Tutorials for the FE

Examination
Mathematics section
Lakshmi N. Sankar
lsankar@ae.gatech.edu
404-894-3014

Examination covers..

Solution of quadratic equation

Straight lines
Conic sections (Parabola, Hyperbola, ellipse, circle)
Spherical and ellipsoid surfaces, pyramids, polygons
Logarithms
Vectors
Derivatives, integrals, ODEs and Laplace Transforms
Numerical methods: root finding, derivatives, and
integrals
Probability and Statistics basic concepts

Some Tips
Budget the time 140 questions in 4
hours, 20 of these in the math area
(30 to 35 minutes).
Limited time to answer 20 questions

Work backwards if that is easier,

instead of forward.
Plug in the supplied info into the
multiple choices to see which one makes
sense.

Example 1
An equation of a
straight line through y mx c where m is the slope.
the point (6,2) with m 3.
(a), (b), (c) are possibilities
a slope of 3 is
Plug x 6, see which possible answer yields y 2
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

y=3x+16
y=3x+20
y=3x-16
x=3y-16
x=y/3+16

Answer is (c)

Example 2
Ellipses, parabolas
and hyperbolas
are all examples
of
a) Close curves
b) Circular
segments
c) Parabolic sections
d) Elliptical sections
e) Conical sections

Parabola is not closed

There is no such thing called parabolic
Or elliptical section.
Ans: (e) Conical sections

Example 3
The partial
derivative y/ x of
y=x2z+3z2x+6(x+z
) is
a) 2xz+3z2+6
b) X2z+6zx+6z
c) 2x+9
d) 2x+6zx+6(x+1)
e) 2x+6z+6

Working forward is easiest

in this case.
Ans: (a)

Example 4
If bacterial cells
divide themselves
into two every 40
minutes, the total
number of cells in
240 minutes is:
a) 6
b) 12
c) 24
d) 32
e) 64

Ans: in 40 minutes, 2 times 2= 4

In 80 minutes, 4 x 2= 8

Ans: (e) 64

Example 5
A bag contains 100 balls
numbered 1 to 100. One
ball is removed. What is
the probability that the
number on this ball is
odd or greater than 80?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

0.1
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8

We have 20 balls with number greate

than 80.
Among remaining balls numbered 1 to
80, forty are odd.

60 balls out of 100 meet this criterion

Probability = 60/100=0.6
Ans: (c)

Example 6
Consider a f(x) equal to
the determinant below.
f ( x)

x
x

It is easiest to work forward.

Determinant is x4-x6
Take derivative

The first derivative w.r.t.

x is
a)
b)
c)
d)

3x2-8x4
3x2+7x6
4x3-6x5

Answer: (c)

Example 7
If a function y=6x2
is integrated
between x=-2 and
x=+3, the answer
is most nearly
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

30
38
54
70
78

Integrate y= 6x2 first

Answer is 2x3
Apply limits.
2 (33) 2 (-2)3 = 54+16
= 70
Ans: (d)

Example 8
Which of the
following
trigonometric
identities is not
valid?
a) cos 2 sin 2 1
b) cos 2 cos 2 sin 2
c) sin2 2sincos
d) cos(A B) cosAcosB sinAsinB
e) sin(A B) sinAcoB cosAsinB

If you remember the relationships

you may immediately select (d)

Otherwise, try plugging in numerical values

For example if A=45 degrees, B is 45 degre

We expect cos(A+B) to be zero. We do not
get this from equation (d)
Thus equation (d) is not valid.

Example 9
The Laplace
transform of a
step function of
magnitude a is
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

1/(s+a)
a/s
a/(s+a)
a/s2
s+a

The Laplace transform of a unit

step function is 1/s
Multiply by height a to get a/s
Solution: (b)

Example 10
One wishes to estimate
the mean M of a
population from a sample
n drawn from this
population. For the
sample, the mean is x,
and the standard deviation
is s. The probable
accuracy of the estimate
increase with increase in
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

M
n
X
S
M-s

We can eliminate X and s

since these will likely have units.
M-s will also not make sense
Since M is an integer, and s
may have units.
We can not increase M without
Changing the mean value
Thus, increasing the sample size
Will give us the best estimates.
Ans (b)

Example 11
If a functional form of a
curve is known,
differentiation may be
used to determine all of
the following except the
a) Slope of the curve
b) Concavity of the curve
c) Location of the inflection
points
d) Number of inflection points
e) Area under the curve
within bounds

To find area under a curve,

we integrate , not differentiate.
Thus, differentiation will not give
area.
Ans: (e)

Example 12

Given: dy/dt+5y=0 and y(0)=1

which of the following We may use direct approach
dy/y=-5dt
solution satisfies the ODE
Integrate: logy=-5t+C
and boundary condition?
Apply boundary condition y(0)=1
a) e

5t

b) e -5t
c )e

-5t

d ) 5e

-5t

e) 5e -5t 5e 5t

Thus C=0
log y=-5t
y=exp(-5t)
Ans: (b)

You may also use trial and error

First plug t=0 and see if y=1 to
Eliminate choices (d) and (e)..

Example 13
y

The general equation of a

second degree polynomial is
Ax2+Bxy+Cy2+Dx+Ey+F=0.
The values of the
coefficients above for the
parabola on the right is
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

B=C=D=F=0, A >0, E>0

B=C=D=F=0, A <0, E>0
A=B=E=F=0, C >0, D>0
A=B=E=F=0, D <0, C >0
A=D=E=F=0, B <0, C >0

x
Function has two values of y for a given x
We need y2 term to support this.
This eliminates (a), (b)
(e) Gives a linear curve, not suitable
Try the remaining functions ( c) and (d)
by setting A, B, E, F to 0
Cy2+DX=0 : Since x >0, D/C must be
ve

Example 14
If D is a differential
operator, then the
The easiest way may be to reason as follows.
general solution
If we plug in a solution y= exp(x) into
3
(D-2) y=0 is
(D-2) y=0, we will get three repeating roots,
3

a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

equal to 2.
Ce
(A+B+C)dy/dx When we have three repeating roots, the
is of form given by (e).
(Asin2x+Bsin2x)3
(A+B+C) ex
(A+Bx+Cx2) ex
x

with

solu

Example 15
First derivative ds/dt gives velocity

A particle travels on a
straight line. The
distance traveled
s=20t3-t4. The rate of
change of
acceleration a time
t=2 is
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

-14
0
20
72
144

ds/dt=60t2-4t3
Second derivative is acceleration
d2s/dt2=120t-12t2
Rate of change of acceleration is
d3s/dt3=120-24t
Plug in t=2 to get 72.
Answer is (d)

Example 16
The slope of a
line that is
perpendicular to
the line through
(2,0) and (4,2) is
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

4
2
1
-1
-2

Find slope of given line first.

The end values of y- are 2 and 0
The end values of x are 4 and 2
Slope = change in y/change in x
Slope = (2-0)/(4-2)=1
Product of slopes of two perpendicular
Lines is -1.
Answer: (d)

Example 17

Which of the followingThe easiest approach may be to

first take the cross product of A and B whic
is a unit vector
lie on the plane.
perpendicular to the
plane determined by The resulting vector is normal to A and B
A=2i+4j and B=i+j-k?Take unit vector of the result, by dividing
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

-2i+j+k
1/31/2 (i+j+k)
1/51/2 (i-2j)
1/61/2 (-2i+j-k)
1/61/2 (-2i-j-k)

The vector by its magnitude.

Cross product of A and B:
-4 i +2 j -2 k
Magnitude is square root of 24, equals 2
times square root of 6
Answer (d)

Example 18
Consider two
vectors A=2i+3j-2k
and
B=5i-2j+k. Find the
cross product A x B.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

-2i+18j-6k
-i-12j-19k
7i+j-k
10-6j-2k
4

2 3 2 3 4 i ( 10 2) j (4 15)k
5 2 1

The answer is (b)

Example 19
If f denotes
the derivative
of a function f,
then f(x) is
defined as
y
x
x
b) Limit x 0
y
f ( x ) f ( x x )
c) Limit x 0
x
f ( x x) f ( x)
d) Limit x 0
x
f ( x x) f ( x )
e) Limit x 0
x
a) Limit x 0

From basic calculus, solution is (d)

Example 20
What is the area of
the region in the
first quadrant
bounded by line
y=1, x=y3/2 and the
y- axis?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

2/5

3/5
2/3
1

Plot the curve with y- as the horizontal ax

And x- as the vertical axis.
x

Y=1

Integrate the curve from y=0 to y=1

1

2 5/ 2
0 y dy 5 y
3

2/5

Answer (a)

Example 21
Consider the spring - mass system
d2x
16 x 0
dt 2
where xis the displacement of the mass
and t is is time.
At t 0, the mass has a displacement of 1/4 foot
and zero velocity.
What is the general solution of this system?

a) x Ae t Be-3t
b) x Ae 4 t Be-3t
c ) x A sin( 4t )
d ) x A cos(4t )
e) x A cos(4t ) B sin( 4t )

Assume a trial solution x= C et

Plug into ODE. We get= + 4i and -4i

exp(4it) and exp(-4it) both may be

Expressed in terms of cos(4t) and sin(4
terms.
Thus (e) is the general solution, before
We apply the initial conditions.

Example 22
In example 21, the
solution that fits (a) Does not match example 21
the initial
(b) and (d) do not satisfy the initial
condition x=1/4
condition is
(c)does not satisfy dx/dt=0 at t=0
a) X=1/4e-t
b) X=1/3 sin(4t)
c) X= sin(4t)+
cos(4t)
d) X=4cos(4t)
e) X= cos(4t)

Only (e) satisfies ODE and both initial

conditions.
Ans: (e)

Example 23
In example 21,
what is the
amplitude of
motion?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

feet
1/3 feet
1 ft
2 ft
4 ft

From previous
slide,
X=1/4cos(4t)
Maximum value
of x is .
Ans: (a)

Example 24
The period of
motion for
previous
example is

b)
c)
d)
e)

/3 sec
/2 sec
sec
2 sec
3 sec

Sin(4t) goes from 0 to 2 over a

Period T.
4T = 2
T= /2
Ans: (b)

Example 25
Consider a curve
Y(x)=8-2x2. The line
tangent to this
curve at (1,6)
intersects x-axis at
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

-23
2
7/3
5/2
10

The tangent line has shape

y=mx+c
m=line slope= same as curve slope
m= (-4x) at x=1
m=-4
y=-4x+c
At x=1, y=6, thus c=10
y=-4x+10
At x-axis intersection, y=0
x=10/4=5/2
Ans (d)

Example 26
The equation of
the line normal
to the point
(1,6) is
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

(y-6)/(x-1)=4
(y-6)/(x-1)=1/4
(y-6)/(x-1)=-4
(y+6)/(x+1)=-4
(x-1)/(y-6)=1/4

Consider a general point (x,y) on the

Normal line, which also passes through
(1,6).
Slope of this line then change in y-value
divided by change in x-value
Slope= (y-6)/(x-1)
This slope will be -1/(slope of tangent)
From previous slide, slope of tangent -4
Slope of normal is +1/4
Ans: (b)

Example 27
Consider an area
bound by y=x2,
y=0 and x=4.
What is the area?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

3/64
8
64/3
43/2
32

Integrate y with respect to x

Integral x3/3
Set the limits x=0 and x=4
Integral = [43/3- 03/3]=64/3
Ans: ( c)

Example 28
What is the first
moment of the
above area
about the xaxis?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

4
24/5
64/3
101
512/5

To find the moment about the x-axis,

We divide area into slivers of height dy
The length: 4-x = 1-y1/2
Area of sliver = (4-y1/2)dy
Moment arm is y
Integrate (4-y1/2)ydy from 0 to 16
Ans: (2y2 - 2/5 y5/2) at y=4
Ans: 512-2048/5=512/5
Ans: (e)

Example 29
What is the
volume generated
by revolving this
area about the xaxis?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

512/5
512/3
200
1024/5
1024/3

To find the volume, we use an

approach similar to example 28.
Instead of the moment arm y,
We use circumference 2y
Thus, the result in example 28
is multiplied by 2.
Ans: (d)

Example 30
Consider the function
y=2x3-3x2-36x+25.
What is the slope of the
line tangent to this
curve at the point (1,12)?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

-42
-36
-17
28
36

Find slope by taking derivative.

dy/dx=6x2-6x-36
Use x=1
dy/dx = 6-6-36= -36 at x=1
Ans: (b)

Example 31
In the previous
example, at how
many points will the
tangent to the curve
y(x) be horizontal?
a)
b)
c)
d)

At no point
At exactly one point
At exactly two points
At exactly three
points
e) At exactly four
points

Find slope by taking derivative.

dy/dx=6x2-6x-36
Set slope to zero. Common factor 6
x2-x-6=0
Quadratic, likely two roots
(x-3)(x+2)=0
Roots are 3, -2
Ans: (c)

Example 32
The function
assumes a relative
minimum at what
value of x?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

-1
0
1
2
3

Since slope is zero at x=3 and x=-2

(e) Is the answer.

Example 33
The graph of the
function in the previous
example has an
inflexion point at x
equal to
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

-2
0

3
None

At the inflexion point,

second derivative is zero.
Set 12x-6 to zero.
Ans (c )

Example 34
In the previous
example, the
triple derivative
at x= 1 is
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

-6
0
6
12
undefined

The third derivative of

y=2x3-3x2-36x+25
is 12
Ans: (d)

Example 35

Consider a spring-mass-damper
system
d2x/dt2+5 dx/dt+6x=0
Assume a solution x=et

x=1/2 meter at t=0, and

velocity dx/dt is 0 at t=0

Plug in.
A quadratic for results.

What is the general solution of

this equation?
2+5+6=0
a) x Ae3t Be 2t
b) x Ae-3t Be -2t

Has two roots,

c)x Ae-3t Be 2t

Two solutions that may be superposed.

Ans: (b)

d)x Ae3t Be -2t

a)x Ae-5t

Example 36
The solution
x=f(t) that fits
the initial
condition is
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

e-2t/2
e-3t/2
-e-2t+ 3/2 e-3t
e-2t+ 1/2 e-3t
3/2 e-2t - e-3t

Start with x = Ae-2t+ B e-3t

At t=0, x=/12

A+B=1/2

At t=0, dx/dt=0 -2A-3B=0

B= -1 and A= 3/2
Ans: (e)

Example 37
The
displacement at
t=1 is
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

e-2(1-e-1)
e-2(3/2-e-1)
e-2(1- 3/2 e-1)
e2(1-e-1)
e2(3/2-e-1)

Use result from previous example.

x = 3/2e-2t - e-3t
Ans: (b)

Example 38
Consider a triangle with
three vertices A (0,-2), B
(1,5), and C (9,1). A line
BD is drawn
perpendicular to the line
AC.
What is the length of AC?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

2 times square root of 3

3 times square root of 10
10
11
12

Find square root of [(9-0)2+(1+2)2]

Ans: (b)

Example 39
What is the
equation of
line AC?
a) y=1/3 x -2
b) y = -1/3 x
+2
c) x+3=6
d) x-3y+6=0
e) x+y=6

End points of A: (0,-2)

End points of C (9,1)

Slope: change in y divided by change in x

Slope of AC is (1+2)/9 = 1/3
Y= 1/3 x + c
At x=0, y=2 Thus C = -2
Y = 1/3 x 2
Ans: (a)

Example 40
What is the
slope of line
BD,
perpendicular
to line AC?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

-5
-3
-1/3
1/3
3

From previous example, the slope of

line AC is 1/3
BD is perpendicular to AC.
Product of slopes is -1
Slope of BD is -3
Ans: (b)