2009 Step 3
2009 Step 3
2009 Step 3
1 The points S, T , U and V have coordinates (s, ms), (t, mt), (u, nu) and (v, nv), respectively.
The lines SV and U T meet the line y = 0 at the points with coordinates (p, 0) and (q, 0),
respectively. Show that
(m − n)sv
p= ,
ms − nv
and write down a similar expression for q.
Given that S and T lie on the circle x2 + (y − c)2 = r2 , find a quadratic equation satisfied by
s and by t, and hence determine st and s + t in terms of m, c and r.
∞
X
2 (i) Let y = an xn , where the coefficients an are independent of x and are such that this
n=0
series and all others in this question converge. Show that
∞
X
0
y = nan xn−1 ,
n=1
xy 00 − y 0 + 4x3 y = 0 .
By substituting the series of part (i) into the differential equation and comparing coef-
ficients, show that a1 = 0.
Show that, for n > 4,
4
an = − an−4 ,
n(n − 2)
and that, if a0 = 1 and a2 = 0, then y = cos(x2 ) .
Find the corresponding result when a0 = 0 and a2 = 1.
3 The function f(t) is defined, for t 6= 0, by
t
f(t) = .
et −1
(i) By expanding et , show that lim f(t) = 1 . Find f 0 (t) and evaluate lim f 0 (t) .
t→0 t→0
(ii) Show that f(t) + 21 t is an even function. [Note: A function g(t) is said to be even if
g(t) ≡ g(−t).]
(iii) Show with the aid of a sketch that et (1 − t) 6 1 and deduce that f 0 (t) 6= 0 for t 6= 0.
4 For any given (suitable) function f, the Laplace transform of f is the function F defined by
Z ∞
F(s) = e−st f(t)dt (s > 0) .
0
(i) Show that the Laplace transform of e−bt f(t), where b > 0, is F(s + b).
(ii) Show that the Laplace transform of f(at), where a > 0, is a−1 F( as ) .
1
(iv) In the case f(t) = sin t, show that F(s) = .
s2 +1
Using only these four results, find the Laplace transform of e−pt cos qt , where p > 0 and q > 0.
5 The numbers x, y and z satisfy
x+y+z =1
x + y2 + z2 = 2
2
x3 + y 3 + z 3 = 3 .
Show that
1
yz + zx + xy = − .
2
Let Sn = xn + y n + z n . Use the above results to find numbers a, b and c such that the relation
¯ ¯
6 Show that ¯eiβ − eiα ¯ = 2 sin 21 (β − α) for 0 < α < β < 2π . Hence show that
¯ iα ¯¯ ¯ ¯ ¯¯ ¯ ¯ ¯¯ ¯
¯e − eiβ ¯ ¯eiγ − eiδ ¯ + ¯eiβ − eiγ ¯ ¯eiα − eiδ ¯ = ¯eiα − eiγ ¯ ¯eiβ − eiδ ¯ ,
1 dfn (x)
f0 (x) = and fn+1 (x) = .
1 + x2 dx
Prove, for n > 1, that
dPn (x)
Pn+1 (x) − (1 + x2 ) + 2(n + 1)xPn (x) = 0 ,
dx
and that Pn (x) is a polynomial of degree n.
lim xx = 1 .
x→0
Z 1
(ii) Let In = xm (ln x)n dx . Show that
0
n+1
In+1 = − In
m+1
and hence evaluate In .
9 A particle is projected under gravity from a point P and passes through a point Q. The angles
of the trajectory with the positive horizontal direction at P and at Q are θ and φ, respectively.
The angle of elevation of Q from P is α.
(ii) It is given that there is a second trajectory from P to Q with the same speed of projec-
tion. The angles of this trajectory with the positive horizontal direction at P and at Q
are θ0 and φ0 , respectively. By considering a quadratic equation satisfied by tan θ, show
that tan(θ + θ0 ) = − cot α. Show also that θ + θ0 = π + φ + φ0 .
10 A light spring is fixed at its lower end and its axis is vertical. When a certain particle P rests
on the top of the spring, the compression is d. When, instead, P is dropped onto the top
of the spring from a height h above it, the compression at time t after P hits the top of the
spring is x. Obtain a second-order differential equation relating x and t for 0 6 t 6 T , where
T is the time at which P first loses contact with the spring.
x = A + B cos(ωt) + C sin(ωt) ,
Show that p ³ p ´
T = d/g 2π − 2 arctan 2h/d .
11 A comet in deep space picks up mass as it travels through a large stationary dust cloud. It is
subject to a gravitational force of magnitude Mf acting in the direction of its motion. When
it entered the cloud, the comet had mass M and speed V . After a time t, it has travelled a
distance x through the cloud, its mass is M (1 + bx), where b is a positive constant, and its
speed is v.
(i) In the case when f = 0, write down an equation relating V , x, v and b. Hence find an
expression for x in terms of b, V and t.
(ii) In the case when f is a non-zero constant, use Newton’s second law in the form
to show that
ft + V
v= .
1 + bx
Hence find an expression for x in terms of b, V , f and t.
Show that it is possible, if b, V and f are suitably chosen, for the comet to move with
constant speed. Show also that, if the comet does not move with constant speed, its
speed tends to a constant as t → ∞.
Section C: Probability and Statistics
12 (i) Albert tosses a fair coin k times, where k is a given positive integer. The number of
heads he gets is X1 . He then tosses the coin X1 times, getting X2 heads. He then tosses
the coin X2 times, getting X3 heads. The random variables X4 , X5 , . . . are defined
similarly. Write down E(X1 ).
¯
By considering E(X2 ¯ X1 = x1 ), or otherwise, show that E(X2 ) = 1 k. 4
∞
X
Find E(Xi ).
i=1
(ii) Bertha has k fair coins. She tosses the first coin until she gets a tail. The number of
heads she gets before the first tail is Y1 . She then tosses the second coin until she gets
a tail and the number of heads she gets with this coin before the first tail is Y2 . The
P
k
random variables Y3 , Y4 , . . . , Yk are defined similarly, and Y = Yi .
i=1
Obtain the probability generating function of Y , and use it to find E(Y ), Var (Y ) and
P(Y = r).
13 (i) The point P lies on the circumference of a circle of unit radius and centre O. The angle, θ,
between OP and the positive x-axis is a random variable, uniformly distributed on the
interval 0 6 θ < 2π. The cartesian coordinates of P with respect to O are (X, Y ). Find
the probability density function for X, and calculate Var (X).
Show that X and Y are uncorrelated and discuss briefly whether they are independent.