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1997 Paper 3 Q11
D: 1700.0 B: 1500.0

\(\,\)

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A heavy symmetrical bell and clapper can both swung freely in a vertical plane about a point \(O\) on a horizontal beam at the apex of the bell. The mass of the bell is \(M\) and its moment of inertia about the beam is \(Mk^{2}\). Its centre of mass, \(G\), is a distance \(h\) from \(O\). The clapper may be regarded as a small heavy ball on a light rod of length \(l\). Initially the bell is held with its axis vertical and its mouth above the beam. The clapper ball rests against the side of the bell, with the rod making an angle \(\beta\) with the axis. The bell is then released. Show that, at the moment when the clapper and bell separate, the clapper rod makes an angle \(\alpha\) with the upwards vertical, where \[ \cot\alpha=\cot\beta-\frac{k^{2}}{hl}\mathrm{cosec}\beta. \]

1997 Paper 3 Q12
D: 1700.0 B: 1500.0

  1. I toss a biased coin which has a probability \(p\) of landing heads and a probability \(q=1-p\) of landing tails. Let \(K\) be the number of tosses required to obtain the first head and let \[ \mathrm{G}(s)=\sum_{k=1}^{\infty}\mathrm{P}(K=k)s^{k}. \] Show that \[ \mathrm{G}(s)=\frac{ps}{1-qs} \] and hence find the expectation and variance of \(K\).
  2. I sample cards at random with replacement from a normal pack of \(52\). Let \(N\) be the total number of draws I make in order to sample every card at least once. By expressing \(N\) as a sum \(N=N_{1}+N_{2}+\cdots+N_{52}\) of random variables, or otherwise, find the expectation of \(N\). Estimate the numerical value of this expectation, using the approximations \(\mathrm{e}\approx2.7\) and \(1+\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{3}+\cdots+\frac{1}{n}\approx0.5+\ln n\) if \(n\) is large.


Solution:

  1. Let \(N_i\) be the number of draws between the \((i-1)\)th new card and the \(i\)th new card. (Where \(N_1 = 1\)0 then \(N_i \sim K\) with \(p = \frac{53-i}{52}\)). Therefore \begin{align*} \E[N] &= \E[N_1 + \cdots + N_{52}] \\ &= \E[N_1] + \cdots + \E[N_i] + \cdots + \E[N_{52}] \\ &= 1 + \frac{52}{51} + \cdots + \frac{52}{53-k} + \cdots + \frac{52}{1} \\ &= 52 \left (1 + \frac{1}{2} + \cdots + \frac{1}{52} \right) \\ &= 52 \cdot \left ( 1 + \ln 52 \right) \end{align*} Notice that \(2.7 \times 2.7 = 7.29\) and \(7.3 \times 7.3 \approx 53.3\) so \(\ln 52 \approx 4\) and so our number is \(\approx 52 \cdot 4.5 =234\). [The correct answer actual number is 235.9782]

1997 Paper 3 Q13
D: 1700.0 B: 1500.0

Let \(X\) and \(Y\) be independent standard normal random variables: the probability density function, \(\f\), of each is therefore given by \[ \f(x)=\left(2\pi\right)^{-\frac{1}{2}}\e^{-\frac{1}{2}x^{2}}. \]

  1. Find the moment generating function \(\mathrm{E}(\e^{\theta X})\) of \(X\).
  2. Find the moment generating function of \(aX+bY\) and hence obtain the condition on \(a\) and \(b\) which ensures that \(aX+bY\) has the same distribution as \(X\) and \(Y\).
  3. Let \(Z=\e^{\mu+\sigma X}\). Show that \[ \mathrm{E}(Z^{\theta})=\e^{\mu\theta+\frac{1}{2}\sigma^{2}\theta^{2}}, \] and hence find the expectation and variance of \(Z\).


Solution:

  1. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && \E[e^{\theta X}] &= \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} e^{\theta x} \frac{1}{\sqrt{2\pi}} e^{-\frac12 x^2 } \d x\\ &&&= \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} \frac{1}{\sqrt{2\pi}} e^{-\frac12 x^2+\theta x} \d x\\ &&&= \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} \frac{1}{\sqrt{2\pi}} e^{-\frac12 (x^2-2\theta x)} \d x\\ &&&= \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} \frac{1}{\sqrt{2\pi}} e^{-\frac12 (x-\theta )^2+\frac12\theta^2 } \d x\\ &&&= e^{\frac12\theta^2 }\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} \frac{1}{\sqrt{2\pi}} e^{-\frac12 (x-\theta )^2 } \d x\\ &&&=e^{\frac12\theta^2 } \end{align*}
  2. \begin{align*} && M_{aX+bY} (\theta) &= \mathbb{E}[e^{\theta (aX+bY)}] \\ &&&= e^{\frac12(a\theta)^2} \cdot e^{\frac12(b\theta)^2} \\ &&&= e^{\frac12(a^2+b^2)\theta^2} \end{align*} Therefore we need \(a^2+b^2 = 1\)
  3. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && \E[Z^\theta] &= \E[e^{\mu \theta + \sigma \theta X}] \\ &&&= e^{\mu \theta}e^{\frac12 \sigma^2 \theta^2} \\ &&&=e^{\mu \theta + \frac12 \sigma^2 \theta^2} \\ \end{align*} \begin{align*} \mathbb{E}(Z) &= \mathbb{E}[Z^1] \\ &= e^{\mu + \frac12 \sigma^2} \\ \var[Z] &= \E[Z^2] - \left ( \E[Z] \right)^2 \\ &= e^{2 \mu+ 2\sigma^2} - e^{2\mu + \sigma^2} \\ &= e^{2\mu+\sigma^2} \left (e^{\sigma^2}-1 \right) \end{align*} [NB: This is the lognormal distribution]

1997 Paper 3 Q14
D: 1700.0 B: 1516.0

An industrial process produces rectangular plates of mean length \(\mu_{1}\) and mean breadth \(\mu_{2}\). The length and breadth vary independently with non-zero standard deviations \(\sigma_{1}\) and \(\sigma_{2}\) respectively. Find the means and standard deviations of the perimeter and of the area of the plates. Show that the perimeter and area are not independent.


Solution: Let \(L \sim N(\mu_1, \sigma_1^2)\), \(B \sim N(\mu_2, \sigma_2)^2\), so \begin{align*} && \mathbb{E}(\text{perimeter}) &= \E(2(L+B)) \\ &&&= 2\E[L]+2\E[B] \\ &&&= 2(\mu_1+\mu_2) \\ &&\var[\text{perimeter}] &= \E\left [ (2(L+B))^2 \right] - \left ( \E[2(L+B)] \right)^2 \\ &&&= 4\E[L^2+2LB+B^2] - 4(\mu_1+\mu_2)^2 \\ &&&= 4(\sigma_1^2+\mu_1^2+2\mu_1\mu_2+\sigma_2^2+\mu_2^2) - 4(\mu_1+\mu_2)^2\\ &&&= 4(\sigma_1^2+\sigma_2^2) \\ &&\text{sd}[\text{perimeter}] &= 2\sqrt{\sigma_1^2+\sigma_2^2} \\ \\ && \E[\text{area}] &= \E[LB] \\ &&&= \E[L]\E[B] \\ &&&= \mu_1\mu_2 \\ && \var[\text{area}] &= \E[(LB)^2] - \left (\E[LB] \right)^2 \\ &&&= \E[L^2]\E[B^2]-\mu_1^2\mu_2^2 \\ &&&= (\mu_1^2+\sigma_1^2)(\mu_2^2+\sigma_2^2) -\mu_1^2\mu_2^2 \\ &&&= \sigma_1^2\mu_2^2 + \sigma_2^2\mu_1^2 + \sigma_1^2\sigma_2^2\\ && \text{sd}(\text{area}) &= \sqrt{\sigma_1^2\mu_2^2 + \sigma_2^2\mu_1^2 + \sigma_1^2\sigma_2^2} \\ \\ && \E[\text{perimeter} \cdot \text{area}] &= \E[2(L+B)LB] \\ &&&= 2\E[L^2]\E[B] + 2\E[L]\E[B^2] \\ &&&= 2(\sigma_1^2+\mu_1^2)\mu_2 + 2(\sigma_2^2+\mu_2^2)\mu_1 \\ && \E[\text{perimeter}] \E[\text{area}] &= 2(\mu_1+\mu_2) \cdot \mu_1\mu_2 \end{align*} Since the latter does not depend on \(\sigma_i\) but the former does they cannot be equal in general, therefore they cannot be independent. [See also STEP 2006 Paper 3 Q14]

1996 Paper 1 Q1
D: 1484.0 B: 1500.0

A cylindrical biscuit tin has volume \(V\) and surface area \(S\) (including the ends). Show that the minimum possible surface area for a given value of \(V\) is \(S=3(2\pi V^{2})^{1/3}.\) For this value of \(S\) show that the volume of the largest sphere which can fit inside the tin is \(\frac{2}{3}V\), and find the volume of the smallest sphere into which the tin fits.


Solution: Suppose we have height \(h\) and radius \(r\), then: \(V = \pi r^2 h\) and \(S = 2\pi r^2 + 2\pi r h\). \(h = \frac{V}{\pi r^2}\), so \begin{align*} S &= 2 \pi r^2 + 2 \pi r\frac{V}{\pi r^2} \\ &= 2\pi r^2 +V \frac1{r}+V \frac1{r} \\ &\underbrace{ \geq }_{\text{AM-GM}} 3 \sqrt[3]{2\pi r^2 \frac{V^2}{r^2} } = 3 (2 \pi V^2)^{1/3} \end{align*} Equality holds when \(r = \sqrt[3]{\frac{V}{2 \pi}}, h = \frac{V}{\pi (V/2\pi)^{2/3}} = \sqrt[3]{\frac{4V}{\pi}}\) Since \(h > r\) the sphere has a maximum radius of \(r\) and so it's largest volume is \(\frac43 \pi r^3 = \frac43 \pi \frac{V}{2 \pi} = \frac23 V\).

TikZ diagram
The radius of the sphere is \(\sqrt{\left (\frac{r}{2} \right)^2 + \left (\frac{h}{2} \right)^2 } = \frac12 \sqrt{r^2+h^2}\) \begin{align*} V_{sphere} &= \frac43 \pi (r^2+h^2)^{3/2} \\ &= \frac43 \pi \left (\left( \frac{V}{2 \pi} \right)^{2/3}+\left( \frac{4V}{ \pi} \right)^{2/3} \right)^{3/2} \\ &= \frac43 \pi \frac{V}{ \pi} \left ( 2^{-2/3}+4^{2/3}\right)^{3/2} \\ &= \frac 43 V \left ( \frac{1+4}{2^{2/3}} \right)^{3/2} \\ &= \frac43 \frac{5^{3/2}}{2} V \\ &= \frac{2 \cdot \sqrt{125}}{3} V \end{align*}

1996 Paper 1 Q2
D: 1484.0 B: 1500.0

  1. Show that \[ \int_{0}^{1}\left(1+(\alpha-1)x\right)^{n}\,\mathrm{d}x=\frac{\alpha^{n+1}-1}{(n+1)(\alpha-1)} \] when \(\alpha\neq1\) and \(n\) is a positive integer.
  2. Show that if \(0\leqslant k\leqslant n\) then the coefficient of \(\alpha^{k}\) in the polynomial \[ \int_{0}^{1}\left(\alpha x+(1-x)\right)^{n}\,\mathrm{d}x \] is \[ \binom{n}{k}\int_{0}^{1}x^{k}(1-x)^{n-k}\,\mathrm{d}x\,. \]
  3. Hence, or otherwise, show that \[ \int_{0}^{1}x^{k}(1-x)^{n-k}\,\mathrm{d}x=\frac{k!(n-k)!}{(n+1)!}\,. \]


Solution:

  1. \begin{align*} u = 1+(\alpha-1)x: && \int_0^1 (1 + (\alpha - 1)x)^n \d x &= \int_{u=1}^{u=\alpha} u^n \frac{1}{\alpha - 1} \d u \\ &&&= \left [\frac{u^{n+1}}{(n+1)(\alpha-1)} \right]_1^\alpha \\ &&&= \frac{\alpha^{n+1}-1}{(n+1)(\alpha-1)} \end{align*}
  2. \begin{align*} && \int_0^1 (\alpha x + (1-x))^n \d x &= \int_0^1 \sum_{k=0}^n \binom{n}{k} \alpha^k x^k (1-x)^{n-k} \d x \\ &&&= \sum_{k=0}^n \alpha^k \int_0^1 \binom{n}{k} x^k (1-x)^{n-k} \d x \end{align*} Therefore the coefficient of \(\alpha^k\) is \(\displaystyle \int_0^1 \binom{n}{k} x^k (1-x)^{n-k} \d x\)
  3. The coefficient of \(\alpha^{k}\) in \(\displaystyle \frac{\alpha^{n+1}-1}{(n+1)(\alpha-1)}\) is \(\displaystyle \frac1{n+1}\). Therefore \begin{align*} && \frac1{n+1} &= \binom{n}{k} \int_0^1 x^k(1-x)^{n-k} \d x \\ \Rightarrow && \int_0^1 x^k (1-x)^{n-k} \d x &= \frac{k!(n-k)!}{(n+1)n!} \\ &&&= \frac{k!(n-k)!}{(n+1)!} \end{align*}

1996 Paper 1 Q3
D: 1500.0 B: 1486.0

Let \(n\) be a positive integer.

  1. Factorise \(n^{5}-n^{3},\) and show that it is divisible by 24.
  2. Prove that \(2^{2n}-1\) is divisible by 3.
  3. If \(n-1\) is divisible by 3, show that \(n^{3}-1\) is divisible by 9.


Solution:

  1. \(n^5 -n^3 = n^3(n-1)(n+1)\). If \(n\) is even then \(8 \mid n^3\). if \(n\) is odd then both of \(n-1\) and \(n+1\) are divisible by \(2\) and one is divisible by \(4\), so regardless \(8\) divides our expression. We can write \(n = 3k, 3k+1, 3k+2\) and in all cases our expression is divisible by \(3\). \(n = 3k \Rightarrow 3 \mid n\), \(n = 3k+1 \Rightarrow 3 \mid n-1\), \(n = 3k+2 \Rightarrow 3 \mid n+1\). Therefore \(3\) and \(8\) both divide our expression, and they are coprime so their product (24) divides our expression.
  2. \(2^{2n}-1 = (2^2-1) \cdot (1+2^2+\cdots + 2^{2n-2}) = 3 \cdot N\) therefore \(3\) divides our number.
  3. Suppose \(n-1 = 3k\) then \(n^3-1 = (3k+1)^3-1 = 27k^3 + 27k^2 + 9k\) which is clearly divisible by 9

1996 Paper 1 Q4
D: 1484.0 B: 1500.0

Show that \[ \int_{0}^{1}\frac{1}{x^{2}+2ax+1}\,\mathrm{d}x=\begin{cases} \dfrac{1}{\sqrt{1-a^{2}}}\tan^{-1}\sqrt{\dfrac{1-a}{1+a}} & \text{ if }\left|a\right|<1,\\ \dfrac{1}{2\sqrt{a^{2}-1}}\ln |a+\sqrt{a^{2}-1}| & \text{ if }\left|a\right|>1. \end{cases} \]


Solution: First suppose \(|a| < 1\), then \begin{align*} && I &= \int_0^1 \frac{1}{x^2+2ax+1} \d x \\ &&&= \int_0^1 \frac{1}{(x+a)^2 +1-a^2} \d x \\ &&&= \int_0^1 \frac{1}{(x+a)^2 +(\sqrt{1-a^2})^2} \d x \tag{\(1-a^2 > 0\)}\\ &&&= \left [\frac{1}{\sqrt{1-a^2}} \tan^{-1} \frac{x+a}{\sqrt{1-a^2}} \right]_0^1 \\ &&&= \frac{1}{\sqrt{1-a^2}} \left ( \tan^{-1} \frac{a+1}{\sqrt{1-a^2}} - \tan^{-1} \frac{a}{\sqrt{1-a^2}} \right) \\ &&&= \frac{1}{\sqrt{1-a^2}} \tan^{-1} \left ( \frac{\frac{a+1}{\sqrt{1-a^2}}-\frac{a}{\sqrt{1-a^2}}}{1+\frac{(a+1)a}{1-a^2}} \right) \\ &&&= \frac{1}{\sqrt{1-a^2}} \tan^{-1} \left ( \frac{\frac{1}{\sqrt{1-a^2}}}{\frac{1+a}{1-a^2}} \right) \\ &&&= \frac{1}{\sqrt{1-a^2}} \tan^{-1} \left ( \frac{1-a}{\sqrt{1-a^2}}\right) \\ &&&= \frac{1}{\sqrt{1-a^2}} \tan^{-1} \sqrt { \frac{1-a}{1+a}} \\ \end{align*} Second, suppose \(|a| > 1\), then \begin{align*} && I &= \int_0^1 \frac{1}{x^2+2ax+1} \d x \\ &&&= \int_0^1 \frac{1}{(x+a)^2-(a^2-1)} \d x \\ &&&= \int_0^1 \frac{1}{(x+a-\sqrt{a^2-1})(x+a+\sqrt{a^2-1})} \d x \tag{\(a^2-1 > 0\)} \\ &&&= \frac{1}{2\sqrt{a^2-1}}\int_0^1 \left ( \frac{1}{x+a-\sqrt{a^2-1}} - \frac{1}{x+a+\sqrt{a^2-1}} \right) \d x \\ &&&= \frac{1}{2\sqrt{a^2-1}} \left [ \ln |x+a-\sqrt{a^2-1}|- \ln |x+a+\sqrt{a^2-1}| \right]_0^1 \\ &&&= \frac{1}{2\sqrt{a^2-1}} \left ( \ln |1+a-\sqrt{a^2-1}| - \ln|1+a+\sqrt{a^2-1}| - \ln|a-\sqrt{a^2-1}| +\ln|a + \sqrt{a^2-1}| \right) \\ &&&= \frac{1}{2\sqrt{a^2-1}} \ln | \frac{(1+a-\sqrt{a^2-1})(a+\sqrt{a^2-1})}{(1+a+\sqrt{a^2-1})(a-\sqrt{a^2-1})}|\\ &&&= \frac{1}{2\sqrt{a^2-1}} \ln |\frac{a+a^2-(a^2-1) +\sqrt{a^2-1}}{1+a-\sqrt{a^2-1}}| \\ &&&= \frac{1}{2\sqrt{a^2-1}} \ln |\frac{(1+a +\sqrt{a^2-1})^2}{(1+a)^2-(a^2-1)}| \\ &&&= \frac{1}{2\sqrt{a^2-1}} \ln |\frac{1+2a+a^2+a^2-1+2(1+a)\sqrt{a^2-1}}{2+2a}| \\ &&&= \frac{1}{2\sqrt{a^2-1}} \ln |a+\sqrt{a^2-1}| \\ \end{align*}

1996 Paper 1 Q5
D: 1484.0 B: 1500.0

  1. Find all rational numbers \(r\) and \(s\) which satisfy \[ (r+s\sqrt{3})^{2}=4-2\sqrt{3}. \]
  2. Find all real numbers \(p\) and \(q\) which satisfy \[ (p+q\mathrm{i})^{2}=(3-2\sqrt{3})+2(1-\sqrt{3})\mathrm{i}. \]
  3. Solve the equation \[ (1+\mathrm{i})z^{2}-2z+2\sqrt{3}-2=0, \] writing your solutions in as simple a form as possible.
{[}No credit will be given to answers involving use of calculators.{]}


Solution:

  1. Suppose \begin{align*} && 4 - 2\sqrt{3} &= (r+s\sqrt{3})^2 \\ &&&= r^2+3s^2+2sr \sqrt{3} \\ \Rightarrow && rs &= -1 \\ && r^2+3s^2 &= 4 \\ \Rightarrow && (r,s) &= (1,-1), (-1,1) \end{align*}
  2. \begin{align*} && (3-2\sqrt{3})+2(1-\sqrt{3})i &= (p+qi)^2 \\ &&&= p^2-q^2 + 2pq i \\ \Rightarrow && pq &= (1-\sqrt{3}) \\ && p^2 - q^2 &= 3-2\sqrt{3} \\ \Rightarrow &&3-2\sqrt{3} &= p^2 - \frac{(1-\sqrt{3})^2}{p^2} \\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= p^4-(3-2\sqrt{3})p^2-(4-2\sqrt{3}) \\ &&&= (p^2-(4-2\sqrt{3}))(p^2+1) \\ \Rightarrow && p &= \pm (1-\sqrt{3}) \\ && q &=\mp \frac12(1+\sqrt{3}) \end{align*}
  3. \begin{align*} && 0 &= (1+i)z^2 - 2z + 2(\sqrt{3}-1) \\ \Rightarrow && z &= \frac{2 \pm \sqrt{4-4(1+i)2(\sqrt{3}-1)}}{2(1+i)} \\ &&&= \frac{1 \pm \sqrt{1-(1+i)2(\sqrt{3}-1)}}{1+i} \\ &&&= \frac{1 \pm \sqrt{(3-2\sqrt{3})+(2-2\sqrt{3})i}}{1+i} \\ &&&= \frac{1 \pm (1 - \sqrt{3}) \mp \frac12 (1+\sqrt{3})i}{1+i} \\ &&&= \frac{5-\sqrt{3}}{4} + \frac{3-3\sqrt{3}}{4}i, \\ &&& \frac{\sqrt{3}-1}{4} + \frac{1+3\sqrt{3}}{4}i \end{align*}

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 Q7
D: 1484.0 B: 1469.7

  1. At time \(t=0\) a tank contains one unit of water. Water flows out of the tank at a rate proportional to the amount of water in the tank. The amount of water in the tank at time \(t\) is \(y\). Show that there is a constant \(b < 1\) such that \(y=b^{t}.\)
  2. Suppose instead that the tank contains one unit of water at time \(t=0,\) but that in addition to water flowing out as described, water is added at a steady rate \(a>0.\) Show that \[ \frac{\mathrm{d}y}{\mathrm{d}t}-y\ln b=a, \] and hence find \(y\) in terms of \(a,b\) and \(t\).


Solution:

  1. Since water flows out a rate proportional to the water in the tank we must have \(\dot{y} = -ky\), ie \(y = Ae^{-k t}\). Since \(t = 0, y = 1\) we have \(y = e^{-kt} = (e^{-k})^t\), so call \(b = e^{-k}\) and we have the result. (Since \(k > 0 \Rightarrow b < 1\)
  2. Notice that \begin{align*} && \dot{y} &= -\underbrace{ky}_{\text{flow out}} + \underbrace{a}_{\text{flow in}} \\ &&&= y\ln b + a \\ \Rightarrow && \dot{y} - y \ln b &= a \\ \\ \text{CF}: && y &= Ae^{\ln b t} = Ab^t\\ \text{PI}: && y &= -\frac{a}{\ln b} \\ t = 0, y = 1: && 1 &= A-\frac{a}{\ln b} \\ \Rightarrow && y &= \frac{a}{\ln b} \left ( b^t - 1 \right)+b^t \end{align*}

1996 Paper 1 Q8
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

  1. By using the formula for the sum of a geometric series, or otherwise, express the number \(0.38383838\ldots\) as a fraction in its lowest terms.
  2. Let \(x\) be a real number which has a recurring decimal expansion \[ x=0\cdot a_{1}a_{2}a_{2}\cdots, \] so that there exists positive integers \(N\) and \(k\) such that \(a_{n+k}=a_{n}\) for all \(n>N.\) Show that \[ x=\frac{b}{10^{N}}+\frac{c}{10^{N}(10^{k}-1)}\,, \] where \(b\) and \(c\) are integers to be found. Deduce that \(x\) is rational.


Solution:

  1. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && 0.383838\ldots &= \frac{3}{10} + \frac{8}{100} + \frac{3}{1000} + \cdots \\ &&&= \frac{38}{100} + \frac{38}{10000} + \cdots \\ &&&= \frac{38}{100} \left (1 + \frac{1}{100} + \frac{1}{100^2} + \cdots \right) \\ &&&= \frac{\frac{38}{100}}{1 - \frac{1}{100}} \\ &&&= \frac{38}{99} \end{align*}
  2. Let \(x = 0\cdot a_{1}a_{2}a_{2}\cdots\) such that there exists \(N\), \(k\) such that \(a_{n+k} = a_n\) for \(n > N\). First notice that \begin{align*} x &= \frac{a_1a_2\cdots a_N}{10\ldots000} + \frac{a_{N+1}}{10^{N+1}} + \cdots \\ &= \frac{b}{10^N} + \frac{a_{N+1}a_{N+2}\cdots a_{N+k}}{10^{N+k}} + \frac{a_{N+1}a_{N+2}\cdots a_{N+2k}}{10^{N+k}} + \cdots \\ &= \frac{b}{10^N} + \frac{c}{10^{N+k}} \left (1 + \frac{1}{10^k} + \cdots \right) \\ &= \frac{b}{10^N} + \frac{c}{10^{N+k}} \frac{1}{1- \frac{1}{10^k}} \\ &= \frac{b}{10^N} + \frac{c}{10^{N+k}} \frac{10^k}{10^k-1} \\ &= \frac{b}{10^N} + \frac{c}{10^N(10^k-1)} \end{align*} where \(b = a_1a_2\cdots a_N\) and \(c = a_{N+1}a_{N+2}\cdots a_{N+k}\). Clearly as the sum of two rational numbers, \(x\) is rational.

1996 Paper 1 Q9
D: 1500.0 B: 1485.6

A bungee-jumper of mass \(m\) is attached by means of a light rope of natural length \(l\) and modulus of elasticity \(mg/k,\) where \(k\) is a constant, to a bridge over a ravine. She jumps from the bridge and falls vertically towards the ground. If she only just avoids hitting the ground, show that the height \(h\) of the bridge above the floor of the ravine satisfies \[ h^{2}-2hl(k+1)+l^{2}=0, \] and hence find \(h.\) Show that the maximum speed \(v\) which she attains during her fall satisfies \[ v^{2}=(k+2)gl. \]


Solution: \begin{align*} && \text{Energy at the top} &= mgh \\ && \text{Energy at the bottom} &= \frac12\frac{\lambda (h-l)^2}{l} \\ \Rightarrow && mgh & = \frac{\frac{mg}{k}(h-l)^2}{2l} \\ \Rightarrow && 2hkl &= (h-l)^2 \\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= h^2-2lh-2hlk+l^2 \\ &&0&= h^2-2hl(k+1)+l^2 \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{h}{l} &= \frac{2(k+1)\pm \sqrt{4(k+1)^2-4}}{2} \\ &&&= (k+1) \pm \sqrt{k^2+2k} \\ \Rightarrow && h &= l \left ( (k+1) \pm \sqrt{k^2+2k} \right) \end{align*} Since the negative root is less than \(1\), she would have not fully extended the cord. Therefore \(h = l \left ( (k+1) + \sqrt{k^2+2k} \right)\) Her maximum speed will be when her acceleration is \(0\), ie \(g = \text{force from cord}\) ie \(mg = \frac{\lambda x}{l}\) or \(x = \frac{mgl}{\lambda} = \frac{mglk}{mg} = kl\). At this point by conservation of energy we will have \begin{align*} && mgh &= mg(h-l-x) + \frac12 m v^2+\frac{1}{2} \frac{mgx^2}{kl} \\ \Rightarrow && mg\left ( l + kl \right) &= \frac12 m v^2 + \frac12 \frac{mgl^2k^2}{kl} \\ \Rightarrow && 2g\left ( l + kl \right) &= v^2 + glk \\ \Rightarrow && v^2 &= gl(2+k) \end{align*}

1996 Paper 1 Q10
D: 1500.0 B: 1516.0

A spaceship of mass \(M\) is at rest. It separates into two parts in an explosion in which the total kinetic energy released is \(E\). Immediately after the explosion the two parts have masses \(m_{1}\) and \(m_{2}\) and speeds \(v_{1}\) and \(v_{2}\) respectively. Show that the minimum possible relative speed \(v_{1}+v_{2}\) of the two parts of the spaceship after the explosion is \((8E/M)^{1/2}.\)

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 \[ v^{2}=\frac{g}{2}\left(\frac{cd}{h}+\frac{(c+d)^{2}h}{cd}\right)\,. \]