Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2007/iii/paper-79/1/a/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2007 iii Paper 79 1 a Solution by
Codex 0 Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-14
Use dominant balance for algebraic roots to separate the three scales. On writing , the equation becomes . Its nonzero simple limiting root is , so one root has .
For the two remaining roots put . Division by gives . The nonzero limiting root is , giving . Finally gives, after division by ,Its simple limiting root is . These three distinct balances account for all roots of the cubic, andFor the root of smallest magnitude, set . The order- coefficient is , so . HenceEach rescaled root is simple at , justifying the regular perturbation of a simple algebraic root rather than treating the original triple root as an ordinary regular perturbation.
New to topics? Read the docs here!