Questions — Pre-U (885 questions)

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Pre-U Pre-U 9795/2 2011 June Q2
8 marks Moderate -0.3
2 The discrete random variable \(X\) has a Poisson distribution with mean 12.25.
  1. Calculate \(\mathrm { P } ( X \leqslant 5 )\).
  2. Calculate an approximate value for \(\mathrm { P } ( X \leqslant 5 )\) using a normal approximation to the Poisson distribution.
  3. Comment, giving a reason, on the accuracy of using a normal approximation to the Poisson distribution in this case.
Pre-U Pre-U 9795/2 2011 June Q3
10 marks Moderate -0.8
3 The fuel economy of two similar cars produced by manufacturers \(A\) and \(B\) was compared. A random sample of 15 cars was selected from manufacturer \(A\) and a random sample of 10 cars was selected from manufacturer \(B\). All the selected cars were driven over the same distance and the petrol consumption in miles per gallon (mpg) was calculated for each car. The results, \(x _ { A } \operatorname { mpg }\) and \(x _ { B } \operatorname { mpg }\) for cars from manufacturers \(A\) and \(B\) respectively, are summarised below, where \(\bar { x }\) denotes the sample mean and \(n\) the sample size. $$\begin{array} { l l l } \Sigma x _ { A } = 460.5 & \Sigma \left( x _ { A } - \bar { x } _ { A } \right) ^ { 2 } = 156.88 & n _ { A } = 15 \\ \Sigma x _ { B } = 334 & \Sigma \left( x _ { B } - \bar { x } _ { B } \right) ^ { 2 } = 123.97 & n _ { B } = 10 \end{array}$$
  1. (a) Assuming that the populations are normally distributed with a common variance, show that the pooled estimate of this common variance is 12.21 , correct to 4 significant figures. [2]
    (b) Construct a 95\% confidence interval for \(\mu _ { B } - \mu _ { A }\), the difference in the population means for manufacturers \(A\) and \(B\).
  2. Comment on a claim that the fuel economy for manufacturer \(B\) 's cars is better than that for manufacturer \(A\) 's cars.
  3. A random variable \(X\) has probability density function given by $$\mathrm { f } ( x ) = \begin{cases} \frac { 1 } { \theta } \mathrm { e } ^ { - \frac { x } { \theta } } & x \geqslant 0 \\ 0 & x < 0 \end{cases}$$ where \(\theta\) is a positive constant. Find \(\mathrm { E } \left( X ^ { 2 } \right)\).
  4. A random sample \(X _ { 1 } , X _ { 2 } , \ldots , X _ { n }\) is taken from a population with the distribution in part (i). The estimator \(T\) is defined by \(T = k \sum _ { i = 1 } ^ { n } X _ { i } ^ { 2 }\), where \(k\) is a constant. Find the value of \(k\) such that \(T\) is an unbiased estimator of \(\theta ^ { 2 }\).
  5. The discrete random variable \(X\) has distribution \(\operatorname { Geo } ( p )\). Show that the moment generating function of \(X\) is given by \(\mathrm { M } _ { X } ( t ) = \frac { p \mathrm { e } ^ { t } } { 1 - q \mathrm { e } ^ { t } }\), where \(q = 1 - p\).
  6. Use the moment generating function to find
    (a) \(\mathrm { E } ( X )\),
    (b) \(\operatorname { Var } ( X )\).
  7. An unbiased six-sided die is thrown repeatedly until a five is obtained, and \(Y\) denotes the number of throws up to and including the throw on which the five is obtained. Find \(\mathrm { P } ( | Y - \mu | < \sigma )\), where \(\mu\) and \(\sigma\) are the mean and standard deviation, respectively, of the distribution of \(Y\).
  8. The continuous random variable \(X\) has a uniform distribution over the interval \(0 < x < \frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi\). Show that the probability density function of \(Y\), where \(Y = \sin X\), is given by $$\mathrm { f } ( y ) = \begin{cases} \frac { 2 } { \pi \sqrt { 1 - y ^ { 2 } } } & 0 < y < 1 \\ 0 & \text { otherwise. } \end{cases}$$
  9. Deduce, using the probability density function, the exact values of
    (a) the median value of \(Y\),
    (b) \(\mathrm { E } ( Y )\).
Pre-U Pre-U 9795/2 2011 June Q7
3 marks Standard +0.3
7 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{963c0834-fe49-480b-9bb5-1ace4254641a-4_339_511_349_817} A particle of mass 0.3 kg is attached to one end \(A\) of a light inextensible string of length 1.5 m . The other end \(B\) of the string is attached to a ceiling, so that the particle may swing in a vertical plane. The particle is released from rest when the string is taut and makes an angle of \(75 ^ { \circ }\) with the vertical (see diagram). Air resistance may be regarded as being negligible.
  1. Show that, at an instant when the string makes an angle of \(40 ^ { \circ }\) with the vertical, the speed of the particle is \(3.90 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\), correct to 3 significant figures.
  2. By considering Newton's second law, along and perpendicular to the string, find the radial and transverse components of acceleration, at this same instant, and hence the magnitude of the acceleration of the particle. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{963c0834-fe49-480b-9bb5-1ace4254641a-4_419_604_1370_772} A smooth sphere of mass 0.3 kg is moving in a straight line on a horizontal surface. It collides with a vertical wall when the velocity of the sphere is \(7 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) at \(60 ^ { \circ }\) to the wall (see diagram). The coefficient of restitution between the sphere and the wall is 0.4 .
  3. (a) Find the component of the velocity of the sphere perpendicular to the wall immediately after the collision.
    (b) Find the magnitude of the impulse exerted by the wall on the sphere.
  4. Determine the magnitude and direction of the velocity of the sphere immediately after the collision, giving the direction as an acute angle to the wall.
Pre-U Pre-U 9795/2 2011 June Q9
9 marks Standard +0.3
9 At noon a vessel, \(A\), leaves a port, \(O\), and travels at \(10 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\) on a bearing of \(042 ^ { \circ }\). Also at noon a second vessel, \(B\), leaves another port, \(P , 13 \mathrm {~km}\) due north of \(O\), and travels at \(15 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\) on a bearing of \(090 ^ { \circ }\). Take \(O\) as the origin and \(\mathbf { i }\) and \(\mathbf { j }\) as unit vectors east and north respectively.
  1. Express the velocity vector of \(A\) relative to \(B\) in the form \(a \mathbf { i } + b \mathbf { j }\), where \(a\) and \(b\) are constants to be determined.
  2. Express the position vector of \(A\) relative to \(B\), at time \(t\) hours after the vessels have left port, in terms of \(t , \mathbf { i }\) and \(\mathbf { j }\).
  3. Explain why the scalar product of the vectors in parts (i) and (ii) is zero when the two vessels are closest together.
  4. Find the time at which the two vessels are closest together. \(10 A\) and \(B\) are two points 6 m apart on a smooth horizontal surface. A particle, \(P\), of mass 0.5 kg is attached to \(A\) by a light elastic string of natural length 2 m and modulus of elasticity 20 N , and to \(B\) by a light elastic string of natural length 1 m and modulus of elasticity 10 N , such that \(P\) is between \(A\) and \(B\).
  5. Find the length \(A P\) when \(P\) is in equilibrium. \(P\) is held at the point \(C\), where \(C\) is between \(A\) and \(B\) and \(A C = 4.5 \mathrm {~m} . P\) is then released from rest. At time \(t\) seconds after being released, the displacement of \(P\) from the equilibrium position is \(y\) metres.
  6. Show that $$\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } y } { \mathrm {~d} t ^ { 2 } } = - 40 y$$
  7. Find the time taken for \(P\) to reach the mid-point of \(A B\) for the first time. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{963c0834-fe49-480b-9bb5-1ace4254641a-6_750_1187_258_479} Two particles, \(P\) and \(Q\), are projected simultaneously from the same point on a plane inclined at \(\alpha\) to the horizontal. \(P\) is projected up the plane and \(Q\) down the plane. Each particle is projected with speed \(V\) at an angle \(\theta\) to the plane. Both particles move in a vertical plane containing a line of greatest slope of the inclined plane and you are given that \(\alpha + \theta < \frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi\) (see diagram).
  8. Show that the range of \(P\), up the plane, is given by $$\frac { 2 V ^ { 2 } \sin \theta } { g \cos ^ { 2 } \alpha } ( \cos \theta \cos \alpha - \sin \theta \sin \alpha ) .$$
  9. Write down a similar expression for the range of \(Q\), down the plane.
  10. Given that the range up the plane is a quarter of the range down the plane and that \(\alpha = \tan ^ { - 1 } \left( \frac { 1 } { 2 } \right)\), find \(\theta\).
Pre-U Pre-U 9795/2 2011 June Q12
9 marks Standard +0.3
12 A train of mass 250 tonnes is ascending an incline of \(\sin ^ { - 1 } \left( \frac { 1 } { 500 } \right)\) and working at 400 kW against resistance to motion which may be regarded as a constant force of 20000 N .
  1. Find the constant speed, \(V\), with which the train can ascend the incline working at this power.
  2. The train begins to ascend the incline at \(6 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) at the same power and against the same resistance. Find the distance covered in reaching a speed of \(\frac { 3 } { 4 } V\).
Pre-U Pre-U 9795/1 2012 June Q1
4 marks Moderate -0.8
1 Using any standard results given in the List of Formulae (MF20), show that $$\sum _ { r = 1 } ^ { n } \left( r ^ { 2 } - r + 1 \right) = \frac { 1 } { 3 } n \left( n ^ { 2 } + 2 \right)$$ for all positive integers \(n\).
Pre-U Pre-U 9795/1 2012 June Q2
4 marks Standard +0.3
2 Find the area enclosed by the curve with polar equation \(r = \sin \theta + \cos \theta , 0 \leqslant \theta \leqslant \frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi\).
Pre-U Pre-U 9795/1 2012 June Q3
3 marks Standard +0.8
3
  1. Given that \(y = \sqrt { \sinh x }\) for \(x \geqslant 0\), express \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x }\) in terms of \(y\) only.
  2. Find \(\int \frac { 2 t } { \sqrt { 1 + t ^ { 4 } } } \mathrm {~d} t\).
Pre-U Pre-U 9795/1 2012 June Q4
9 marks Standard +0.8
4 The curve \(C\) has equation \(y = \frac { x + 1 } { x ^ { 2 } + 3 }\).
  1. By considering a suitable quadratic equation in \(x\), find the set of possible values of \(y\) for points on \(C\).
  2. Deduce the coordinates of the turning points on \(C\).
Pre-U Pre-U 9795/1 2012 June Q5
6 marks Standard +0.8
5
  1. Write down the \(2 \times 2\) matrices which represent the following plane transformations:
    1. an anticlockwise rotation about the origin through an angle \(\alpha\);
    2. a reflection in the line \(y = x \tan \left( \frac { 1 } { 2 } \beta \right)\).
    3. A reflection in the \(x - y\) plane in the line \(y = x \tan \left( \frac { 1 } { 2 } \theta \right)\) is followed by a reflection in the line \(y = x \tan \left( \frac { 1 } { 2 } \phi \right)\). Show that the composition of these two reflections (in this order) is a rotation and describe this rotation fully.
Pre-U Pre-U 9795/1 2012 June Q6
7 marks Challenging +1.8
6 A group \(G\) has order 12.
  1. State, with a reason, the possible orders of the elements of \(G\). The identity element of \(G\) is \(e\), and \(x\) and \(y\) are distinct, non-identity elements of \(G\) satisfying the three conditions
    (1) \(\quad x\) has order 6 ,
    (2) \(x ^ { 3 } = y ^ { 2 }\),
    (3) \(x y x = y\).
  2. Prove that \(y x ^ { 2 } y = x\).
  3. Prove that \(G\) is not a cyclic group.
Pre-U Pre-U 9795/1 2012 June Q7
9 marks Challenging +1.2
7
  1. Use de Moivre's theorem to show that \(\tan 4 \theta = \frac { 4 t \left( 1 - t ^ { 2 } \right) } { 1 - 6 t ^ { 2 } + t ^ { 4 } }\), where \(t = \tan \theta\).
  2. Given that \(\theta\) is the acute angle such that \(\tan \theta = \frac { 1 } { 5 }\), express \(\tan 4 \theta\) as a rational number in its simplest form, and verify that $$\frac { 1 } { 4 } \pi + \tan ^ { - 1 } \left( \frac { 1 } { 239 } \right) = 4 \tan ^ { - 1 } \left( \frac { 1 } { 5 } \right)$$
Pre-U Pre-U 9795/1 2012 June Q8
11 marks Standard +0.8
8 The function f satisfies the differential equation $$x ^ { 2 } \mathrm { f } ^ { \prime \prime } ( x ) + ( 2 x - 1 ) \mathrm { f } ^ { \prime } ( x ) - 2 \mathrm { f } ( x ) = 3 \mathrm { e } ^ { x - 1 } + 1$$ and the conditions \(f ( 1 ) = 2 , f ^ { \prime } ( 1 ) = 3\).
  1. Determine \(f ^ { \prime \prime } ( 1 )\).
  2. Differentiate ( \(*\) ) with respect to \(x\) and hence evaluate \(\mathrm { f } ^ { \prime \prime \prime } ( 1 )\).
  3. Hence determine the Taylor series approximation for \(\mathrm { f } ( x )\) about \(x = 1\), up to and including the term in \(( x - 1 ) ^ { 3 }\).
  4. Deduce, to 3 decimal places, an approximation for \(\mathrm { f } ( 1.1 )\).
Pre-U Pre-U 9795/1 2012 June Q9
9 marks Challenging +1.2
9
  1. Show that the substitution \(u = \frac { 1 } { y ^ { 3 } }\) transforms the differential equation \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x } + y = 3 x y ^ { 4 }\) into $$\frac { \mathrm { d } u } { \mathrm {~d} x } - 3 u = - 9 x$$
  2. Solve the differential equation \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x } + y = 3 x y ^ { 4 }\), given that \(y = \frac { 1 } { 2 }\) when \(x = 0\). Give your answer in the form \(y ^ { 3 } = \mathrm { f } ( x )\).
Pre-U Pre-U 9795/1 2012 June Q10
2 marks Standard +0.3
10 The line \(L\) has equation \(\mathbf { r } = \left( \begin{array} { r } 1 \\ - 3 \\ 2 \end{array} \right) + \lambda \left( \begin{array} { l } 3 \\ 4 \\ 6 \end{array} \right)\) and the plane \(\Pi\) has equation \(\mathbf { r } \cdot \left( \begin{array} { r } 2 \\ - 6 \\ 3 \end{array} \right) = k\).
  1. Given that \(L\) lies in \(\Pi\), determine the value of \(k\).
  2. Find the coordinates of the point, \(Q\), in \(\Pi\) which is closest to \(P ( 10,2 , - 43 )\). Deduce the shortest distance from \(P\) to \(\Pi\).
  3. Find, in the form \(a x + b y + c z = d\), where \(a , b , c\) and \(d\) are integers, an equation for the plane which contains both \(L\) and \(P\).
Pre-U Pre-U 9795/1 2012 June Q11
11 marks Standard +0.8
11 The complex number \(w = ( \sqrt { 3 } - 1 ) + \mathrm { i } ( \sqrt { 3 } + 1 )\).
  1. Determine, showing full working, the exact values of \(| w |\) and \(\arg w\).
    [0pt] [You may use the result that \(\tan \left( \frac { 5 } { 12 } \pi \right) = 2 + \sqrt { 3 }\).]
  2. (a) Find, in the form \(r \mathrm { e } ^ { \mathrm { i } \theta }\), the three roots, \(z _ { 1 } , z _ { 2 }\) and \(z _ { 3 }\), of the equation \(z ^ { 3 } = w\).
    (b) Determine \(z _ { 1 } z _ { 2 } z _ { 3 }\) in the form \(a + \mathrm { i } b\).
    (c) Mark the points representing \(z _ { 1 } , z _ { 2 }\) and \(z _ { 3 }\) on a sketch of the Argand diagram. Show that they form an equilateral triangle, \(\Delta _ { 1 }\), and determine the side-length of \(\Delta _ { 1 }\).
    (d) The points representing \(k z _ { 1 } , k z _ { 2 }\) and \(k z _ { 3 }\) form \(\Delta _ { 2 }\), an equilateral triangle which is congruent to \(\Delta _ { 1 }\), and one of whose vertices lies on the positive real axis. Write down a suitable value for the complex constant \(k\).
Pre-U Pre-U 9795/1 2012 June Q12
15 marks Challenging +1.8
12
  1. Let \(I _ { n } = \int _ { 0 } ^ { 3 } x ^ { n } \sqrt { 16 + x ^ { 2 } } \mathrm {~d} x\), for \(n \geqslant 0\). Show that, for \(n \geqslant 2\), $$( n + 2 ) I _ { n } = 125 \times 3 ^ { n - 1 } - 16 ( n - 1 ) I _ { n - 2 }$$
  2. A curve has polar equation \(r = \frac { 1 } { 4 } \theta ^ { 4 }\) for \(0 \leqslant \theta \leqslant 3\).
    1. Sketch this curve.
    2. Find the exact length of the curve.
Pre-U Pre-U 9795/1 2012 June Q13
6 marks Challenging +1.8
13 Define the repunit number, \(R _ { n }\), to be the positive integer which consists of a string of \(n 1\) 's. Thus, $$R _ { 1 } = 1 , \quad R _ { 2 } = 11 , \quad R _ { 3 } = 111 , \quad \ldots , \quad R _ { 7 } = 1111111 , \quad \ldots , \text { etc. }$$ Use induction to prove that, for all integers \(n \geqslant 5\), the number $$13579 \times R _ { n }$$ contains a string of ( \(n - 4\) ) consecutive 7's.
Pre-U Pre-U 9795/2 2012 June Q1
5 marks Standard +0.8
1 The random variable \(X\) has probability density function \(\mathrm { f } ( x )\), where $$\mathrm { f } ( x ) = \begin{cases} k \mathrm { e } ^ { - k x } & x \geqslant 0 , \\ 0 & x < 0 , \end{cases}$$ and \(k\) is a positive constant.
  1. Show that the moment generating function of \(X\) is \(\mathrm { M } _ { X } ( t ) = k ( k - t ) ^ { - 1 } , t < k\).
  2. Use the moment generating function to find \(\mathrm { E } ( X )\) and \(\operatorname { Var } ( X )\).
Pre-U Pre-U 9795/2 2012 June Q2
9 marks Standard +0.3
2 The independent random variables \(X\) and \(Y\) have normal distributions where \(X \sim \mathrm {~N} \left( \mu , \sigma ^ { 2 } \right)\) and \(Y \sim \mathrm {~N} \left( 3 \mu , 4 \sigma ^ { 2 } \right)\). Two random samples each of size \(n\) are taken, one from each of these normal populations.
  1. Show that \(a \bar { X } + b \bar { Y }\) is an unbiased estimator of \(\mu\) provided that \(a + 3 b = 1\), where \(a\) and \(b\) are constants and \(\bar { X }\) and \(\bar { Y }\) are the respective sample means. In the remainder of the question assume that \(a \bar { X } + b \bar { Y }\) is an unbiased estimator of \(\mu\).
  2. Show that \(\operatorname { Var } ( a \bar { X } + b \bar { Y } )\) can be written as \(\frac { \sigma ^ { 2 } } { n } \left( 1 - 6 b + 13 b ^ { 2 } \right)\).
  3. The value of the constant \(b\) can be varied. Find the value of \(b\) that gives the minimum of \(\operatorname { Var } ( a \bar { X } + b \bar { Y } )\), and hence find the minimum of \(\operatorname { Var } ( a \bar { X } + b \bar { Y } )\) in terms of \(\sigma\) and \(n\).
Pre-U Pre-U 9795/2 2012 June Q3
10 marks Standard +0.3
3 Small amounts of a potentially hazardous chemical are discharged into a river from a nearby industrial site. A random sample of size 6 was taken from the river and the concentration of the chemical present in each item was measured in grams per litre. The results are shown below. $$\begin{array} { l l l l l l } 1.64 & 1.53 & 1.78 & 1.60 & 1.73 & 1.77 \end{array}$$
  1. Assuming that the sample was taken from a normal distribution with known variance 0.01 , construct a \(99 \%\) confidence interval for the mean concentration of the chemical present in the river.
  2. If instead the sample was taken from a normal distribution, but with unknown variance, construct a revised \(99 \%\) confidence interval for the mean concentration of the chemical present in the river.
  3. If the mean concentration of the chemical in the river exceeds 1.8 grams per litre, then remedial action needs to be taken. Comment briefly on the need for remedial action in the light of the results in parts (i) and (ii).
Pre-U Pre-U 9795/2 2012 June Q4
10 marks Challenging +1.3
4
  1. The random variable \(X\) has the distribution \(\operatorname { Po } ( \lambda )\). Prove that the probability generating function, \(\mathrm { G } _ { X } ( t )\), is given by $$\mathrm { G } _ { X } ( t ) = \mathrm { e } ^ { \lambda ( t - 1 ) } .$$
  2. The independent random variables \(X\) and \(Y\) have distributions \(\operatorname { Po } ( \lambda )\) and \(\operatorname { Po } ( \mu )\) respectively. Use probability generating functions to show that the distribution of \(X + Y\) is \(\operatorname { Po } ( \lambda + \mu )\).
  3. Given that \(X \sim \operatorname { Po } ( 1.5 )\) and \(Y \sim \operatorname { Po } ( 2.5 )\), find \(\mathrm { P } ( X \leqslant 2 \mid X + Y = 4 )\).
Pre-U Pre-U 9795/2 2012 June Q5
11 marks Standard +0.3
5
  1. The probability that a shopper obtains a parking space on the river embankment on any given Saturday morning is 0.2 . Using a suitable normal approximation, find the probability that, over a period of 100 Saturday mornings, the shopper finds a parking space
    1. at least 15 times,
    2. no more than 12 times.
    3. The number of parking tickets that a traffic warden issues on the river embankment during the course of a week has a Poisson distribution with mean 36 . The probability that the traffic warden issues more than \(N\) parking tickets is less than 0.05 . Using a suitable normal approximation, find the least possible value of \(N\).
Pre-U Pre-U 9795/2 2012 June Q6
12 marks Standard +0.3
6 The lengths of time, in years, that sales representatives for a certain company keep their company cars may be modelled by the distribution with probability density function \(\mathrm { f } ( x )\), where $$f ( x ) = \begin{cases} \frac { 4 } { 27 } x ^ { 2 } ( 3 - x ) & 0 \leqslant x \leqslant 3 \\ 0 & \text { otherwise } \end{cases}$$
  1. Draw a sketch of this probability density function.
  2. Calculate the mean and the mode of \(X\).
  3. Comment briefly on the values obtained in part (ii) in relation to the sketch in part (i).
  4. Given that \(\sigma ^ { 2 } = 0.36\), find \(\mathrm { P } ( | X - \mu | < \sigma )\), where \(\mu\) and \(\sigma ^ { 2 }\) denote the mean and the variance of \(X\) respectively.
Pre-U Pre-U 9795/2 2012 June Q7
8 marks Standard +0.3
7 A cyclist and her machine have a combined mass of 90 kg and she is riding along a straight horizontal road. She is working at a constant power of 75 W . At time \(t\) seconds her speed is \(v \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) and the resistance to motion is \(k v \mathrm {~N}\), where \(k\) is a constant.
  1. If the cyclist's maximum steady speed is \(10 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\), show that \(k = \frac { 3 } { 4 }\).
  2. Use Newton's second law to show that $$\frac { 25 } { v } - \frac { v } { 4 } = 30 \frac { \mathrm {~d} v } { \mathrm {~d} t } .$$
  3. Find the time taken for the cyclist to accelerate from a speed of \(3 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) to a speed of \(7 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\).