Engineering Mathematics 2: cram pack

Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 16 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.

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1Formulas and methods

Differential equations

Exponential growth/decay
dy/dt = ky → y = y0ekt
Half-life
k = ln 2 / t½
Newton's law of cooling
T(t) = Ta + (T0 − Ta)e−kt
Integrating factor
y′ + p(x)y = q(x): μ = e∫p dx, (μy)′ = μq
Mixing tank
dm/dt = r·c − (r/V)·m

Matrices & determinants

2×2 determinant
det = ad − bc
2×2 inverse
A⁻¹ = (1/det)·[d −b; −c a]
Product
(AB)ij = Σk AikBkj
Eigenvalues
det(A − λI) = 0
Cramer’s rule
xi = det(Ai)/det(A)

Vectors: dot & cross product

Magnitude
|a| = √(ax² + ay² + az²)
Unit vector
û = a/|a|
Components from an angle
Fx = F·cos θ, Fy = F·sin θ
Dot product
a·b = axbx + ayby + azbz = |a||b|cos θ
Scalar projection of a onto b
a·b/|b|
Work
W = F·d
Cross product
a × b = (aybz − azby, azbx − axbz, axby − aybx)
Areas
parallelogram |a × b|, triangle ½|a × b|
Moment about O
MO = r × F, r = A − O
Volume of a parallelepiped
V = |a·(b × c)|

Method

  1. Write every vector in components; for a force given by a magnitude and an angle, use F·cos θ and F·sin θ.
  2. For lengths and directions use the magnitude √(x² + y² + z²) and the unit vector a/|a|.
  3. Use the dot product for angles, projections, perpendicularity and work: a·b = |a||b|cos θ.
  4. Use the cross product for perpendicular vectors, areas and moments: write the three components carefully, keeping the order a × b.

Integrals

Power rule
∫xⁿ dx = xⁿ⁺¹/(n + 1) + C
Definite integral
∫ab f dx = F(b) − F(a)
Common integrals
∫eˣ dx = eˣ, ∫1/x dx = ln|x|, ∫sin x dx = −cos x
Area between curves
∫ab (f − g) dx

Method

  1. Rewrite the integrand as a sum of simple terms where possible.
  2. Apply the power rule: ∫xⁿ dx = xⁿ⁺¹/(n + 1), and standard integrals for ex, 1/x, sin and cos.
  3. Use substitution when you see a function and its derivative together.
  4. For a definite integral, evaluate F(b) − F(a).

Multivariable calculus

Partial derivatives
fx = ∂f/∂x (y constant), fxy = fyx
Gradient
∇f = (fx, fy), largest slope |∇f|
Directional derivative
Duf = ∇f·u, u = v/|v|
Tangent plane
z = f(a, b) + fx(x − a) + fy(y − b)
Chain rule
dz/dt = fx·dx/dt + fy·dy/dt
Second-derivative test
D = fxxfyy − fxy²: D > 0, fxx > 0 minimum; D > 0, fxx < 0 maximum; D < 0 saddle
Double integral
∬R f dA = ∫ab∫g(x)h(x) f dy dx
Polar coordinates
x = r cos θ, y = r sin θ, dA = r dr dθ

Method

  1. For a partial derivative, treat the other variable as a constant and use the one-variable rules.
  2. For gradient questions compute ∇f = (fx, fy) at the point; use |∇f| for the steepest slope and ∇f·u with a unit vector u for a directional derivative.
  3. For extrema solve fx = 0 and fy = 0 together, then classify every point with D = fxx·fyy − fxy².
  4. For a double integral sketch the region, choose the order (or polar coordinates for discs) so the inner limits are the bounding curves, and integrate inside first.

Sequences & series

Arithmetic sequence
aₙ = a₁ + (n − 1)d, Sₙ = n(a₁ + aₙ)/2
Geometric sequence
aₙ = a₁rⁿ⁻¹, Sₙ = a₁(1 − rⁿ)/(1 − r)
Infinite geometric series
S = a₁/(1 − r), |r| < 1
p-series
Σ1/kᵖ converges only for p > 1
Ratio test
L = lim |ak+1/ak|: L < 1 converges, L > 1 diverges
Radius of convergence
R = lim |ck/ck+1|
Taylor polynomial
Pₙ(x) = Σ f⁽ᵏ⁾(a)(x − a)ᵏ/k!
Maclaurin series
eˣ = Σxᵏ/k!, sin x = x − x³/3! + …, cos x = 1 − x²/2! + …, ln(1 + x) = x − x²/2 + …
Lagrange error bound
|Rₙ| ≤ M·|x − a|ⁿ⁺¹/(n + 1)!

Method

  1. Identify the type: arithmetic (constant difference), geometric (constant ratio), a standard series, a power series or a Taylor polynomial.
  2. For sums use Sₙ = n(a₁ + aₙ)/2, Sₙ = a₁(1 − rⁿ)/(1 − r), or S = a₁/(1 − r) when |r| < 1, with a₁ the first term of the sum.
  3. For convergence: n-th term test first, then compare with Σ1/kᵖ or a geometric series, and use the ratio or root test for factorials and k-th powers.
  4. For Taylor polynomials list f(a), f′(a), f″(a), …, divide the k-th derivative by k!, and bound the error with M·|x − a|ⁿ⁺¹/(n + 1)!.

Convolution & LTI systems

Discrete convolution
y[n] = Σ x[k]·h[n − k]
Continuous convolution
y(t) = ∫ x(τ)·h(t − τ) dτ
Length and sum
Ly = Lx + Lh − 1, Σy = Σx·Σh
Start, end and area
t1 + t3 … t2 + t4, ∫y = ∫x·∫h
Step into e^(−at)u(t)
y(t) = (A/a)(1 − e−at)
First-order system
y′ + a·y = b·x → h(t) = b·e−atu(t)
First-order recursion
y[n] = a·y[n − 1] + b·x[n] → h[n] = b·aⁿ
Sinusoid through h(t)
|H(jω)|, ∠H(jω); H(jω) = b/(a + jω)
Fourier series amplitudes
square ±A: 4A/(kπ), odd k; triangle ±A: 8A/(π²k²), odd k; pulse train: A·D and (2A/(kπ))|sin kπD|

Method

  1. Sketch both signals and note where each one is nonzero.
  2. Flip h and slide it: for each output time, find the range where both signals overlap.
  3. Multiply and add (discrete) or multiply and integrate (continuous) over that overlap only.
  4. Check the result: the output starts at the sum of the start times, ends at the sum of the end times, and its area or sum is the product of the input areas or sums.

2Practice problems

1.Differential equationsMedium
tyy(0) = 5y(0.5) = ?

Solve y″ + 2y′ + y = 0 with y(0) = 5 and y′(0) = 0. Find y(0.5).

y″ + 2y′ + y = 0y(0) = 5y′(0) = 0
y(0.5) =
2.Differential equationsHard
tyK = 10ymax​ = ?

A system obeys y″ + 4y′ + 29y = 290 for t ≥ 0, starting from rest: y(0) = 0, y′(0) = 0. Find the peak value ymax of its step response.

y″ + 4y′ + 29y = 290y(0) = 0y′(0) = 0
ymax =
3.Matrices & determinantsMedium
A =−5−634B =−1−2−5−6

Let C = AB for the matrices shown. Find the entry c11 (row 1, column 1).

A = [−5 −6; 3 4]B = [−1 −2; −5 −6]
c11 =
4.Matrices & determinantsHard
A =−1−2−92

Find the larger eigenvalue λ of the matrix A shown.

A = [−1 −2; −9 2]
λ =
5.Vectors: dot & cross productMedium
xyzdFAB

A constant force F = (10, 15, 20) N acts on an object while it moves in a straight line from point A(−2, −5, −3) to point B(2, 2, 5). Coordinates are in metres. Find the work W done by the force.

F = (10, 15, 20) NA(−2, −5, −3) mB(2, 2, 5) m
W = J
6.Vectors: dot & cross productHard
xyzab

The unit vector n̂ is perpendicular to both a = (−5, −4, 2) and b = (2, −2, 4) and has a positive z-component. Find its x-component n̂x.

a = (−5, −4, 2)b = (2, −2, 4)n̂z > 0
n̂x =
7.IntegralsMedium
xy24

Evaluate I = ∫24 1/x dx.

f(x) = 1/x[2, 4]
I =
8.IntegralsHard
xyy = 2x2​y = 3x

Find the area A of the region enclosed by y = 2x2 and y = 3x.

y = 2x2y = 3x
A =
9.Multivariable calculusMedium

z = 3 sin(2x − 3y) with x = t − 2 and y = t² − 2. Use the chain rule to find dz/dt at t = −1.

z = 3 sin(2x − 3y)x = t − 2y = t² − 2t = −1
dz/dt =
10.Multivariable calculusHard
xy3

Use polar coordinates to evaluate I = ∬R (x² + y²) dA, where R is the upper half of the disc x² + y² ≤ 9 (y ≥ 0).

f = x² + y²0 ≤ r ≤ 30 ≤ θ ≤ π
I =
11.Sequences & seriesMedium
kSn​12345678910S = ?

Find the sum S = Σk=1∞ 2/(k(k + 2)).

ak = 2/(k(k + 2))
S =
12.Sequences & seriesHard

f(x) = sin x is approximated at x = 0.5 by its Maclaurin polynomial of degree n. With the Lagrange bound M·|x|ⁿ⁺¹/(n + 1)! and M = 1, find the smallest degree n that guarantees an error below 0.001.

f(x) = sin xx = 0.5M = 1ε = 0.001
n =
13.Laplace transformsMedium
t (s)f(t)t = 0.6f(0.6) = ?

Find f(t) for F(s) = (5s + 1)/(s² + 2s + 1) and evaluate f(0.6).

F(s) = (5s + 1)/(s² + 2s + 1)t = 0.6 s
f(0.6) =
14.Laplace transformsHard
t (s)y(t)t = 0.6y(0.6) = ?

A system obeys y″ + 5y′ + 4y = 4·u(t), with y(0) = 6 and y′(0) = 0. At t = 0 a step input u(t) = 10 is applied. Use the Laplace transform to find y(0.6).

y″ + 5y′ + 4y = 4·u(t)y(0) = 6y′(0) = 0u(t) = 10t = 0.6 s
y(0.6) =
15.Convolution & LTI systemsMedium
x(t)t4h(t)t1

The input x(t) = 4·e−1tu(t) is applied to a system with h(t) = e−0.5tu(t). Find the output y(1) at t = 1 s.

x(t) = 4·e−1tu(t)h(t) = e−0.5tu(t)t = 1 s
y(1) =
16.Convolution & LTI systemsHard
x(t)t (ms)2.55101−1

A triangle wave rises and falls linearly between −1 and +1 with period T = 5 ms. Find the amplitude c5 of its Fourier component at 1000 Hz.

±1T = 5 msf = 1000 Hz
c5 =

3Solutions

1.Differential equations

Answer: y(0.5) = 4.549

Second-order linear equations: for y″ + b·y′ + c·y = 0 try y = ert: this gives the characteristic equation r² + b·r + c = 0. Two real roots r₁ ≠ r₂ give y = A·er₁t + B·er₂t (overdamped); a double root r gives y = (A + Bt)·ert (critically damped); complex roots −α ± jω give y = e−αt(A cos ωt + B sin ωt) (underdamped, oscillating). The initial values y(0) and y′(0) fix A and B. Written as y″ + 2ζωny′ + ωn²y = 0, ωn is the natural frequency and ζ the damping ratio: ζ < 1 oscillates. With a constant input, y″ + by′ + cy = c·K, the solution is the steady value K plus the free response.

Double root

(r + 1)² = 0 → r = −1

Constants

A = y(0) = 5
y′(0) = B − 1A → B = 0 + 5 = 5

Evaluate

y(0.5) = (5 + 5·0.5)·e−0.5 = 4.549

Answer

y(0.5) = 4.549
2.Differential equations

Answer: ymax = 12.85

Second-order linear equations: for y″ + b·y′ + c·y = 0 try y = ert: this gives the characteristic equation r² + b·r + c = 0. Two real roots r₁ ≠ r₂ give y = A·er₁t + B·er₂t (overdamped); a double root r gives y = (A + Bt)·ert (critically damped); complex roots −α ± jω give y = e−αt(A cos ωt + B sin ωt) (underdamped, oscillating). The initial values y(0) and y′(0) fix A and B. Written as y″ + 2ζωny′ + ωn²y = 0, ωn is the natural frequency and ζ the damping ratio: ζ < 1 oscillates. With a constant input, y″ + by′ + cy = c·K, the solution is the steady value K plus the free response.

Steady value and roots

yss = 10, r = −2 ± 5j

Constants from the initial values

y(0) = 10 + A = 0 → A = −10
y′(0) = −2A + 5B = 0 → B = −4

Peak

t = π/5 = 0.6283
ymax = 10·(1 + e−2·π/5) = 12.85

Answer

ymax = 12.85
3.Matrices & determinants

Answer: c11 = 35

Matrices: the determinant of a 2×2 matrix is ad − bc. For 3×3, expand along a row: each entry times the determinant of the 2×2 matrix left after removing its row and column, with alternating signs + − +. Eigenvalues λ solve det(A − λI) = 0; for 2×2 that is λ² − (trace)·λ + det = 0.

Row times column

c11 = (−5)·(−1) + (−6)·(−5) = 35

Answer

c11 = 35
4.Matrices & determinants

Answer: λ = 5

Matrices: the determinant of a 2×2 matrix is ad − bc. For 3×3, expand along a row: each entry times the determinant of the 2×2 matrix left after removing its row and column, with alternating signs + − +. Eigenvalues λ solve det(A − λI) = 0; for 2×2 that is λ² − (trace)·λ + det = 0.

Characteristic equation

λ² − (1)λ + (−20) = 0

Solve

λ = (1 ± √(81))/2 → λ = −4, 5
λ = 5

Answer

λ = 5
5.Vectors: dot & cross product

Answer: W = 305 J

Dot product: a·b = axbx + ayby + azbz = |a|·|b|·cos θ, a scalar. It gives the angle between two vectors, cos θ = a·b/(|a|·|b|), and it is zero when they are perpendicular. The scalar projection of a onto b is a·b/|b|, and a constant force F moving through a displacement d does work W = F·d.

Displacement

d = B − A = (2, 2, 5) − (−2, −5, −3) = (4, 7, 8) m

Work

W = F·d = 10·4 + 15·7 + 20·8 = 305 J

Answer

W = 305 J
6.Vectors: dot & cross product

Answer: n̂x = −0.3714

Cross product: a × b = (aybz − azby, azbx − axbz, axby − aybx) is perpendicular to both vectors, and |a × b| = |a|·|b|·sin θ is the area of the parallelogram they span (the triangle has half of it). Order matters: b × a = −(a × b). The moment of a force F applied at point A about point O is MO = r × F, with r = A − O.

Cross product

(a × b)x = aybz − azby = (−4)·4 − 2·(−2) = −12
(a × b)y = azbx − axbz = 2·2 − (−5)·4 = 24
(a × b)z = axby − aybx = (−5)·(−2) − (−4)·2 = 18

Normalise

The z-component of a × b is already positive.

|a × b| = √((−12)² + 24² + 18²) = 32.31
n̂ = (−12, 24, 18)/32.31 = (−0.3714, 0.7428, 0.5571)
n̂x = −0.3714

Answer

n̂x = −0.3714
7.Integrals

Answer: I = 0.6931

Definite integrals: ∫ₐᵇ f(x) dx is the signed area between the graph and the x-axis from a to b. Find an antiderivative F (with F′ = f) and evaluate F(b) − F(a). Power rule: ∫xⁿ dx = xⁿ⁺¹/(n + 1). The area between two curves is ∫(upper − lower) dx.

Antiderivative

F(x) = ln x

Evaluate at the limits

I = (ln 4 − ln 2) = ln 2 = 0.6931

Answer

I = 0.6931
8.Integrals

Answer: A = 1.125

Definite integrals: ∫ₐᵇ f(x) dx is the signed area between the graph and the x-axis from a to b. Find an antiderivative F (with F′ = f) and evaluate F(b) − F(a). Power rule: ∫xⁿ dx = xⁿ⁺¹/(n + 1). The area between two curves is ∫(upper − lower) dx.

Intersection points

2x2 = 3x → x = 0, x = 1.5

Integrate upper minus lower

A = [1.5x2 − 0.6667x3]01.5 = 1.125

Answer

A = 1.125
9.Multivariable calculus

Answer: dz/dt = −23.76

Gradient: ∇f = (fx, fy) points in the direction of steepest ascent, and |∇f| is the largest rate of change. The directional derivative along a direction v is Duf = ∇f·u with the unit vector u = v/|v|. The tangent plane at (a, b) is z = f(a, b) + fx(a, b)(x − a) + fy(a, b)(y − b); it gives the linear approximation of f near that point. Chain rule: dz/dt = fx·dx/dt + fy·dy/dt.

Point and rates

x(−1) = −3, y(−1) = −1
dx/dt = 1, dy/dt = 2t = −2

Partial derivatives

fx = 6 cos(2x − 3y) = −5.94
fy = −9 cos(2x − 3y) = 8.91

Chain rule

dz/dt = (−5.94)·1 + 8.91·(−2) = −23.76

Answer

dz/dt = −23.76
10.Multivariable calculus

Answer: I = 63.62

Critical points and double integrals: a critical point has fx = fy = 0. Second-derivative test with D = fxxfyy − fxy²: D > 0 and fxx > 0 is a local minimum, D > 0 and fxx < 0 a local maximum, D < 0 a saddle point, and D = 0 decides nothing. For a double integral over a general region, let the inner limits be the curves that bound the region; for discs and sectors use polar coordinates, x = r cos θ, y = r sin θ and dA = r dr dθ (do not forget the factor r).

Polar form

I = ∫0π ∫03 r²·r dr dθ

Integrate

∫ r²·r dr = [r⁴/4]
I = 63.62

Answer

I = 63.62
11.Sequences & series

Answer: S = 1.5

Convergence: if the terms do not tend to 0 the series diverges (n-th term test). Σ1/kᵖ converges only for p > 1, and Σrᵏ only for |r| < 1. Compare a series with one of these when its terms behave like them for large k. Ratio test: L = lim |ak+1/ak|; root test: L = lim |ak|1/k. L < 1 converges, L > 1 diverges, L = 1 decides nothing. A power series Σck(x − x₀)ᵏ converges for |x − x₀| < R with R = lim |ck/ck+1|; an alternating series with terms decreasing to 0 converges.

Partial fractions

2/(k(k + 2)) = (2/2)·(1/k − 1/(k + 2))

Cancel

S = (2/2)·(1 + 1/2) = 1.5

Answer

S = 1.5
12.Sequences & series

Answer: n = 4

Taylor polynomials: near x = a a smooth function is approximated by Pₙ(x) = f(a) + f′(a)(x − a) + f″(a)(x − a)²/2! + … + f⁽ⁿ⁾(a)(x − a)ⁿ/n!; for a = 0 this is the Maclaurin polynomial. Standard series: eˣ = Σxᵏ/k!, sin x = x − x³/3! + x⁵/5! − …, cos x = 1 − x²/2! + x⁴/4! − …, ln(1 + x) = x − x²/2 + x³/3 − …, 1/(1 − x) = Σxᵏ. Lagrange error bound: |f(x) − Pₙ(x)| ≤ M·|x − a|ⁿ⁺¹/(n + 1)!, where M is the largest value of |f⁽ⁿ⁺¹⁾| between a and x.

n(n + 1)!bound010.5120.125260.020833240.00260441200.0002604

Bounds for increasing n

n = 3: 0.002604 ≥ 0.001
n = 4: 0.0002604 < 0.001

Smallest degree

n = 4

Answer

n = 4
13.Laplace transforms

Answer: f(0.6) = 1.427

Laplace transform: F(s) = ∫₀∞ f(t)·e−st dt turns derivatives into multiplications by s: ℒ{f′} = sF(s) − f(0), ℒ{f″} = s²F(s) − s·f(0) − f′(0). Standard pairs: 1 ↔ 1/s, e−at ↔ 1/(s + a), t·e−at ↔ 1/(s + a)², sin ωt ↔ ω/(s² + ω²), cos ωt ↔ s/(s² + ω²), and a shift s → s + σ multiplies the time function by e−σt. To invert a rational F(s), split it into partial fractions: the residue of a simple pole p is A = [(s − p)·F(s)] at s = p. Final value theorem: f(∞) = lims→0 s·F(s), valid only when all poles of s·F(s) lie in the left half-plane. Initial value theorem: f(0⁺) = lims→∞ s·F(s).

Factor the denominator

s² + 2s + 1 = (s + 1)²

Partial fractions

5s + 1 = 5(s + 1) + −4
F(s) = 5/(s + 1) − 4/(s + 1)²

Inverse transform

f(t) = 5·e−t − 4·t·e−t
f(0.6) = (5 − 4·0.6)·e−0.6 = 1.427

Answer

f(0.6) = 1.427
14.Laplace transforms

Answer: y(0.6) = 7.194

Laplace transform: F(s) = ∫₀∞ f(t)·e−st dt turns derivatives into multiplications by s: ℒ{f′} = sF(s) − f(0), ℒ{f″} = s²F(s) − s·f(0) − f′(0). Standard pairs: 1 ↔ 1/s, e−at ↔ 1/(s + a), t·e−at ↔ 1/(s + a)², sin ωt ↔ ω/(s² + ω²), cos ωt ↔ s/(s² + ω²), and a shift s → s + σ multiplies the time function by e−σt. To invert a rational F(s), split it into partial fractions: the residue of a simple pole p is A = [(s − p)·F(s)] at s = p. Final value theorem: f(∞) = lims→0 s·F(s), valid only when all poles of s·F(s) lie in the left half-plane. Initial value theorem: f(0⁺) = lims→∞ s·F(s).

Transform the equation

(s² + 5s + 4)·Y(s) = 6s + 30 + 40/s
Y(s) = (6s² + 30s + 40)/(s(s + 1)(s + 4))

Partial fractions

A = 40/(1·4) = 10
B = 16/((−1)·3) = −5.333
C = 16/((−4)·(−3)) = 1.333

Result

y(t) = 10 − 5.333·e−t + 1.333·e−4t
y(0.6) = 7.194

Answer

y(0.6) = 7.194

Check: y(0) = A + B + C = 6.

15.Convolution & LTI systems

Answer: y(1) = 1.909

Continuous convolution: y(t) = ∫ x(τ)·h(t − τ) dτ. Flip h, slide it to position t and integrate the product of the overlapping parts. For causal signals the integral runs from 0 to t. Useful results: the area of y is the area of x times the area of h; if x lasts from t₁ to t₂ and h from t₃ to t₄, y lasts from t₁ + t₃ to t₂ + t₄. For h(t) = e−atu(t) and a step of height A, y(t) = (A/a)(1 − e−at).

Convolution integral

y(t) = 4e−0.5t∫₀ᵗ e−(1 − 0.5)τ dτ = 4(e−0.5t − e−1t)/(0.5)

Evaluate

y(1) = 4·(0.6065 − 0.3679)/(0.5) = 1.909

Answer

y(1) = 1.909
16.Convolution & LTI systems

Answer: c5 = 0.03242

Impulse response and Fourier series: the impulse response h(t) describes an LTI system completely: for y′ + a·y = b·x it is h(t) = b·e−atu(t), and for y[n] = a·y[n − 1] + b·x[n] it is h[n] = b·aⁿu[n]. A sinusoid cos ωt passes through with gain |H(jω)| and phase ∠H(jω), where H is the Fourier transform of h. A periodic signal is a sum of harmonics at k/T: a square wave of ±A has only odd harmonics with amplitudes 4A/(kπ), a triangle wave of peak A has 8A/(π²k²), and a pulse train of height A and duty cycle D has the mean A·D and the harmonics (2A/(kπ))·|sin(kπD)|.

Harmonic number

f₀ = 1/T = 200 Hz → k = 5

Amplitude

c5 = 8·1/(π²·5²) = 0.03242

Answer

c5 = 0.03242

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