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)22Ta​T = ?

A cup of coffee at 88 °C is left in a room at 21 °C. It follows Newton's law of cooling, dT/dt = −k·(T − Tₐ). With k = 0.12 min⁻¹, find its temperature T after 22 min.

T0 = 88 °CTa = 21 °Ck = 0.12 min⁻¹t = 22 min
T = °C
2.Differential equationsHard
ty0.5y(0.5) = ?

Solve y′ + y = 4e−2t with y(0) = 5. Find y(0.5).

y′ + y = 4e−2ty(0) = 5
y(0.5) =
3.Matrices & determinantsMedium
A =−3−1123−5−4−23

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

A = [−3 −1 1; 2 3 −5; −4 −2 3]
det A =
4.Matrices & determinantsHard
A =−2233

Find the larger eigenvalue λ of the matrix A shown.

A = [−2 2; 3 3]
λ =
5.Vectors: dot & cross productMedium
xyzab

Find the scalar projection compb a of a = (−2, −1, 5) onto b = (1, −1, 6), that is, the component of a in the direction of b.

a = (−2, −1, 5)b = (1, −1, 6)
compb a =
6.Vectors: dot & cross productHard
xyzABC

Find the area A of the triangle with corners A(4, −4, 0), B(−1, −2, 1) and C(0, −4, 3). Coordinates are in metres.

A(4, −4, 0)B(−1, −2, 1)C(0, −4, 3)
A = m²
7.IntegralsMedium
xy12

Evaluate I = ∫12 2/x dx.

f(x) = 2/x[1, 2]
I =
8.IntegralsHard
xy3y = x²eˣ

Evaluate I = ∫₀3 x²·eˣ dx.

∫₀3 x²eˣ dx
I =
9.Multivariable calculusMedium
xy32P

The tangent plane to z = −3x³y³ + 4y² + 4xy at the point where (x, y) = (3, 2) can be written as z = px + qy + c. Find c.

f(x, y) = −3x³y³ + 4y² + 4xy(a, b) = (3, 2)
c =
10.Multivariable calculusHard
xyx = 1.2y = x1.2

The integral I = ∫01.2 ∫y1.2 ex² dx dy cannot be done in this order. Reverse the order of integration and evaluate it.

f = ex²0 ≤ y ≤ x ≤ 1.2
I =
11.Sequences & seriesMedium
kSn​12345678910S = ?

Find the sum S = Σk=1∞ 2/(k(k + 1)).

ak = 2/(k(k + 1))
S =
12.Sequences & seriesHard

f(x) = eˣ is approximated at x = 2 by its Maclaurin polynomial of degree n. With the Lagrange bound M·|x|ⁿ⁺¹/(n + 1)! and M = 8, find the smallest degree n that guarantees an error below 0.0001.

f(x) = eˣx = 2M = 8ε = 0.0001
n =
13.Laplace transformsMedium
ReIm−0.5−1−1.5−20.51

Find f(t) for F(s) = 16/(s² + 4s + 5) by completing the square, and evaluate f(0.4).

F(s) = 16/(s² + 4s + 5)t = 0.4 s
f(0.4) =
14.Laplace transformsHard
ReIm−2−4−6−8−10−12

A system is described by the differential equation y″ + 7y′ + 10y = u′ + 12u, with input u(t) and output y(t). Find its transfer function G(s) = Y(s)/U(s) (zero initial conditions) and evaluate the impulse response g(t) at t = 0.2 s. Find g(0.2).

y″ + 7y′ + 10y = u′ + 12ut = 0.2 s
g(0.2) =
15.Convolution & LTI systemsMedium
x(t)t1h(t)t1

The input x(t) = 1·e−4tu(t) is applied to a system with h(t) = e−5tu(t). Find the output y(0.5) at t = 0.5 s.

x(t) = 1·e−4tu(t)h(t) = e−5tu(t)t = 0.5 s
y(0.5) =
16.Convolution & LTI systemsHard
δ[n]2+h[n]0.8·z⁻¹+

A system obeys y[n] = 0.8·y[n − 1] + 2·x[n] and starts at rest. Find its impulse response sample h[2].

y[n] = 0.8y[n − 1] + 2x[n]x[n] = δ[n]
h[2] =

3Solutions

1.Differential equations

Answer: T = 25.78 °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) = 21 + 67·e−0.12t

Substitute t

T(22) = 21 + 67·0.07136 = 25.78 °C

Answer

T = 25.78 °C
2.Differential equations

Answer: y(0.5) = 3.987

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.

Integrating factor

μ = et
(ety)′ = 4e−t

General solution

y = 4/(−1)·e−2t + C·e−t = −4·e−2t + C·e−t

Initial condition

5 = −4 + C → C = 9

Evaluate

y(0.5) = −4·0.3679 + 9·0.6065 = 3.987

Answer

y(0.5) = 3.987
3.Matrices & determinants

Answer: det A = −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.

2×2 minors of the first row

M₁₁ = −1, M₁₂ = −14, M₁₃ = 8

Cofactor expansion

det A = (−3)·(−1) − (−1)·(−14) + 1·8 = −3

Answer

det A = −3
4.Matrices & determinants

Answer: λ = 4

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 + (−12) = 0

Solve

λ = (1 ± √(49))/2 → λ = −3, 4
λ = 4

Answer

λ = 4
5.Vectors: dot & cross product

Answer: compb a = 4.704

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 = (−2)·1 + (−1)·(−1) + 5·6 = 29

Length of b

|b| = √(1² + (−1)² + 6²) = 6.164

Scalar projection

compb a = a·b/|b| = 29/6.164 = 4.704

Answer

compb a = 4.704
6.Vectors: dot & cross product

Answer: A = 7.433 m²

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.

Edge vectors

AB = B − A = (−5, 2, 1)
AC = C − A = (−4, 0, 3)

Cross product

(AB × AC)x = AByACz − ABzACy = 2·3 − 1·0 = 6
(AB × AC)y = ABzACx − ABxACz = 1·(−4) − (−5)·3 = 11
(AB × AC)z = ABxACy − AByACx = (−5)·0 − 2·(−4) = 8
|AB × AC| = √(6² + 11² + 8²) = 14.87

Area of the triangle

A = ½·14.87 = 7.433 m²

Answer

A = 7.433 m²
7.Integrals

Answer: I = 1.386

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) = 2·ln x

Evaluate at the limits

I = 2·(ln 2 − ln 1) = 2·ln 2 = 1.386

Answer

I = 1.386
8.Integrals

Answer: I = 98.43

Integration by parts: ∫u·dv = u·v − ∫v·du, from the product rule. Choose u as the factor that gets simpler when you differentiate it (a power of x, or ln x), and dv as the factor you can integrate (eˣ, sin x, cos x, or x when u = ln x). For a definite integral, evaluate u·v at both limits: ∫ₐᵇ u dv = [u·v]ₐᵇ − ∫ₐᵇ v du. A factor x² needs two rounds.

First round

∫x²eˣ dx = x²eˣ − ∫2x eˣ dx

Second round

∫2x eˣ dx = 2x eˣ − 2eˣ
∫x²eˣ dx = eˣ(x² − 2x + 2)

Limits

20.09·(5) − 1·2 = 98.43

Answer

I = 98.43
9.Multivariable calculus

Answer: c = 3200

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(3, 2) = −608
fx = −9x²y³ + 4y → fx(3, 2) = −640
fy = −9x³y² + 8y + 4x → fy(3, 2) = −944

Tangent plane

z = −608 − 640(x − 3) − 944(y − 2)
z = −640x − 944y + 3200

Constant term

c = 3200

Answer

c = 3200
10.Multivariable calculus

Answer: I = 1.61

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).

Region

0 ≤ y ≤ x, 0 ≤ x ≤ 1.2

Reversed order

I = ∫01.2 ∫0x ex² dy dx = ∫01.2 x·ex² dx

Substitution u = x²

I = [ex²/2]01.2 = 1.61

Answer

I = 1.61
11.Sequences & series

Answer: S = 2

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 + 1)) = 2·(1/k − 1/(k + 1))

Cancel

S = 2·1 = 2

Answer

S = 2
12.Sequences & series

Answer: n = 11

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)!bound011612162610.673245.33341202.13357200.7111650400.20327403200.0507983628800.01129936288000.00225710399168000.0004105114790016006.841 × 10⁻⁵

Bounds for increasing n

n = 10: 0.0004105 ≥ 0.0001
n = 11: 6.841 × 10⁻⁵ < 0.0001

Smallest degree

n = 11

Answer

n = 11
13.Laplace transforms

Answer: f(0.4) = 2.8

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).

Complete the square

s² + 4s + 5 = (s + 2)² + 1 = (s + 2)² + 1²

Match the numerator

F(s) = (16/1)·1/((s + 2)² + 1²)

Inverse transform

f(t) = e−2t·(16·sin 1t)
f(0.4) = e−2·0.4·(16·sin(1·0.4)) = 2.8

Answer

f(0.4) = 2.8
14.Laplace transforms

Answer: g(0.2) = 1.376

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).

Transfer function

G(s) = Y(s)/U(s) = (s + 12)/(s² + 7s + 10)

Partial fractions

s² + 7s + 10 = (s + 2)(s + 5)
A = 3.333, B = −2.333

Impulse response

g(t) = 3.333·e−2t − 2.333·e−5t
g(0.2) = 1.376

Answer

g(0.2) = 1.376
15.Convolution & LTI systems

Answer: y(0.5) = 0.05325

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) = 1e−5t∫₀ᵗ e−(4 − 5)τ dτ = 1(e−5t − e−4t)/(−1)

Evaluate

y(0.5) = 1·(0.08208 − 0.1353)/(−1) = 0.05325

Answer

y(0.5) = 0.05325
16.Convolution & LTI systems

Answer: h[2] = 1.28

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] = 2
h[1] = 1.6
h[2] = 1.28

Result

h[2] = 2·(0.8)2 = 1.28

Answer

h[2] = 1.28

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