1531 problems found
A fair coin is thrown \(n\) times. On each throw, 1 point is scored for a head and 1 point is lost for a tail. Let \(S_{n}\) be the points total for the series of \(n\) throws, i.e. \(S_{n}=X_{1}+X_{2}+\cdots+X_{n},\) where \[ X_{j}=\begin{cases} 1 & \text{ if the }j \text{ th throw is a head}\\ -1 & \text{ if the }j\text{ th throw is a tail.} \end{cases} \]
Solution: Notice that \(\mathbb{E}(X_i) = 0, \mathbb{E}(X_i^2) = 1\) and so \(\mathbb{E}(S_n) =0, \textrm{Var}(S_n) = n\).
At any instant the probability that it is safe to cross a busy road is \(0.1\). A toad is waiting to cross this road. Every minute she looks at the road. If it is safe, she will cross; if it is not safe, she will wait for a minute before attempting to cross again. Find the probability that she eventually crosses the road without mishap. Later on, a frog is also trying to cross the same road. He also inspects the traffic at one minute intervals and crosses if it is safe. Being more impatient than the toad, he may also attempt to cross when it is not safe. The probability that he will attempt to cross when it is not safe is \(n/3\) if \(n\leqslant3,\) where \(n\) minutes have elapsed since he firrst inspected the road. If he attempts to cross when it is not safe, he is run over with probability \(0.8,\) but otherwise he reaches the other side safely. Find the probability that he eventually crosses the road without mishap. What is the probability that both reptiles safely cross the road with the frog taking less time than the toad? If the frog has not arrived at the other side 2 minutes after he began his attempt to cross, what is the probability that the frog is run over (at some stage) in his attempt to cross? \textit{[Once moving, the reptiles spend a negligible time on their attempt to cross the road.]}
Solution: Since the toad never crosses when it's not safe, she is certain to cross. (Probability she hasn't crossed after the \(n\)th minute is \(0.9^n \to 0\)). \begin{array}{c|c|c|c|c|c|c|c} \text{will try dangerously} & \text{is safe} & \text{has tried} & \text{tries safely} & \text{tries unsafely} & \text{succeeds} & \text{succeeds unsafely} & \text{fails} \\ \hline 0 & 0.1 & 0 & 0.1 & 0 & 0.1 & 0 & 0\\ \frac13 & 0.1 & 0.1 & 0.09 & 0.27 & 0.144 & 0.054 & 0.216\\ \frac23 & 0.1 & 0.46 & 0.054 & 0.324 & 0.1188 & 0.0648 & 0.2592\\ 1 & 0.1 & 0.838 & 0.0162 & 0.1458 & 0.04536 & 0.02916 & 0.11664\\ \hline & & & & & 0.40816 & 0.14796 & \\ \hline \end{array} So \(\mathbb{P}(\text{frog crosses safely}) = 0.40816\) and \(\mathbb{P}(\text{frog beats toad across}) = 0.14796\). \begin{align*} \mathbb{P}(\text{frog run over} | \text{frog not crossed after 2 minutes}) &= \frac{\mathbb{P}(\text{frog run over and frog not crossed after 2 minutes})}{\mathbb{P}(\text{frog not crossed after 2 minutes})} \\ &= \frac{\mathbb{P}(\text{frog run over within 2 minutes})}{\mathbb{P}(\text{frog not crossed after 2 minutes})} \\ &= \frac{\mathbb{P}(\text{frog run over within 2 minutes})}{1-\mathbb{P}(\text{crossed after 2 minutes})} \\ &= \frac{0.216+0.2592}{1-0.3628} \\ &= 0.7457\ldots \end{align*}
Let \(\mathrm{h}(x)=ax^{2}+bx+c,\) where \(a,b\) and \(c\) are constants, and \(a\neq0\). Give a condition which \(a,b\) and \(c\) must satisfy in order that \(\mathrm{h}(x)\) can be written in the form \[ a(x+k)^{2},\tag{*} \] where \(k\) is a constant. If \(\mathrm{f}(x)=3x^{2}+4x\) and \(\mathrm{g}(x)=x^{2}-2\), find the two constant values of \(\lambda\) such that \(\mathrm{f}(x)+\lambda\mathrm{g}(x)\) can be written in the form \((*)\). Hence, or otherwise, find constants \(A,B,C,D,m\) and \(n\) such that \begin{alignat*}{1} \mathrm{f}(x) & =A(x+m)^{2}+B(x+n)^{2}\\ \mathrm{g}(x) & =C(x+m)^{2}+D(x+n)^{2}. \end{alignat*} If \(\mathrm{f}(x)=3x^{2}+4x\) and \(\mathrm{g}(x)=x^{2}+\alpha\) and it is given by that there is only one value of \(\lambda\) for which \(\mathrm{f}(x)+\lambda\mathrm{g}(x)\) can be written in the form \((*)\), find \(\alpha\).
Solution: For \(h(x)\) to be written in this form \(b^2=4ac\). Suppose \(f(x) = 3x^2+4x\), \(g(x) = x^2-2\). then, \begin{align*} && f(x) + \lambda g(x) &= (3+\lambda)x^2+4x - 2 \lambda \\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= 16 + 8(3+\lambda) \lambda \\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= 2+ 3 \lambda + \lambda^2 \\ &&&= (\lambda +1)(\lambda + 2) \\ \Rightarrow && \lambda &= -1 , -2 \\ \end{align*} \begin{align*} && f(x) - g(x) &= 2(x+1)^2 \\ && f(x) -2g(x) &= (x+2)^2 \\ \Rightarrow && g(x) &= 2(x+1)^2 - (x+2)^2 \\ && f(x) &= 4(x+1)^2 - (x+2)^2 \end{align*} Suppose \(f(x) = 3x^2+4x, g(x) = x^2 + \alpha\), then \begin{align*} && f(x) + \lambda g(x) &= (3+\lambda)x^2+4x+\lambda \alpha \\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= 16 -2\lambda \alpha(\lambda + 3) \\ && 0 &= \alpha \lambda^2 +3\lambda-8 \\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= 9 +32 \alpha \\ \Rightarrow && \alpha &= -\frac{9}{32} \end{align*}
The equation of a hyperbola (with respect to axes which are displaced and rotated with respect to the standard axes) is \[ 3y^{2}-10xy+3x^{2}+16y-16x+15=0.\tag{\(\dagger\)} \] By differentiating \((\dagger)\), or otherwise, show that the equation of the tangent through the point \((s,t)\) on the curve is \[ y=\left(\frac{5t-3s+8}{3t-5s+8}\right)x-\left(\frac{8t-8s+15}{3t-5s+8}\right). \] Show that the equations of the asymptote (the limiting tangents as \(s\rightarrow\infty\)) are \[ y=3x-4\qquad\mbox{ and }\qquad3y=x-4. \] {[}Hint: You will need to find a relationship between \(s\) and \(t\) which is valid in the limit as \(s\rightarrow\infty.\){]} Show that the angle between one asymptote and the \(x\)-axis is the same as the angle between the other asymptote and the \(y\)-axis. Deduce the slopes of the lines that bisect the angles between the asymptotes and find the equations of the axes of the hyperbola.
Solution: \begin{align*} && 0 &= 3y^{2}-10xy+3x^{2}+16y-16x+15 \\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= 6y \frac{\d y}{\d x} - 10x \frac{\d y}{\d x} - 10y + 6x+ 16 \frac{\d y}{\d x } - 16 \\ &&&= \frac{\d y}{\d x} \left (6y - 10x +16 \right) - (10y-6x+16) \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{\d y}{\d x} &= \frac{5y-3x+8}{3y-5x+8} \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{y-t}{x-s} &= \frac{5t-3s+8}{3t-5s+8} \\ && y &= \left(\frac{5t-3s+8}{3t-5s+8}\right)x -\left(\frac{5t-3s+8}{3t-5s+8}\right)s + t \\ &&&= \left(\frac{5t-3s+8}{3t-5s+8}\right)x - \frac{(5ts-3s^2+8s)-(3t^2-5st+8t)}{3t-5s+8} \\ &&&= \left(\frac{5t-3s+8}{3t-5s+8}\right)x - \frac{(5ts-3s^2+8s)-(3t^2-5st+8t)}{3t-5s+8} \\ &&&= \left(\frac{5t-3s+8}{3t-5s+8}\right)x - \frac{8s-8t-(3s^2+3t^2-10st)}{3t-5s+8} \\ &&&= \left(\frac{5t-3s+8}{3t-5s+8}\right)x - \frac{8s-8t-(16s-16t-15)}{3t-5s+8} \\ &&&= \left(\frac{5t-3s+8}{3t-5s+8}\right)x - \frac{8t-8s+15}{3t-5s+8} \\ \end{align*} While \(x \to \infty\) we still have \(3 \frac{y^2}{x^2} - 10 \frac{y}{x} + 3 + 16 \frac{y}{x^2} - 16\frac{1}{x} + 15 \frac{1}{x^2} = 0\), ie if \(\frac{y}{x} = k\), then \(3k^2 - 10k + 3 \to 0 \Rightarrow k \to 3, \frac13\). Therefore, as \(s \to \infty\) we can write \begin{align*} && y &= \left(\frac{5\frac{t}{s}-3+8\frac{1}{s}}{3\frac{t}{s}-5+8\frac1{s}}\right)x - \frac{8\frac{t}s-8+15\frac{1}{s}}{3\frac{t}{s}-5+8\frac{1}{s}} \\ k \to 3: &&& \to \left(\frac{15-3}{9-5}\right)x - \frac{24-8}{9-5} \\ &&&= 3x - 4 \\ k \to \frac13: && &\to \left(\frac{\frac53-3}{1-5}\right)x - \frac{\frac83-8}{1-5} \\ &&&= \frac13 x - \frac43 \end{align*} Therefore the equations are \(y = 3x-4\) and \(3y=x-4\) The lines are parallel to \(y = 3x\) and \(y = \frac13x\), so by considering the triangles formed with the origin and a point \(1\) along the \(x\) or \(y\) axis we can see the angles are identical. This means the line \(y = x\) is parallel to one axis and \(y = -x\) is parallel to the other. They must meet where our two lines meet which is \((1,-1)\), so our lines are \(y = x-2\) and \(y = -x\)
It is given that \(x,y\) and \(z\) are distinct and non-zero, and that they satisfy \[ x+\frac{1}{y}=y+\frac{1}{z}=z+\frac{1}{x}. \] Show that \(x^{2}y^{2}z^{2}=1\) and that the value of \(x+\dfrac{1}{y}\) is either \(+1\) or \(-1\).
Solution: \begin{align*} && x-y &= \frac1z - \frac1y \\ && x-z &= \frac1x - \frac1y \\ && y-z &= \frac1x - \frac1z \\ \Rightarrow && (x-y)(x-z)(y-z) &= \frac{(y-z)(y-x)(z-x)}{x^2y^2z^2} \\ \Rightarrow && x^2y^2 z^2 &= 1 \\ \end{align*} Suppose \(x + \frac1{y} =k \Rightarrow xy + 1 = ky\) Therefore \(y + \frac{1}{z} = y \pm xy = k\) Therefore \(1 \mp y = k(y \mp 1) \Rightarrow k = \pm 1\)
Let \(y=\cos\phi+\cos2\phi\), where \(\phi=\dfrac{2\pi}{5}.\) Verify by direct substitution that \(y\) satisfies the quadratic equation \(2y^{2}=3y+2\) and deduce that the value of \(y\) is \(-\frac{1}{2}.\) Let \(\theta=\dfrac{2\pi}{17}.\) Show that \[ \sum_{k=0}^{16}\cos k\theta=0. \] If \(z=\cos\theta+\cos2\theta+\cos4\theta+\cos8\theta,\) show that the value of \(z\) is \(-(1-\sqrt{17})/4\).
Solution: Note that \(\cos 4 \phi = \cos \phi, \cos 3 \phi = \cos 2 \phi\) \begin{align*} && LHS & = 2y^2 \\ &&&= 2 \left ( \cos \phi + \cos 2 \phi \right)^2 \\ &&&= 2 \cos ^2 \phi + 2 \cos^2 2 \phi + 4 \cos \phi \cos 2 \phi \\ &&&= \cos 2 \phi+1+ \cos4 \phi+1+2 \left ( \cos \phi + \cos 3 \phi \right) \\ &&&= \cos 2 \phi + 2 + \cos \phi + 2 \cos \phi + 2 \cos 2 \phi \\ &&&= 3(\cos \phi + \cos 2 \phi) + 2 \\ &&&= 3 y + 2 \\ &&&= RHS \end{align*} Therefore \(y\) satisfies \(2y^2 = 3y+2\), which we can solve: \begin{align*} && 0 &= 2y^2-3y-2 \\ &&&= (2y+1)(y-2) \\ \Rightarrow && y &= -\frac12,2 \end{align*} Since \(\cos \phi \neq 1\), \(y \neq 2\), therefore \(y = -\frac12\). \begin{align*} && \sum_{k=0}^{16} \cos k \theta &= \sum_{k=0}^{17} \textrm{Re} \left ( e^{ k \theta i} \right ) \\ &&&= \textrm{Re} \left ( \sum_{k=0}^{16}e^{ k \theta i} \right ) \\ &&&= \textrm{Re} \left ( \frac{1-e^{17 \theta i}}{1-e^{i \theta}} \right ) \\ &&&= 0 \end{align*} Suppose \(z = \cos \theta + \cos 2 \theta + \cos 4 \theta + \cos 8 \theta\) \begin{align*} z^2 &= \left (\cos \theta + \cos 2 \theta + \cos 4 \theta + \cos 8 \theta \right)^2 \\ &= \cos^2 \theta + \cos^2 2 \theta + \cos^2 4 \theta + \cos^2 8 \theta \\ & \quad \quad 2( \cos \theta \cos 2 \theta + \cos \theta \cos 4 \theta + \cos \theta \cos 8 \theta + \\ & \quad \quad \quad \cos 2 \theta \cos 4 \theta + \cos 2 \theta \cos 8 \theta + \cos 4 \theta \cos 8 \theta) \\ &= \frac12 \left (\cos 2 \theta + 1+ \cos 4 \theta + 1 + \cos 8 \theta + 1 + \cos 16 \theta + 1 \right ) + \\ &\quad \quad ( \cos \theta + \cos 3 \theta + \cos 3 \theta + \cos 5 \theta + \cos 7 \theta + \cos 9 \theta + \\ & \quad \quad \quad \cos 2 \theta + \cos 6 \theta + \cos 6 \theta + \cos 10 \theta +\cos 4 \theta + \cos 12 \theta ) \\ &= \frac12 z + 2 + \\ & \quad \quad ( \cos 3 \theta + \cos 6 \theta - \cos 8 \theta - \cos 11 \theta \\ & \quad \quad \quad - \cos 13 \theta - \cos 14 \theta - \cos 15 \theta - \cos 16 \theta - 1) \\ &= \frac12 z + 1 - z \\ &= -\frac12 z +1 \end{align*} Therefore \(z\) satisfies \(z^2=-\frac12 z+1 \Rightarrow z = \frac{-\frac12 \pm \sqrt{\frac14+4}}{2} = \frac{-1 \pm \sqrt{17}}{4}\) Therefore \(z = \frac{\sqrt{17}-1}{4}\) since \(z > 0\)
Give a rough sketch of the function \(\tan^{k}\theta\) for \(0\leqslant\theta\leqslant\frac{1}{4}\pi\) in the two cases \(k=1\) and \(k\gg1\) (i.e. \(k\) is much greater than 1). Show that for any positive integer \(n\) \[ \int_{0}^{\frac{1}{4}\pi}\tan^{2n+1}\theta\,\mathrm{d}\theta=(-1)^{n}\left(\tfrac{1}{2}\ln2+\sum_{m=1}^{n}\frac{(-1)^{m}}{2m}\right), \] and deduce that \[ \sum_{m=1}^{\infty}\frac{(-1)^{m-1}}{2m}=\tfrac{1}{2}\ln2. \] Show similarly that \[ \sum_{m=1}^{\infty}\frac{(-1)^{m-1}}{2m-1}=\frac{\pi}{4}. \]
Solution:
Show by means of a sketch, or otherwise, that if \(0\leqslant\mathrm{f}(y)\leqslant\mathrm{g}(y)\) for \(0\leqslant y\leqslant x\) then \[ 0\leqslant\int_{0}^{x}\mathrm{f}(y)\,\mathrm{d}y\leqslant\int_{0}^{x}\mathrm{g}(y)\,\mathrm{d}y. \] Starting from the inequality \(0\leqslant\cos y\leqslant1,\) or otherwise, prove that if \(0\leqslant x\leqslant\frac{1}{2}\pi\) then \(0\leqslant\sin x\leqslant x\) and \(\cos x\geqslant1-\frac{1}{2}x^{2}.\) Deduce that \[ \frac{1}{1800}\leqslant\int_{0}^{\frac{1}{10}}\frac{x}{(2+\cos x)^{2}}\,\mathrm{d}x\leqslant\frac{1}{1797}. \] Show further that if \(0\leqslant x\leqslant\frac{1}{2}\pi\) then \(\sin x\geqslant x-\frac{1}{6}x^{3}.\) Hence prove that \[ \frac{1}{3000}\leqslant\int_{0}^{\frac{1}{10}}\frac{x^{2}}{(1-x+\sin x)^{2}}\,\mathrm{d}x\leqslant\frac{2}{5999}. \]
The function \(\mathrm{g}\) satisfies, for all positive \(x\) and \(y\), \[ \mathrm{g}(x)+\mathrm{g}(y)=\mathrm{g}(z),\tag{*} \] where \(z=xy/(x+y+1).\) By treating \(y\) as a constant, show that \[ \mathrm{g}'(x)=\frac{y^{2}+y}{(x+y+1)^{2}}\mathrm{g}'(z)=\frac{z(z+1)}{x(x+1)}\mathrm{g}'(z), \] and deduce that \(2\mathrm{g}'(1)=(u^{2}+u)\mathrm{g}'(u)\) for all \(u\) satisfying \(0 < u < 1.\) Now by treating \(u\) as a variable, show that \[ \mathrm{g}(u)=A\ln\left(\frac{u}{u+1}\right)+B, \] where \(A\) and \(B\) are constants. Verify that \(\mathrm{g}\) satisfies \((*)\) for a suitable value of \(B\). Can \(A\) be determined from \((*)\)? The function \(\mathrm{f}\) satisfies, for all positive \(x\) and \(y\), \[ \mathrm{f}(x)+\mathrm{f}(y)=\mathrm{f}(z) \] where \(z=xy.\) Show that \(\mathrm{f}(x)=C\ln x\) where \(C\) is a constant.
Solution: Note that \(z = xy/(x+y+1) \Rightarrow y(x-z) = z(x+1)\) \begin{align*} && g(x) + g(y) &= g(z) \\ \Rightarrow && g'(x) &= g'(z) \cdot \frac{y(x+y+1) - xy \cdot 1} {(x+y+1)^2} \\ &&&= g'(z) \frac{y^2+y}{(x+y+1)^2} \\ &&&= g'(z) \frac{z^2(y^2+y)}{x^2y^2} \\ &&&= g'(z) \frac{z^2(y+1)}{x^2y} \\ &&&= g'(z) \frac{z^2}{x^2} \left (1 + \frac{x-z}{z(x+1)} \right) \\ &&&= g'(z) \frac{z}{x^2} \frac{zx+x}{x+1} \\ &&&= g'(z) \frac{z(z+1)}{x(x+1)} \end{align*} If \(x = 1\) then as \(y\) ranges from \(0\) to \(\infty\), \(z\) ranges from \(0\) to \(1\), so \(g'(1) = \frac{z(z+1)}{1(1+1)}g'(z)\), ie \(2g'(1) = (u^2+u)g'(u)\). \begin{align*} && g'(u) &= \frac{A}{u(u+1)} \\ \Rightarrow && g(u) &= A\int \left ( \frac{1}{u} - \frac{1}{u+1} \right) \d u \\ &&&= A \left ( \ln u - \ln(u+1) \right) + B \\ &&&= A \ln \left ( \frac{u}{u+1} \right) + B \\ \\ && A \ln \left ( \frac{x}{x+1} \right) + B+A \ln \left ( \frac{y}{y+1} \right) + B &=A \ln \left ( \frac{z}{z+1} \right) + B \\ \Rightarrow && B &= A \ln \left ( \frac{z}{z+1} \frac{y+1}{y} \frac{x+1}{x} \right) \\ &&&= A \ln \left ( \frac{1}{1+\frac{x+y+1}{xy}} \frac{(y+1)(x+1)}{xy} \right) \\ &&&= A \ln 1 \\ &&& = 0 \end{align*} Therefore \(B = 0\). \(A\) cannot be determined from \((*)\). Suppose \(f(x) + f(y) = f(z)\), then \(f'(x) = yf'(z)\). Letting \(x = 1\) we find \(f'(1) = uf'(u) \Rightarrow f(u) = C \ln u + D\), but \(D = 0\) so \(f(x) = C \ln x\)
Solve the quadratic equation \(u^{2}+2u\sinh x-1=0\), giving \(u\) in terms of \(x\). Find the solution of the differential equation \[ \left(\frac{\mathrm{d}y}{\mathrm{d}x}\right)^{2}+2\frac{\mathrm{d}y}{\mathrm{d}x}\sinh x-1=0 \] which satisfies \(y=0\) and \(y'>0\) at \(x=0\). Find the solution of the differential equation \[ \sinh x\left(\frac{\mathrm{d}y}{\mathrm{d}x}\right)^{2}+2\frac{\mathrm{d}y}{\mathrm{d}x}-\sinh x=0 \] which satisfies \(y=0\) at \(x=0\).
Solution: \begin{align*} && 0 &= u^2 + 2u \sinh x -1 \\ &&&= u^2 + u(e^x-e^{-x})-e^{x}e^{-x} \\ &&&= (u-e^{-x})(u+e^x) \\ \Rightarrow && u &= e^{-x}, -e^x \end{align*} \begin{align*} && 0 &= \left(\frac{\mathrm{d}y}{\mathrm{d}x}\right)^{2}+2\frac{\mathrm{d}y}{\mathrm{d}x}\sinh x-1 \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{\d y}{\d x} &= e^{-x}, -e^x \\ \Rightarrow && y &= -e^{-x}+C, -e^x+C \\ y(0) = 0: && C &= 1\text{ both cases } \\ y'(0) > 0: && y &= 1-e^{-x} \end{align*} \begin{align*} && 0 &= \sinh x u^2 + 2u -\sinh x \\ \Rightarrow && u &= \frac{-2 \pm \sqrt{4+4\sinh^2 x}}{2\sinh x} \\ &&&= \frac{-1 \pm \cosh x}{\sinh x} = - \textrm{cosech }x \pm \textrm{coth}x \\ \\ && 0 &= \sinh x\left(\frac{\mathrm{d}y}{\mathrm{d}x}\right)^{2}+2\frac{\mathrm{d}y}{\mathrm{d}x}-\sinh x \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{\d y}{\d x} &= - \textrm{cosech }x \pm \textrm{coth}x \\ \Rightarrow && y &= -\ln \left ( \tanh \frac{x}{2} \right) \pm \ln \sinh x+C \end{align*} For \(x \to 0\) to be defined, we need \(+\), so \begin{align*} && y &= \ln \left (\frac{\sinh x}{\tanh \frac{x}{2}} \right) + C \\ && y &= \ln \left (\frac{2\sinh \frac{x}{2} \cosh \frac{x}{2}}{\tanh \frac{x}{2}} \right)+C \\ &&&= \ln \left (2 \cosh^2 x \right) + C \\ y(0) = 0: && 0 &= \ln 2+C \\ \Rightarrow && y &= \ln(2 \cosh^2 x) -\ln 2 \\ && y &= 2 \ln (\cosh x) \end{align*}
Let \(G\) be the set of all matrices of the form \[ \begin{pmatrix}a & b\\ 0 & c \end{pmatrix}, \] where \(a,b\) and \(c\) are integers modulo 5, and \(a\neq0\neq c\). Show that \(G\) forms a group under matrix multiplication (which may be assumed to be associative). What is the order of \(G\)? Determine whether or not \(G\) is commutative. Determine whether or not the set consisting of all elements in \(G\) of order \(1\) or \(2\) is a subgroup of \(G\).
Solution: Claim \(G\) is a group under matrix multiplication
A straight stick of length \(h\) stands vertically. On a sunny day, the stick casts a shadow on flat horizontal ground. In cartesian axes based on the centre of the Earth, the position of the Sun may be taken to be \(R(\cos\theta,\sin\theta,0)\) where \(\theta\) varies but \(R\) is constant. The positions of the base and tip of the stick are \(a(0,\cos\phi,\sin\phi)\) and \(b(0,\cos\phi,\sin\phi)\), respectively, where \(b-a=h\). Show that the displacement vector from the base of the stick to the tip of the shadow is \[ Rh(R\cos\phi\sin\theta-b)^{-1}\begin{pmatrix}-\cos\theta\\ -\sin^{2}\phi\sin\theta\\ \cos\phi\sin\phi\sin\theta \end{pmatrix}. \] {[}`Stands vertically' means that the centre of the Earth, the base of the stick and the tip of the stick are collinear, `horizontal' means perpendicular to the stick.
The Ruritanian army is supplied with shells which may explode at any time in flight but not before the shell reaches its maximum height. The effect of the explosion on any observer depends only on the distance between the exploding shell and the observer (and decreases with distance). Ruritanian guns fire the shells with fixed muzzle speed, and it is the policy of the gunners to fire the shell at an angle of elevation which minimises the possible damages to themselves (assuming the ground is level) - i.e. they aim so that the point on the descending trajectory that is nearest to them is as far away as possible. With that intention, they choose the angle of elevation that minimises the damage to themselves if the shell explodes at its maximum height. What angle do they choose? Does the shell then get any nearer to the gunners during its descent?
A particle is attached to one end \(B\) of a light elastic string of unstretched length \(a\). Initially the other end \(A\) is at rest and the particle hangs at rest at a distance \(a+c\) vertically below \(A\). At time \(t=0\), the end \(A\) is forced to oscillate vertically, its downwards displacement at time \(t\) being \(b\sin pt\). Let \(x(t)\) be the downwards displacement of the particle at time \(t\) from its initial equilibrium position. Show that, while the string remains taut, \(x(t)\) satisfies \[ \frac{\mathrm{d}^{2}x}{\mathrm{d}t^{2}}=-n^{2}(x-b\sin pt), \] where \(n^{2}=g/c\), and that if \(0 < p < n\), \(x(t)\) is given by \[ x(t)=\frac{bn}{n^{2}-p^{2}}(n\sin pt-p\sin nt). \] Write down a necessary and sufficient condition that the string remains taut throughout the subsequent motion, and show that it is satisfied if \(pb < (n-p)c.\)
A non-uniform rod \(AB\) of mass \(m\) is pivoted at one end \(A\) so that it can swing freely in a vertical plane. Its centre of mass is a distance \(d\) from \(A\) and its moment of inertia about any axis perpendicular to the rod through \(A\) is \(mk^{2}.\) A small ring of mass \(\alpha m\) is free to slide along the rod and the coefficient of friction between the ring and rod is \(\mu.\) The rod is initially held in a horizontal position with the ring a distance \(x\) from \(A\). If \(k^{2} > xd\), show that when the rod is released, the ring will start to slide when the rod makes an angle \(\theta\) with the downward vertical, where \[ \mu\tan\theta=\frac{3\alpha x^{2}+k^{2}+2xd}{k^{2}-xd}. \] Explain what will happen if (i) \(k^{2}=xd\) and (ii) \(k^{2} < xd\).