STEP 2006 Solutions Thread
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SimonM
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You can let someone else take control of the OP whenever.
STEP I:
1: Solution by Unbounded
2: Solution by nuodai
3: Solution by nuodai
4: Solution by Unbounded
5: Solution by darkness9999
6: Solution by SimonM
7: Solution by SimonM
8: Solution by Glutamic Acid
9: Solution by Unbounded
10: Solution by SimonM
11: Solution by brianeverit
12: Solution by Farhan.Hanif93
13: Solution by Aurel-Aqua
14: Solution by Aurel-Aqua
STEP II:
1: Solution by DeanK22
2: Solution by DeanK22 and etothepiiplusone
3: Solution by SimonM
4: Solution by sonofdot
5: Solution by Daniel Freedman
6: Solution by Elongar
7: Solution by SimonM
8: Solution by Daniel Freedman
9: Solution by brianeverit
10: Solution by Farhan.Hanif93
11: Solution by Farhan.Hanif93
12: Solution by brianeverit
13: Solution by brianeverit
14: Solution by Farhan.Hanif93
STEP III:
1: Solution by Daniel Freedman
2: Solution by Daniel Freedman
3: Solution by Daniel Freedman
4: Solution by Dadeyemi
5: Solution by Elongar
6: Solution by Anonymous
7: Solution by tommm
8: Solution by DeanK22
9: Solution by brianeverit
10: Solution by brianeverit
11: Solution by brianeverit
12: Solution by brianeverit
13: Solution by brianeverit
14: Solution by brianeverit
Solutions written by TSR members:
1987 - 1988 - 1989 - 1990 - 1991 - 1992 - 1993 - 1994 - 1995 - 1996 - 1997 - 1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007
STEP I:
1: Solution by Unbounded
2: Solution by nuodai
3: Solution by nuodai
4: Solution by Unbounded
5: Solution by darkness9999
6: Solution by SimonM
7: Solution by SimonM
8: Solution by Glutamic Acid
9: Solution by Unbounded
10: Solution by SimonM
11: Solution by brianeverit
12: Solution by Farhan.Hanif93
13: Solution by Aurel-Aqua
14: Solution by Aurel-Aqua
STEP II:
1: Solution by DeanK22
2: Solution by DeanK22 and etothepiiplusone
3: Solution by SimonM
4: Solution by sonofdot
5: Solution by Daniel Freedman
6: Solution by Elongar
7: Solution by SimonM
8: Solution by Daniel Freedman
9: Solution by brianeverit
10: Solution by Farhan.Hanif93
11: Solution by Farhan.Hanif93
12: Solution by brianeverit
13: Solution by brianeverit
14: Solution by Farhan.Hanif93
STEP III:
1: Solution by Daniel Freedman
2: Solution by Daniel Freedman
3: Solution by Daniel Freedman
4: Solution by Dadeyemi
5: Solution by Elongar
6: Solution by Anonymous
7: Solution by tommm
8: Solution by DeanK22
9: Solution by brianeverit
10: Solution by brianeverit
11: Solution by brianeverit
12: Solution by brianeverit
13: Solution by brianeverit
14: Solution by brianeverit
Solutions written by TSR members:
1987 - 1988 - 1989 - 1990 - 1991 - 1992 - 1993 - 1994 - 1995 - 1996 - 1997 - 1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007
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Daniel Freedman
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Daniel Freedman
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STEP III 2006, Question 3
Spoiler:
i) tan is an odd function ie tan(-x) = - tan(x) and therefore can have no even powers of x in its series expansion
Prove


as required.
ii)



as required.
iii)

which is true by Pythagoras'.

EDIT: There was no point in factorising this way. I did the question whilst typing it up, and it seemed an obvious thing to do.
Equating coefficients gives:

as required.
Show
i) tan is an odd function ie tan(-x) = - tan(x) and therefore can have no even powers of x in its series expansion
Prove



as required.
ii)



as required.
iii)

which is true by Pythagoras'.

EDIT: There was no point in factorising this way. I did the question whilst typing it up, and it seemed an obvious thing to do.
Equating coefficients gives:


as required.

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Daniel Freedman
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STEP III 2006, Question 1
Spoiler:

Therefore the curve has vertical asymptotes with equations
and
.
The curve has roots
.
As
, so the curve has an oblique asymptote with equation
.
As
. This is the equation of the tangent to the curve at the origin (can be verified by differentiating)
[SKETCH ATTACHED]
i)

[SKETCH ATTACHED]
The graph shows that the two curves have three points of intersection, which means the above equation has three real roots
ii)

[SKETCH ATTACHED]
The graph shows the two curves only have one point of intersection (using the fact that the line has the same gradient as the tangent to the curve at the origin). This means the above equation has one real root.
iii)
[SKETCH ATTACHED]
The graph shows the curves have six points of intersection, which means the above equation has six real roots (the curves don't meet again because there are only two solutions of
Show

Therefore the curve has vertical asymptotes with equations


The curve has roots

As


As

[SKETCH ATTACHED]
i)

[SKETCH ATTACHED]
The graph shows that the two curves have three points of intersection, which means the above equation has three real roots
ii)

[SKETCH ATTACHED]
The graph shows the two curves only have one point of intersection (using the fact that the line has the same gradient as the tangent to the curve at the origin). This means the above equation has one real root.
iii)

[SKETCH ATTACHED]
The graph shows the curves have six points of intersection, which means the above equation has six real roots (the curves don't meet again because there are only two solutions of

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Oh I Really Don't Care
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STEP III 8
We introduce some notation and an operation we wish to show is equivalent to the operation delta. We define the operation upon a polynomial f(x) as follows;
We will now prove property 1
We now prove property 2 is met by this operation
We prove property three is met by the above operation.
We now prove the final property;
We now need to show that delta (the operation given in the question) returns nx^{n-1} after being applied to x^n.
As required
We introduce some notation and an operation we wish to show is equivalent to the operation delta. We define the operation upon a polynomial f(x) as follows;

We will now prove property 1
Spoiler:
Show
We now prove property 2 is met by this operation
We prove property three is met by the above operation.
We now prove the final property;
We now need to show that delta (the operation given in the question) returns nx^{n-1} after being applied to x^n.
Spoiler:
Show
We proceed by induction.
Assume that for some k in N that delta(x^k) = kx^(k-1). Assume that the result holds for k + 1.

P(k) implies P(k+1) and we know that delta(1) = 0 and delta(x) = 1. As a set which contains 0 and the successor function follows by mathematical induction, the set contains N. So delta(f(x)) is equivalent to d/dx (f(x)) if f(x) is a polynomial in x.
Assume that for some k in N that delta(x^k) = kx^(k-1). Assume that the result holds for k + 1.

P(k) implies P(k+1) and we know that delta(1) = 0 and delta(x) = 1. As a set which contains 0 and the successor function follows by mathematical induction, the set contains N. So delta(f(x)) is equivalent to d/dx (f(x)) if f(x) is a polynomial in x.
As required
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Glutamic Acid
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#6
I/8:
(i) Let the base be OAC, so area = 1/2ca. Height is b, so the area is b*1/3*(1/2ca) = abc/6.
(ii)
is the angle between BC and AC. 


Area of triangle = "
". Note that
, so 

The area will clearly be equal to abc/6, only that the height of the new triangle is d.

(i) Let the base be OAC, so area = 1/2ca. Height is b, so the area is b*1/3*(1/2ca) = abc/6.
(ii)




Area of triangle = "




The area will clearly be equal to abc/6, only that the height of the new triangle is d.


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Daniel Freedman
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#7
(Original post by DeanK22)
STEP III 8
We introduce some notation and an operation we wish to show is equivalent to the operation delta. We define the operation upon a polynomial f(x) as follows;
We will now prove property 1
We now prove property 2 is met by this operation
We prove property three is met by the above operation.
We now prove the final property;
We now need to show that delta (the operation given in the question) returns nx^{n-1} after being applied to x^n.
As required
STEP III 8
We introduce some notation and an operation we wish to show is equivalent to the operation delta. We define the operation upon a polynomial f(x) as follows;

We will now prove property 1
Spoiler:
Show
We now prove property 2 is met by this operation
We prove property three is met by the above operation.
We now prove the final property;
We now need to show that delta (the operation given in the question) returns nx^{n-1} after being applied to x^n.
Spoiler:
Show
We proceed by induction.
Assume that for some k in N that delta(x^k) = kx^(k-1). Assume that the result holds for k + 1.

P(k) implies P(k+1) and we know that delta(1) = 0 and delta(x) = 1. As a set which contains 0 and the successor function follows by mathematical induction, the set contains N. So delta(f(x)) is equivalent to d/dx (f(x)) if f(x) is a polynomial in x.
Assume that for some k in N that delta(x^k) = kx^(k-1). Assume that the result holds for k + 1.

P(k) implies P(k+1) and we know that delta(1) = 0 and delta(x) = 1. As a set which contains 0 and the successor function follows by mathematical induction, the set contains N. So delta(f(x)) is equivalent to d/dx (f(x)) if f(x) is a polynomial in x.
As required



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Dadeyemi
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#8
Aurel-Aqua
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2006 I Question 13
Part (i)
The number of diamonds in one kilogram has a Poisson distribution of
. We find that per 100 grams,
. For 100T grams,
.
is the distribution of scores of the die.
Drawing 1, we have
.
Similarly,
(recognising a finite geometric sum).
Part (i) - expectation
![\displaystyle E[D_T] = \sum_{t=1}^6 \frac{1}{6}E[D_t] = \frac{1}{6}\sum_{t=1}^6 0.1t = \frac{1}{6}(0.1+0.2+0.3+0.4+0.5+0.6) = \frac{2.1}{6} = \frac{0.7}{2} = 0.35 \displaystyle E[D_T] = \sum_{t=1}^6 \frac{1}{6}E[D_t] = \frac{1}{6}\sum_{t=1}^6 0.1t = \frac{1}{6}(0.1+0.2+0.3+0.4+0.5+0.6) = \frac{2.1}{6} = \frac{0.7}{2} = 0.35](https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/latexrender/pictures/2d/2d5158a5cca4b2872102a40a775dd146.png)
Part (ii)
This time,
is a geometric distribution with
. Thus,
.
This time, our probability is:


, as required.
Part (ii) - expectation
.
Consider:
.
Thus,
.
Part (i)
The number of diamonds in one kilogram has a Poisson distribution of




Drawing 1, we have

Similarly,


Part (i) - expectation
![\displaystyle E[D_T] = \sum_{t=1}^6 \frac{1}{6}E[D_t] = \frac{1}{6}\sum_{t=1}^6 0.1t = \frac{1}{6}(0.1+0.2+0.3+0.4+0.5+0.6) = \frac{2.1}{6} = \frac{0.7}{2} = 0.35 \displaystyle E[D_T] = \sum_{t=1}^6 \frac{1}{6}E[D_t] = \frac{1}{6}\sum_{t=1}^6 0.1t = \frac{1}{6}(0.1+0.2+0.3+0.4+0.5+0.6) = \frac{2.1}{6} = \frac{0.7}{2} = 0.35](https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/latexrender/pictures/2d/2d5158a5cca4b2872102a40a775dd146.png)
Part (ii)
This time,



This time, our probability is:



Part (ii) - expectation
![\displaystyle E[D_T] = \sum_{t=1}^\infty E[D_t]P(T=t) = \sum_{t=1}^\infty 0.1t\frac{1}{6}\left(\frac{5}{6}\right)^{t-1} =\frac{1}{60}\sum_{t=1}^\infty t\left(\frac{5}{6}\right)^{t-1} \displaystyle E[D_T] = \sum_{t=1}^\infty E[D_t]P(T=t) = \sum_{t=1}^\infty 0.1t\frac{1}{6}\left(\frac{5}{6}\right)^{t-1} =\frac{1}{60}\sum_{t=1}^\infty t\left(\frac{5}{6}\right)^{t-1}](https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/latexrender/pictures/9f/9fd1eb95b15233aa426372cfafc2117c.png)
Consider:

Thus,
![\displaystyle E[D_T] = \frac{1}{60}\left(1-\frac{5}{6}\right)^{-2} = \frac{36}{60} = 0.6 \displaystyle E[D_T] = \frac{1}{60}\left(1-\frac{5}{6}\right)^{-2} = \frac{36}{60} = 0.6](https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/latexrender/pictures/5b/5b81816387324a2b96a2aa6ee2bed6cf.png)
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Aurel-Aqua
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#10
2006 I Question 14
Either I missed something crucial, or this question is incredibly easy. I'll write up the incredibly-easy interpretation of this question:
Part (i)
This is a geometric progression, where
, where
,
, so
.
Differentiating, we get:
. Equating to zero,
. We know that this is the maximum as r tends to infinity, P tends to zero.
Part (ii)


. Clearly maximum at n = 1.
Did I make a mistake here? It just looks too simple for a STEP question, I'm afraid.
Edit: see GHOSH-5's post here: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/show...3&postcount=41
Either I missed something crucial, or this question is incredibly easy. I'll write up the incredibly-easy interpretation of this question:
Part (i)
This is a geometric progression, where




Differentiating, we get:


Part (ii)



Did I make a mistake here? It just looks too simple for a STEP question, I'm afraid.
Edit: see GHOSH-5's post here: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/show...3&postcount=41
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DFranklin
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#11
(Original post by Daniel Freedman)
I'm pretty sure you don't need to prove that each of the four rules works for differentiation. You just need to prove, by induction as you have, that
, using the four rules. Then let
, and apply the operation to this function, making use of rules ii) and iii) to show that
.
I'm pretty sure you don't need to prove that each of the four rules works for differentiation. You just need to prove, by induction as you have, that



They've said "given that the operator

Dean has said "A particular operator


But he hasn't shown that

This is one of those unfortunate cases where what he's done makes a reasonable amount of sense, but very definitely doesn't answer the actual question. I think you'd lose a ton of marks for this (even if the Examiner sympathised).
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Oh I Really Don't Care
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#12
(Original post by DFranklin)
Actually, it's worse than that.
They've said "given that the operator
has these properties; show that...".
Dean has said "A particular operator
has those properties, and for
, we have ...."
But he hasn't shown that
is the only possible operator with the properties.
This is one of those unfortunate cases where what he's done makes a reasonable amount of sense, but very definitely doesn't answer the actual question. I think you'd lose a ton of marks for this (even if the Examiner sympathised).
Actually, it's worse than that.
They've said "given that the operator

Dean has said "A particular operator


But he hasn't shown that

This is one of those unfortunate cases where what he's done makes a reasonable amount of sense, but very definitely doesn't answer the actual question. I think you'd lose a ton of marks for this (even if the Examiner sympathised).
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DFranklin
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#13
Well, that's effectively what the question is asking you to show. I would:
(1) Prove by induction that
(using (i) and (iv)).
(2) Then use (iii) to prove
(3) Then use (ii) to prove
.
[Which effectively proves uniqueness of
for polynomials].
Then simply observe this is the same as the derivative in the case of polynomials.
(1) Prove by induction that

(2) Then use (iii) to prove

(3) Then use (ii) to prove

[Which effectively proves uniqueness of

Then simply observe this is the same as the derivative in the case of polynomials.
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darkness9999
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#14
I have different answers to STEP I Q 14 Im not to sure who is wrong...
Part (i)
Part (ii)
Part (i)
Spoiler:
Show
Part (ii)
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darkness9999
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Elongar
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#16
STEP III 2006, Q5
We wish to show that
form an equilateral iff

Multiplying by two and factorising, we wish to show that,

holds for all equilateral triangles.
Note that
are the sides of the triangle. If they are shown on an Argand diagram, the angle between any two consecutive sides is
. Note also that the lengths of the sides are all of equal length, so the magnitudes of the complex numbers that represent them will also be equal.
Using this, we reconstruct the equation:

or, more simply,


The bracket evaluates to 0, so we are done.
For the next part, we take the roots of the cubic to be
, and expand, yielding Vieta's formula:

Algebra shows that:

and the result follows immediately.
Now we write,


The transformation
has the effect of rotating our equilateral triangle by the angle
, magnifying it by a factor of
and translating it through the vector represented by
(would I need to show this?). Under these transformations, the equilateral triangle formed by the roots of the initial cubic remains an equilateral triangle.
We wish to show that


Multiplying by two and factorising, we wish to show that,

holds for all equilateral triangles.
Note that


Using this, we reconstruct the equation:

or, more simply,


The bracket evaluates to 0, so we are done.
For the next part, we take the roots of the cubic to be


Algebra shows that:

and the result follows immediately.
Now we write,


The transformation




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nuodai
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Oh I Really Don't Care
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#18
RE; Noudai
opting for the use of x as the distance from the side of the nearest corner of the barn and a diagram saves you considering the cases and gives the answer far quicker.
opting for the use of x as the distance from the side of the nearest corner of the barn and a diagram saves you considering the cases and gives the answer far quicker.
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nuodai
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#19
(Original post by DeanK22)
RE; Noudai
opting for the use of x as the distance from the side of the nearest corner of the barn and a diagram saves you considering the cases and gives the answer far quicker.
RE; Noudai
opting for the use of x as the distance from the side of the nearest corner of the barn and a diagram saves you considering the cases and gives the answer far quicker.

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qgujxj39
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STEP III 2006 Q7
Spoiler:
Show
Part i):
Using the quadratic formula we obtain


If we let
, we obtain the differential equation they're asking about, so:

Using the condition that
at
, we see that the
must be a +, hence

Integrating we obtain

and using y = 0 when x = 0 we find that c = 1.
Part ii):
Using the quadratic formula again to find dy/dx, we obtain (apologies for not writing it out in full):


We can integrate the left hand side using recognition: the top is the derivative of the bottom, so:

Now, if the
sign were a minus, then the condition x = 0 when y = 0 would be impossible, as this would mean that the arbitrary constant were infinite. We can therefore deduce that the
must be a +. Therefore:

Using x = 0 when y = 0, we find that c = ln2. Therefore

, which is the solution of the differential equation.
Writing the cosh in full exponentials and multiplying by 2 gives:

To find the asymptotes, we consider two cases:
1) when
, we can disregard
and
because they are comparatively small, so
. Rearranging gives the equation of the asymptote,
.
1) when
, we can disregard
and
because they are comparatively small, so
. Rearranging gives the equation of the other asymptote,
.
Using the quadratic formula we obtain


If we let


Using the condition that




Integrating we obtain

and using y = 0 when x = 0 we find that c = 1.
Part ii):
Using the quadratic formula again to find dy/dx, we obtain (apologies for not writing it out in full):


We can integrate the left hand side using recognition: the top is the derivative of the bottom, so:

Now, if the



Using x = 0 when y = 0, we find that c = ln2. Therefore


Writing the cosh in full exponentials and multiplying by 2 gives:

To find the asymptotes, we consider two cases:
1) when





1) when





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