Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2013 iii Paper 48 3 c Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-07
Let . The supplied equation has integrating factor :Consequently the integral linear growth factor in a matter-Lambda universe gives the two independent solutionsThe first is the conventional matter-era decaying mode. A finite lower limit in the second fixes a decaying admixture; adding a multiple of can choose a pure growing normalization.
During matter domination, write . The integral solution isRemoving the second term by the independent solution gives the matter-era linear growth factorFor positive cosmological constant at sufficiently late times, . The integrand approaches , whose tail is integrable. ThereforeIts remaining approach has leading behavior for the usual matter-plus-Lambda background. Growth of structure freezes rather than continuing as . The basis function also approaches a constant; subtracting a suitable multiple of it isolates a genuinely decaying late-time solution . The name “decaying mode” for refers to its matter-era behavior.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2024 iii Paper 310 3 d Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-25
For matter plus a cosmological constant,Set . Substitution into the equation from part (c) makes the coefficient of vanish by the Friedmann relation and leavesorTherefore the two independent modes can be writtenThe first is the decaying mode. Normalizing the second to at early times gives the integral linear growth factor in a matter-Lambda universe