosses}) &= \mathbb{P}(\sin \theta > x) \\ &&&= \mathbb{P}(\theta > \sin^{-1} x) \\ &&&= 1-\frac{2\sin^{-1} x}{\pi} \end{align*}
  2. The length of the short segment is \(L = 1 - \frac{x}{\sin \theta}\) and \(\theta \sim U(\sin^{-1} x, \frac{\pi}{2})\). So \begin{align*} && F_L(l) &= \mathbb{P}(L < l) \\ &&&= \mathbb{P}\left (1 - \frac{x} {\sin \theta} < l\right) \\ &&&= \mathbb{P}\left ( \sin \theta < \frac{x}{1-l}\right) \\ &&&= \mathbb{P}\left (\theta < \sin^{-1} \frac{x}{1-l}\right) \\ &&&= \frac{ \sin^{-1} \frac{x}{1-l} - \sin^{-1} x }{\frac{\pi}{2} - \sin^{-1}x} \end{align*}
  3. The needle (with probability \(1\)) cannot hit \(2\) lines, so let's only consider the line it's nearest too. The distance to this line is uniform on \([0,1]\), and the so we want to calculate. \begin{align*} && \mathbb{P}(\text{needle crosses}) &= \int_0^1 \left (1 - \frac{2\sin^{-1}x}{\pi} \right) \d x \\ &&&= 1 - \frac{2}{\pi} \int_0^1 \sin^{-1} x \d x\\ &&&= 1 - \frac{2}{\pi} \left ( \frac{\pi}{2} - 1 \right) \\ &&&= \frac{2}{\pi} \end{align*} Therefore the probability it misses is \(1 - \frac{\pi}{2}\)

1997 Paper 3 Q5
D: 1700.0 B: 1484.0

Find the ratio, over one revolution, of the distance moved by a wheel rolling on a flat surface to the distance traced out by a point on its circumference.


Solution: The point on the circumference will have position \((a\cos t, a \sin t )\) relative to the circumference where \(t \in [0, 2\pi]\). the wheel will travel \(2\pi a\), therefore the position is \((a\cos t + at, a \sin t )\). The total distance travelled can be computed using the arc length: \begin{align*} && s &= \int_0^{2\pi} \sqrt{\left ( \frac{\d y}{\d t} \right)^2 +\left ( \frac{\d x}{\d t} \right)^2} \d t \\ &&&= \int_0^{2\pi} \sqrt{(a - a\sin t)^2 +(a \cos t)^2 } \d t \\ &&&= a \int_0^{2\pi} \sqrt{2 - 2 \sin t } \d t \\ &&&= \sqrt{2}a \int_0^{2 \pi} \sqrt{1 - \sin t} \d t \\ &&&= \sqrt{2}a \int_0^{2 \pi} \frac{|\cos t|}{\sqrt{1 + \sin t}} \d t \\ &&&= 2\sqrt{2} a \int_{-\pi/2}^{\pi/2} \frac{\cos t}{\sqrt{1+\sin t}} \d t \\ &&&= 2\sqrt{2} a \left [ 2\sqrt{1+\sin t} \right]_{-\pi/2}^{\pi/2} \\ &&& = 2\sqrt{2} a 2\sqrt{2} \\ &&&= 8a \end{align*} Therefore the ratio is \(\frac{4}{\pi}\)

1997 Paper 3 Q6
D: 1700.0 B: 1516.0

Suppose that \(y_n\) satisfies the equations \[(1-x^2)\frac{{\rm d}^2y_n}{{\rm d}x^2}-x\frac{{\rm d}y_n}{{\rm d}x}+n^2y_n=0,\] \[y_n(1)=1,\quad y_n(x)=(-1)^ny_n(-x).\] If \(x=\cos\theta\), show that \[\frac{{\rm d}^2y_n}{{\rm d}\theta^2}+n^2y_n=0,\] and hence obtain \(y_n\) as a function of \(\theta\). Deduce that for \(|x|\leqslant1\) \[y_0=1,\quad y_1=x,\] \[y_{n+1}-2xy_n+y_{n-1}=0.\]

1996 Paper 1 Q6
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

Let \(\mathrm{f}(x)=\dfrac{\sin(n+\frac{1}{2})x}{\sin\frac{1}{2}x}\) for \(0 < x\leqslant\pi.\)

  1. Using the formula \[ 2\sin\tfrac{1}{2}x\cos kx=\sin(k+\tfrac{1}{2})x-\sin(k-\tfrac{1}{2})x \] (which you may assume), or otherwise, show that \[ \mathrm{f}(x)=1+2\sum_{k=1}^{n}\cos kx\,. \]
  2. Find \({\displaystyle \int_{0}^{\pi}\mathrm{f}(x)\,\mathrm{d}x}\) and \({\displaystyle \int_{0}^{\pi}\mathrm{f}(x)\cos x\,\mathrm{d}x}.\)


Solution:

  1. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && 2\sin \tfrac12 x \sum_{k=1}^n \cos kx &= \sum_{k=1}^n 2\sin \tfrac12 x \cos kx \\ &&&= \sum_{k=1}^n \left ( \sin(k+\tfrac12)x - \sin(k - \tfrac12)x \right) \\ &&&= \left ( \sin\tfrac32x - \sin\tfrac12x \right) + \\ &&&\quad \quad \left ( \sin\tfrac52x - \sin \tfrac32 x \right) + \\ &&&\quad \quad \quad +\cdots + \\ &&&\quad \quad \quad \quad +\left ( \sin(n+\tfrac12)x - \sin(n - \tfrac12)x \right) \\ &&&= \sin(n+\tfrac12)x - \sin \tfrac12 x \\ \Rightarrow && \sin(n+\tfrac12)x &= \sin \tfrac12 x + 2\sin \tfrac12 x \sum_{k=1}^n \cos kx \\ \Rightarrow && f(x) &= 1 + 2 \sum_{k=1}^n \cos kx \end{align*}
  2. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && \int_0^{\pi} f(x) \d x &= \int_0^{\pi} \left (1 + 2 \sum_{k=1}^n \cos kx \right) \d x \\ &&&= \pi + 2 \left [ \sum_{k=1}^n \frac{1}{k} \sin k x\right]_0^\pi \\ &&&= \pi \\ \\ && \int_0^{\pi} f(x) \cos x \d x &= \int_0^{\pi} \left (\cos x + 2 \sum_{k=1}^n \cos kx \cos x \right) \d x \\ &&&= 0 + \sum_{k=1}^n \left ( \int_0^{\pi} 2 \cos k x \cos x \d x \right) \\ &&&= \sum_{k=1}^n \left ( \int_0^{\pi} (\cos (k+1)x - \cos (k-1) x)\d x\right) \\ &&&= -\pi \end{align*}

1996 Paper 1 Q11
D: 1484.0 B: 1484.0

A particle is projected under the influence of gravity from a point \(O\) on a level plane in such a way that, when its horizontal distance from \(O\) is \(c\), its height is \(h\). It then lands on the plane at a distance \(c+d\) from \(O\). Show that the angle of projection \(\alpha\) satisfies \[ \tan\alpha=\frac{h(c+d)}{cd} \] and that the speed of projection \(v\) satisfies \[ v^{2}=\frac{g}{2}\left(\frac{cd}{h}+\frac{(c+d)^{2}h}{cd}\right)\,. \]

1996 Paper 2 Q4
D: 1600.0 B: 1470.2

Show that \(\cos 4u=8\cos^{4}u-8\cos^{2}u+1\). If \[ I=\int_{-1}^{1} \frac{1}{\vphantom{{\big(}^2}\; \surd(1+x)+\surd(1-x)+2\; }\;{\rm d}x ,\] show, by using the change of variable \(x=\cos t\), that \[ I= \int_0^\pi \frac{\sin t}{4\cos^{2}\left(\frac{t}{4}-\frac{\pi}{8}\right)}\,{\rm d}t.\] By using the further change of variable \(u=\frac{t}{4}-\frac{\pi}{8}\), or otherwise, show that \[I=4\surd{2}-\pi-2.\] \noindent[You may assume that \(\tan\frac{\pi}{8}=\surd{2}-1\).]


Solution: \begin{align*} && \cos 4u &= 2\cos^2 2u - 1 \\ &&&= 2 (2\cos^2 u - 1)^2 - 1 \\ &&&= 2(4\cos^4u - 4\cos^2 u + 1) - 1\\ &&&= 8\cos^4u - 8\cos^2 u + 1 \end{align*} \begin{align*} && I &= \int_{-1}^1 \frac{1}{\sqrt{1+x}+\sqrt{1-x}+2} \d x \\ x = \cos t, \d x = - \sin t \d t: &&&= \int_{t = \pi}^{t=0} \frac{1}{\sqrt{1+\cos t} + \sqrt{1-\cos t} + 2} (- \sin t ) \d t \\ &&&= \int_0^\pi \frac{\sin t}{\sqrt{2 \cos^2 \frac{t}{2}}+\sqrt{2 \sin^2 \frac{t}{2}}+2} \d t \\ &&&= \int_0^\pi \frac{\sin t}{\sqrt{2}(\cos \frac{t}{2} + \sin \frac{t}{2}) + 2} \d t \\ &&&= \int_0^\pi \frac{\sin t}{\sqrt{2}(\sqrt{2} \cos (\frac{t}{2}-\frac{\pi}{4})) + 2} \d t \\ &&&= \int_0^\pi \frac{\sin t}{2(1+\cos (\frac{t}{2}-\frac{\pi}{4}))} \d t \\ &&&= \int_0^\pi \frac{\sin t}{4\cos^2(\frac{t}{4}-\frac{\pi}{8})} \d t \\ \\ u = \tfrac{t}{4} -\tfrac{\pi}{8}, \d u = \tfrac14 \d t:&&&=\int_{-\frac{\pi}{8}}^{\frac{\pi}{8}} \frac{\sin (4u+\frac{\pi}{2})}{4 \cos^2 u} 4 \d u \\ &&&= \int_{-\frac{\pi}{8}}^{\frac{\pi}{8}} \frac{\cos4u}{\cos^2 u} \d u \\ &&&= \int_{-\frac{\pi}{8}}^{\frac{\pi}{8}} 4 (2 \cos^2 u-1)-4 + \sec^2 u \d u \\ &&&= \int_{-\frac{\pi}{8}}^{\frac{\pi}{8}} 4 \cos 2u-4 + \sec^2 u \d u \\ &&&= \left [2\sin 2u - 4u + \tan u \right]_{-\pi/8}^{\pi/8} \\ &&&= 4 \sin \frac{\pi}{4} - \pi+ 2\tan \frac{\pi}{8} \\ &&&= \frac{4}{\sqrt{2}} - \pi + 2\sqrt{2}-2 \\ &&&= 4\sqrt{2} - \pi - 2 \end{align*}

1996 Paper 2 Q5
D: 1600.0 B: 1500.0

If $$ z^{4}+z^{3}+z^{2}+z+1=0\tag{*} $$ and \(u=z+z^{-1}\), find the possible values of \(u\). Hence find the possible values of \(z\). [Do not try to simplify your answers.] Show that, if \(z\) satisfies \((*)\), then \[z^{5}-1=0.\] Hence write the solutions of \((*)\) in the form \(z=r(\cos\theta+i\sin\theta)\) for suitable real \(r\) and \(\theta\). Deduce that \[\sin\frac{2\pi}{5}=\frac{\surd(10+2\surd 5)}{4} \ \ \hbox{and}\ \ \cos\frac{2\pi}{5}=\frac{-1+\surd 5}{4}.\]


Solution: \begin{align*} && 0 &= z^4+z^3+z^2+z+1 \\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= z^2+z+1+z^{-1}+z^{-2} \tag{\(z \neq 0\)} \\ &&&= \left ( z+z^{-1} \right)^2-2 + z+z^{-1} + 1 \\ &&&= u^2+u-1 \\ \Rightarrow && u &= \frac{-1 \pm \sqrt{5}}{2} \\ \Rightarrow && z+z^{-1} &= \frac{-1 \pm \sqrt{5}}{2} \\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= z^2-\left ( \frac{-1 \pm \sqrt{5}}{2}\right)z+1 \\ \Rightarrow && z &= \frac{\left ( \frac{-1 \pm \sqrt{5}}{2}\right) \pm \sqrt{\left ( \frac{-1 \pm \sqrt{5}}{2}\right)^2-4}}{2} \\ &&&= \frac{\left ( \frac{-1 \pm \sqrt{5}}{2}\right) \pm \sqrt{\frac{1+5\mp2\sqrt{5}-16}{4}}}{2} \\ &&&= \frac{\left ( \frac{-1 \pm \sqrt{5}}{2}\right) \pm \sqrt{\frac{-10\mp2\sqrt{5}-16}{4}}}{2} \\ &&&= \frac{-1\pm\sqrt{5}}{4} \pm i\frac{\sqrt{10\pm 2\sqrt{5}}}{4} \end{align*} Since \(z^4+z^3+z^2+z+1 = 0\) we can multiply both sides by \(z-1\) to obtain \(z^5-1 = 0\). Therefore if \(z = r(\cos \theta + i \sin \theta)\) we see that \(z^5 = 1 \Rightarrow r^5 (\cos 5 \theta + i \sin 5 \theta) = 1 \Rightarrow r = 1, 5 \theta = 2n \pi\) ie \(z = \cos \frac{2n\pi}{5} + i\sin \frac{2n \pi}{5}\). We are looking for a solution in the first quadrant, therefore \(\cos \frac{2\pi}{5} = \frac{-1 + \sqrt{5}}4\) and \(\sin \frac{2\pi}{5} = \frac{\sqrt{10+2\sqrt{5}}}{4}\)

1996 Paper 2 Q8
D: 1600.0 B: 1485.5

Suppose that \[{\rm f}''(x)+{\rm f}(-x)=x+3\cos 2x\] and \({\rm f}(0)=1\), \({\rm f}'(0)=-1\). If \({\rm g}(x)={\rm f}(x)+{\rm f}(-x)\), find \({\rm g}(0)\) and show that \({\rm g}'(0)=0\). Show that \[{\rm g}''(x)+{\rm g}(x)=6\cos 2x,\] and hence find \({\rm g}(x)\). Similarly, if \({\rm h}(x)={\rm f}(x)-{\rm f}(-x)\), find \({\rm h}(x)\) and show that \[{\rm f}(x)=2\cos x -\cos2x-x.\]


Solution: \begin{align*} && g(0) &= f(0)+f(-0) = 2f(0) = 2 \\ && g'(x) &= f'(x) - f'(-x) \\ && g'(0) &= f'(0) - f'(-0) = 0 \\ && g''(x) &= f''(x) +f''(-x) \\ \Rightarrow && g''(x) + g(x) &= f''(x) +f''(-x) + f(x) + f(-x) \\ &&&= f''(x)+ f(-x) +f''(-x) + f(x) \\ &&&= x + 3 \cos 2x + (-x + 3 \cos (-2x) ) \\ &&&= 6 \cos 2x \\ \end{align*} Considering the homogeneous part, we should expected a solution of the form \(g(x) = A \sin x + B \cos x\). Seeking an integrating factor of the form \(g(x) = C \cos 2x\) we see that \(-4C \cos 2x + C \cos 2x = 6 \cos 2x \Rightarrow -3C = 6 \Rightarrow C = -2\). Therefore the general solution is \begin{align*} && g(x) &= A\sin x + B \cos x - 2\cos 2x \\ && g(0) &= B - 2 = 2\\ && g'(0) &= A = 0 \\ \Rightarrow && g(x) &= 4\cos x - 2\cos 2x \\ \end{align*} \begin{align*} && h(0) &= f(0) - f(-0) = 0 \\ && h'(x) &= f'(x) + f'(-x) \\ && h'(0) &= f'(0) + f'(-0) = -2 \\ && h''(x) &= f''(x) - f''(-x) \\ \Rightarrow && h''(x) - h(x) &= f''(x) - f''(-x) -( f(x) - f(-x)) \\ &&&= f''(x) +f(-x)- (f''(-x) + f(x)) \\ &&&= x + 3\cos 2x - (-x + 3 \cos(-2x)) \\ &&&= 2x \end{align*} Considering the homogeneous part, we should expect a solution of the form \(Ae^x + Be^{-x}\). For a specific integral, we can take \(-2x\), ie \begin{align*} && h(x) &= Ae^x + Be^{-x} - 2x \\ && h(0) &= A+B =0 \\ && h'(0) &= A-B-2 =-2 \\ \Rightarrow && A &=B = 0 \\ \Rightarrow && h(x) &= -2x \end{align*} Therefore \(f(x) = \frac12(f(x) + f(-x)) + \frac12(f(x) -f(-x)) = 2\cos x - \cos 2x -x\)

1996 Paper 3 Q3
D: 1700.0 B: 1500.0

Find \[ \int_{0}^{\theta}\frac{1}{1-a\cos x}\,\mathrm{d}x\,, \] where \(0 < \theta < \pi\) and \(-1 < a < 1.\) Hence show that \[ \int_{0}^{\frac{1}{2}\pi}\frac{1}{2-a\cos x}\,\mathrm{d}x=\frac{2}{\sqrt{4-a^{2}}}\tan^{-1}\sqrt{\frac{2+a}{2-a}}\,, \] and also that \[ \int_{0}^{\frac{3}{4}\pi}\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}+\cos x}\,\mathrm{d}x=\frac{\pi}{2}\,. \]


Solution: Let \(t = \tan \tfrac{x}{2}\), then \(\cos x = \frac{1-t^2}{1+t^2}, \frac{d t}{d x} =\tfrac12 (1+t^2)\) so the integral is: \begin{align*} \int_0^{\theta} \frac{1}{1-a \cos x} \d x &= \int_{0}^{\tan \frac{\theta}{2}} \frac{1}{1-a \left (\frac{1-t^2}{1+t^2} \right)} \frac{2}{1+t^2} \d t \\ &= \int_0^{\tan \frac{\theta}{2}} \frac{2}{1+t^2-a+at^2} \d t \\ &= \int_0^{\tan \frac{\theta}{2}} \frac{2}{1-a+(1+a) t^2} \d t \\ &= \frac{2}{1+a}\int_0^{\tan \tfrac{\theta}{2}} \frac{1}{\left (\frac{1-a}{1+a} \right)+t^2} \d t \\ &= \frac{2}{1+a} \sqrt{\frac{1+a}{1-a}} \tan^{-1} \left ( \sqrt{\frac{1+a}{1-a}} \tan \frac{\theta}{2} \right) + C \\ &= \frac{2}{\sqrt{1-a^2}}\tan^{-1} \left ( \sqrt{\frac{1+a}{1-a}} \tan \frac{\theta}{2} \right) + C \end{align*} Therefore \begin{align*} \int_{0}^{\frac{1}{2}\pi}\frac{1}{2-a\cos x}\,\mathrm{d}x &= \frac12 \int_0^{\frac12 \pi} \frac{1}{1-\tfrac{a}{2} \cos x} \d x \\ &= \left [\frac12 \frac{2}{\sqrt{1-\frac{a^2}{4}}} \tan^{-1} \left ( \sqrt{\frac{1+\frac{a}{2}}{1-\frac{a}{2}} } \tan\frac{\theta}{2} \right) \right]_0^{\pi/2} \\ &= \frac12 \frac{2}{\sqrt{1-\frac{a^2}{4}}} \tan^{-1} \left ( \sqrt{\frac{1+\frac{a}{2}}{1-\frac{a}{2}} } \tan\frac{\pi}{4} \right) \\ &= \frac{2}{\sqrt{4-a^2}} \tan^{-1} \left ( \sqrt{\frac{2+a}{2-a} } \right) \\ \end{align*} \begin{align*} \int_{0}^{\frac{3}{4}\pi}\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}+\cos x}\,\mathrm{d}x &= \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} \int_0^{\frac34 \pi} \frac{1}{1 -\left(- \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} \right)\cos x} \d x \\ &= \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} \left [ \frac{2}{\sqrt{1-\tfrac12}} \tan^{-1} \left ( \sqrt{\frac{1-\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}}{1+\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}} } \tan\frac{\theta}{2} \right) \right]_0^{3\pi/4} \\ &= \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} \frac{2}{\sqrt{1/2}} \tan^{-1} \left ( \sqrt{\frac{\sqrt{2}-1}{\sqrt{2}+1} } \tan\frac{3\pi}{8} \right) \\ &= 2 \tan^{-1} \left ( \sqrt{\frac{(\sqrt{2}-1)^2}{2-1} } \tan\frac{3\pi}{8} \right)\\ &= 2 \tan^{-1} \left ( (\sqrt{2}-1) \tan\frac{3\pi}{8} \right) \end{align*} If \(t = \tan \tfrac{3\pi}{8}\), then \(-1 = \tan \tfrac{3\pi}{4} = \frac{2t}{1-t^2} \Rightarrow t^2-2t-1 = 0 \Rightarrow t = 1\pm \sqrt{2}\), since \( t > 0\), we must have \(t = 1 + \sqrt{2}\), so \begin{align*} \int_{0}^{\frac{3}{4}\pi}\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}+\cos x}\,\mathrm{d}x &= 2 \tan^{-1} \left ((\sqrt{2}-1)(\sqrt{2}+1) \right) \\ &= 2 \tan^{-1} 1 \\ &= 2 \frac{\pi}{4} \\ &= \frac{\pi}{2} \end{align*}

1996 Paper 3 Q11
D: 1700.0 B: 1484.0

A smooth circular wire of radius \(a\) is held fixed in a vertical plane with light elastic strings of natural length \(a\) and modulus \(\lambda\) attached to the upper and lower extremities, \(A\) and \(C\) respectively, of the vertical diameter. The other ends of the two strings are attached to a small ring \(B\) which is free to slide on the wire. Show that, while both strings remain taut, the equation for the motion of the ring is $$2ma \ddot\theta=\lambda(\cos\theta-\sin\theta)-mg\sin\theta,$$ where \(\theta\) is the angle \( \angle{CAB}\). Initially the system is at rest in equilibrium with \(\sin\theta=\frac{3}{5}\). Deduce that \(5\lambda=24mg\). The ring is now displaced slightly. Show that, in the ensuing motion, it will oscillate with period approximately $$10\pi\sqrt{a\over91g}\,.$$