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)24Ta​26 °C

A cup of coffee at 86 °C is left in a room at 20 °C. After 24 min its temperature is 26 °C. It follows Newton's law of cooling, dT/dt = −k·(T − Tₐ). Find the constant k in min⁻¹.

T0 = 86 °CTa = 20 °CT(24) = 26 °C
k = min⁻¹
2.Differential equationsHard
xy12(1, 5)y(2) = ?

Solve the initial value problem y′ + 3y/x = x for x > 0, with y(1) = 5. Find y(2).

y′ + 3y/x = xy(1) = 5
y(2) =
3.Matrices & determinantsMedium
A =1−2−5−1B =244−6

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

A = [1 −2; −5 −1]B = [2 4; 4 −6]
c12 =
4.Matrices & determinantsHard
A =5−5−14b =03

Solve the system 5x − 5y = 0 and −x + 4y = 3. Find x.

5x − 5y = 0−x + 4y = 3
x =
5.Vectors: dot & cross productMedium
xyzab

Find the dot product a·b of a = (5, 5, 2) and b = (−4, 2, 7).

a = (5, 5, 2)b = (−4, 2, 7)
a·b =
6.Vectors: dot & cross productHard
xyzabc

Find the volume V of the parallelepiped whose edges from one corner are a = (0, 2, 2), b = (−4, −1, −4) and c = (2, −2, −1).

a = (0, 2, 2)b = (−4, −1, −4)c = (2, −2, −1)
V =
7.IntegralsMedium
xy28

Evaluate I = ∫28 5/x dx.

f(x) = 5/x[2, 8]
I =
8.IntegralsHard
xy−33

Find the area A of the region between the parabola y = 9 − x² and the x-axis.

y = 9 − x²
A =
9.Multivariable calculusMedium
xy−202024vP

For f(x, y) = 5 sin(3x + y), find the directional derivative Duf at (0.5, 2) in the direction of v = (2, −2).

f(x, y) = 5 sin(3x + y)P = (0.5, 2)v = (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
AΣ k!/2ᵏk = 1 … ∞BΣ (−1)ᵏ/kk = 1 … ∞CΣ 1/√kk = 1 … ∞DΣ ln k / kk = 1 … ∞

Exactly one of the four series converges. Click it.

A: Σ k!/2ᵏB: Σ (−1)ᵏ/kC: Σ 1/√kD: Σ ln k / k
  1. 1A: Σ k!/2ᵏ
  2. 2B: Σ (−1)ᵏ/k
  3. 3C: Σ 1/√k
  4. 4D: Σ ln k / k
12.Sequences & seriesHard
xyfP₃0.8

Use the Maclaurin polynomial of degree 3 of f(x) = sin(2x) to approximate f(0.8). Give P₃(0.8).

f(x) = sin(2x)n = 3x = 0.8
P₃(0.8) =
13.Laplace transformsMedium
t (s)f(t)t = 0.1f(0.1) = ?

Find f(t) for F(s) = (3s + 13)/(s² + 8s + 16) and evaluate f(0.1).

F(s) = (3s + 13)/(s² + 8s + 16)t = 0.1 s
f(0.1) =
14.Laplace transformsHard
ReIm−1−2−3−4−5−61

A system is described by the differential equation y″ + 7y′ + 6y = u′ + 3u, 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 = 0.5 s. Find g(0.5).

y″ + 7y′ + 6y = u′ + 3ut = 0.5 s
g(0.5) =
15.Convolution & LTI systemsMedium
x(t)t45h(t)t44

The pulse x(t) = 5 for 0 ≤ t < 4 s is convolved with h(t), a triangle that falls linearly from 4 at t = 0 to 0 at t = 4 s. Find the area Ay under y(t) = x(t) ∗ h(t).

x(t) = 5, 0 ≤ t < 4 sh(0) = 4, h(4) = 0
Ay =
16.Convolution & LTI systemsHard
x(t)t (ms)5102010−10

A square wave switches between +10 and −10 with period T = 10 ms (half a period at each level). Find the amplitude c7 of its Fourier component at 700 Hz.

±10T = 10 msf = 700 Hz
c7 =

3Solutions

1.Differential equations

Answer: k = 0.09991 min⁻¹

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.

Ratio of temperature differences

e−24k = 6/66

Solve for k

k = ln(66/6)/24 = 0.09991 min⁻¹

Answer

k = 0.09991 min⁻¹
2.Differential equations

Answer: y(2) = 1.4

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 = e∫3/x dx = x3

Integrate

(x3y)′ = x4 → x3y = 1x5/5 + C

Initial condition

5 = 1/5 + C → C = 4.8

Evaluate

y(2) = (1·25/5 + 4.8)/23 = 1.4

Answer

y(2) = 1.4
3.Matrices & determinants

Answer: c12 = 16

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 = 1·4 + (−2)·(−6) = 16

Answer

c12 = 16
4.Matrices & determinants

Answer: x = 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.

Determinant of the coefficient matrix

det A = 5·4 − (−5)·(−1) = 15

Replace the x column

det Aₓ = 0·4 − (−5)·3 = 15
x = 15/15 = 1

Answer

x = 1
y = 1
5.Vectors: dot & cross product

Answer: a·b = 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.

Multiply matching components and add

a·b = 5·(−4) + 5·2 + 2·7 = (−20) + 10 + 14 = 4

Answer

a·b = 4

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

6.Vectors: dot & cross product

Answer: V = 4

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 b × c

(b × c)x = bycz − bzcy = (−1)·(−1) − (−4)·(−2) = −7
(b × c)y = bzcx − bxcz = (−4)·2 − (−4)·(−1) = −12
(b × c)z = bxcy − bycx = (−4)·(−2) − (−1)·2 = 10

Dot product with a

a·(b × c) = 0·(−7) + 2·(−12) + 2·10 = −4
V = |−4| = 4

Answer

V = 4
7.Integrals

Answer: I = 6.931

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) = 5·ln x

Evaluate at the limits

I = 5·(ln 8 − ln 2) = 5·ln 4 = 6.931

Answer

I = 6.931
8.Integrals

Answer: A = 36

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.

Zeros

9 − x² = 0 → x = ±3

Integrate

A = [9x − x³/3]−33 = 18 − (−18) = 36

Answer

A = 36
9.Multivariable calculus

Answer: Duf = −6.622

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 = 15 cos(3x + y) → fx(0.5, 2) = −14.05
fy = 5 cos(3x + y) → fy(0.5, 2) = −4.682

Unit vector

|v| = √(2² + (−2)²) = 2.828
u = (0.7071, −0.7071)

Dot product

Duf = (−14.05)·0.7071 + (−4.682)·(−0.7071) = −6.622

Answer

Duf = −6.622
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: B: Σ (−1)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 k!/2ᵏ → Ratio test: L = lim (k + 1)/2 = ∞, diverges.
B: Σ (−1)ᵏ/k → Alternating, with 1/k decreasing to 0: converges (conditionally).
C: Σ 1/√k → p-series with p = 1/2 ≤ 1: diverges.
D: Σ ln k / k → Larger than 1/k for k ≥ 3: diverges by comparison with the harmonic series.

The answer

B: Σ (−1)ᵏ/k

Answer

B: Σ (−1)ᵏ/k
12.Sequences & series

Answer: P₃(0.8) = 0.9173

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.

Maclaurin polynomial

P₃(x) = 2x − 1.333x³

Substitute

P₃(0.8) = 1.6 − 0.682667 = 0.9173

Answer

P₃(0.8) = 0.9173

The exact value is f(0.8) = 0.999574; the error 0.0822403 shrinks when you take more terms or a point closer to 0.

13.Laplace transforms

Answer: f(0.1) = 2.078

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 + 16 = (s + 4)²

Partial fractions

3s + 13 = 3(s + 4) + 1
F(s) = 3/(s + 4) + 1/(s + 4)²

Inverse transform

f(t) = 3·e−4t + t·e−4t
f(0.1) = (3 + 1·0.1)·e−4·0.1 = 2.078

Answer

f(0.1) = 2.078
14.Laplace transforms

Answer: g(0.5) = 0.2725

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 + 3)/(s² + 7s + 6)

Partial fractions

s² + 7s + 6 = (s + 1)(s + 6)
A = 0.4, B = 0.6

Impulse response

g(t) = 0.4·e−t + 0.6·e−6t
g(0.5) = 0.2725

Answer

g(0.5) = 0.2725
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 = 5·4 = 20
∫h dt = ½·4·4 = 8

Area of the output

Ay = 20·8 = 160

Answer

Ay = 160
16.Convolution & LTI systems

Answer: c7 = 1.819

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 = 100 Hz → k = 700/100 = 7

Amplitude

c7 = 4·10/(7π) = 1.819

Answer

c7 = 1.819

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