14 problems found
Find the three values of \(x\) for which the derivative of \(x^2 \e^{-x^2}\) is zero. Given that \(a\) and \(b\) are distinct positive numbers, find a polynomial \(\P(x)\) such that the derivative of \(\P(x)\e^{-x^2}\) is zero for \(x=0\), \(x=\pm a\) and \(x=\pm b\,\), but for no other values of \(x\).
Solution: \begin{align*} && y &= x^2e^{-x^2} \\ \Rightarrow && y' &= 2xe^{-x^2} +x^2 \cdot (-2x)e^{-x^2} \\ &&&= e^{-x^2}(2x-2x^3) \\ &&&= 2e^{-x^2}x(1-x^2) \end{align*} Therefore the derivative is zero iff \(x = 0, \pm 1\) \begin{align*} && y &= \P(x) e^{-x^2} \\ \Rightarrow && y' &= e^{-x^2} (\P'(x)-2x\P(x)) \end{align*} Therefore we want \(\P'(x) - 2x\P(x) = Kx(x^2-a^2)(x^2-b^2)\) Since this has degree \(5\), we should look at polynomials degree \(4\) for \(\P\). We can also immediately see that \(0\) is a root of \(\P'(x)\), so \(\P(x) = a_4x^4+a_3x^3+a_2x^2+a_0\). WLOG \(a_4 = 1\) and \(K = -2\), so \begin{align*} && -2(x^5-(a^2+b^2)x^3+a^2b^2x) &= 4x^3+3a_3x^2+2a_2x- 2x(x^4+a_3x^3+a_2x^2+a_0) \\ &&&= -2x^5-2a_3 x^4+(4-2a_2)x^3+(2a_2-2a_0)x \\ \Rightarrow && a_3 &= 0 \\ && a^2+b^2 &= 2-a_2 \\ \Rightarrow && a_2 &= 2-a^2-b^2 \\ && a^2b^2 &= a_0-a_2 \\ \Rightarrow && a_0 &= a^2b^2 + 2-a^2-b^2 \\ \Rightarrow && \P(x) &= x^4+(2-a^2-b^2)x^2+(a^2-1)(b^2-1)x \end{align*}
For any positive integer \(N\), the function \(\f(N)\) is defined by \[ \f(N) = N\Big(1-\frac1{p_1}\Big)\Big(1-\frac1{p_2}\Big) \cdots\Big(1-\frac1{p_k}\Big) \] where \(p_1\), \(p_2\), \(\dots\) , \(p_k\) are the only prime numbers that are factors of \(N\). Thus \(\f(80)=80(1-\frac12)(1-\frac15)\,\).
Solution:
Give a sketch, for \(0 \le x \le \frac{1}{2}\pi\), of the curve $$ y = (\sin x - x\cos x)\;, $$ and show that \(0\le y \le 1\,\). Show that:
Solution:
The positive numbers \(a\), \(b\) and \(c\) satisfy \(bc=a^2+1\). Prove that $$ \arctan\left(\frac1 {a+b}\right)+ \arctan\left(\frac1 {a+c}\right)= \arctan\left(\frac1 a \right). $$ The positive numbers \(p\), \(q\), \(r\), \(s\), \(t\), \(u\) and \(v\) satisfy $$ st = (p+q)^2 + 1 \;, \ \ \ \ \ \ uv=(p+r)^2 + 1 \;, \ \ \ \ \ \ qr = p^2+1\;. $$ Prove that $$ \arctan \! \!\left(\!\frac1 {p+q+s}\!\right) + \arctan \! \!\left(\!\frac 1{p+q+t}\!\right) + \arctan \! \!\left(\!\frac 1 {p+r+u}\!\right) + \arctan \! \!\left(\!\frac1 {p+r+v}\!\right) =\arctan \! \!\left( \! \frac1 p \! \right) . $$ Hence show that $$ \arctan\left(\frac1 {13}\right) +\arctan\left(\frac1 {21}\right) +\arctan\left(\frac1 {82}\right) +\arctan\left(\frac1 {187}\right) =\arctan\left(\frac1 {7}\right). $$ [Note that \(\arctan x\) is another notation for \( \tan^{-1}x \,.\,\)]
Solution: \begin{align*} && \tan \left (\arctan\left(\frac1 {a+b}\right)+ \arctan\left(\frac1 {a+c}\right) \right) &= \frac{\frac1{a+b}+\frac1{a+c}}{1-\frac{1}{(a+b)(a+c)}} \\ &&&= \frac{a+c+a+b}{(a+b)(a+c)-1} \\ &&&= \frac{2a+b+c}{a^2+ab+ac+bc-1} \\ &&&= \frac{2a+b+c}{2a^2+ab+ac} \\ &&&= \frac{1}{a} \\ &&&= \tan \arctan \frac1a\\ \Rightarrow && \arctan\left(\frac1 {a+b}\right)+ \arctan\left(\frac1 {a+c}\right) &= \arctan \frac{1}{a} + n \pi \end{align*} Since \(\arctan x \in (-\frac{\pi}{2}, \frac{\pi}{2})\) the LHS \(\in (0, \pi)\) so \(n = 0\). \begin{align*} a=p+q, b = s, c = t:&& \arctan \! \!\left(\!\frac1 {p+q+s}\!\right) + \arctan \! \!\left(\!\frac 1{p+q+t}\!\right) &= \arctan \left ( \frac{1}{p+q} \right) \\ a=p+r, b= u, c = v && \arctan \! \!\left(\!\frac 1 {p+r+u}\!\right) + \arctan \! \!\left(\!\frac1 {p+r+v}\!\right) &= \arctan \! \!\left(\!\frac1 {p+r}\!\right) \\ a = p, b = q, c = r:&& \arctan \left ( \frac{1}{p+q} \right) +\arctan \! \!\left(\!\frac1 {p+r}\!\right) &= \arctan \left ( \frac1p \right) \end{align*} and the result follows. Taking \(p = 7\) we need to solve \[ \begin{cases} q+s &= 6 \\ q+t &= 14 \\ r+u &= 75 \\ r+v &= 180 \end{cases} \] also satisfying \(qr = 50\) etc, so say \(q = 1, r = 50, s = 5, v=25\)
The angle \(A\) of triangle \(ABC\) is a right angle and the sides \(BC\), \(CA\) and \(AB\) are of lengths \(a\), \(b\) and \(c\), respectively. Each side of the triangle is tangent to the circle \(S_1\) which is of radius \(r\). Show that \(2r = b+c-a\). Each vertex of the triangle lies on the circle~\(S_2\). The ratio of the area of the region between~\(S_1\) and the triangle to the area of \(S_2\) is denoted by \(R\,\). Show that $$ \pi R = -(\pi-1)q^2 + 2\pi q -(\pi+1) \;, $$ where \(q=\dfrac{b+c}a\,\). Deduce that $$ R\le \frac1 {\pi( \pi - 1)} \;. $$
Solution:
The position vectors, relative to an origin \(O\), at time \(t\) of the particles \(P\) and \(Q\) are $$\cos t \; {\bf i} + \sin t\;{\bf j} + 0 \; {\bf k} \text{ and } \cos (t+\tfrac14{\pi})\, \big[{\tfrac32}{\bf i} + { \tfrac {3\sqrt{3}}2} {\bf k}\big] + 3\sin(t+\tfrac14{\pi}) \; {\bf j}\;,$$ respectively, where \(0\le t \le 2\pi\,\).
Solution:
For \(x \ge 0\) the curve \(C\) is defined by $$ {\frac{\d y} {\d x}} = \frac{x^3y^2}{(1 + x^2)^{5/2}} $$ with \(y = 1\) when \(x=0\,\). Show that \[ \frac 1 y = \frac {2+3x^2}{3(1+x^2)^{3/2}} +\frac13 \] and hence that for large positive \(x\) $$ y \approx 3 - \frac 9 x\;. $$ Draw a sketch of \(C\). On a separate diagram, draw a sketch of the two curves defined for \(x \ge 0\) by $$ \frac {\d z} {\d x} = \frac{x^3z^3}{2(1 + x^2)^{5/2}} $$ with \(z = 1\) at \(x=0\) on one curve, and \(z = -1\) at \(x=0\) on the other.
Solution: \begin{align*} && {\frac{\d y} {\d x}} &= \frac{x^3y^2}{(1 + x^2)^{5/2}} \\ \Rightarrow &&\int \frac{1}{y^2} \d y &= \int \frac{x^3}{(1+x^2)^{5/2}} \d x \\ \Rightarrow && -\frac1y &= \int \frac{x^3+x-x}{(1+x^2)^{5/2}} \d x \\ &&&= \int \left ( \frac{x}{(1+x^2)^{3/2}}-\frac{x}{(1+x^2)^{5/2}} \right) \d x \\ &&&= \frac{-1}{(1+x^2)^{1/2}} + \frac{1}{3(1+x^2)^{3/2}} + C \\ &&&= \frac{1-3(1+x^2)}{3(1+x^2)^{3/2}} + C \\ &&&= \frac{-3x^2-2}{3(1+x^2)^{3/2}} + C \\ (x,y) = (0,1): &&-1 &= -\frac23 + C \\ \Rightarrow && C &= -\frac13 \\ \Rightarrow && \frac1y &= \frac{3x^2+2}{3(1+x^2)^{3/2}} + \frac13 \end{align*} \begin{align*} y &= \frac{1}{\frac13 +\frac{3x^2+2}{3(1+x^2)^{3/2}} } \\ &= \frac{3}{1+ \frac{3x^2+2}{3(1+x^2)^{3/2}}} \\ &= \frac{3}{1+ \frac{3}{x} + \cdots} \\ &\approx 3 - \frac{9}{x} \end{align*}
Two particles, \(A\) and \(B\), of masses \(m\) and \(2m\), respectively, are placed on a line of greatest slope, \(\ell\), of a rough inclined plane which makes an angle of \(30^{\circ}\) with the horizontal. The coefficient of friction between \(A\) and the plane is \(\frac16\sqrt{3}\) and the coefficient of friction between \(B\) and the plane is \(\frac13 \sqrt{3}\). The particles are at rest with \(B\) higher up \(\ell\) than \(A\) and are connected by a light inextensible string which is taut. A force \(P\) is applied to \(B\).
The points \(A\) and \(B\) are \(180\) metres apart and lie on horizontal ground. A missile is launched from \(A\) at speed of \(100\,\)m\,s\(^{-1}\) and at an acute angle of elevation to the line \(AB\) of \(\arcsin \frac35\). A time \(T\) seconds later, an anti-missile missile is launched from \(B\), at speed of \(200\,\)m\,s\(^{-1}\) and at an acute angle of elevation to the line \(BA\) of \(\arcsin \frac45\). The motion of both missiles takes place in the vertical plane containing \(A\) and \(B\), and the missiles collide. Taking \(g =10\,\)m\,s\(^{-2}\) and ignoring air resistance, find \(T\). \noindent [Note that \(\arcsin \frac35\) is another notation for \(\sin^{-1} \frac35\,\).]
A plane is inclined at an angle \(\arctan \frac34\) to the horizontal and a small, smooth, light pulley~\(P\) is fixed to the top of the plane. A string, \(APB\), passes over the pulley. A particle of mass~\(m_1\) is attached to the string at \(A\) and rests on the inclined plane with \(AP\) parallel to a line of greatest slope in the plane. A particle of mass \(m_2\), where \(m_2>m_1\), is attached to the string at \(B\) and hangs freely with \(BP\) vertical. The coefficient of friction between the particle at \(A\) and the plane is \( \frac{1}{2}\). The system is released from rest with the string taut. Show that the acceleration of the particles is \(\ds \frac{m_2-m_1}{m_2+m_1}g\). At a time \(T\) after release, the string breaks. Given that the particle at \(A\) does not reach the pulley at any point in its motion, find an expression in terms of \(T\) for the time after release at which the particle at \(A\) reaches its maximum height. It is found that, regardless of when the string broke, this time is equal to the time taken by the particle at \(A\) to descend from its point of maximum height to the point at which it was released. Find the ratio \(m_1 : m_2\). \noindent [Note that \(\arctan \frac34\) is another notation for \(\tan^{-1} \frac34\,\).]
The twins Anna and Bella share a computer and never sign their e-mails. When I e-mail them, only the twin currently online responds. The probability that it is Anna who is online is \(p\) and she answers each question I ask her truthfully with probability \(a\), independently of all her other answers, even if a question is repeated. The probability that it is Bella who is online is~\(q\), where \(q=1-p\), and she answers each question truthfully with probability \(b\), independently of all her other answers, even if a question is repeated.
The number of printing errors on any page of a large book of \(N\) pages is modelled by a Poisson variate with parameter \(\lambda\) and is statistically independent of the number of printing errors on any other page. The number of pages in a random sample of \(n\) pages (where \(n\) is much smaller than \(N\) and \(n\ge2\)) which contain fewer than two errors is denoted by \(Y\). Show that \(\P(Y=k) = \binom n k p^kq^{n-k}\) where \(p=(1+\lambda)e^{-\lambda}\) and \(q=1-p\,\). Show also that, if \(\lambda\) is sufficiently small,
Solution: First notice that the the probability a page contains fewer than two errors is \(\mathbb{P}(X < 2)\) where \(X \sim Po(\lambda)\), ie \(\mathbb{P}(X<2) = e^{-\lambda} + \lambda e^{-\lambda} = (1+\lambda)e^{-\lambda}\). Therefore the number of pages \(Y\) with fewer than two errors out of our sample of \(n\) is \(Bin(n, p)\) where \(p\) is as before. ie \(\mathbb{P}(Y = k) = \binom{n}{k} p^kq^{n-k}\).
The probability density function \(\f(x)\) of the random variable \(X\) is given by $$\f(x) = k\left[{\phi}(x) + {\lambda}\g(x)\right]$$ where \({\phi}(x)\) is the probability density function of a normal variate with mean 0 and variance 1, \(\lambda \) is a positive constant, and \(\g(x)\) is a probability density function defined by \[ \g(x)= \begin{cases} 1/\lambda & \mbox{for \(0 \le x \le {\lambda}\)}\,;\\ 0& \mbox{otherwise} . \end{cases} \] Find \(\mu\), the mean of \(X\), in terms of \(\lambda\), and prove that \(\sigma\), the standard deviation of \(X\), satisfies. $$\sigma^2 = \frac{\lambda^4 +4{\lambda}^3+12{\lambda}+12} {12(1 + \lambda )^2}\;.$$ In the case \(\lambda=2\):
Solution: \begin{align*} && 1 &= \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} f(x) \d x \\ &&&= k[1 + \lambda] \\ \Rightarrow && k &= \frac{1}{1+\lambda} \\ \\ && \mu &= \int_{-\infty}^\infty x f(x) \d x \\ &&&= k \int_{-\infty}^\infty x \phi(x) \d x + k \lambda \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} x g(x) \d x \\ &&&= k \cdot 0 + k \lambda \cdot \frac{\lambda}{2} \\ &&&= \frac{\lambda^2}{2(1+\lambda)} \\ \\ && \E[X^2] &= \int_{-\infty}^\infty x^2 f(x) \d x \\ &&&= k \int_{-\infty}^\infty x^2 \phi(x) \d x + k \lambda \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} x^2 g(x) \d x \\ &&&= k \cdot 1 + k \lambda \int_0^{\lambda} \frac{x^2}{\lambda} \d \lambda \\ &&&= k + \frac{k \lambda^3}{3} \\ &&&= \frac{3+\lambda^3}{3(1+\lambda)} \\ && \var[X] &= \frac{3+\lambda^3}{3(1+\lambda)} - \frac{\lambda^4}{4(1+\lambda)^2} \\ &&& = \frac{(3+\lambda^3)4(1+\lambda) - 3\lambda^4}{12(1+\lambda)^2} \\ &&&= \frac{\lambda^4+4\lambda^3+12\lambda + 12}{12(1+\lambda)^2} \end{align*}