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)12Ta​217 °C

A forged steel part at 300 °C is left to cool in a workshop at 26 °C. After 12 min its temperature is 217 °C. It follows Newton's law of cooling, dT/dt = −k·(T − Tₐ). Find the constant k in min⁻¹.

T0 = 300 °CTa = 26 °CT(12) = 217 °C
k = min⁻¹
2.Differential equationsHard
t (min)m (kg)t = ?41 kg

A tank holds 1000 L of water in which 20 kg of salt is dissolved. Brine with 0.05 kg of salt per litre flows in at 4 L/min, and the well-mixed solution flows out at the same rate. After how many minutes t does the tank contain 41 kg of salt?

V = 1000 Lm0 = 20 kgc = 0.05 kg/Lr = 4 L/min
t = min
3.Matrices & determinantsMedium
A =2−2−45−334−3−5

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

A = [2 −2 −4; 5 −3 3; 4 −3 −5]
det A =
4.Matrices & determinantsHard
A =−6−31−6b =−55

Solve the system −6x − 3y = −5 and x − 6y = 5. Find x.

−6x − 3y = −5x − 6y = 5
x =
5.Vectors: dot & cross productMedium
xyzdFAB

A constant force F = (−20, 10, 10) N acts on an object while it moves in a straight line from point A(3, 5, 1) to point B(3, 1, 3). Coordinates are in metres. Find the work W done by the force.

F = (−20, 10, 10) NA(3, 5, 1) mB(3, 1, 3) m
W = J
6.Vectors: dot & cross productHard
xyzab

For a = (0, 4, −5) and b = (4, 4, −2), find the z-component (a × b)z of the cross product a × b.

a = (0, 4, −5)b = (4, 4, −2)
(a × b)z =
7.IntegralsMedium
xy02

Evaluate I = ∫02 2x·(x² + 1)1 dx.

f(x) = 2x·(x² + 1)1[0, 2]
I =
8.IntegralsHard
xyy = 2x2​y = 4x

Find the area A of the region enclosed by y = 2x2 and y = 4x.

y = 2x2y = 4x
A =
9.Multivariable calculusMedium
xy−11P

The tangent plane to z = −y·e2xy at the point where (x, y) = (−1, 1) can be written as z = px + qy + c. Find c.

f(x, y) = −y·e2xy(a, b) = (−1, 1)
c =
10.Multivariable calculusHard
xy−202−202(2, −1)(−2, −1)

Find the critical points of f(x, y) = x³ − 12x + y² + 2y, classify them, and give the value fmin of f at its local minimum.

f(x, y) = x³ − 12x + y² + 2y
fmin =
11.Sequences & seriesMedium
xx₀ = 0??R

Find the radius of convergence R of the power series Σk=1∞ 16ᵏx²ᵏ/k.

Σ 16ᵏx²ᵏ/kx₀ = 0
R =
12.Sequences & seriesHard

f(x) = ln(1 + x) is approximated by its Maclaurin polynomial of degree 4 at x = 0.3. Use the Lagrange error bound M·|x|ⁿ⁺¹/(n + 1)! with M = 4! = 24 to find the largest possible error |R₄|.

f(x) = ln(1 + x)n = 4x = 0.3M = 24
|R₄| =
13.Laplace transformsMedium
t (s)f(t)t = 0.3f(0.3) = ?

Find f(t) for F(s) = (3s + 22)/(s² + 10s + 25) and evaluate f(0.3).

F(s) = (3s + 22)/(s² + 10s + 25)t = 0.3 s
f(0.3) =
14.Laplace transformsHard
t (s)y(t)t = 0.1y(0.1) = ?

A system obeys y″ + 7y′ + 12y = 36·u(t). It starts at rest (y(0) = 0, y′(0) = 0) and the input is a step u(t) = 10 for t ≥ 0. Use the Laplace transform to find the output y(0.1).

y″ + 7y′ + 12y = 36·u(t)u(t) = 10y(0) = 0, y′(0) = 0t = 0.1 s
y(0.1) =
15.Convolution & LTI systemsMedium
x(t)t22h(t)t1

The pulse x(t) = 2 for 0 ≤ t < 2 s (zero elsewhere) is applied to a system with h(t) = e−1tu(t). Find the output y(3.5) at t = 3.5 s, after the pulse has ended.

x(t) = 2, 0 ≤ t < 2 sh(t) = e−1tu(t)t = 3.5 s
y(3.5) =
16.Convolution & LTI systemsHard
δ[n]4+h[n]−0.5·z⁻¹+

A system obeys y[n] = −0.5·y[n − 1] + 4·x[n] and starts at rest. Find its impulse response sample h[5].

y[n] = −0.5y[n − 1] + 4x[n]x[n] = δ[n]
h[5] =

3Solutions

1.Differential equations

Answer: k = 0.03007 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−12k = 191/274

Solve for k

k = ln(274/191)/12 = 0.03007 min⁻¹

Answer

k = 0.03007 min⁻¹
2.Differential equations

Answer: t = 301 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) = 50 + (−30)·e−t/250

Solve for t

e−t/250 = (50 − 41)/(50 − 20) = 0.3
t = 250·ln(3.333) = 301 min

Answer

t = 301 min
3.Matrices & determinants

Answer: det A = −14

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 = 24, M₁₂ = −37, M₁₃ = −3

Cofactor expansion

det A = 2·24 − (−2)·(−37) + (−4)·(−3) = −14

Answer

det A = −14
4.Matrices & determinants

Answer: x = 1.154

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 = (−6)·(−6) − (−3)·1 = 39

Replace the x column

det Aₓ = (−5)·(−6) − (−3)·5 = 45
x = 45/39 = 1.154

Answer

x = 1.154
y = −0.641
5.Vectors: dot & cross product

Answer: W = −20 J

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.

Displacement

d = B − A = (3, 1, 3) − (3, 5, 1) = (0, −4, 2) m

Work

W = F·d = (−20)·0 + 10·(−4) + 10·2 = −20 J

Answer

W = −20 J

Negative work: the force acts mostly against the motion.

6.Vectors: dot & cross product

Answer: (a × b)z = −16

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, component by component

(a × b)x = aybz − azby = 4·(−2) − (−5)·4 = 12
(a × b)y = azbx − axbz = (−5)·4 − 0·(−2) = −20
(a × b)z = axby − aybx = 0·4 − 4·4 = −16

Requested component

(a × b)z = −16

Answer

(a × b)z = −16

Check: a × b is perpendicular to both vectors, so its dot product with a and with b is zero.

7.Integrals

Answer: I = 12

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.

Substitution

u = x² + 1, du = 2x dx
I = ∫15 u1 du

Integrate and evaluate

I = [u2/2]15 = (25 − 1)/2 = 12

Answer

I = 12
8.Integrals

Answer: A = 2.667

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 = 4x → x = 0, x = 2

Integrate upper minus lower

A = [2x2 − 0.6667x3]02 = 2.667

Answer

A = 2.667
9.Multivariable calculus

Answer: c = −0.5413

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(−1, 1) = −0.1353
fx = −2y²e2xy → fx(−1, 1) = −0.2707
fy = −e2xy(1 + 2xy) → fy(−1, 1) = 0.1353

Tangent plane

z = −0.1353 − 0.2707(x + 1) + 0.1353(y − 1)
z = −0.2707x + 0.1353y − 0.5413

Constant term

c = −0.5413

Answer

c = −0.5413
10.Multivariable calculus

Answer: fmin = −17

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 − 12) = 0
fy = (2y + 2) = 0
(2, −1), (−2, −1)

Second-derivative test

(2, −1): fxx = 12, fyy = 2, fxy = 0, D = 24 → local minimum
(−2, −1): fxx = −12, fyy = 2, fxy = 0, D = −24 → saddle point

Value at the extremum

f(2, −1) = −17

Answer

fmin = −17
11.Sequences & series

Answer: R = 0.25

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.

Coefficients

The series is in x²: it converges for 16·x² < 1, so |x| < 1/4.

Radius

R = 0.25

Answer

R = 0.25

The ratio test says nothing at the two end points; they have to be checked separately.

12.Sequences & series

Answer: |R₄| = 0.000486

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.

Bound on the derivative

M = 4! = 24

Lagrange bound

|R₄| ≤ 24·0.3⁵/5! = 0.000486

Answer

|R₄| = 0.000486

The true error is smaller: |f(0.3) − P₄(0.3)| = 0.0003893.

13.Laplace transforms

Answer: f(0.3) = 1.138

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 + 10s + 25 = (s + 5)²

Partial fractions

3s + 22 = 3(s + 5) + 7
F(s) = 3/(s + 5) + 7/(s + 5)²

Inverse transform

f(t) = 3·e−5t + 7·t·e−5t
f(0.3) = (3 + 7·0.3)·e−5·0.3 = 1.138

Answer

f(0.3) = 1.138
14.Laplace transforms

Answer: y(0.1) = 1.431

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) = 360/(s(s + 3)(s + 4))

Partial fractions

A = 360/(3·4) = 30
B = 360/((−3)·1) = −120
C = 360/((−4)·(−1)) = 90

Output

y(t) = 30 − 120·e−3t + 90·e−4t
y(0.1) = 1.431

Answer

y(0.1) = 1.431
15.Convolution & LTI systems

Answer: y(3.5) = 0.3859

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).

Output at the end of the pulse

y(2) = (2/1)(1 − e−2) = 1.729

Decay after the pulse

y(3.5) = 1.729·e−1·1.5 = 0.3859

Answer

y(3.5) = 0.3859
16.Convolution & LTI systems

Answer: h[5] = −0.125

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] = −2
h[2] = 1
h[3] = −0.5
h[4] = 0.25
h[5] = −0.125

Result

h[5] = 4·(−0.5)5 = −0.125

Answer

h[5] = −0.125

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