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)9Ta​14 °C22 °C

A can of soda at 6 °C is taken out of the fridge into a room at 26 °C. After 9 min its temperature is 14 °C. It follows Newton's law of cooling, dT/dt = −k·(T − Tₐ). How long after the start, t, does it take to reach 22 °C?

T0 = 6 °CTa = 26 °CT(9) = 14 °CT = 22 °C
t = min
2.Differential equationsHard
ty2y(2) = ?

Solve y′ + 0.5y = 3e−t with y(0) = 4. Find y(2).

y′ + 0.5y = 3e−ty(0) = 4
y(2) =
3.Matrices & determinantsMedium
A =−31−52B =52−4−3

Let C = AB for the matrices shown. Find the entry c22 (row 2, column 2).

A = [−3 1; −5 2]B = [5 2; −4 −3]
c22 =
4.Matrices & determinantsHard
A =66−1−1

Find the larger eigenvalue λ of the matrix A shown.

A = [6 6; −1 −1]
λ =
5.Vectors: dot & cross productMedium
xyzab

Find the dot product a·b of a = (1, −1, 0) and b = (2, 6, 2).

a = (1, −1, 0)b = (2, 6, 2)
a·b =
6.Vectors: dot & cross productHard
xyzABC

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

A(−1, 3, −1)B(3, −2, 2)C(−2, 0, −3)
A = m²
7.IntegralsMedium
xy01

Evaluate I = ∫01 e0.5x dx.

f(x) = e0.5x[0, 1]
I =
8.IntegralsHard
xyy = x2​y = 4x

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

y = x2y = 4x
A =
9.Multivariable calculusMedium

z = 2x²y³ + 3x³ + 4y² + xy with x = t and y = 2t² + 2. Use the chain rule to find dz/dt at t = 1.

z = 2x²y³ + 3x³ + 4y² + xyx = ty = 2t² + 2t = 1
dz/dt =
10.Multivariable calculusHard
xy−505−4−202(3, −1)(−3, −1)

Find the critical points of f(x, y) = −x³ + 27x − y² − 2y, classify them, and give the value fmax of f at its local maximum.

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

Apply the ratio test to Σk=1∞ k²·5ᵏ/3ᵏ. Find L = lim |ak+1/ak|.

ak = k²·5ᵏ/3ᵏ
L =
12.Sequences & seriesHard

Recognise the series and find its sum: S = Σk=0∞ 3ᵏ/k!.

ak = 3ᵏ/k!
S =
13.Laplace transformsMedium
ReIm−5−105

Find f(t) for F(s) = (3s + 35)/(s² + 6s + 45) by completing the square, and evaluate f(0.25).

F(s) = (3s + 35)/(s² + 6s + 45)t = 0.25 s
f(0.25) =
14.Laplace transformsHard
t (s)y(t)t = 0.5y(0.5) = ?

A system obeys y″ + 7y′ + 10y = 10·u(t), with y(0) = 1 and y′(0) = 0. At t = 0 a step input u(t) = 2 is applied. Use the Laplace transform to find y(0.5).

y″ + 7y′ + 10y = 10·u(t)y(0) = 1y′(0) = 0u(t) = 2t = 0.5 s
y(0.5) =
15.Convolution & LTI systemsMedium
x(t)t1h(t)t1

The input x(t) = 1·e−2tu(t) is applied to a system with h(t) = e−0.5tu(t). Find the output y(1) at t = 1 s.

x(t) = 1·e−2tu(t)h(t) = e−0.5tu(t)t = 1 s
y(1) =
16.Convolution & LTI systemsHard
5cos(3t)h(t) = 10e−2t​u(t)y(t)

The input x(t) = 5·cos(3t) is applied to a system with h(t) = 10·e−2tu(t). Find the amplitude Ym of the steady-state output.

h(t) = 10e−2tu(t)x(t) = 5cos(3t)
Ym =

3Solutions

1.Differential equations

Answer: t = 28.36 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(-20/-12)/9 = 0.05676 min⁻¹

Time to reach the target

t = ln(-20/(−4))/0.05676 = 28.36 min

Answer

t = 28.36 min
2.Differential equations

Answer: y(2) = 2.867

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 = e0.5t
(e0.5ty)′ = 3e−0.5t

General solution

y = 3/(−0.5)·e−t + C·e−0.5t = −6·e−t + C·e−0.5t

Initial condition

4 = −6 + C → C = 10

Evaluate

y(2) = −6·0.1353 + 10·0.3679 = 2.867

Answer

y(2) = 2.867
3.Matrices & determinants

Answer: c22 = −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

c22 = (−5)·2 + 2·(−3) = −16

Answer

c22 = −16
4.Matrices & determinants

Answer: λ = 5

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 − (5)λ + (0) = 0

Solve

λ = (5 ± √(25))/2 → λ = 0, 5
λ = 5

Answer

λ = 5
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 = 1·2 + (−1)·6 + 0·2 = 2 + (−6) + 0 = −4

Answer

a·b = −4

Negative: the angle between the vectors is more than 90°.

6.Vectors: dot & cross product

Answer: A = 12.99 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 = (4, −5, 3)
AC = C − A = (−1, −3, −2)

Cross product

(AB × AC)x = AByACz − ABzACy = (−5)·(−2) − 3·(−3) = 19
(AB × AC)y = ABzACx − ABxACz = 3·(−1) − 4·(−2) = 5
(AB × AC)z = ABxACy − AByACx = 4·(−3) − (−5)·(−1) = −17
|AB × AC| = √(19² + 5² + (−17)²) = 25.98

Area of the triangle

A = ½·25.98 = 12.99 m²

Answer

A = 12.99 m²
7.Integrals

Answer: I = 1.297

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) = e0.5x/0.5

Evaluate at the limits

I = (e0.5 − 1)/0.5 = (1.649 − 1)/0.5 = 1.297

Answer

I = 1.297
8.Integrals

Answer: A = 10.67

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

x2 = 4x → x = 0, x = 4

Integrate upper minus lower

A = [2x2 − 0.3333x3]04 = 10.67

Answer

A = 10.67
9.Multivariable calculus

Answer: dz/dt = 785

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.

Point and rates

x(1) = 1, y(1) = 4
dx/dt = 1, dy/dt = 4t = 4

Partial derivatives

fx = 4xy³ + 9x² + y = 269
fy = 6x²y² + 8y + x = 129

Chain rule

dz/dt = 269·1 + 129·4 = 785

Answer

dz/dt = 785
10.Multivariable calculus

Answer: fmax = 55

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 − 27) = 0
fy = −(2y + 2) = 0
(3, −1), (−3, −1)

Second-derivative test

(3, −1): fxx = −18, fyy = −2, fxy = 0, D = 36 → local maximum
(−3, −1): fxx = 18, fyy = −2, fxy = 0, D = −36 → saddle point

Value at the extremum

f(3, −1) = 55

Answer

fmax = 55
11.Sequences & series

Answer: L = 1.667

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)²·5/3 → 5/3

Conclusion

L = 1.667 > 1

Answer

L = 1.667

L > 1, so the series diverges.

12.Sequences & series

Answer: S = 20.09

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 = 3
S = e3 = 20.09

Answer

S = 20.09
13.Laplace transforms

Answer: f(0.25) = 2.142

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 + 6s + 45 = (s + 3)² + 36 = (s + 3)² + 6²

Match the numerator

F(s) = 3·(s + 3)/((s + 3)² + 6²) + (26/6)·6/((s + 3)² + 6²)

Inverse transform

f(t) = e−3t·(3·cos 6t + 4.333·sin 6t)
f(0.25) = e−3·0.25·(3·cos(6·0.25) + 4.333·sin(6·0.25)) = 2.142

Answer

f(0.25) = 2.142
14.Laplace transforms

Answer: y(0.5) = 1.442

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

(s² + 7s + 10)·Y(s) = 1s + 7 + 20/s
Y(s) = (s² + 7s + 20)/(s(s + 2)(s + 5))

Partial fractions

A = 20/(2·5) = 2
B = 10/((−2)·3) = −1.667
C = 10/((−5)·(−3)) = 0.6667

Result

y(t) = 2 − 1.667·e−2t + 0.6667·e−5t
y(0.5) = 1.442

Answer

y(0.5) = 1.442

Check: y(0) = A + B + C = 1.

15.Convolution & LTI systems

Answer: y(1) = 0.3141

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−0.5t∫₀ᵗ e−(2 − 0.5)τ dτ = 1(e−0.5t − e−2t)/(1.5)

Evaluate

y(1) = 1·(0.6065 − 0.1353)/(1.5) = 0.3141

Answer

y(1) = 0.3141
16.Convolution & LTI systems

Answer: Ym = 13.87

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)|.

Frequency response

H(jω) = 10/(2 + jω)

Gain at the input frequency

|H(j3)| = 10/√(2² + 3²) = 2.774
Ym = 5·2.774 = 13.87

Answer

Ym = 13.87

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