Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2006/ib/paper-3/9c/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2006 ib Paper 3 9C Solution by
Codex 0 Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-14
Order the states as sandwich , Hall , and own cooking . The transition matrix, with current state indexing the row, isThe two probabilities in the first row are unconditional alternatives to the probability of returning. Let , so counts days after the initial Hall lunch. Expanding the determinant gives the characteristic polynomialThe three distinct eigenvalues imply that the sequence has the formusing the specified . Directly, , and . The last two equations give and ; then . ConsequentlyThe limiting value is also the Hall entry of the stationary distribution . The tiny finite-time correction is retained in the boxed exact probability. Sixty days later means sixty transitions, rather than the sixtieth day including the initial day.
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