21 problems found
Points \(A\) and \(B\) are at the same height and a distance \(\sqrt{2}r\) apart. Two small, spherical particles of equal mass, \(P\) and \(Q\), are suspended from \(A\) and \(B\), respectively, by light inextensible strings of length \(r\). Each particle individually may move freely around and inside a circle centred at the point of suspension. The particles are projected simultaneously from points which are a distance \(r\) vertically below their points of suspension, directly towards each other and each with speed \(u\). When the particles collide, the coefficient of restitution in the collision is \(e\).
Solution:
In this question, \(\mathbf{i}\) and \(\mathbf{j}\) are perpendicular unit vectors and \(\mathbf{j}\) is vertically upwards. A smooth hemisphere of mass \(M\) and radius \(a\) rests on a smooth horizontal table with its plane face in contact with the table. The point \(A\) is at the top of the hemisphere and the point \(O\) is at the centre of its plane face. Initially, a particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) rests at \(A\). It is then given a small displacement in the positive \(\mathbf{i}\) direction. At a later time \(t\), when the particle is still in contact with the hemisphere, the hemisphere has been displaced by \(-s\mathbf{i}\) and \(\angle AOP = \theta\).
Solution:
Solution:
Let \(\alpha\), \(\beta\), \(\gamma\) and \(\delta\) be the roots of the quartic equation \[ x^4 +px^3 +qx^2 +r x +s =0 \,. \] You are given that, for any such equation, \(\,\alpha \beta + \gamma\delta\,\), \(\alpha\gamma+\beta\delta\,\) and \(\,\alpha \delta + \beta\gamma\,\) satisfy a cubic equation of the form \[ y^3+Ay^2+ (pr-4s)y+ (4qs-p^2s -r^2) =0 \,. \] Determine \(A\). Now consider the quartic equation given by \(p=0\,\), \(q= 3\,\), \(r=-6\,\) and \(s=10\,\).
Solution: \begin{align*} A &= -(\alpha \beta + \gamma\delta + \alpha\gamma+\beta\delta+\alpha \delta + \beta\gamma) \\ &= -q \end{align*}
Use the factor theorem to show that \(a+b-c\) is a factor of \[ (a+b+c)^3 -6(a+b+c)(a^2+b^2+c^2) +8(a^3+b^3+c^3) \,. \tag{\(*\)} \] Hence factorise (\(*\)) completely.
Solution: Suppose \(c = a+b\) then \begin{align*} (a+b+c)^3 &-6(a+b+c)(a^2+b^2+c^2) +8(a^3+b^3+c^3) \\ &= (2(a+b))^3-6(2(a+b))(a^2+b^2+(a+b)^2) + 8(a^3+b^3+(a+b)^3) \\ &=16(a+b)^3 - 24(a+b)(a^2+b^2+ab)+8(a^3+b^3) \\ &= 8(a+b)(2(a+b)^2-3(a^2+b^2+ab)+(a^2-ab+b^2)) \\ &= 0 \end{align*} Therefore \(a+b-c\) is a factor. By symmetry \(a-b+c\) and \(-a+b+c\) are also factors. Since our polynomial is degree \(3\) it must be \(K(a+b-c)(b+c-a)(c+a-b)\) for some \(K\). Since the coefficient of \(a^3\) is \(3\), \(K = 3\). so we have: \(3(a+b-c)(b+c-a)(c+a-b)\)
Solution:
Solution:
Show that, provided \(q^2\ne 4p^3\), the polynomial \[ \hphantom{(p\ne0, \ q\ne0)\hspace{2cm}} x^3-3px +q \hspace {2cm} (p\ne0, \ q\ne0) \] can be written in the form \[ a(x-\alpha)^3 + b(x-\beta)^3\,, \] where \(\alpha\) and \(\beta\) are the roots of the quadratic equation \(pt^2 -qt +p^2=0\), and \(a\) and \(b\) are constants which you should express in terms of \(\alpha\) and \(\beta\). Hence show that one solution of the equation \(x^3-24x+48=0\,\) is \[ x= \frac{2 (2-2^{\frac13})}{1-2^{\frac13}} \] and obtain similar expressions for the other two solutions in terms of \(\omega\), where \(\omega = \mathrm{e}^{2\pi\mathrm{i}/3}\,\). Find also the roots of \(x^3-3px +q=0\) when \(p=r^2\) and \(q= 2r^3\) for some non-zero constant \(r\).
Solution:
In this question, you may use without proof the results \[ 4 \cosh^3 y - 3 \cosh y = \cosh (3y) \ \ \ \ \text{and} \ \ \ \ \mathrm{arcosh} \, y = \ln ( y+\sqrt{y^2-1}). \] \noindent[ {\bf Note: } \(\mathrm{arcosh}y\) is another notation for \(\cosh^{-1}y\,\)] Show that the equation \(x^3 - 3a^2x = 2a^3 \cosh T\) is satisfied by \( 2a \cosh \l \frac13 T \r\) and hence that, if \(c^2\ge b^3>0\), one of the roots of the equation \(x^3-3bx=2c\) is \(\ds u+\frac{b}{u}\), where \(u = (c+\sqrt{c^2-b^3})^{\frac13}\;\). Show that the other two roots of the equation \(x^3-3bx=2c\) are the roots of the quadratic equation \[\ds x^2 + \Big( u+\frac{b}{u}\Big) x + u^2+\frac{b^2}{u^2}-b=0\, ,\] and find these roots in terms of \(u\), \(b\) and \(\omega\), where \(\omega = \frac{1}{2}(-1 + \mathrm{i}\sqrt{3})\). Solve completely the equation \(x^3-6x=6\,\).
The random variable \(U\) takes the values \(+1\), \(0\) and \(-1\,\), each with probability \(\frac13\,\). The random variable \(V\) takes the values \(+1\) and \(-1\) as follows:
| if \(U=1\,\), | then \(\P(V=1)= \frac13\) and \(\P(V=-1)=\frac23\,\); |
| if \(U=0\,\), | then \(\P(V=1)= \frac12\) and \(\P(V=-1)=\frac12\,\); |
| if \(U=-1\,\), | then \(\P(V=1)= \frac23\) and \(\P(V=-1)=\frac13\,\). |
Solution:
Show that the equation \(x^3 + px + q=0\) has exactly one real solution if \(p \ge 0\,\). A parabola \(C\) is given parametrically by \[ x = at^2, \: \ \ y = 2at \: \: \: \ \ \ \ \ \ \l a > 0 \r \;. \] Find an equation which must be satisfied by \(t\) at points on \(C\) at which the normal passes through the point \(\l h , \; k \r\,\). Hence show that, if \(h \le 2a \,\), exactly one normal to \(C\) will pass through \(\l h , \; k \r \, \). Find, in Cartesian form, the equation of the locus of the points from which exactly two normals can be drawn to \(C\,\). Sketch the locus.
Solution: If \(p \geq 0\) then the derivative is \(x^2+p \geq 0\) and in particular the function is increasing. Therefore it will have exactly \(1\) real root (as for very large negative \(x\) it is negative, and vice-versa fo positive \(x\)). \begin{align*} && \frac{\d y}{\d x} &= \frac{\dot{y}}{\dot{x}} \\ &&&= \frac{2a}{2at} \\ &&&= \frac{1}{t} \\ \text{eq of normal} && \frac{k-2at}{h-at^2} &= -t \\ \Rightarrow && k-2at &= at^3-th \\ && 0 &= at^3+(2a-h)t-k \end{align*} Since \(a > 0\) this is the same constraint as the first part, in particular \(2a-h \geq 0 \Leftrightarrow 2a \geq h\). If exactly two normals can be drawn to \(C\) we must have that our equation has a repeated root, ie \begin{align*} && 0 &= at^3+(2a-h)t-k\\ && 0 &= 3at^2+2a-h\\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= 3at^3+ 3(2a-h)t-3k \\ && 0 &= 3at^3+(2a-h)t \\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= 2(2a-h)t-3k \\ \Rightarrow && t &= \frac{3k}{2(2a-h)} \\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= 3a \left (\frac{3k}{2(2a-h)} \right)^2+2a-h \\ && 0 &= 27ak^2+4(2a-h)^3 \end{align*}
Given that \[ x^4 + p x^2 + q x + r = ( x^2 - a x + b ) ( x^2 + a x + c ) , \] express \(p\), \(q\) and \(r\) in terms of \(a\), \(b\) and \(c\). Show also that \( a^2\) is a root of the cubic equation $$ u^3 + 2 p u^2 + ( p^2 - 4 r ) u - q^2 = 0 . $$ Explain why this equation always has a non-negative root, and verify that \(u = 9\) is a root in the case \(p = -1\), \(q = -6\), \(r = 15\) . Hence, or otherwise, express $$y^4 - 8 y^3 + 23 y^2 - 34 y + 39$$ as a product of two quadratic factors.
Solution: \begin{align*} && ( x^2 - a x + b ) ( x^2 + a x + c ) &= x^4 + (b+c-a^2)x^2 + a(b-c)x + bc \\ \Rightarrow && x^4 + p x^2 + q x + r &= x^4 + (b+c-a^2)x^2 + a(b-c)x + bc \\ \Rightarrow && p &= b+c-a^2 \tag{1}\\ && q &= a(b-c) \tag{2}\\ && r &= bc \tag{3} \end{align*} \begin{align*} (1): && p+a^2 &= b+ c \\ (2): && \frac{q}{a} &= b - c \\ \Rightarrow && b &= \frac12 (p+a^2 + \frac{q}{a}) \\ && c &= \frac12 (p+a^2 - \frac{q}{a}) \\ (3): && r &= \frac12 (p+a^2 + \frac{q}{a}) \frac12 (p+a^2 - \frac{q}{a}) \\ \Rightarrow && 4ra^2 &= (pa + a^3 + q)(pa+a^3-q) \\ &&&= (pa+a^3)^2 - q^2 \\ &&&= a^2(p+a^2)^2 -q^2 \\ &&&= a^2(p^2 + 2pa^2 + a^4) - q^2 \\ &&&= pa^2 + 2pa^4 + a^6 - q^2 \\ \end{align*} Therefore \(a^2\) is a root of \(u^3 + 2pu^2 + pu - q^2 = 4ru\), ie the given equation. When \(u = 0\), this equation is \(-q^2\), therefore the cubic is negative. But as \(u \to \infty\) the cubic tends to \(\infty\), therefore it must cross the \(x\)-axis and have a positive root. If \(p=-1, q = -6, r = 15\) then the cubic is: \(u^3 - 2u^2 + (1-60)u -36\) and so when \(u = 9\) we have \begin{align*} 9^3 - 2\cdot 9^2 -59 \cdot 9 -36 &= 9(9^2-2\cdot 9 - 29 -4) \\ &= 9(81 -18-59-4) \\ &= 0 \end{align*} so \(u = 9\) is a root Let \(y=z + 2\) \begin{align*} &&y^4 - 8 y^3 + 23 y^2 - 34 y + 39 &= (z+2)^4-8(z+2)^3 + 23(z+2)^2 - 34(z+2) + 39 \\ &&&= z^4+8z^3+24z^2+32z+16 - \\ &&&\quad -8z^3-48z^2-96z-64 \\ &&&\quad\quad +23z^2+92z+92 \\ &&&\quad\quad -34z-68 + 39 \\ &&&= z^4-z^2-6z+15 \end{align*} So conveniently this is \(p = -1, q = -6, r = 15\), so we know that \(a = 3\) is a sensible thing to true. \(b = \frac12(-1 + 9 + \frac{-6}{3}) = 3\) \(c = \frac12(-1+9-\frac{-6}{3}) = 5\) so \begin{align*} && z^4-z^2-6z+15 &= (z^2-3z+3)(z^2+3z+5) \\ &&y^4 - 8 y^3 + 23 y^2 - 34 y + 39 &= ((y-2)^2-3(y-2)+3)((y-2)^2+3(y-2)+5) \\ &&&= (y^2-4y+4-3y+6+3)(y^2-4y+4+3y-6+5) \\ &&&= (y^2-7y+13)(y^2-y+3) \end{align*}
Consider the cubic equation \[ x^3-px^2+qx-r=0\;, \] where \(p\ne0\) and \(r\ne 0\).
Solution: