Department of Mathematics and Statistics

MM201 Linear Algebra and Differential Equations

Mock Exam

Attempt all questions.

Use of a calculator is not permitted.

Question 1 OVERLEAF

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1. (a) For the following system of equations,

3x + 2y = 1
6x + ky = 2

determine for which values of k there are (i) an infinite number of solutions (ii) no
solution, or (iii) a unique solution.

(b) Prove that the set {( ) }

a b
W := ∈ R2x2 : a = b + c ,
c d
is a vector space over R. Find a basis for W and compute its dimension.

(c) Let T : P2 → R be the mapping given by

ax2 + bx + c 7−→ T (ax2 + bx + c) = a + b .

1. Prove that T is a linear mapping;

2. Characterise the kernel of T and compute its dimension.

(d) Determine whether the following set is linearly independent

{1 + x, 1 + x2 , x2 − x}

Question 1 CONTINUED ON NEXT SHEET

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1. (e) Justifying your answer, compute the dimension of the space

W = {A ∈ R2x2 : tr(A) = 0} .

2. (a) Find a general solution to the differential equation

dy
= x(y + 1).
dx

(b) Find a particular solution of the differential equation

dy √
x2 = 2xy + x xy
dx
that satisfies y = 1 when x = 1.

(c) Use Picard iteration to find an approximate solution to the following initial value prob-
lem (find only the first three iterates, y0 , y1 , y2 ),

dy
= xy 2 , y(1) = 1.
dx

(d) Find a general solution of the third-order differential equation

d3 y dy
3
+2 = x.
dx dx

Question 2 OVERLEAF

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2. (e) Show that {x, x ln(x)} is a fundamental set of solutions for the differential equation

d2 y dy
x2 2
− x + y = 0.
dx dx

(f) Find the general solution to the homogeneous differential equation

d2 y
+ y = 0.
dx2

Then, using the method of variation of parameters, find a solution to the nonhomoge-
neous problem,
d2 y
+ y = tan x.
dx2

END OF PAPER

(G.R.B. and N.J.M)

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