Engineering Mathematics 2: cram pack

Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 16 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.

New problemsBack to the course

In the print window, choose “Save as PDF” to keep a copy on your device.

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
tyy(0) = 3y(1.5) = ?

Solve y″ + 6y′ + 9y = 0 with y(0) = 3 and y′(0) = 1. Find y(1.5).

y″ + 6y′ + 9y = 0y(0) = 3y′(0) = 1
y(1.5) =
2.Differential equationsHard
tyK = 2ymax​ = ?

A system obeys y″ + 3y′ + 27.25y = 54.5 for t ≥ 0, starting from rest: y(0) = 0, y′(0) = 0. Find the peak value ymax of its step response.

y″ + 3y′ + 27.25y = 54.5y(0) = 0y′(0) = 0
ymax =
3.Matrices & determinantsMedium
A =−33−3−52−1−4−42

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

A = [−3 3 −3; −5 2 −1; −4 −4 2]
det A =
4.Matrices & determinantsHard
A =−4−413b =7−4

Solve the system −4x − 4y = 7 and x + 3y = −4. Find x.

−4x − 4y = 7x + 3y = −4
x =
5.Vectors: dot & cross productMedium
xyzab

Find the scalar projection compb a of a = (−3, 7, −4) onto b = (−3, −6, 3), that is, the component of a in the direction of b.

a = (−3, 7, −4)b = (−3, −6, 3)
compb a =
6.Vectors: dot & cross productHard
xyzab

Find the area A of the parallelogram spanned by a = (−2, −5, 1) and b = (−4, −5, −3).

a = (−2, −5, 1)b = (−4, −5, −3)
A =
7.IntegralsMedium
xy1y = x·cos x

Evaluate I = ∫₀1 x·cos x dx (x in radians).

∫₀1 x·cos x dx
I =
8.IntegralsHard
xy−11

Find the area A of the region between the parabola y = 1 − x² and the x-axis.

y = 1 − x²
A =
9.Multivariable calculusMedium

z = 2 ln(x² + 2y²) with x = −t + 1 and y = 2t² − 2. Use the chain rule to find dz/dt at t = 2.

z = 2 ln(x² + 2y²)x = −t + 1y = 2t² − 2t = 2
dz/dt =
10.Multivariable calculusHard
xy−202−101AB

The marked points are the critical points of f(x, y) = x³ − 3x + y². Click the saddle point.

f(x, y) = x³ − 3x + y²
  1. 1A (−1, 0)
  2. 2B (1, 0)
11.Sequences & seriesMedium
kSn​12345678910S = ?

Find the sum S = Σk=1∞ 1/(k(k + 4)).

ak = 1/(k(k + 4))
S =
12.Sequences & seriesHard

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

f(x) = √xa = 1k = 4
c₄ =
13.Laplace transformsMedium
ReIm−1−2−3−4−51

F(s) = (6s + 23)/(s² + 7s + 10). Its inverse transform has the form f(t) = A·e−2t + B·e−5t. Find the coefficient A by partial fractions.

F(s) = (6s + 23)/(s² + 7s + 10)
A =
14.Laplace transformsHard
t (s)y(t)t = 1y(1) = ?

A system obeys y″ + 4y′ + 3y = 18·u(t). It starts at rest (y(0) = 0, y′(0) = 0) and the input is a step u(t) = 1 for t ≥ 0. Use the Laplace transform to find the output y(1).

y″ + 4y′ + 3y = 18·u(t)u(t) = 1y(0) = 0, y′(0) = 0t = 1 s
y(1) =
15.Convolution & LTI systemsMedium
x(t)t310h(t)t24

The pulse x(t) = 10 for 0 ≤ t < 3 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) = 10, 0 ≤ t < 3 sh(t) = 4, 0 ≤ t < 2 s
Ay =
16.Convolution & LTI systemsHard
5cos(15t)h(t) = 5e−5t​u(t)y(t)

The input x(t) = 5·cos(15t) is applied to a system with h(t) = 5·e−5tu(t). Find the amplitude Ym of the steady-state output.

h(t) = 5e−5tu(t)x(t) = 5cos(15t)
Ym =

3Solutions

1.Differential equations

Answer: y(1.5) = 0.2

Second-order linear equations: for y″ + b·y′ + c·y = 0 try y = ert: this gives the characteristic equation r² + b·r + c = 0. Two real roots r₁ ≠ r₂ give y = A·er₁t + B·er₂t (overdamped); a double root r gives y = (A + Bt)·ert (critically damped); complex roots −α ± jω give y = e−αt(A cos ωt + B sin ωt) (underdamped, oscillating). The initial values y(0) and y′(0) fix A and B. Written as y″ + 2ζωny′ + ωn²y = 0, ωn is the natural frequency and ζ the damping ratio: ζ < 1 oscillates. With a constant input, y″ + by′ + cy = c·K, the solution is the steady value K plus the free response.

Double root

(r + 3)² = 0 → r = −3

Constants

A = y(0) = 3
y′(0) = B − 3A → B = 1 + 9 = 10

Evaluate

y(1.5) = (3 + 10·1.5)·e−4.5 = 0.2

Answer

y(1.5) = 0.2
2.Differential equations

Answer: ymax = 2.779

Second-order linear equations: for y″ + b·y′ + c·y = 0 try y = ert: this gives the characteristic equation r² + b·r + c = 0. Two real roots r₁ ≠ r₂ give y = A·er₁t + B·er₂t (overdamped); a double root r gives y = (A + Bt)·ert (critically damped); complex roots −α ± jω give y = e−αt(A cos ωt + B sin ωt) (underdamped, oscillating). The initial values y(0) and y′(0) fix A and B. Written as y″ + 2ζωny′ + ωn²y = 0, ωn is the natural frequency and ζ the damping ratio: ζ < 1 oscillates. With a constant input, y″ + by′ + cy = c·K, the solution is the steady value K plus the free response.

Steady value and roots

yss = 2, r = −1.5 ± 5j

Constants from the initial values

y(0) = 2 + A = 0 → A = −2
y′(0) = −1.5A + 5B = 0 → B = −0.6

Peak

t = π/5 = 0.6283
ymax = 2·(1 + e−1.5·π/5) = 2.779

Answer

ymax = 2.779
3.Matrices & determinants

Answer: det A = −42

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 = 0, M₁₂ = −14, M₁₃ = 28

Cofactor expansion

det A = (−3)·0 − 3·(−14) + (−3)·28 = −42

Answer

det A = −42
4.Matrices & determinants

Answer: x = −0.625

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 = (−4)·3 − (−4)·1 = −8

Replace the x column

det Aₓ = 7·3 − (−4)·(−4) = 5
x = 5/(−8) = −0.625

Answer

x = −0.625
y = −1.125
5.Vectors: dot & cross product

Answer: compb a = −6.124

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 = (−3)·(−3) + 7·(−6) + (−4)·3 = −45

Length of b

|b| = √((−3)² + (−6)² + 3²) = 7.348

Scalar projection

compb a = a·b/|b| = −45/7.348 = −6.124

Answer

compb a = −6.124

Negative: a has a component pointing against b.

6.Vectors: dot & cross product

Answer: A = 24.49

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)·(−3) − 1·(−5) = 20
(a × b)y = azbx − axbz = 1·(−4) − (−2)·(−3) = −10
(a × b)z = axby − aybx = (−2)·(−5) − (−5)·(−4) = −10

Area

A = |a × b| = √(20² + (−10)² + (−10)²) = 24.49

Answer

A = 24.49
7.Integrals

Answer: I = 0.3818

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.

Choose u and dv

u = x, du = dx; dv = cos x dx, v = sin x

Antiderivative

∫x cos x dx = x sin x − ∫sin x dx = x sin x + cos x

Limits

(1·sin 1 + cos 1) − (0 + 1) = 0.3818

Answer

I = 0.3818
8.Integrals

Answer: A = 1.333

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.

Zeros

1 − x² = 0 → x = ±1

Integrate

A = [1x − x³/3]−11 = 0.6667 − (−0.6667) = 1.333

Answer

A = 1.333
9.Multivariable calculus

Answer: dz/dt = 5.315

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(2) = −1, y(2) = 6
dx/dt = −1, dy/dt = 4t = 8

Partial derivatives

fx = 4x/(x² + 2y²) = −0.05479
fy = 8y/(x² + 2y²) = 0.6575

Chain rule

dz/dt = (−0.05479)·(−1) + 0.6575·8 = 5.315

Answer

dz/dt = 5.315
10.Multivariable calculus

Answer: A (−1, 0)

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

Second-derivative test

(1, 0): fxx = 6, fyy = 2, fxy = 0, D = 12 → local minimum
(−1, 0): fxx = −6, fyy = 2, fxy = 0, D = −12 → saddle point

The point

A (−1, 0): saddle point

Answer

A (−1, 0)
11.Sequences & series

Answer: S = 0.5208

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

1/(k(k + 4)) = (1/4)·(1/k − 1/(k + 4))

Cancel

S = (1/4)·(1 + 1/2 + 1/3 + 1/4) = 0.5208

Answer

S = 0.5208
12.Sequences & series

Answer: c₄ = −0.03906

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) = −0.9375·x1/2 − 4

Coefficient

c₄ = −0.9375·11/2 − 4/4! = −0.03906
c₄ = −0.03906

Answer

c₄ = −0.03906
13.Laplace transforms

Answer: A = 3.667

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 + 7s + 10 = (s + 2)(s + 5)
F(s) = A/(s + 2) + B/(s + 5)

Cover-up rule

Multiply by (s + 2) and set s = −2: the B-term vanishes.

A = (6s + 23)/(s + 5) |s = −2 = 11/3 = 3.667

Answer

A = 3.667
(B = 2.333, so f(t) = 3.667·e−2t + 2.333·e−5t)
14.Laplace transforms

Answer: y(1) = 2.838

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

Y(s) = 18/(s(s + 1)(s + 3))

Partial fractions

A = 18/(1·3) = 6
B = 18/((−1)·2) = −9
C = 18/((−3)·(−2)) = 3

Output

y(t) = 6 − 9·e−t + 3·e−3t
y(1) = 2.838

Answer

y(1) = 2.838
15.Convolution & LTI systems

Answer: Ay = 240

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 = 10·3 = 30
∫h dt = 4·2 = 8

Area of the output

Ay = 30·8 = 240

Answer

Ay = 240
16.Convolution & LTI systems

Answer: Ym = 1.581

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) = 5/(5 + jω)

Gain at the input frequency

|H(j15)| = 5/√(5² + 15²) = 0.3162
Ym = 5·0.3162 = 1.581

Answer

Ym = 1.581

ExamProblems · examproblems.com/courses/engineering-mathematics-2