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This is the Exam of Mathematics which includes Belonging, Complexity, Composite Natural Number, Compact Interval, Markov Chains, Coding, Number Theory, Prime Number Theorem etc. Key important points are: Combinatorics, Essay, Discussion, Bounds, Representation Theory, Finite Dimensional Representations, Description, Irreducible Representations, Including a Proof, Galois Theory
Typology: Exams
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Friday 4 June 2004 9 to 12
Candidates must not attempt more than FOUR questions.
The number of marks for each question is the same.
Additional credit will be given for a substantially complete answer.
Write on one side of the paper only and begin each answer on a separate sheet.
Write legibly; otherwise, you place yourself at a grave disadvantage.
Tie your answers in separate bundles, marked A, B, C,... , J according to the letter affixed to each question. (For example, 1F, 10F should be in one bundle and 3H, 4H in another bundle.)
Attach a completed cover sheet to each bundle.
Complete a master cover sheet listing all questions attempted.
It is essential that every cover sheet bear the candidate number and desk number.
1F Combinatorics
Write an essay on Ramsey’s theorem. You should include the finite and infinite versions, together with some discussion of bounds in the finite case, and give at least one application.
2G Representation Theory
Write an essay on the finite-dimensional representations of SU 2 , including a proof of their complete reducibility, and a description of the irreducible representations and the decomposition of their tensor products.
3H Galois Theory
Let M/K be a finite Galois extension of fields. Explain what is meant by the Galois correspondence between subfields of M containing K and subgroups of Gal(M/K). Show that if K ⊂ L ⊂ M then Gal(M/L) is a normal subgroup of Gal(M/K) if and only if L/K is normal. What is Gal(L/K) in this case?
Let M be the splitting field of X^4 − 3 over Q. Prove that Gal(M/Q) is isomorphic to the dihedral group of order 8. Hence determine all subfields of M , expressing each in the form Q(x) for suitable x ∈ M.
4H Differentiable Manifolds Define what it means for a manifold to be oriented, and define a volume form on an oriented manifold.
Prove carefully that, for a closed connected oriented manifold of dimension n, Hn(M ) = R.
[You may assume the existence of volume forms on an oriented manifold.] If M and N are closed, connected, oriented manifolds of the same dimension, define the degree of a map f : M → N.
If f has degree d > 1 and y ∈ N , can f −^1 (y) be
(i) infinite? (ii) a single point? (iii) empty? Briefly justify your answers.
Paper 4
8H Riemann Surfaces
Let Λ be a lattice in C, Λ = Zω 1 + Zω 2 , where ω 1 , ω 2 6 = 0 and ω 1 /ω 2 6 ∈ R. By constructing an appropriate family of charts, show that the torus C/Λ is a Riemann surface and that the natural projection π : z ∈ C → z + Λ ∈ C/Λ is a holomorphic map.
[You may assume without proof any known topological properties of C/Λ.]
Let Λ′^ = Zω′ 1 + Zω′ 2 be another lattice in C, with ω′ 1 , ω′ 2 6 = 0 and ω′ 1 /ω′ 2 6 ∈ R. By considering paths from 0 to an arbitrary z ∈ C, show that if f : C/Λ → C/Λ′^ is a conformal equivalence then
f (z + Λ) = (az + b) + Λ′^ for some a, b, ∈ C, with a 6 = 0.
[Any form of the Monodromy Theorem and basic results on the lifts of paths may be used without proof, provided that these are correctly stated. You may assume without proof that every injective holomorphic function F : C → C is of the form F (z) = az + b, for some a, b ∈ C.]
Give an explicit example of a non-constant holomorphic map C/Λ → C/Λ that is not a conformal equivalence.
9H Algebraic Curves
Let F (X, Y, Z) be an irreducible homogeneous polynomial of degree n, and write C = {p ∈ P^2 | F (p) = 0} for the curve it defines in P^2. Suppose C is smooth. Show that the degree of its canonical class is n(n − 3).
Hence, or otherwise, show that a smooth curve of genus 2 does not embed in P^2.
10F Logic, Computation and Set Theory
Write an essay on recursive functions. Your essay should include a sketch of why every computable function is recursive, and an explanation of the existence of a universal recursive function, as well as brief discussions of the Halting Problem and of the relationship between recursive sets and recursively enumerable sets.
[You may assume that every recursive function is computable. You do not need to give proofs that particular functions to do with prime-power decompositions are recursive.]
Paper 4
11I Probability and Measure
Let (Ω, F, P) be a probability space and let X, X 1 , X 2 ,... be random variables. Write an essay in which you discuss the statement: if Xn → X almost everywhere, then E(Xn) → E(X). You should include accounts of monotone, dominated, and bounded convergence, and of Fatou’s lemma.
[You may assume without proof the following fact. Let (Ω, F, μ) be a measure space, and let f : Ω → R be non-negative with finite integral μ(f ). If (fn : n > 1) are non-negative measurable functions with fn(ω) ↑ f (ω) for all ω ∈ Ω, then μ(fn) → μ(f ) as n → ∞.]
12I Applied Probability
Consider an M/G/1 queue with ρ = λES < 1. Here λ is the arrival rate and ES is the mean service time. Prove that in equilibrium, the customer’s waiting time W has the moment-generating function MW (t) = E etW^ given by
MW (t) =
(1 − ρ)t t + λ(1 − MS (t))
where MS (t) = EetS^ is the moment-generating function of service time S.
[You may assume that in equilibrium, the M/G/ 1 queue size X at the time immediately after the customer’s departure has the probability generating function
E zX^ =
(1 − ρ)(1 − z)MS (λ(z − 1)) MS (λ(z − 1)) − z
, 0 6 z < 1 .]
Deduce that when the service times are exponential of rate μ then
MW (t) = 1 − ρ +
λ(1 − ρ) μ − λ − t
, −∞ < t < μ − λ.
Further, deduce that W takes value 0 with probability 1 − ρ and that
P(W > x|W > 0) = e−(μ−λ)x, x > 0.
Sketch the graph of P(W > x) as a function of x. Now consider the M/G/1 queue in the heavy traffic approximation, when the service-time distribution is kept fixed and the arrival rate λ → 1 /ES, so that ρ → 1. Assuming that the second moment ES^2 < ∞, check that the limiting distribution of the re-scaled waiting time W˜λ = (1 − λES)W is exponential, with rate 2ES/ES^2.
Paper 4 [TURN OVER
15J Principles of Statistics
Suppose that θ ∈ Rd^ is the parameter of a non-degenerate exponential family. Derive the asymptotic distribution of the maximum-likelihood estimator ˆθn of θ based on a sample of size n. [You may assume that the density is infinitely differentiable with respect to the parameter, and that differentiation with respect to the parameter commutes with integration.]
16J Stochastic Financial Models
What is Brownian motion (Bt)t> 0? Briefly explain how Brownian motion can be considered as a limit of simple random walks. State the Reflection Principle for Brownian motion, and use it to derive the distribution of the first passage time τa ≡ inf{t : Bt = a} to some level a > 0.
Suppose that Xt = Bt + ct, where c > 0 is constant. Stating clearly any results to which you appeal, derive the distribution of the first-passage time τ (^) a(c )≡ inf{t : Xt = a} to a > 0.
Now let σa ≡ sup{t : Xt = a}, where a > 0. Find the density of σa.
17B Nonlinear Dynamical Systems
(a) Consider the map G 1 (x) = f (x+a), defined on 0 6 x < 1, where f (x) = x [mod 1], 0 6 f < 1, and the constant a satisfies 0 6 a < 1. Give, with reasons, the values of a (if any) for which the map has (i) a fixed point, (ii) a cycle of least period n, (iii) an aperiodic orbit. Does the map exhibit sensitive dependence on initial conditions?
Show (graphically if you wish) that if the map has an n-cycle then it has an infinite number of such cycles. Is this still true if G 1 is replaced by f (cx + a), 0 < c < 1?
(b) Consider the map
G 2 (x) = f (x + a +
b 2 π
sin 2πx),
where f (x) and a are defined as in Part (a), and b > 0 is a parameter.
Find the regions of the (a, b) plane for which the map has (i) no fixed points, (ii) exactly two fixed points.
Now consider the possible existence of a 2-cycle of the map G 2 when b 1, and suppose the elements of the cycle are X, Y with X < 12. By expanding X, Y, a in powers of b, so that X = X 0 + bX 1 + b^2 X 2 + O(b^3 ), and similarly for Y and a, show that
a =
b^2 8 π
sin 4πX 0 + O(b^3 ).
Use this result to sketch the region of the (a, b) plane in which 2-cycles exist. How many distinct cycles are there for each value of a in this region?
Paper 4 [TURN OVER
18D Partial Differential Equations
(a) State a theorem of local existence, uniqueness and C^1 dependence on the initial data for a solution for an ordinary differential equation. Assuming existence, prove that the solution depends continuously on the initial data.
(b) State a theorem of local existence of a solution for a general quasilinear first– order partial differential equation with data on a smooth non-characteristic hypersurface. Prove this theorem in the linear case assuming the validity of the theorem in part (a); explain in your proof the importance of the non-characteristic condition.
19D Methods of Mathematical Physics
Let h(t) = i(t + t^2 ). Sketch the path of Im(h(t)) = const. through the point t = 0, and the path of Im(h(t)) = const. through the point t = 1.
By integrating along these paths, show that as λ → ∞ ∫ (^1)
0
t−^1 /^2 eiλ(t+t
(^2) ) dt ∼
c 1 λ^1 /^2
c 2 e^2 iλ λ
where the constants c 1 and c 2 are to be computed.
20D Numerical Analysis
Write an essay on the method of conjugate gradients. You should define the method, list its main properties and sketch the relevant proof. You should also prove that (in exact arithmetic) the method terminates in a finite number of steps, briefly mention the connection with Krylov subspaces, and describe the approach of preconditioned conjugate gradients.
Paper 4
22E Foundations of Quantum Mechanics
The states of the hydrogen atom are denoted by |nlm〉 with l < n, −l ≤ m ≤ l and associated energy eigenvalue En, where
En = −
e^2 8 π 0 a 0 n^2
A hydrogen atom is placed in a weak electric field with interaction Hamiltonian
H 1 = −eEz.
a) Derive the necessary perturbation theory to show that to O(E^2 ) the change in the energy associated with the state | 100 〉 is given by
∆E 1 = e^2 E^2
n=
n∑− 1
l=
∑^ l
m=−l
〈 100 |z|nlm〉
E 1 − En
The wavefunction of the ground state | 100 〉 is
ψn=1(r) =
(πa^30 )^1 /^2
e−r/a^0.
By replacing En, ∀ n > 1, in the denominator of (∗) by E 2 show that
32 π 3
0 E^2 a^30.
b) Find a matrix whose eigenvalues are the perturbed energies to O(E) for the states | 200 〉 and | 210 〉. Hence, determine these perturbed energies to O(E) in terms of the matrix elements of z between these states. [Hint: 〈nlm|z|nlm〉 = 0 ∀ n, l, m 〈nlm|z|nl′m′〉 = 0 ∀ n, l, l′, m, m′, m 6 = m′
]
Paper 4
23E Statistical Physics
Derive the Bose-Einstein expression for the mean number of Bose particles ¯n occupying a particular single-particle quantum state of energy ε, when the chemical potential is μ and the temperature is T in energy units.
Why is the chemical potential for a gas of photons given by μ = 0? Show that, for black-body radiation in a cavity of volume V at temperature T , the mean number of photons in the angular frequency range (ω, ω + dω) is
V π^2 c^3
ω^2 dω eℏω/T^ − 1
Hence, show that the total energy E of the radiation in the cavity is
E = KV T 4 ,
where K is a constant that need not be evaluated.
Use thermodynamic reasoning to find the entropy S and pressure P of the radiation and verify that E − T S + P V = 0.
Why is this last result to be expected for a gas of photons?
Paper 4 [TURN OVER
25C General Relativity
Starting from the Ricci identity
Va;b;c − Va;c;b = VeReabc,
give an expression for the curvature tensor Reabc of the Levi-Civita connection in terms of the Christoffel symbols and their partial derivatives. Using local inertial coordinates, or otherwise, establish that
Reabc + Rebca + Recab = 0. (∗)
A vector field with components V a^ satisfies
Va;b + Vb;a = 0. (∗∗)
Show, using equation (∗) that Va;b;c = VeRecba,
and hence that Va;b;b^ + RacVc = 0,
where Rab is the Ricci tensor. Show that equation (∗∗) may be written as
(∂cgab)V c^ + gcb∂aV c^ + gac∂bV c^ = 0. (∗∗∗)
If the metric is taken to be the Schwarzschild metric
ds^2 = −
1 − 2 Mr
dt^2 +
1 − 2 Mr
dr^2 + r^2 (dθ^2 + sin^2 θ dφ^2 ),
show that V a^ = δa 0 is a solution of (∗∗∗). Calculate V a;a.
Electromagnetism can be described by a vector potential Aa and a Maxwell field tensor Fab satisfying
Fab = Ab;a − Aa;b and Fab;b^ = 0. (∗∗∗∗)
The divergence of Aa is arbitrary and we may choose Aa;a^ = 0. With this choice show that in a general spacetime Aa;b;b^ − RacAc = 0.
Hence show that in the Schwarzschild spacetime a tensor field whose only non-trivial components are Ftr = −Frt = Q/r^2 , where Q is a constant, satisfies the field equations (∗∗∗∗).
26A Fluid Dynamics II
Write an essay on the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability of a vortex sheet. Your essay should include a detailed linearised analysis, a physical interpretation of the instability, and an informal discussion of nonlinear effects and of the effects of viscosity.
Paper 4 [TURN OVER
27A Waves in Fluid and Solid Media
A plane shock is moving with speed U into a perfect gas. Ahead of the shock the gas is at rest with pressure p 1 and density ρ 1 , while behind the shock the velocity, pressure and density of the gas are u 2 , p 2 and ρ 2 respectively. Derive the Rankine-Hugoniot relations across the shock. Show that ρ 1 ρ 2
2 c^21 + (γ − 1)U 2 (γ + 1)U 2
where c^21 = γp 1 /ρ 1 and γ is the ratio of the specific heats of the gas. Now consider a change of frame such that the shock is stationary and the gas has a component of velocity V parallel to the shock. Deduce that the angle of deflection δ of the flow which is produced by a stationary shock inclined at an angle α = tan−^1 (U/V ) to an oncoming stream of Mach number M = (U 2 + V 2 )
(^12) /c 1 is given by
tan δ =
2 cot α(M 2 sin α^2 − 1) 2 + M 2 (γ + cos 2α)
[Note that
tan(θ + φ) =
tan θ + tan φ 1 − tan θ tan φ
Paper 4