University of KwaZulu-Natal Main Examination: 12 December 2016

Engineering Mathematics 2B 1

Question 1. 20 points

 
−2 2 −3
1.1 For the matrix A =  2 1 −6  ,
−1 −2 0

a. Show that λ = −3 is an eigenvalue using the definition; [02]

b. Find a basis for the eigenspace Eλ=−3 of A. [03]
University of KwaZulu-Natal Main Examination: 12 December 2016
Engineering Mathematics 2B 2

c. What can you say about the algebraic multiplicity of eigenvalue −3, from the
answer (b)? Explain. [02]
d. Find the remaining eigenvalues and their associated eigenvectors. [04]
University of KwaZulu-Natal Main Examination: 12 December 2016
Engineering Mathematics 2B 3

e. Is the matrix A diagonalisable? If so, write the diagonalised form (do not find the
inverse). [03]

1.2 A 3 × 3 matrix M has eigenvalues 1, −3 and 2. Find the determinant of M + 2I?

Explain why the system of equations (M + 3I)x = 0 has nonzero solutions. [03]

1.3 Let M be a square matrix. Show that the matrix M and its transpose MT have the same
eigenvalues. [03]
University of KwaZulu-Natal Main Examination: 12 December 2016
Engineering Mathematics 2B 4

Question 2. 16 points

2.1 Let W be the subspace of R4 defined by

W = span{(1, 0, 1, 0)T , (1, 1, −1, 0)T , (1, −1, 0, 1)T }.

a. Find a basis of the orthogonal complement, W ⊥ . What is the dimension of W ⊥ . [04]

University of KwaZulu-Natal Main Examination: 12 December 2016
Engineering Mathematics 2B 5

b. Using the result from (a), find the projection of b = (−5, 1, 4, 3)T onto W . [02]
c. What is the best approximation of b in the subspace W. [01]
University of KwaZulu-Natal Main Examination: 12 December 2016
Engineering Mathematics 2B 6

2.2 Let M be the symmetric matrix given by

 
2 −1 3
M =  −1 2 −3 
3 −3 10

a. Given that one of the eigenvalues of M is 1, show that its algebraic multiplicity AM ≥ 2.
Deduce the remaining eigenvalues. [04]
University of KwaZulu-Natal Main Examination: 12 December 2016
Engineering Mathematics 2B 7

b. Find an orthogonal matrix P that diagonalises M . [05]

University of KwaZulu-Natal Main Examination: 12 December 2016
Engineering Mathematics 2B 8

Question 3. 20 points

[∫ ]
t
e−2τ − 1
3.1 a. Evaluate the Laplace transform L dτ [04]
0 τ

{
1 − (t − 1)2 ; 0 ≤ t < 2
b. Given f (t) = [04]
0 ; t≥2
(i) Express f (t) in terms of unit step functions.
(ii) Find the Laplace transform of f (t).
University of KwaZulu-Natal Main Examination: 12 December 2016
Engineering Mathematics 2B 9

∫ ( )
[ ] ∞
c. Evaluate L e−2t + t sin t . Hence, find the value of e −4x
+e −2x
x sin x dx [04]
0

√
s2 + 2s + 2
3.2 Find the inverse Laplace transform of ln . [04]
s2 + 2s
University of KwaZulu-Natal Main Examination: 12 December 2016
Engineering Mathematics 2B 10

se−πs
3.3 Find the inverse Laplace transform f (t) of F (s) = and write f (t) in piecewise
s2 + 4s + 5
form. [04]
University of KwaZulu-Natal Main Examination: 12 December 2016
Engineering Mathematics 2B 11

Question 4. 30 points

4.1 Solve the linear integro-differential equation [05]

∫ t
′ −t
y (t) = e + 2 cos(t − τ )y(τ ) dτ, with y(0) = 1.
0

4.2 Given the differential equation y ′′′ + 3y ′′ − y ′ − 3y = f (t)

a. Find the complementary solution (Hint: x = 1 is a zero of x3 + 3x2 − x − 3). [03]

University of KwaZulu-Natal Main Examination: 12 December 2016
Engineering Mathematics 2B 12

b. Using the Laplace transform, find the particular solution if f (t) = cos t. [05]
c. Solve the differential equation with initial conditions y(0) = 0, y ′ (0) = 1/2 and
y ′′ (0) = 0 [04]
University of KwaZulu-Natal Main Examination: 12 December 2016
Engineering Mathematics 2B 13

4.3 The coupled oscillations of a mechanical system obey the equations

ẍ1 = −5x1 + x2 ,
ẍ2 = 3x1 − 3x2

Find x1 (t) and x2 (t), given that x1 (0) = 3, x2 (0) = 1 and ẋ1 (0) = 0, ẋ2 (0) = 0. [08]
University of KwaZulu-Natal Main Examination: 12 December 2016
Engineering Mathematics 2B 14

4.4 Find the general solution of

ẏ cos t − y sin t = t2
by the method of variation of parameters. [05]
University of KwaZulu-Natal Main Examination: 12 December 2016
Engineering Mathematics 2B 15

Question 5 12 points

5.1 Consider the function of two variables u(x, y) = cos x cosh y.

a. Prove that u(x, y) is harmonic. [02]

b. Find a function v(x, y) such that f (z) = u(x, y) + iv(x, y) is holomorphic. [02]
c. Express f as an explicit function of z. [02]
University of KwaZulu-Natal Main Examination: 12 December 2016
Engineering Mathematics 2B 16

∫
5.2 Evaluate |z| dz in the following cases: :
γ

a. γ is the portion of the unit circle from −i to +i, covered counter-clockwise [03]
b. γ is the portion of the y axis from −i to i. [03]
University of KwaZulu-Natal Main Examination: 12 December 2016
Engineering Mathematics 2B 17

Question 6 10 points

6.1 Evaluate I
ezπ
dz,
C 2z 2 − i5z − 2
in the following cases:

a. C is the unit circle; [3]

b. C is the rectangle bounded by the lines x = 1, x = −1, y = 0, y = 3. [3]

Assume C is covered counter-clockwise in both cases; you are advised to draw pictures.
University of KwaZulu-Natal Main Examination: 12 December 2016
Engineering Mathematics 2B 18

6.2 Find I
z3 + z + 2
dz
C z(z − 1)3
where C is the circle |z − 1| = 1
2
covered counter-clockwise. [04]