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2006 Paper 2 Q1
D: 1600.0 B: 1485.5

The sequence of real numbers \(u_1\), \(u_2\), \(u_3\), \(\ldots\) is defined by \begin{equation*} u_1=2 \,, \qquad\text{and} \qquad u_{n+1} = k - \frac{36}{u_n} \quad \text{for } n\ge1, \tag{\(*\)} \end{equation*} where \(k\) is a constant.

  1. Determine the values of \(k\) for which the sequence \((*)\) is: (a) constant; (b) periodic with period 2; (c) periodic with period 4.
  2. In the case \(k=37\), show that \(u_n\ge 2\) for all \(n\). Given that in this case the sequence \((*)\) converges to a limit \(\ell\), find the value of \(\ell\).

2006 Paper 2 Q2
D: 1600.0 B: 1500.0

Using the series \[ \e^x = 1 + x +\frac{x^2}{2!} + \frac{x^3}{3!} + \frac{x^4}{4!}+\cdots\,, \] show that \(\e>\frac83\). Show that \(n!>2^n\) for \(n\ge4\) and hence show that \(\e<\frac {67}{24}\). Show that the curve with equation \[ y= 3\e^{2x} +14 \ln (\tfrac43-x)\,, \qquad {x<\tfrac43} \] has a minimum turning point between \(x=\frac12\) and \(x=1\) and give a sketch to show the shape of the curve.


Solution: \begin{align*} && e &= 1 + 1 + \frac{1}{2!} + \frac{1}{3!} + \cdots \\ &&&> 1 + 1+ \frac12 + \frac16 \\ &&&= \frac{12+3+1}{6} = \frac83 \end{align*} \(4! = 24 > 16 = 2^4\), notice that \(n! = \underbrace{n \cdot (n-1) \cdots 5}_{>2^{n-4}} \cdot \underbrace{4!}_{>2^4} >2^n\). \begin{align*} && e &= 1 + 1 + \frac{1}{2!} + \frac{1}{3!} + \cdots \\ &&&< \frac83 + \frac{1}{2^4} + \frac{1}{2^5} + \cdots \\ &&&= \frac83 + \frac{1}{2^4} \frac{1}{1-\tfrac12} \\ &&&= \frac83 + \frac1{8} \\ &&&= \frac{67}{24} \end{align*} \begin{align*} && y &= 3e^{2x} +14 \ln(\tfrac43-x) \\ && y' &= 6e^{2x} - \frac{14}{\tfrac43-x} \\ && y'(\tfrac12) &= 6e - \frac{14}{\tfrac43-\tfrac12} \\ &&&= 6e -\tfrac{84}{5} = 6(e-\tfrac{14}5) < 0 \\ && y'(1) &= 6e^2 - \frac{14}{\tfrac43-1} \\ &&&= 6e^2 - 42 = 6(e^2-7) \\ &&&> 6(\tfrac{64}{9} - 7) > 0 \end{align*} Therefore \(y'\) changes from negative (decreasing) to positive (increasing) in our range, and therefore there is a minima in this range.

TikZ diagram

2006 Paper 2 Q3
D: 1600.0 B: 1570.3

  1. Show that $\displaystyle \big( 5 + \sqrt {24}\;\big)^4 + \frac{1 }{\big(5 + \sqrt {24}\;\big)^4} \ $ is an integer. Show also that \[\displaystyle 0.1 < \frac{1}{ 5 + \sqrt {24}} <\frac 2 {19}< 0.11\,.\] Hence determine, with clear reasoning, the value of \(\l 5 + \sqrt {24}\r^4\) correct to four decimal places.
  2. If \(N\) is an integer greater than 1, show that \(( N + \sqrt {N^2 - 1} \,) ^k\), where \(k\) is a positive integer, differs from the integer nearest to it by less than \(\big( 2N - \frac12 \big)^{-k}\).


Solution:

  1. First notice that \(\frac{1}{5+\sqrt{24}} = \frac{5-\sqrt{24}}{25-24} = 5 - \sqrt{24}\), hence \begin{align*} && ( 5 + \sqrt {24})^4 + \frac{1 }{(5 + \sqrt {24})^4} &= ( 5 + \sqrt {24})^4 + ( 5 - \sqrt {24})^4 \\ \end{align*} where clearly all terms including \(\sqrt{24}\) will cancel out, therefore it is an integer. \begin{align*} && 5 + \sqrt{24} &< 5 + 5 = 10 \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{1}{5+\sqrt{24}}& > \frac{1}{10} = 0.1 \\ && 2(5 + \sqrt{24}) &=10 + \sqrt{96} > 19 \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{1}{5+\sqrt{24}} & < \frac{2}{19} < \frac{2}{18} = \frac19 = 0.11111\ldots < 0.11 \end{align*} Therefore, \(10^{-4} < (5+\sqrt{24})^4 < 0.11^{-4} = 0.00014641\) \begin{align*} && (5+\sqrt{24})^4 + (5-\sqrt{24})^4 &= 2(5^4+6\cdot5^2\cdot24+24^2) \\ &&&= 2\cdot (625 + 3600+576) \\ &&&= 9602 \\ \Rightarrow && (5+\sqrt{24})^4 &= 9602 - \epsilon, \epsilon \in (0.0001, 0.00014641) \\ \Rightarrow && (5+\sqrt{24})^4 &\in (9601.999854, ,9601.9999) \\ \Rightarrow && (5+\sqrt{24})^4 &= 9601.9998 \, (4 \text{ d.p.}) \end{align*}
  2. Notice that \((N+\sqrt{N^2-1})^{k}+(N-\sqrt{N^2-1})^{k}\) is an integer for the same reason as before (sum of conjugates). Notice also that \(\frac{1}{N+\sqrt{N^2-1}} = N - \sqrt{N^2-1}\) and that so it sufficies to show that \begin{align*} && N + \sqrt{N^2-1} &> 2N-\tfrac12 \\ \Leftrightarrow && \sqrt{N^2-1} &> N - \tfrac12 \\ \Leftrightarrow && N^2-1 &> N^2-N+1\\ \Leftrightarrow && N &> \tfrac32\\ \end{align*} Which is true since \(N > 1\) and \(N\) is an integer.

2006 Paper 2 Q4
D: 1600.0 B: 1530.0

By making the substitution \(x=\pi-t\,\), show that \[ \! \int_0^\pi x\f(\sin x) \d x = \tfrac12 \pi \! \int_0^\pi \f(\sin x) \d x\,, \] where \(\f(\sin x)\) is a given function of \(\sin x\). Evaluate the following integrals:

  1. \(\displaystyle \int_0^\pi \frac {x \sin x}{3+\sin^2 x}\,\d x\,\);
  2. $\displaystyle \int_0^{2\pi} \frac {x \sin x}{3+\sin^2 x}\,\d x\,\(;
  3. \)\displaystyle \int_{0}^{\pi} \frac {x \big\vert\sin 2x\big\vert}{3+\sin^2 x}\,\d x\,$.

2006 Paper 2 Q5
D: 1600.0 B: 1469.6

The notation \({\lfloor } x \rfloor\) denotes the greatest integer less than or equal to the real number \(x\). Thus, for example, \(\lfloor \pi\rfloor =3\,\), \(\lfloor 18\rfloor =18\,\) and \(\lfloor-4.2\rfloor = -5\,\).

  1. Two curves are given by \(y= x^2+3x-1\) and \(y=x^2 +3\lfloor x\rfloor -1\,\). Sketch the curves, for \(1\le x \le 3\,\), on the same axes. Find the area between the two curves for \(1\le x \le n\), where \(n\) is a positive integer.
  2. Two curves are given by \(y= x^2+3x-1\) and \(y=\lfloor x\rfloor ^2+3\lfloor x\rfloor -1\,\). Sketch the curves, for \(1\le x \le 3\,\), on the same axes. Show that the area between the two curves for \(1\le x \le n\), where \(n\) is a positive integer, is \[ \tfrac 16 (n-1)(3n+11)\,. \]


Solution:

  1. \(\,\)
    TikZ diagram
    The difference between the curves is \(3x - 3\lfloor x \rfloor\), which has area \(\frac32\) for each step. Therefore the area between the curves from \(1 \leq x \leq n\) is \(\frac32 (n-1)\)
  2. \(\,\)
    TikZ diagram
    The area between the curves is \(x^2 - \lfloor x \rfloor ^2 + 3(x - \lfloor x \rfloor)\). Looking at \begin{align*} && A &= \int_1^n \left ( x^2 - \lfloor x \rfloor ^2 \right )\d x \\ &&&= \frac{n^3-1^3}{3} - \sum_{k=1}^{n-1} k^2 \\ &&&= \frac{(n-1)(n^2+n+1)}{3} - \frac{(n-1)n(2n-1)}{6} \\ &&&= \frac{(n-1) \left (2n^2+2n+2-2n^2+n \right)}{6} \\ &&&= \frac{(n-1)(3n+2)}{6} \end{align*} Therefore the total area is \(\frac{(n-1)(3n+2)}{6}+\frac32(n-1) = \frac{(n-1)}{6}\left ( 3n+2+9\right) =\frac{(n-1)(3n+11)}{6}\)

2006 Paper 2 Q6
D: 1600.0 B: 1516.0

By considering a suitable scalar product, prove that \[ (ax+by+cz)^2 \le (a^2+b^2+c^2)(x^2+y^2+z^2) \] for any real numbers \(a\), \(b\), \(c\), \(x\), \(y\) and \(z\). Deduce a necessary and sufficient condition on \(a\), \(b\), \(c\), \(x\), \(y\) and \(z\) for the following equation to hold: \[ (ax+by+cz)^2 = (a^2+b^2+c^2)(x^2+y^2+z^2) \,. \]

  1. Show that \((x+2y+2z)^2 \le 9(x^2+y^2+z^2)\) for all real numbers \(x\), \(y\) and \(z\).
  2. Find real numbers \(p\), \(q\) and \(r\) that satisfy both \[ p^2+4q^2+9r^2 = 729 \text{ and } 8p+8q+3r = 243\,. \]


Solution: Consider \(\begin{pmatrix} a \\ b \\ c \end{pmatrix}\), \(\begin{pmatrix} x \\ y \\ z \end{pmatrix}\), then we know that \begin{align*} && \begin{pmatrix} a \\ b \\ c \end{pmatrix} \cdot \begin{pmatrix} x \\ y \\ z \end{pmatrix} &= \sqrt{a^2+b^2+c^2} \sqrt{x^2+y^2+z^2} \cos \theta \\ \Rightarrow && (ax+by+cz)^2 &= (a^2+b^2+c^2)(x^2+y^2+z^2) \cos^2 \theta \\ &&&\leq (a^2+b^2+c^2)(x^2+y^2+z^2) \end{align*} For equality to hold, we must have that the vectors are parallel, ie \(\begin{pmatrix} a \\ b \\ c \end{pmatrix} = \lambda \begin{pmatrix} x \\ y \\ z \end{pmatrix}\)

  1. By applying our inequality from the first part with \(a=1, b = 2, c=2\) we have \((x+2y+2z)^2 \leq (1+2^2+2^2)(x^2+y^2+z^2) = 9(x^2+y^2+z^2)\)
  2. Since \begin{align*} && (p^2+(2q)^2+(3r)^2)\left (8^2 +4^2+1^2 \right) &\geq (8p+8q+3r)^2 \\ \Leftrightarrow && 729 \cdot 81 &\geq 243^2 \\ &&3^6 \cdot 3^4 &\geq 3^{10} \end{align*} Therefore we must be in the equality case, ie \(p = 8\lambda, 2q = 4\lambda, 3r = \lambda\) as well as \(64\lambda + 16\lambda +\lambda = 243 \Rightarrow 81\lambda = 243 \Rightarrow \lambda = 3\) so we have \[ (p,q,r) = \left (24, 6, 1 \right) \]

2006 Paper 2 Q7
D: 1600.0 B: 1500.0

An ellipse has equation $\dfrac{x^2}{a^2} +\dfrac {y^2}{b^2} = 1$. Show that the equation of the tangent at the point \((a\cos\alpha, b\sin\alpha)\) is \[ y=- \frac {b \cot \alpha} a \, x + b\, {\rm cosec\,}\alpha\,. \] The point \(A\) has coordinates \((-a,-b)\), where \(a\) and \(b\) are positive. The point \(E\) has coordinates \((-a,0)\) and the point \(P\) has coordinates \((a,kb)\), where \(0 < k < 1\). The line through \(E\) parallel to \(AP\) meets the line \(y=b\) at the point \(Q\). Show that the line \(PQ\) is tangent to the above ellipse at the point given by \(\tan(\alpha/2)=k\). Determine by means of sketches, or otherwise, whether this result holds also for \(k=0\) and \(k=1\).

2006 Paper 2 Q8
D: 1600.0 B: 1500.0

Show that the line through the points with position vectors \(\bf x\) and \(\bf y\) has equation \[{\bf r} = (1-\alpha){\bf x} +\alpha {\bf y}\,, \] where \(\alpha\) is a scalar parameter. The sides \(OA\) and \(CB\) of a trapezium \(OABC\) are parallel, and \(OA>CB\). The point \(E\) on \(OA\) is such that \(OE : EA = 1:2\), and \(F\) is the midpoint of \(CB\). The point \(D\) is the intersection of \(OC\) produced and \(AB\) produced; the point \(G\) is the intersection of \(OB\) and \(EF\); and the point \(H\) is the intersection of \(DG\) produced and \(OA\). Let \(\bf a\) and \(\bf c\) be the position vectors of the points \(A\) and \(C\), respectively, with respect to the origin \(O\).

  1. Show that \(B\) has position vector \(\lambda {\bf a} + {\bf c}\) for some scalar parameter \(\lambda\).
  2. Find, in terms of \(\bf a\), \(\bf c\) and \(\lambda\) only, the position vectors of \(D\), \(E\), \(F\), \(G\) and \(H\). Determine the ratio \(OH:HA\).

2006 Paper 2 Q9
D: 1600.0 B: 1500.7

A painter of weight \(kW\) uses a ladder to reach the guttering on the outside wall of a house. The wall is vertical and the ground is horizontal. The ladder is modelled as a uniform rod of weight \(W\) and length \(6a\). The ladder is not long enough, so the painter stands the ladder on a uniform table. The table has weight \(2W\) and a square top of side \(\frac12 a\) with a leg of length \(a\) at each corner. The foot of the ladder is at the centre of the table top and the ladder is inclined at an angle \(\arctan 2\) to the horizontal. The edge of the table nearest the wall is parallel to the wall. The coefficient of friction between the foot of the ladder and the table top is \(\frac12\). The contact between the ladder and the wall is sufficiently smooth for the effects of friction to be ignored.

  1. Show that, if the legs of the table are fixed to the ground, the ladder does not slip on the table however high the painter stands on the ladder.
  2. It is given that \(k=9\) and that the coefficient of friction between each table leg and the ground is \(\frac13\). If the legs of the table are not fixed to the ground, so that the table can tilt or slip, determine which occurs first when the painter slowly climbs the ladder.
[Note: \(\arctan 2\) is another notation for \(\tan^{-1}2\).]

2006 Paper 2 Q10
D: 1600.0 B: 1500.0

Three particles, \(A\), \(B\) and \(C\), of masses \(m\), \(km\) and \(3m\) respectively, are initially at rest lying in a straight line on a smooth horizontal surface. Then \(A\) is projected towards \(B\) at speed \(u\). After the collision, \(B\) collides with \(C\). The coefficient of restitution between \(A\) and \(B\) is \(\frac12\) and the coefficient of restitution between \(B\) and \(C\) is \(\frac14\).

  1. Find the range of values of \(k\) for which \(A\) and \(B\) collide for a second time.
  2. Given that \(k=1\) and that \(B\) and \(C\) are initially a distance \(d\) apart, show that the time that elapses between the two collisions of \(A\) and \(B\) is \(\dfrac{60d}{13u}\,\).


Solution:

  1. After the first collision, it takes \(B\), \(\frac{d}{v_B} = \frac{d}{u} \frac{2(k+1)}{3} = \frac{4d}{3u}\) to collide with \(C\). During which time \(B\) and \(A\) have been moving apart with speed \(\frac12u\) and so are a distance \(\frac{2d}{3}\) apart. After the second collision, \(w_B = \frac{3(4\cdot 1 - 3)}{8(1+1)(1+3)}u = \frac{3}{64}u\) and \(v_A = \frac{1}{4}u\) so they are moving together at speed \(\frac{16-3}{64}u = \frac{13}{64}u\). It will take them \(\frac{2d}{3} \div \frac{13}{64}u = \frac{128d}{3 \times 13u}\) to do this for a total time of \(\frac{128d}{3 \times 13u} + \frac{4d}{3u} = \frac{(128+52)d}{3 \times 13 u} = \frac{60d}{13u}\)