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)16Ta​T = ?

A can of soda at 6 °C is taken out of the fridge into a room at 22 °C. It follows Newton's law of cooling, dT/dt = −k·(T − Tₐ). With k = 0.09 min⁻¹, find its temperature T after 16 min.

T0 = 6 °CTa = 22 °Ck = 0.09 min⁻¹t = 16 min
T = °C
2.Differential equationsHard
t (min)m (kg)t = ?63 kg

A tank holds 500 L of pure water. 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. After how many minutes t does the tank contain 63 kg of salt?

V = 500 Lm0 = 0 kgc = 0.25 kg/Lr = 10 L/min
t = min
3.Matrices & determinantsMedium
A =−352−3−31−25−4

Find the determinant det A of the 3×3 matrix A shown.

A = [−3 5 2; −3 −3 1; −2 5 −4]
det A =
4.Matrices & determinantsHard
A =5−1−7−1

Find the larger eigenvalue λ of the matrix A shown.

A = [5 −1; −7 −1]
λ =
5.Vectors: dot & cross productMedium
xyzab

Find the value of k for which the vectors a = (−2, 4, −4) and b = (k, −4, −2) are perpendicular.

a = (−2, 4, −4)b = (k, −4, −2)
k =
6.Vectors: dot & cross productHard
xyzab

Find the area A of the parallelogram spanned by a = (1, −5, 6) and b = (−5, −1, 2).

a = (1, −5, 6)b = (−5, −1, 2)
A =
7.IntegralsMedium
xy02

Evaluate I = ∫02 e2x dx.

f(x) = e2x[0, 2]
I =
8.IntegralsHard
xyy = 2x2​y = x

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

y = 2x2y = x
A =
9.Multivariable calculusMedium
xy−23P

The tangent plane to z = 4xy² − x³ + 4y³ + 2xy at the point where (x, y) = (−2, 3) can be written as z = px + qy + c. Find c.

f(x, y) = 4xy² − x³ + 4y³ + 2xy(a, b) = (−2, 3)
c =
10.Multivariable calculusHard
xy05−2024(0, 0)(3, 3)

Find the critical points of f(x, y) = x³ + y³ − 9xy, classify them, and give the value fmin of f at its local minimum.

f(x, y) = x³ + y³ − 9xy
fmin =
11.Sequences & seriesMedium
AΣ (−1)ᵏ/kk = 1 … ∞BΣ 3ᵏ/k!k = 1 … ∞CΣ ln k / kk = 1 … ∞DΣ 1/(k² + 7)k = 1 … ∞

Exactly one of the four series diverges. Click it.

A: Σ (−1)ᵏ/kB: Σ 3ᵏ/k!C: Σ ln k / kD: Σ 1/(k² + 7)
  1. 1A: Σ (−1)ᵏ/k
  2. 2B: Σ 3ᵏ/k!
  3. 3C: Σ ln k / k
  4. 4D: Σ 1/(k² + 7)
12.Sequences & seriesHard

Recognise the series and find its sum: S = Σk=0∞ 0.5ᵏ/k!.

ak = 0.5ᵏ/k!
S =
13.Laplace transformsMedium
t (s)f(t)t = 0.5f(0.5) = ?

Find f(t) for F(s) = 40/(s(s + 1)(s + 6)) by partial fractions, and evaluate f(0.5).

F(s) = 40/(s(s + 1)(s + 6))t = 0.5 s
f(0.5) =
14.Laplace transformsHard
t (s)y(t)t = 0.4y(0.4) = ?

Solve y″ + 6y′ + 8y = 0 with y(0) = 2 and y′(0) = 1 using the Laplace transform, and find y(0.4).

y″ + 6y′ + 8y = 0y(0) = 2y′(0) = 1t = 0.4 s
y(0.4) =
15.Convolution & LTI systemsMedium
x(t)t42h(t)t24

The pulse x(t) = 2 for 0 ≤ t < 4 s is convolved with the pulse h(t) = 4 for 0 ≤ t < 2 s. Find the area Ay under y(t) = x(t) ∗ h(t).

x(t) = 2, 0 ≤ t < 4 sh(t) = 4, 0 ≤ t < 2 s
Ay =
16.Convolution & LTI systemsHard
δ[n]4+h[n]0.4·z⁻¹+

A system obeys y[n] = 0.4·y[n − 1] + 4·x[n] and starts at rest. Find its impulse response sample h[5].

y[n] = 0.4y[n − 1] + 4x[n]x[n] = δ[n]
h[5] =

3Solutions

1.Differential equations

Answer: T = 18.21 °C

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.

Solution of the cooling law

T(t) = 22 + (−16)·e−0.09t

Substitute t

T(16) = 22 + (−16)·0.2369 = 18.21 °C

Answer

T = 18.21 °C
2.Differential equations

Answer: t = 35.06 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.

Result

m(t) = 125 + (−125)·e−t/50

Solve for t

e−t/50 = (125 − 63)/(125 − 0) = 0.496
t = 50·ln(2.016) = 35.06 min

Answer

t = 35.06 min
3.Matrices & determinants

Answer: det A = −133

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.

2×2 minors of the first row

M₁₁ = 7, M₁₂ = 14, M₁₃ = −21

Cofactor expansion

det A = (−3)·7 − 5·14 + 2·(−21) = −133

Answer

det A = −133
4.Matrices & determinants

Answer: λ = 6

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 − (4)λ + (−12) = 0

Solve

λ = (4 ± √(64))/2 → λ = −2, 6
λ = 6

Answer

λ = 6
5.Vectors: dot & cross product

Answer: k = −4

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 equals zero

a·b = (−2)·k + 4·(−4) + (−4)·(−2) = 0
−8 + (−2)·k = 0

Solve for k

k = −(−8)/(−2) = −4

Answer

k = −4
6.Vectors: dot & cross product

Answer: A = 41.42

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 = (−5)·2 − 6·(−1) = −4
(a × b)y = azbx − axbz = 6·(−5) − 1·2 = −32
(a × b)z = axby − aybx = 1·(−1) − (−5)·(−5) = −26

Area

A = |a × b| = √((−4)² + (−32)² + (−26)²) = 41.42

Answer

A = 41.42
7.Integrals

Answer: I = 26.8

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) = e2x/2

Evaluate at the limits

I = (e4 − 1)/2 = (54.6 − 1)/2 = 26.8

Answer

I = 26.8
8.Integrals

Answer: A = 0.04167

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 = x → x = 0, x = 0.5

Integrate upper minus lower

A = [0.5x2 − 0.6667x3]00.5 = 0.04167

Answer

A = 0.04167
9.Multivariable calculus

Answer: c = −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.

Value and slopes at the point

f(−2, 3) = 32
fx = 4y² − 3x² + 2y → fx(−2, 3) = 30
fy = 8xy + 12y² + 2x → fy(−2, 3) = 56

Tangent plane

z = 32 + 30(x + 2) + 56(y − 3)
z = 30x + 56y − 76

Constant term

c = −76

Answer

c = −76
10.Multivariable calculus

Answer: fmin = −27

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).

Critical points

Solve fx = 0 and fy = 0 together.

fx = 3x² − 9y = 0
fy = 3y² − 9x = 0
(0, 0), (3, 3)

Second-derivative test

(0, 0): fxx = 0, fyy = 0, fxy = −9, D = −81 → saddle point
(3, 3): fxx = 18, fyy = 18, fxy = −9, D = 243 → local minimum

Value at the extremum

f(3, 3) = −27

Answer

fmin = −27
11.Sequences & series

Answer: C: Σ ln k / k

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.

Test each series

A: Σ (−1)ᵏ/k → Alternating, with 1/k decreasing to 0: converges (conditionally).
B: Σ 3ᵏ/k! → Ratio test: L = lim 3/(k + 1) = 0 < 1, converges.
C: Σ ln k / k → Larger than 1/k for k ≥ 3: diverges by comparison with the harmonic series.
D: Σ 1/(k² + 7) → Smaller than 1/k², a convergent p-series: converges by comparison.

The answer

C: Σ ln k / k

Answer

C: Σ ln k / k
12.Sequences & series

Answer: S = 1.649

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.

Standard series

Σ xᵏ/k! = eˣ

Substitute

x = 0.5
S = e0.5 = 1.649

Answer

S = 1.649
13.Laplace transforms

Answer: f(0.5) = 1.881

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).

Partial fractions

F(s) = A/s + B/(s + 1) + C/(s + 6)
A = 40/(1·6) = 6.667
B = 40/((−1)·5) = −8
C = 40/((−6)·(−5)) = 1.333

Inverse transform

f(t) = 6.667 − 8·e−t + 1.333·e−6t

Evaluate

f(0.5) = 6.667 − 8·e−0.5 + 1.333·e−6·0.5 = 1.881

Answer

f(0.5) = 1.881
14.Laplace transforms

Answer: y(0.4) = 1.517

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 − 2s − 1 + 6(sY − 2) + 8Y = 0
Y(s) = (2s + 13)/((s + 2)(s + 4))

Partial fractions

A = 9/2 = 4.5
B = 5/(−2) = −2.5

Result

y(t) = 4.5·e−2t − 2.5·e−4t
y(0.4) = 1.517

Answer

y(0.4) = 1.517

Check: y(0) = A + B = 2.

15.Convolution & LTI systems

Answer: Ay = 64

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 = 2·4 = 8
∫h dt = 4·2 = 8

Area of the output

Ay = 8·8 = 64

Answer

Ay = 64
16.Convolution & LTI systems

Answer: h[5] = 0.04096

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

h[0] = 4
h[1] = 1.6
h[2] = 0.64
h[3] = 0.256
h[4] = 0.1024
h[5] = 0.04096

Result

h[5] = 4·(0.4)5 = 0.04096

Answer

h[5] = 0.04096

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