Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2017 iii Paper 341 1 i Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-06
The Lagrange interpolation polynomials at and areTheir integrals giveThus the coefficients are exactly those of a collocation Runge-Kutta method. More explicitly, with stage slopes , the degree-two polynomialsatisfies , , and . These are the collocation Runge-Kutta method equations, and . For an implicit Runge-Kutta method, the nearby stages exist uniquely for sufficiently small under Lipschitz continuity; see stage solvability of an implicit Runge-Kutta method.
Write , , and interpret powers of componentwise. The Butcher order conditions through degree three are verified directly:For the last equality, . However, the necessary degree-four Butcher order condition fails:Consequently, for sufficiently smooth ordinary differential equations, the local truncation error is and the order of a Runge-Kutta method is exactlyThis is the two-stage Radau IIA method; the conclusion follows from the explicit calculations rather than its name.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2017 iii Paper 341 5 iii Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-06
Put and . The interior piecewise-linear hat functions areThey are a basis of the continuous piecewise-affine functions vanishing at both endpoints. The support of a function for each hat only overlaps those of neighbouring hats, so the stiffness matrix is a tridiagonal matrix. Direct integration gives the derivative contribution on the diagonal and on adjacent diagonals.
For the potential contribution, symmetry about gives . On the overlap of and , their product is symmetric about , and its integral is . This is the affine-weighted hat mass matrix calculation. Consequently,and all other entries vanish. The exact right-hand side isThus, with , the requested scalar equations areAt the endpoints the coefficient multiplying the zero boundary value is simply omitted. Since , its point values are not even well defined; replacing by would require an additional quadrature rule convention and regularity hypothesis, not present here. The exact Ritz method uses the displayed integrals. The finite element interpolation estimate and Céa lemma, using , give an energy norm error; the Aubin–Nitsche duality argument gives in the L2 norm on this interval.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2017 iii Paper 343 1 iii Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-06
An impenetrable hard wall imposes the Dirichlet boundary condition . Choose the bulk complex argument to be zero and write a stationary solution as with as . The dimensional Gross–Pitaevskii equation becomesMultiplication by and use of the bulk limit yield the first integralfor the increasing wall profile. Integrating gives the hard-wall condensate healing profileThe PDF's expression without the factor is correct for the normalized number density , not for the dimensional number density defined at the start of the paper. For example, a bulk number density must approach , whereas the literal printed expression approaches . If both number density and coordinates in this part are understood to have already been normalized, the same result reads and the dimensionless width is . These are two descriptions of the same profile, not different physical healing lengths.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2017 iii Paper 343 2 ii Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-06
Take a singly quantized vortex of positive circulation. The superfluid velocity is , where is the complex argument of the condensate. Since , quantized circulation gives . Insert the radial Thomas–Fermi approximation for a condensate into the cylindrical volume integral, excluding the core :Integrating the logarithmic and quadratic terms separately givesThe logarithm is the familiar long-range flow contribution of a quantum vortex; the comes from the declining trapped number density. If the bucket truncates the cloud, put and the same integration gives , provided . A vortex of integer winding number has and multiplies this flow energy by . The core radius acts as a cutoff of order the local healing length; its internal gradient and interaction energies are not computed by this shell estimate.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2017 iii Paper 343 2 i Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-06
For repulsive interactions , the Thomas–Fermi approximation for a condensate neglects the density-gradient kinetic energy away from boundaries and vortex cores. The stationary Gross–Pitaevskii equation then gives wherever the condensate is present. At the axis , henceHere and the support is also restricted to the physical bucket . The next parts' explicit outer cutoff assumes ; if the wall truncates the parabola and the corresponding integrals must use , not the natural trap radius. A hard-wall boundary layer or the smooth trap-edge healing region is beyond the Thomas–Fermi approximation for a condensate. For an untruncated radial profile, the total particle number is .
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2017 iii Paper 343 2 iv Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-06
In a rotating reference frame at angular frequency , the relevant energy difference is approximately . The vortex-free state has zero circulation and zero corresponding angular momentum. For , the preceding shell estimates reduce toTherefore the thermodynamic vortex-nucleation frequency for the first positive quantum vortex isThe common factors cancel explicitly, although the trap radius and core scale still depend on number density. In the strict leading-logarithm limit, . The finite constant is the one obtained from the stated Thomas–Fermi shell integral; a resolved vortex core and readjustment of the number density at fixed particle number can change the nonlogarithmic constant. This is an energetic threshold, not a dynamical guarantee of nucleation: a surface barrier can delay entry. Higher positive winding numbers have flow energy proportional to and angular momentum proportional to , so their analogous threshold is larger in this approximation.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2017 iii Paper 343 3 iii Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-06
For a straight singly quantized quantum vortex, use cylindrical distance from the line and writeThere is no dependence along the vortex line. Substitution into the normalized stationary equation gives, before separating real and imaginary parts,Consequently the wave amplitude and phase-gradient equations areThe second equation can also be written , which remains convenient at the core.
To specify what is meant by radial velocity, use the condensate number current. The time-dependent equation has kinetic operator and therefore number current . Its hydrodynamic superfluid velocity in these units is , so and . In that convention the requested pair isIf instead velocity is defined as the complex argument gradient itself, the preceding pair is the corresponding convention; the distinction matters because the printed kinetic coefficient differs from that of the normalized conservative equation in Question 1.
Regularity of a unit-charge core gives with . Integrating the current equation from the origin, with no point source or singular radial flux, givesThe integral is , so the radial flow near a driven vortex core isFor the phase-gradient convention, . Gain exceeds loss in the depleted core, hence this regular flow is outwards for . The real wave amplitude equation also gives , independently consistent with the linear core behaviour. A nonzero integration constant in the radial-current identity would create a singular and is excluded.
Finally, the literal boundary from the preceding part cannot apply to a multiplicity-one vortex: its complex argument changes by around a large circle. Even with has different limits along different rays. The usual intended vortex condition concerns the wave amplitude approaching its bulk value, with the winding complex argument retained; it is not a constant complex-field limit. The local equations and core slope derived here do not establish a global stationary vortex satisfying that literal boundary. In a driven system the far-field radial flow and oscillation frequency may also require selection, so no global zero-flow vortex is asserted.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2017 iii Paper 345 2 Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-20
Use a two-sided top-hat line plume with full width , upward speed , and reduced gravity uniform across the plume. Fluxes are measured per unit span along the line source: the volume flux is , the kinematic momentum flux is , and the buoyancy flux is . If the inward edge speed is , where is the entrainment coefficient, the two exposed edges giveThese are the volume conservation, momentum conservation, and buoyancy flux balances for a Boussinesq approximation plume in an unstratified ambient. Entrained ambient fluid supplies neither vertical momentum nor reference buoyancy.
A pure plume has no persistent source length scale. Since a line-source has dimensions , dimensional analysis gives constant , , and . Substituting constant into and the momentum balance determines the coefficients:Thus and when width is full width and velocity and buoyancy have top-hat profiles. If width means half-width, instead. Other prescribed profile shapes change these numerical factors; the linear growth laws remain the same. The point-source in Question 1 has different dimensions, so its law must not be used here.
Let be local contaminant concentration and let be horizontally integrated plume concentration. Its conserved amount per unit span is . The dilute contaminant is a passive scalar; the maintained plume is unaffected by its impulsive release. A one-dimensional effective transport closure takes the integrated scalar flux to beThe constant advective speed and the eddy diffusivity scaling follow from the line-plume scales. The entrainment coefficient alone does not determine the scalar dispersion coefficient: this Fickian closure for the integrated variable is an additional modelling assumption. Mass conservation then gives the displayed transport equation in the PDF. With this effective closure and advective speed chosen as , ; if , then , with independent dimensionless mixing coefficient .
There is a second possible closure convention. If one instead applies local diffusive flux to horizontally averaged plume concentration , its integrated diffusive flux is . For , the total scalar flux is then . The same printed equation is obtained with , rather than . Thus the printed and should be regarded as effective coefficients unless the averaging and closure conventions are specified; no equality between and the velocity prefactor is universal.
Assume , , an initial impulse at the origin, no further contaminant input, and zero endpoint scalar flux for . For a similarity solution, putSubstituting into the advection-diffusion equation givesDecay at infinity makes the integrated constant zero. Hence , and normalization with the gamma function gives . The resulting gamma impulse solution for linearly increasing diffusivity isIts integral over is . Its flux is , which vanishes at both endpoints for . The scale shrinks to zero as , so the normalized solution has weak convergence of probability measures to the required unit source impulse. The mass at the boundary is a full unit impulse on the half-line, not half of a whole-line impulse.
For the integrated quantity, , and consequentlyThis verifies the printed location for horizontally integrated plume concentration. It is a maximum because the derivative changes from positive to negative there. The normalized profile is a gamma distribution with shape : its expected value is and its variance is , so neither the mean position nor the spread should be mistaken for the modal position.
The PDF changes from “integral” to “averaged” concentration in its final request. A genuine horizontally averaged plume concentration divides by the growing width , and is thereforeIt is normalized by , not by . When , its interior maximum isWhen it decreases from a finite boundary supremum; when it is singular at the ideal point source and has no positive interior maximum. A finite source regularizes that singularity. Thus the final printed maximum is correct for the integrated variable , or for an “average” using a fixed reference width, but is not generally the maximum of the local mean . Both quantities have been given rather than silently identifying them. If , the smooth similarity formula is replaced by the advected impulse ; positive eddy diffusivity is essential to the gamma profile.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2017 ii Paper 1 13E Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-05
For , expand . Absolute integrability, bounded near zero by a constant times , permits termwise integration. The Gamma function integral then givesSpecify the Hankel contour to run from the negative real axis below the cut towards zero, circle zero counterclockwise with fixed radius , and return above the cut. Take . The circle excludes every nonzero pole of the denominator. For its radius can shrink to zero, and the lower and upper rays give respectively and . By the Gamma reflection formula,away from integer in that half-plane, with limiting equality at the removable points.
With the circle radius kept fixed, the contour integral is an entire function of : the rays decay exponentially and converge locally uniformly, and the circular part stays away from zero. Multiplication by is analytic for and meromorphic globally. The apparent singularities at positive integers are removable because the integral vanishes there and it already agrees with the original analytic zeta function nearby. Only remains a simple pole. Thus this constructs the meromorphic continuation to the whole plane and an analytic continuation on . Keeping the circular segment is essential when the integral is not locally integrable at zero.
At the two rays cancel, since is single-valued. The Laurent expansionshows that the residue of is . Since , the residue theorem gives
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2017 ii Paper 1 6B Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-05
For nonnegative insect density assume . Substitution of gives , so chooseThen and the porous medium equation is . Its total mass is conserved when the flux vanishes at infinity. For the mass-preserving similarity solution, direct differentiation givesOn the positive support, integrating once with zero boundary flux gives and hence . The semicircle mass integral is , confirming the profile and its symmetric compact support.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2017 ii Paper 1 8E Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-05
Assume the holonomic constraints have linearly independent gradients, so their common level set is locally a smooth constraint manifold parametrized by . The multiplier form of the Euler-Lagrange equations isAt fixed time . The chain rule for the reduced Lagrangian givesConversely, if these reduced equations hold, the Cartesian Euler-Lagrange residual annihilates every tangent direction. Linear independence of the constraint gradients implies that it is a linear combination of those gradients, giving the required Lagrange multipliers. This proves the local equivalence, including time-dependent constraints; singular constraints would need separate analysis.
For the bead, , soThe autonomous conservation of energy gives . If , the motion has a fixed sign andThe integral is the signed arc length divided by the constant speed, and is locally invertible. The special solution is a stationary bead, for which writing time as a function of its unchanging position is not meaningful.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2017 ii Paper 2 12E Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-20
Choose a branch of with and write . The Gauss hypergeometric equation isChanging to turns this into the same equation with third parameter . Its solution regular at is . Substitution of gives the Gauss hypergeometric equation for with parameters . Thus is also a solution. Their distinct nonintegrally separated characteristic exponents at a regular singular point imply linear independence near , soThis also follows from the exponent transformation in the Papperitz symbol.
Initially assume , so the Euler integral for the hypergeometric function applies. If , taking gives an integral evaluated by the beta function and determinesIndeed and there. To find , instead work in the nonempty parameter region , put and scale the integration variable by . The singular contribution isThe defining integral of the beta function evaluates this integral to . Since and , it determines . Analytic continuation in the parameters then yields the hypergeometric connection formulaThe usual power-series definition requires ; exceptional parameters need a separately specified analytic limit. Reciprocal gamma functions make vanishing coefficients at denominator poles meaningful. The branch must remain fixed when continuing in .
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2017 ii Paper 2 13E Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-05
Let be position relative to the center of mass, and let the new origin have vector relative to it. The inertia tensor about this origin isExpanding and using proves the tensor form of the parallel axis theorem:For a uniform cube of side and mass , centered coordinate integrals give . The displacement to a vertex is up to signs. Using axes along its incident edges givesThe principal moments of inertia are . The first principal axis is the body diagonal through the vertex; every direction perpendicular to it has the repeated moment.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2017 ii Paper 2 21F Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-05
By the argument principle, the number of zeros minus poles, counted with multiplicity, in the fundamental parallelogram is . The logarithmic derivative is periodic with the same lattice, so the integrals over opposite sides cancel. Thus the numbers of zeros and poles are equal.
The Weierstrass elliptic function gives a degree-two map whose fibers identify and . An even elliptic function is constant on these fibers, so it descends to a single-valued function on the sphere. This is meromorphic even at a branch value: near a half-period the involution is , the Laurent series of has only even powers, and has a double zero and provides a local coordinate in . At the image of , gives the same conclusion at infinity. A meromorphic function on the Riemann sphere is a rational function, so .
A meromorphic antiderivative need not be elliptic. Take . Its double poles have zero residue, so integrating on the punctured plane gives a single-valued primitive, since every closed-contour integral is a sum of zero residues. The primitive extends meromorphically over each pole, with local principal part . If were elliptic, it would have precisely one pole modulo the lattice, with residue , contradicting the zero sum of residues in a fundamental parallelogram. This is a nonconstant counterexample satisfying the stated premise; the preceding descent proves that even elliptic functions are rational in the Weierstrass function.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2017 ii Paper 2 24J a Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-05
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2017 ii Paper 2 24J c Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-05
First : square the positive integral and use polar coordinates to obtain . Scaling therefore normalizes the one-dimensional Gaussian function .
Let . Differentiation under the integral is justified by the integrable majorant . Since , integration by parts, with zero endpoint terms, gives . With , this yields . Multiplication of the one-dimensional integrals givesApplying the same computation with reciprocal scale evaluates its inverse integral:For , Fubini's theorem gives , which is integrable because is bounded. Its inverse integral isAbsolute integrability of justifies this second application of Fubini's theorem. Thus Fourier inversion holds for every Gaussian convolution, in fact pointwise for this continuous representative.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2017 ii Paper 2 24J d Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-05
Define by the inverse integral. Its absolute convergence gives . If , the exponential factors converge pointwise and their differences are bounded by . The dominated convergence theorem proves . Therefore is bounded and continuous and equals almost everywhere.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2017 ii Paper 2 25K b Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-05
Assume the zero set is measurable, as is ensured by measurability of . This is an implicit necessary hypothesis: for an arbitrary real function the printed integral and event need not be measurable. Put . Conditional on , the uniform order statistics description makes the probability of no jump in equal to . Averaging over the Poisson distribution givesConsequentlyIn particular a measure-zero zero set is almost surely missed, despite possibly containing infinitely many points.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2017 ii Paper 2 29E i Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-05
Keep fixed as . On both vertical lines . The right side is traversed upward and the left downward, so their combined contribution isSet . The integral becomes , where , and . Successive integration by parts, with exponentially vanishing terms at infinity, givesHence the leading vertical contribution is . It is exactly zero for integer . These estimates hold for fixed real ; they are not uniform when the order grows with .
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2017 ii Paper 2 34D b ii Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-05