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
t (min)T (°C)6Ta​59 °C38 °C

A cup of coffee at 87 °C is left in a room at 20 °C. After 6 min its temperature is 59 °C. It follows Newton's law of cooling, dT/dt = −k·(T − Tₐ). How long after the start, t, does it take to reach 38 °C?

T0 = 87 °CTa = 20 °CT(6) = 59 °CT = 38 °C
t = min
2.Differential equationsHard
t (min)m (kg)110 minm = ?

A tank holds 1000 L of water in which 10 kg of salt is dissolved. Brine with 0.25 kg of salt per litre flows in at 10 L/min, and the well-mixed solution flows out at the same rate. How much salt m is in the tank after 110 min?

V = 1000 Lm0 = 10 kgc = 0.25 kg/Lr = 10 L/min
m = kg
3.Matrices & determinantsMedium
A =3161B =−305−3

Let C = AB for the matrices shown. Find the entry c12 (row 1, column 2).

A = [3 1; 6 1]B = [−3 0; 5 −3]
c12 =
4.Matrices & determinantsHard
A =66−5−5

Find the larger eigenvalue λ of the matrix A shown.

A = [6 6; −5 −5]
λ =
5.Vectors: dot & cross productMedium
xyzab

Find the scalar projection compb a of a = (−7, −7, −1) onto b = (0, 6, −6), that is, the component of a in the direction of b.

a = (−7, −7, −1)b = (0, 6, −6)
compb a =
6.Vectors: dot & cross productHard
xyzab

The unit vector n̂ is perpendicular to both a = (5, 3, 5) and b = (5, 1, −4) and has a positive z-component. Find its y-component n̂y.

a = (5, 3, 5)b = (5, 1, −4)n̂z > 0
n̂y =
7.IntegralsMedium
xy01

Evaluate I = ∫01 2x·(x² + 1)2 dx.

f(x) = 2x·(x² + 1)2[0, 1]
I =
8.IntegralsHard
xyy = x2​y = x

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

y = x2y = x
A =
9.Multivariable calculusMedium
xy024−4−202PQ

For f(x, y) = 5x²y³ − 3y³ − xy, find the directional derivative Duf at P(2, −2) in the direction towards Q(2, 2).

f(x, y) = 5x²y³ − 3y³ − xyP = (2, −2)Q = (2, 2)
Duf =
10.Multivariable calculusHard
xyy = 3xy = x²39

Evaluate I = ∬R y dA, where R is the region between the parabola y = x² and the line y = 3x.

y = x²y = 3xf = y
I =
11.Sequences & seriesMedium
kSn​12345678910S = ?

Find the sum S = Σk=1∞ 2/(k(k + 4)).

ak = 2/(k(k + 4))
S =
12.Sequences & seriesHard

Find the coefficient c₄ of (x − 1)⁴ in the Taylor series of f(x) = 1/x about a = 1.

f(x) = 1/xa = 1k = 4
c₄ =
13.Laplace transformsMedium
ReIm−2−4−6−8−10

F(s) = (2s + 19)/(s² + 9s + 20). Its inverse transform has the form f(t) = A·e−4t + B·e−5t. Find the coefficient A by partial fractions.

F(s) = (2s + 19)/(s² + 9s + 20)
A =
14.Laplace transformsHard
t (s)y(t)t = 0.25y(0.25) = ?

Solve y″ + 5y′ + 6y = 0 with y(0) = −1 and y′(0) = −5 using the Laplace transform, and find y(0.25).

y″ + 5y′ + 6y = 0y(0) = −1y′(0) = −5t = 0.25 s
y(0.25) =
15.Convolution & LTI systemsMedium
x(t)t110h(t)t1

The pulse x(t) = 10 for 0 ≤ t < 1 s (zero elsewhere) is applied to a system with h(t) = e−2tu(t). Find the output y(2) at t = 2 s, after the pulse has ended.

x(t) = 10, 0 ≤ t < 1 sh(t) = e−2tu(t)t = 2 s
y(2) =
16.Convolution & LTI systemsHard
δ(t)y′ + 1y = 5xh(t)

A system obeys y′(t) + 1·y(t) = 5·x(t). Find its impulse response at t = 0.5 s, h(0.5).

y′ + 1y = 5xt = 0.5 s
h(0.5) =

3Solutions

1.Differential equations

Answer: t = 14.57 min

First-order differential equations: dy/dt = k·y has the solution y = y₀·ekt (growth for k > 0, decay for k < 0); a half-life T gives k = ln 2/T. Newton's law of cooling, dT/dt = −k·(T − Tₐ), gives T(t) = Tₐ + (T₀ − Tₐ)·e−kt. A linear equation y′ + p(x)·y = q(x) is solved with the integrating factor μ = e∫p dx: (μy)′ = μq, so μy = ∫μq dx + C.

Cooling constant

k = ln(67/39)/6 = 0.09019 min⁻¹

Time to reach the target

t = ln(67/18)/0.09019 = 14.57 min

Answer

t = 14.57 min
2.Differential equations

Answer: m = 170.1 kg

First-order differential equations: dy/dt = k·y has the solution y = y₀·ekt (growth for k > 0, decay for k < 0); a half-life T gives k = ln 2/T. Newton's law of cooling, dT/dt = −k·(T − Tₐ), gives T(t) = Tₐ + (T₀ − Tₐ)·e−kt. A linear equation y′ + p(x)·y = q(x) is solved with the integrating factor μ = e∫p dx: (μy)′ = μq, so μy = ∫μq dx + C.

Set up the equation

dm/dt = 10·0.25 − (10/1000)·m = 2.5 − 0.01·m

Solve

The integrating factor is ert/V; the solution approaches the equilibrium c·V.

m(t) = 250 + (−240)·e−t/100

Substitute t

m(110) = 250 + (−240)·0.3329 = 170.1 kg

Answer

m = 170.1 kg
3.Matrices & determinants

Answer: c12 = −3

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

c12 = 3·0 + 1·(−3) = −3

Answer

c12 = −3
4.Matrices & determinants

Answer: λ = 1

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 + (0) = 0

Solve

λ = (1 ± √(1))/2 → λ = 0, 1
λ = 1

Answer

λ = 1
5.Vectors: dot & cross product

Answer: compb a = −4.243

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.

Dot product

a·b = (−7)·0 + (−7)·6 + (−1)·(−6) = −36

Length of b

|b| = √(0² + 6² + (−6)²) = 8.485

Scalar projection

compb a = a·b/|b| = −36/8.485 = −4.243

Answer

compb a = −4.243

Negative: a has a component pointing against b.

6.Vectors: dot & cross product

Answer: n̂y = −0.9159

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 = 3·(−4) − 5·1 = −17
(a × b)y = azbx − axbz = 5·5 − 5·(−4) = 45
(a × b)z = axby − aybx = 5·1 − 3·5 = −10

Normalise

The z-component of a × b is negative, so use −(a × b).

|a × b| = √((−17)² + 45² + (−10)²) = 49.13
n̂ = −(−17, 45, −10)/49.13 = (0.346, −0.9159, 0.2035)
n̂y = −0.9159

Answer

n̂y = −0.9159
7.Integrals

Answer: I = 2.333

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.

Substitution

u = x² + 1, du = 2x dx
I = ∫12 u2 du

Integrate and evaluate

I = [u3/3]12 = (8 − 1)/3 = 2.333

Answer

I = 2.333
8.Integrals

Answer: A = 0.1667

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

x2 = x → x = 0, x = 1

Integrate upper minus lower

A = [0.5x2 − 0.3333x3]01 = 0.1667

Answer

A = 0.1667
9.Multivariable calculus

Answer: Duf = 202

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 = 10xy³ − y → fx(2, −2) = −158
fy = 15x²y² − 9y² − x → fy(2, −2) = 202

Unit vector

|v| = √(0² + 4²) = 4
u = (0, 1)

Dot product

Duf = (−158)·0 + 202·1 = 202

Answer

Duf = 202
10.Multivariable calculus

Answer: I = 16.2

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).

Intersections

x² = 3x → x = 0, x = 3

Inner integral

∫x²3x y dy = [y²/2] = (9x² − x⁴)/2

Outer integral

I = ∫03 (9x² − x⁴)/2 dx = 16.2

Answer

I = 16.2
11.Sequences & series

Answer: S = 1.042

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 + 4)) = (2/4)·(1/k − 1/(k + 4))

Cancel

S = (2/4)·(1 + 1/2 + 1/3 + 1/4) = 1.042

Answer

S = 1.042
12.Sequences & series

Answer: c₄ = 1

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.

Derivative f⁽⁴⁾

f⁽⁴⁾(x) = 24/x⁵

Coefficient

c₄ = 24/(1⁵·24) = 1
c₄ = 1

Answer

c₄ = 1
13.Laplace transforms

Answer: A = 11

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 + 9s + 20 = (s + 4)(s + 5)
F(s) = A/(s + 4) + B/(s + 5)

Cover-up rule

Multiply by (s + 4) and set s = −4: the B-term vanishes.

A = (2s + 19)/(s + 5) |s = −4 = 11/1 = 11

Answer

A = 11
(B = −9, so f(t) = 11·e−4t − 9·e−5t)
14.Laplace transforms

Answer: y(0.25) = −1.546

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 − (−1)s − (−5) + 5(sY − (−1)) + 6Y = 0
Y(s) = (−s − 10)/((s + 2)(s + 3))

Partial fractions

A = −8/1 = −8
B = −7/(−1) = 7

Result

y(t) = −8·e−2t + 7·e−3t
y(0.25) = −1.546

Answer

y(0.25) = −1.546

Check: y(0) = A + B = −1.

15.Convolution & LTI systems

Answer: y(2) = 0.5851

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).

Output at the end of the pulse

y(1) = (10/2)(1 − e−2) = 4.323

Decay after the pulse

y(2) = 4.323·e−2·1 = 0.5851

Answer

y(2) = 0.5851
16.Convolution & LTI systems

Answer: h(0.5) = 3.033

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)|.

Transfer function

H(s) = Y(s)/X(s) = 5/(s + 1)

Impulse response

h(t) = 5·e−1tu(t)
h(0.5) = 5·e−0.5 = 3.033

Answer

h(0.5) = 3.033

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