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) = 2y(0.5) = ?

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

y″ + 2y′ + y = 0y(0) = 2y′(0) = -2
y(0.5) =
2.Differential equationsHard
tyK = 5y(1) = ?

A system obeys y″ + 3y′ + 27.25y = 136.3 for t ≥ 0, starting from rest: y(0) = 0, y′(0) = 0. Find y(1); angles in radians.

y″ + 3y′ + 27.25y = 136.3y(0) = 0y′(0) = 0
y(1) =
3.Matrices & determinantsMedium
A =−463−2B =−3−230

Let C = AB for the matrices shown. Find the entry c21 (row 2, column 1).

A = [−4 6; 3 −2]B = [−3 −2; 3 0]
c21 =
4.Matrices & determinantsHard
A =−455−3b =34

Solve the system −4x + 5y = 3 and 5x − 3y = 4. Find x.

−4x + 5y = 35x − 3y = 4
x =
5.Vectors: dot & cross productMedium
xyzab

Find the dot product a·b of a = (3, −7, 7) and b = (1, −6, 0).

a = (3, −7, 7)b = (1, −6, 0)
a·b =
6.Vectors: dot & cross productHard
xyzrFOA

A force F = (20, 10, 30) N acts at point A(2, 4, 0). Coordinates are in metres. Find the y-component My of the moment of the force about the origin O(0, 0, 0).

F = (20, 10, 30) NA(2, 4, 0) mO(0, 0, 0) m
My = N·m
7.IntegralsMedium
xy2y = √(4x)

The region under y = √(4x) from x = 0 to x = 2 is rotated about the x-axis. Find the volume V of the solid (a paraboloid).

y = √(4x)0 ≤ x ≤ 2
V =
8.IntegralsHard
xyy = 0.5x2​y = 4x

Find the area A of the region enclosed by y = 0.5x2 and y = 4x.

y = 0.5x2y = 4x
A =
9.Multivariable calculusMedium
xy−3−2−10102PQ

For f(x, y) = −3x³y² + 3x³ − y³ − xy, find the directional derivative Duf at P(−1, 1) in the direction towards Q(0, −1).

f(x, y) = −3x³y² + 3x³ − y³ − xyP = (−1, 1)Q = (0, −1)
Duf =
10.Multivariable calculusHard
xy−505−2024(3, 2)(−3, 2)

f(x, y) = x³ − 27x + y² − 4y has a critical point at (−3, 2). Compute the discriminant D = fxxfyy − fxy² there.

f(x, y) = x³ − 27x + y² − 4yP = (−3, 2)
D =
11.Sequences & seriesMedium
k|aₖ₊₁/aₖ|123456789101112

Apply the ratio test to Σk=1∞ k²·2ᵏ/3ᵏ. Find L = lim |ak+1/ak|.

ak = k²·2ᵏ/3ᵏ
L =
12.Sequences & seriesHard

f(x) = sin x is approximated by its Maclaurin polynomial of degree 5 at x = 1. Use the Lagrange error bound M·|x|ⁿ⁺¹/(n + 1)! with M = 1 to find the largest possible error |R₅|.

f(x) = sin xn = 5x = 1M = 1
|R₅| =
13.Laplace transformsMedium
ReIm−1−2−3−4−5−6−7−81

F(s) = (3s + 9)/(s² + 8s + 7). Its inverse transform has the form f(t) = A·e−t + B·e−7t. Find the coefficient A by partial fractions.

F(s) = (3s + 9)/(s² + 8s + 7)
A =
14.Laplace transformsHard
t (s)y(t)t = 0.6y(0.6) = ?

Solve y″ + 5y′ + 6y = 0 with y(0) = 10 and y′(0) = 11 using the Laplace transform, and find y(0.6).

y″ + 5y′ + 6y = 0y(0) = 10y′(0) = 11t = 0.6 s
y(0.6) =
15.Convolution & LTI systemsMedium
x(t)t410h(t)t42

The pulse x(t) = 10 for 0 ≤ t < 4 s is convolved with h(t), a triangle that falls linearly from 2 at t = 0 to 0 at t = 4 s. Find the area Ay under y(t) = x(t) ∗ h(t).

x(t) = 10, 0 ≤ t < 4 sh(0) = 2, h(4) = 0
Ay =
16.Convolution & LTI systemsHard
u[n]4+y[n]0.5·z⁻¹+

A system obeys y[n] = 0.5·y[n − 1] + 4·x[n] and starts at rest. The input is the unit step x[n] = u[n]. Find y[4].

y[n] = 0.5y[n − 1] + 4x[n]x[n] = u[n]
y[4] =

3Solutions

1.Differential equations

Answer: y(0.5) = 1.213

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) = 2
y′(0) = B − 1A → B = -2 + 2 = 0

Evaluate

y(0.5) = (2 + 0·0.5)·e−0.5 = 1.213

Answer

y(0.5) = 1.213
2.Differential equations

Answer: y(1) = 5.004

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 = 5, r = −1.5 ± 5j

Constants from the initial values

y(0) = 5 + A = 0 → A = −5
y′(0) = −1.5A + 5B = 0 → B = −1.5

Evaluate

y(1) = 5·(1 − e−1.5(cos 5 + 0.3·sin 5)) = 5.004

Answer

y(1) = 5.004
3.Matrices & determinants

Answer: c21 = −15

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

c21 = 3·(−3) + (−2)·3 = −15

Answer

c21 = −15
4.Matrices & determinants

Answer: x = 2.231

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.

Determinant of the coefficient matrix

det A = (−4)·(−3) − 5·5 = −13

Replace the x column

det Aₓ = 3·(−3) − 5·4 = −29
x = −29/(−13) = 2.231

Answer

x = 2.231
y = 2.385
5.Vectors: dot & cross product

Answer: a·b = 45

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.

Multiply matching components and add

a·b = 3·1 + (−7)·(−6) + 7·0 = 3 + 42 + 0 = 45

Answer

a·b = 45

Positive: the angle between the vectors is less than 90°.

6.Vectors: dot & cross product

Answer: My = −60 N·m

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.

Position vector from O to A

r = A − O = (2, 4, 0) − (0, 0, 0) = (2, 4, 0) m

Moment M = r × F

(r × F)x = ryFz − rzFy = 4·30 − 0·10 = 120 N·m
(r × F)y = rzFx − rxFz = 0·20 − 2·30 = −60 N·m
(r × F)z = rxFy − ryFx = 2·10 − 4·20 = −60 N·m

Requested component

My = −60 N·m

Answer

My = −60 N·m
7.Integrals

Answer: V = 25.13

Volumes of revolution: rotating the region under y = f(x) from x = a to x = b about the x-axis makes a solid whose cross-section at x is a disc of radius f(x). Adding the discs gives V = π∫ₐᵇ f(x)² dx. When the region lies between an outer curve R(x) and an inner curve r(x), each slice is a washer: V = π∫ₐᵇ (R(x)² − r(x)²) dx. Square the radii before you subtract them.

Disc method

V = π∫₀2 4x dx

Integrate

V = π·4·2²/2 = 25.13

Answer

V = 25.13
8.Integrals

Answer: A = 42.67

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

0.5x2 = 4x → x = 0, x = 8

Integrate upper minus lower

A = [2x2 − 0.1667x3]08 = 42.67

Answer

A = 42.67
9.Multivariable calculus

Answer: Duf = −4.025

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.

Gradient at the point

fx = −9x²y² + 9x² − y → fx(−1, 1) = −1
fy = −6x³y − 3y² − x → fy(−1, 1) = 4

Unit vector

|v| = √(1² + (−2)²) = 2.236
u = (0.4472, −0.8944)

Dot product

Duf = (−1)·0.4472 + 4·(−0.8944) = −4.025

Answer

Duf = −4.025
10.Multivariable calculus

Answer: D = −36

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).

Second derivatives

fxx = −18, fyy = 2, fxy = 0

Discriminant

D = (−18)·2 − 0² = −36
→ saddle point

Answer

D = −36
11.Sequences & series

Answer: L = 0.6667

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.

Ratio of consecutive terms

|ak+1/ak| = ((k + 1)/k)²·2/3 → 2/3

Conclusion

L = 0.6667 < 1

Answer

L = 0.6667

L < 1, so the series converges.

12.Sequences & series

Answer: |R₅| = 0.001389

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.

Bound on the derivative

M = 1

Lagrange bound

|R₅| ≤ 1·1⁶/6! = 0.001389

Answer

|R₅| = 0.001389

The true error is smaller: |f(1) − P₅(1)| = 0.0001957.

13.Laplace transforms

Answer: A = 1

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 + 8s + 7 = (s + 1)(s + 7)
F(s) = A/(s + 1) + B/(s + 7)

Cover-up rule

Multiply by (s + 1) and set s = −1: the B-term vanishes.

A = (3s + 9)/(s + 7) |s = −1 = 6/6 = 1

Answer

A = 1
(B = 2, so f(t) = e−t + 2·e−7t)
14.Laplace transforms

Answer: y(0.6) = 7.225

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

s²Y − 10s − 11 + 5(sY − 10) + 6Y = 0
Y(s) = (10s + 61)/((s + 2)(s + 3))

Partial fractions

A = 41/1 = 41
B = 31/(−1) = −31

Result

y(t) = 41·e−2t − 31·e−3t
y(0.6) = 7.225

Answer

y(0.6) = 7.225

Check: y(0) = A + B = 10.

15.Convolution & LTI systems

Answer: Ay = 160

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).

Areas of the inputs

∫x dt = 10·4 = 40
∫h dt = ½·4·2 = 4

Area of the output

Ay = 40·4 = 160

Answer

Ay = 160
16.Convolution & LTI systems

Answer: y[4] = 7.75

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)|.

Iterate

y[0] = 4
y[1] = 6
y[2] = 7
y[3] = 7.5
y[4] = 7.75

Result

y[4] = 4·(1 − (0.5)5)/(1 − 0.5) = 7.75

Answer

y[4] = 7.75

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