SECTION A (40 marks)

Answer ALL questions in this section.

Write your answers in the AL(E) answer book.

1. A sequence {a n } is defined by a1 = 1 , a 2 = 3 and a n + 2 = 3a n +1 + a n for all

n = 1, 2, 3K . Using mathematical induction, prove that

1 ⎡⎛ 3 + 17 ⎞ ⎛ 3 − 17 ⎞ ⎤
n n

an = ⎢⎜ ⎟ −⎜ ⎟ ⎥ for any positive integer n . (6 marks)

17 ⎢⎜⎝ 2 ⎟⎠ ⎜⎝ 2 ⎟⎠ ⎥
⎣ ⎦

2. Let Ckn be the coefficient of x k in the expansion of (1 + x ) .

n

(a) Using the identity 1 − x 2 ( ) = (1 + x ) (1 − x ) , prove that the coefficient of

n n n

( ) ∑ (− 1) (C )
n
n n 2
x n in the expansion of 1 − x 2
k
is k .
k =0

(b) Evaluate

∑ (− 1) (C )
2005
k 2005 2
(i) k ,
k =0

∑ (− 1) (C )
2006
k 2006 2
(ii) k . (7 marks)
k =0

3. Let p(x ) be a polynomial of degree 4 with real coefficients satisfying p(0 ) = 0 ,

p(1) = , p(2) = , p(3) = and p(4) = .

1 2 3 4
2 3 4 5
(a) Let q (x ) = (x + 1) p (x ) − x .
(i) Evaluate q(0 ) , q(1) , q(2 ) , q (3) and q (4 ) .
(ii) Express q(x ) as a product of linear polynomials.
(b) Evaluate p(5) . (6 marks)
4.
9 x + 36
(a) Resolve into partial fractions.
x(x + 2)(x + 3)
n
9k + 36 B C D
(b) Express ∑ k (k + 2)(k + 3)
k =1
in the form A + + +
n +1 n + 2 n + 3
, where A,

B, C and D are constants.

N
9k + 36
(c) Is there a positive integer N such that ∑ k (k + 2)(k + 3) ≥ 8 ? Explain your
k =1

answer. (7 marks)

2006-AL-P MATH 1 -1-

 n n +1
1 1
5. For every positive integer n, define xn = ∑ and yn = ∑ .
k =1 n + k k =1 n + k

(a) Prove that the sequence {xn } is strictly increasing and that the sequence
{yn } is strictly decreasing.
(b) Prove that the sequence {xn } and {yn } converge to the same limit.
(7 marks)
6. Let a, b and c be positive real numbers such that a 2 + b 2 + c 2 = 3 .
(a) Using Cauchy-Schwarz’s inequality, prove that
(i) a + b + c ≤ 3.
(ii) a 3 + b 3 + c 3 ≥ 3 .
(b) For every n = 2 , 3, 4… , let P(n ) be the statement a n + b n + c n ≥ 3 .
Prove that for any integer k ≥ 2 ,
(i) If P(k ) is true, then P(2k ) is true;
(ii) If P(k ) is true, then P(2k − 1) is true. (7 marks)

SECTION B (60 marks)

Answer any FOUR questions in this section. Each question carries 15 marks.
Write you answer in the AL(A) answer book.

7. Consider the system of linear equations in x, y, z

⎧ x + ay + z = 4
(E ) : ⎪⎨ x + (2 − a ) y + (3b − 1)z = 3 , where a, b ∈ R.
⎪2 x + (a + 1) y + (b + 1)z = 7
⎩

(a) Prove that (E) has a unique solution if and only if a ≠ 1 and b ≠ 0 . Solve
(E) in this case. (6 marks)
(b)
(i) For a=1, find the value(s) of b for which (E) is consistent, and solve (E)
for such value(s) of b.
(ii) Is there a real solution (x, y, z) of

⎧x + y + z = 4
⎪
⎨2 x + 2 y + z = 6
⎪4 x + 4 y + 3 z + 14
⎩

satisfying x 2 − 2 y 2 − z = 14 ? Explain you answer. (7 marks)

(c) Is (E) consistent for b=0? Explain your answer. (2 marks)

2006-AL-P MATH 1 -2-

 ⎛ m − m⎞
8. Let M = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ , where m > 0 .
⎝m m ⎠
(a) Evaluate M 2 . (1 mark)
⎛a b ⎞
(b) Let X = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ be a non-zero real matrix such that MX = XM .
⎝c d ⎠
(i) Prove that c = −b and d = a .
(ii) Prove that X is a non-singular matrix.
⎛1 0⎞
(iii) Suppose that X − 6 X −1 = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ .
⎝0 1⎠
(1) Find X.

(2) If a>0 and (M − kX ) = − M 2 , express k in terms of m .

2

(10 marks)
(c) Using the result of (b)(iii)(2), find two real matrices P and Q, other than M
and –M, such that P 4 = Q 4 = M 4 . (4 marks)
9.
(a) Let b, c, d ∈ R and α , β and γ be the roots of the equation
x 3 + bx 2 + cx + d = 0 .

for every positive integer k , define S k = α k + β k + γ k .

(i) Using relations between coefficients and roots, express S1 , S 2 and

S3 in terms of b, c and d.
(ii) Prove that S k +1 + bS k + 2 + cSk +1 + dS k = 0 for any positive integer k.
(iii) Suppose d=bc. Using the results of (a)(i) and (a)(ii) prove that

S 2 n1 + bS 2 n = (− 1) 2bc n and S 2 n + bS 2 n −1 = (− 1) 2c n for any positive

n n

integer n .
(11 marks)
(b) Find three numbers such that their sum is 3, the sum of their square is 3203
and the sum of their cubes is 9603. (4 marks)

2006-AL-P MATH 1 -3-

10.
(a) By differentiation f (x ) = x ln x − x prove that x ln x − 1 + 1 ≥ 0 for all
x>0. (4 marks)
a −1 x
(b) Let a be a positive real number. Define g (x ) = for all x > 0 . Prove
x
that g is increasing. (3 marks)
(c) Let p and q be real numbers such that p > q > 0 .
(i) Suppose that al, a2,…,an are positive real numbers satisfying
n

∑a = n.
q
k
k =1
n

∑a ≥ n.
p
Using (b), prove that k
k =1

(ii) Suppose that b1, b2,…,bn are positive real numbers.

1 1
⎛ 1 n p ⎞ p ⎛ 1 n q ⎞q
Using (c)(i), prove that ⎜ ∑ bk ⎟ ≥ ⎜ ∑ bk ⎟ .
⎜ n k =1 ⎟ ⎜ n k =1 ⎟
⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠
p q
⎛ n 1
⎞ ⎛ n 1q ⎞
⎜ 1 ⎟ ⎜1 ⎟
Hence prove that ⎜ ∑ bk ⎟ ≥ ⎜ ∑ bk ⎟ .
p
(8 marks)
⎜ n k =1 ⎟ ⎜ n k =1 ⎟
⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠
11. Let 0 < θ < π .
(a) Solve the equation z 2 = cos θ + i sin θ . (2 marks)

(b) Let u1 and u2 be the roots of the equation (u + 1) = cos θ + i sin θ , where
2

Im(u1 ) <0.
(i) Find u1 and u2.
u θ
(ii) Prove that 2 = −i tan .
u1 4
n
⎛u ⎞
Hence, find all the integers n for which ⎜⎜ 2 ⎟⎟ is a real number.
⎝ u1 ⎠

θ
(iii) Prove that u1 = 212 cos 12
12
(cos 3θ + i sin 3θ ) .
4

Hence, find all the values of θ for which u1 − u 2

12 12
is a real

number. (13 marks)

END OF PAPER

2006-AL-P MATH 1 -4-

SECTION A (40 marks)
Answer ALL questions in this section.
Write your answer in the AL(E) answer book.

1. Evaluate
3 x +1

(a) lim
∫ 1
t 5 + t 3 + 1dt
,
x →0 ln ( x + 1)

1
(b) lim sin x sin . (6 marks)
x →0 x
2. Let f : R → R be defined by
⎧− 1 when x is an even number,
f (x ) = ⎨
⎩2 when x is not an even number.
(a)
(i) Sketch the graph of y = f ( x ) for − 4 ≤ x ≤ 4 .
(ii) Is f a periodic function? Explain your answer.
(b) Let g : R → R be defined by g ( x ) = f ( x + 1) + f (x ) .
(i) Sketch the graph of y = g ( x ) for − 4 ≤ x ≤ 4 .
(ii) Is g an injective function? Explain your answer.
( 7 marks)
π
sin m θ
3. For any positive integers m and n, define I m , n = ∫ 4 dθ .
0 cos n θ
m−n
1 ⎛ 1 ⎞ m +1
(a) Prove that I m + 2, n + 2 = ⎜ ⎟ − I m,n .
n + 1⎝ 2 ⎠ n +1

(b) Using the substitution u = cosθ , evaluate I 3,1 .

(c) Using the results of (a) and (b), evaluate I 7 ,5 . (7 marks)

4.
x3
(a) Using the substitution t = 1 + x , find ∫
2
dx .
1 + x2
1 n k3
(b) Evaluate lim 3 ∑ . (7 marks)
n→∞ n
k =1 n2 + k 2

2006-AL-P MATH 2-6 1

5.

(a) Find ∫ ln ydy .

(b) Find the volume of the solid of revolution generated by revolving the region

bounded by the curve y = 2 x and the straight line y = 2 about the y-axis.
2

(6 marks)
2 2
x y
6. Let the equation of ellipse E be 2
+ 2 = 1 , where a and b are two distinct
a b
positive constants. The coordinates of the points P and Q are ( a cosθ , b sin θ )
π
and ( (a + b )cosθ , (a + b )sin θ ) respectively, where 0 < θ < .
2
(a) Prove that
(i) P lies on E,
(ii) The straight line passing through P and Q is the normal to E at P.
(b) Let c be a constant such that the straight line x sin θ − y cosθ = c is a
tangent to E. Express the distance between P and Q in terms of c.
(7 marks)

SECTION B (60 marks)

Answer any FOUR questions in this section. Each question carries 15 marks.
Write your answer in the AL (A) answer book.

x2 − x − 6
7. Let f ( x ) = (x ≠ 6) .
x+6
(a) Find f ′( x ) and f ′′( x ) . (2 marks)
(b) Solve each of the following inequalities:
(i) f ′( x ) > 0
(ii) f ′( x ) < 0
(iii) f ′′( x ) > 0
(iv) f ′′( x ) < 0 . (3 marks)
(c) Find the relative extreme point(s) of the graph of y = f ( x ) . (2 marks)
(d) Find the asymptote(s) of the graph of y = f ( x ) . (3 marks)
(e) Sketch the graph of y = f ( x ) . (2 marks)
(f) Find the area of the region bounded by the graph of y = f ( x ) and the
x-axis. (3 marks)

2006-AL-P MATH 2-6 2

8.
(a)
(i) For any two distinct positive integers m and n, evaluate
π
∫0
cos mx cos nxdx .

π π
(ii) For any positive integer n, evaluate ∫ 0
cos nxdx and ∫0
cos 2 nxdx .

(5 marks)
π (− 1)n 2π
(b) Using integration by parts, prove that ∫0
x 2 cos nxdx =
n2
for any

positive integer n. (3 marks)

N
(c) Let N be a positive integer and f ( x ) = a0 + ∑ am cos mx , where a0, a1, …
m =1

∫ ( f (x ) − x )dx = 0
π 2
aN are constants. It is given that and
0

∫ ( f (x ) − x ) cos nxdx = 0
π 2
for all n = 1, 2, …, N.
0

(i) Find a0.

(ii) Prove that an =

(− 1)n 4 for all n = 1, 2, …, N.
n2

(iii) For any positive integer k, let I k = ∫ ( f ( x ) − x 2 )cos( N + k )xdx .

π

Evaluate lim I k . (7 marks)

k →∞

9.
x−n
(a) Prove that lim+ 1
= 0 for any positive integer n. (3 marks)
x →0
x
e

⎧0 when x ≤ 0.
⎪
(b) Let f ( x ) = ⎨ −1
⎪⎩e x when x > 0.
(i) Find f ′( x ) for all x ≠ 0 .
(ii) Prove that f ′(0 ) = 0 .
Hence prove that f ′( x ) is continuous at x = 0 .
−1
⎛1⎞
(iii) For any x>0, prove that f (n )
(x ) = e x
pn ⎜ ⎟ for any positive integer
⎝ x⎠
n , where pn (t ) is a polynomial in t.
(iv) Prove that f (n ) (0 ) = 0 for any positive integer n. (12 marks)

2006-AL-P MATH 2-6 3

10. Let the equation of the parabola P be y 2 = 4ax , where a is a non-zero constant.
(a) Find the equation of the normal to P at the point ( at 2 , 2at ). (3 marks)
2 2
(b) The normals to P at two distinct points ( at1 , 2 at1 ) and ( at2 , 2at2 )
intersect at the point (h, k). Let t3 = −(t1 + t2 ) .
(i) Prove that the roots of the equation at 3 + (2a − h )t − k = 0 are t1, t2
and t3.

(ii) Does the normal to P at the point ( at32 , 2 at3 ) pass through the point

(h, k ) ? Explain your answer.

(iii) Express t1t2 + t2t3 + t3t1 and t1t2t3 in terms of a, h and k. (8 marks)
(c) Let A and B be two points on P at which the normals to P are perpendicular
to each other. Using the results of (b)(iii), or otherwise, find the equation of
the locus of the point of intersection of the two normals as A and B vary.
(4 marks)
11.
(a) Let f : R → R and g : R → R be continuous on [a, b] and differentiable in
(a, b), where a<b. Suppose that g (a ) ≠ g (b ) and g ′( x ) ≠ 0 for all
f (b ) − f (a )
x ∈ (a, b ) . Define h( x ) = f ( x ) − f (a ) − (g (x ) − g (a )) for all
g (b ) − g (a )
x ∈ R.
(i) Find h(a ) and h(b ) .
(ii) Using Meaning Value Theorem, prove that there exists β ∈ (a, b )
f ′(β ) f (b ) − f (a )
such that = . (5 marks)
g ′(β ) g (b ) − g (a )
(b) Let u : R → R be twice differentiable.
For each x ∈ R, F : R → R and G : R → R be defined by

F (t ) = u ( x ) − u (t ) − u′(t )( x − t ) and G (t ) =
(x − t )2 . For each c ≠ x , prove
2
F ′(γ ) F (c )
that there exist γ ∈ I such that = and
G′(γ ) G (c )
u′′(γ )
u ( x ) = u (c ) + u′(c )( x − c ) + (x − c )2 , where I is the open interval with
2
end points c and x. (5 marks)
v( x )
(c) Let v : R → R be twice differentiable. It is given that lim = 2006.
x →0 x

(i) Prove that v(0 ) = 0 . Hence find v′(0 ) .

(ii) Suppose that v′′( x ) ≥ 2 for all x ∈ R. Prove that v( x ) ≥ 2006 x + x 2
for all x ∈ R. (5 marks)

2006-AL-P MATH 2-6 4