FE Mathematics Review

Dr. Scott Molitor

Associate Professor
Undergraduate Program Director
Department of Bioengineering
Topics covered
Analytic geometry
Equations of lines and curves
Distance, area and volume
Trigonometric identities
Integral calculus
Integrals and applications
Numerical methods
Differential equations
Solution and applications
Laplace transforms
Difference equations and Z
transforms
Numerical methods
Differential calculus
Derivatives and applications
Limits and LHopitals rule
Algebra
Complex numbers
Matrix arithmetic and
determinants
Vector arithmetic and
applications
Progressions and series
Numerical methods for finding
solutions of nonlinear equations
Probability and statistics
Rules of probability
Combinations and permutations
Statistical measures (mean,
S.D., etc.)
Probability density and
distribution functions
Confidence intervals
Hypothesis testing
Linear regression
Tips for taking exam
Use the reference handbook
Know what it contains
Know what types of problems you can use it for
Know how to use it to solve problems
Refer to it frequently
Work backwards when possible
FE exam is multiple choice with single correct answer
Plug answers into problem when it is convenient to do so
Try to work backwards to confirm your solution as often as possible
Progress from easiest to hardest problem
Same number of points per problem
Calculator tips
Check the NCEES website to confirm your model is allowed
Avoid using it to save time!
Many answers do not require a calculator (fractions vs. decimals)
Equations of lines
What is the general form of
the equation for a line whose
x-intercept is 4 and y-
intercept is -6?
(A) 2x 3y 18 = 0
(B) 2x + 3y + 18 = 0
(C) 3x 2y 12 = 0
(D) 3x + 2y + 12 = 0

Equations of lines
What is the general form of
the equation for a line whose
x-intercept is 4 and y-
intercept is -6?
(A) 2x 3y 18 = 0
(B) 2x + 3y + 18 = 0
(C) 3x 2y 12 = 0
(D) 3x + 2y + 12 = 0
Try using standard form
Handbook pg 3: y = mx + b
Given (x1, y1) = (4, 0)
Given (x2, y2) = (0, -6)
Answer is (C)
12 y 2 x 3 0
12 x 3 y 2
6 x
2
3
y
6 b
2
3
4 0
0 6
x x
y y
m
b x m y
1 2
1 2
=
=
=
=
=

=
+ =
Equations of lines
What is the general form of
the equation for a line whose
x-intercept is 4 and y-
intercept is -6?
(A) 2x 3y 18 = 0
(B) 2x + 3y + 18 = 0
(C) 3x 2y 12 = 0
(D) 3x + 2y + 12 = 0
Work backwards
Substitute (x1, y1) = (4, 0)
Substitute (x2, y2) = (0, -6)
See what works
Answer is (C)
0 12 ) 6 ( 2 0 3 ) C (
0 24 12 0 2 4 3 ) D (
0 12 0 2 4 3 ) C (
0 26 18 0 3 4 2 ) B (
0 10 18 0 3 4 2 ) A (
=
= + = + +
=
= + = + +
= =
Trigonometry
For some angle u, csc u = -
8/5. What is cos 2u?
(A) 7/32
(B) 1/4
(C) 3/8
(D) 5/8

Trigonometry
For some angle u, csc u = -
8/5. What is cos 2u?
(A) 7/32
(B) 1/4
(C) 3/8
(D) 5/8
Use trigonometric identities
on handbook page 5
Answer is (A)
Confirm with calculator
First find u = csc
-1
(-8/5)
Then find cos 2u
32
7
32
25
1 2 cos
64
25
2 1
8
5
2 1 2 cos
csc
1
2 1 2 cos
sin 2 1 2 cos
sin
1
csc
2
2
2
2
= = u
= = u
u
= u
u = u
u
= u
Polar coordinates
What is rectangular form of
the polar equation r
2
= 1
tan
2
u?
(A) x
2
+ x
4
y
2
+ y
2
= 0
(B) x
2
+ x
2
y
2
- y
2
- y
4
= 0
(C) x
4
+ y
2
= 0
(D) x
4
x
2
+ x
2
y
2
+ y
2
= 0

Polar coordinates
What is rectangular form of
the polar equation r
2
= 1
tan
2
u?
(A) x
2
+ x
4
y
2
+ y
2
= 0
(B) x
2
+ x
2
y
2
- y
2
- y
4
= 0
(C) x
4
+ y
2
= 0
(D) x
4
x
2
+ x
2
y
2
+ y
2
= 0
Polar coordinate identities on
handbook page 5
Answer is (D)
0 y y x x x
y x y x x
x
y
1 y x
))
x
y
( (tan tan 1 ) y x (
tan 1 r
)
x
y
( tan
y x r
2 2 2 2 4
2 2 2 2 4
2
2
2 2
1 2 2 2 2
2 2
1
2 2
= + +
= +
= +
= +
u =
= u
+ =

Matrix identities
For three matrices A, B and C,
which of the following
statements is not necessarily
true?
(A) A + (B + C) = (A + B) + C
(B) A(B + C) = AB + AC
(C) (B + C)A = AB + AC
(D) A + (B + C) = C + (A + B)

Matrix identities
For three matrices A, B and C,
which of the following
statements is not necessarily
true?
(A) A + (B + C) = (A + B) + C
(B) A(B + C) = AB + AC
(C) (B + C)A = AB + AC
(D) A + (B + C) = C + (A + B)
Matrix identities on handbook
page 7
Answer is (C)
Should know (A) and (D) are
true from linear algebra
Answer (B) appears as
matrix identity in handbook
page 7
Therefore can eliminate (C)
as being true
Vector calculations
For three vectors
A = 6i + 8j + 10k
B = i + 2j + 3k
C = 3i + 4j + 5k, what is the
product A(B x C)?
(A) 0
(B) 64
(C) 80
(D) 216

Vector calculations
For three vectors
A = 6i + 8j + 10k
B = i + 2j + 3k
C = 3i + 4j + 5k, what is the
product A(B x C)?
(A) 0
(B) 64
(C) 80
(D) 216
Vector products on
handbook page 6
Answer is (A)
0 ) 2 ( 10 4 8 ) 2 ( 6 ) C B ( A
) k 2 j 4 i 2 ( ) k 10 j 8 i 6 ( ) C B ( A
k 2 j 4 i 2 C B
) 3 2 4 1 ( k ) 3 3 5 1 ( j ) 4 3 5 2 ( i C B
5 4 3
3 2 1
k j i
C B
= + + =
+ + + =
+ =
+ =
=
Vector calculations
For three vectors
A = 6i + 8j + 10k
B = i + 2j + 3k
C = 3i + 4j + 5k, what is the
product A(B x C)?
(A) 0
(B) 64
(C) 80
(D) 216
Vector products on
handbook page 6
Answer is (A)
0 ) 2 ( 10 4 8 ) 2 ( 6 ) C B ( A
) k 2 j 4 i 2 ( ) k 10 j 8 i 6 ( ) C B ( A
k 2 j 4 i 2 C B
) 3 2 4 1 ( k ) 3 3 5 1 ( j ) 4 3 5 2 ( i C B
5 4 3
3 2 1
k j i
C B
= + + =
+ + + =
+ =
+ =
=
Aside: why is the answer zero? A dot
product is only zero when two vectors A
and (B x C) are perpendicular. But this is
the case! A and C are parallel (A = 2C),
and (B x C) is perpendicular to C, hence
perpendicular to A!
Geometric progression
The 2nd and 6th terms of a
geometric progression are
3/10 and 243/160. What is
the first term of the
sequence?
(A) 1/10
(B) 1/5
(C) 3/5
(D) 3/2

Geometric progression
The 2nd and 6th terms of a
geometric progression are
3/10 and 243/160. What is
the first term of the
sequence?
(A) 1/10
(B) 1/5
(C) 3/5
(D) 3/2
Geometric progression on
handbook page 7
Answer is (B)
5
1
a l
10
3
2
3
a l
2
3
16
81
r
16
81
10 / 3
160 / 243
r
ar
ar
l
l
160
243
l ,
10
3
l
ar l
1
2
4
4
5
2
6
6 2
1 n
n
= =
= =
= =
= = = =
= =
=

Geometric progression
The 2nd and 6th terms of a
geometric progression are
3/10 and 243/160. What is
the first term of the
sequence?
(A) 1/10
(B) 1/5
(C) 3/5
(D) 3/2
Geometric progression on
handbook page 7
Answer is (B)
5
1
a l
10
3
2
3
a l
2
3
16
81
r
16
81
10 / 3
160 / 243
r
ar
ar
l
l
160
243
l ,
10
3
l
ar l
1
2
4
4
5
2
6
6 2
1 n
n
= =
= =
= =
= = = =
= =
=

Confirm answer by calculating l
2
and l
6

with a = 1/5 and r = 3/2.
Roots of nonlinear equations
Newtons method is being
used to find the roots of the
equation f(x) = (x 2)
2
1.
Find the 3
rd
approximation if
the 1
st
approximation of the
root is 9.33
(A) 1.0
(B) 2.0
(C) 3.0
(D) 4.0

Roots of nonlinear equations
Newtons method is being
used to find the roots of the
equation f(x) = (x 2)
2
1.
Find the 3
rd
approximation if
the 1
st
approximation of the
root is 9.33
(A) 1.0
(B) 2.0
(C) 3.0
(D) 4.0
Newtons method on
handbook page 13
Answer is (D)
0 . 4
46 . 7
91 . 12
73 . 5 x
) 2 73 . 5 ( 2
1 ) 2 73 . 5 (
73 . 5 x
73 . 5
66 . 14
73 . 52
33 . 9 x
) 2 33 . 9 ( 2
1 ) 2 33 . 9 (
33 . 9 x
33 . 9 x
) 2 x ( 2 ) x ( f
1 ) 2 x ( ) x ( f
) x ( f
) x ( f
x x
3
2
3
2
2
2
1
2
n
n
n 1 n
= =


=
= =


=
=
= '
=
'
=
+
Limits
What is the limit of (1 e
3x
) /
4x as x 0?
(A) -
(B) -3/4
(C) 0
(D) 1/4

Limits
What is the limit of (1 e
3x
) /
4x as x 0?
(A) -
(B) -3/4
(C) 0
(D) 1/4
LHopitals rule on handbook
page 8
Answer is (B)
4
3
4
1 3
4
e 3
lim
4
e 3
lim
x 4
e 1
lim
) x ( ' g
) x ( ' f
lim try ,
0
0
) x ( g
) x ( f
lim if
?
0
0
0
1 1
0 4
e 1
x 4
e 1
lim
x 3
0 x
x 3
0 x
x 3
0 x
0 x 0 x
0 3 x 3
0 x
=

=

=
=

Limits
What is the limit of (1 e
3x
) /
4x as x 0?
(A) -
(B) -3/4
(C) 0
(D) 1/4
LHopitals rule on handbook
page 8
Answer is (B)
4
3
4
1 3
4
e 3
lim
4
e 3
lim
x 4
e 1
lim
) x ( ' g
) x ( ' f
lim try ,
0
0
) x ( g
) x ( f
lim if
?
0
0
0
1 1
0 4
e 1
x 4
e 1
lim
x 3
0 x
x 3
0 x
x 3
0 x
0 x 0 x
0 3 x 3
0 x
=

=

=
=

You should apply LHopitals rule

iteratively until you find limit of f(x) /
g(x) that does not equal 0 / 0.
You can also use your calculator to
confirm the answer, substitute a small
value of x = 0.01 or 0.001.
Application of derivatives
The radius of a snowball
rolling down a hill is
increasing at a rate of 20 cm
/ min. How fast is its volume
increasing when the
diameter is 1 m?
(A) 0.034 m
3
/ min
(B) 0.52 m
3
/ min
(C) 0.63 m
3
/ min
(D) 0.84 m
3
/ min

Application of derivatives
The radius of a snowball
rolling down a hill is
increasing at a rate of 20 cm
/ min. How fast is its volume
increasing when the
diameter is 1 m?
(A) 0.034 m
3
/ min
(B) 0.52 m
3
/ min
(C) 0.63 m
3
/ min
(D) 0.84 m
3
/ min
Derivatives on handbook
page 9; volume of sphere on
handbook page 10
Answer is (C)
min
m
63 . 0
dt
dV
min
m
2 . 0 m 5 . 0 4
dt
dV
dt
dr
r 4
dt
dV
dt
dr
dr
dV
dt
dV
r
3
4
) r ( V
3
2
2
3
=
t =
t =
=
t =
Application of derivatives
The radius of a snowball
rolling down a hill is
increasing at a rate of 20 cm
/ min. How fast is its volume
increasing when the
diameter is 1 m?
(A) 0.034 m
3
/ min
(B) 0.52 m
3
/ min
(C) 0.63 m
3
/ min
(D) 0.84 m
3
/ min
Derivatives on handbook
page 9; volume of sphere on
handbook page 10
Answer is (C)
min
m
63 . 0
dt
dV
min
m
2 . 0 m 5 . 0 4
dt
dV
dt
dr
r 4
dt
dV
dt
dr
dr
dV
dt
dV
r
3
4
) r ( V
3
2
2
3
=
t =
t =
=
t =
Convert cm to m, convert diameter to
radius, and confirm final units are correct.
Evaluating integrals
Evaluate the indefinite
integral of f(x) = cos
2
x sin x
(A) -2/3 sin
3
x + C
(B) -1/3 cos
3
x + C
(C) 1/3 sin
3
x + C
(D) 1/2 sin
2
x cos
2
x + C

Evaluating integrals
Evaluate the indefinite
integral of f(x) = cos
2
x sin x
(A) -2/3 sin
3
x + C
(B) -1/3 cos
3
x + C
(C) 1/3 sin
3
x + C
(D) 1/2 sin
2
x cos
2
x + C
Apply integration by parts on
handbook page 9
Answer is (B)
}
}
} }
} }
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
x cos
3
1
dx x sin x cos
x cos dx x sin x cos 3
dx x sin x cos 2 x cos dx x sin x cos
du v v u dv u
x cos v
dx x sin dv
dx x sin x cos 2 du
x cos u
3 2
3 2
2 3 2
2
Evaluating integrals
Evaluate the indefinite
integral of f(x) = cos
2
x sin x
(A) -2/3 sin
3
x + C
(B) -1/3 cos
3
x + C
(C) 1/3 sin
3
x + C
(D) 1/2 sin
2
x cos
2
x + C
Alternative method is to
differentiate answers
Answer is (B)
x cos x sin x cos x sin ) C x cos x sin
2
1
(
dx
d
) D (
x cos x sin ) C x sin
3
1
(
dx
d
) C (
x sin x cos ) C x cos
3
1
(
dx
d
) B (
x cos x sin 2 ) C x sin
3
2
(
dx
d
) A (
3 3 2 2
2 3
2 3
2 3
+ = +
= +
= +
= +
Applications of integrals
What is the area of the curve
bounded by the curve f(x) =
sin x and the x-axis on the
interval [t/2, 2t]?
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4


Applications of integrals
What is the area of the curve
bounded by the curve f(x) =
sin x and the x-axis on the
interval [t/2, 2t]?
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4
Need absolute value
because sin x is negative
over interval [t, 2t]
Answer is (C)
t/2
2t
3 ) 1 ( 1 0 ) 1 ( area
x cos x cos area
dx x sin dx x sin area
dx x sin area
2
2 /
2
2 /
2
2 /
= + + =
+ =
+ =
=
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
} }
}
Differential equations
What is the general solution
to the differential equation
y 8y + 16y = 0?
(A) y = C
1
e
4x
(B) y = (C
1
+ C
2
x)e
4x
(C) y = C
1
e
-4x
+ C
1
e
4x

(D) y = C
1
e
2x
+ C
2
e
4x

Differential equations
What is the general solution
to the differential equation
y 8y + 16y = 0?
(A) y = C
1
e
4x
(B) y = (C
1
+ C
2
x)e
4x
(C) y = C
1
e
-4x
+ C
1
e
4x

(D) y = C
1
e
2x
+ C
2
e
4x

Solving 2nd order differential
eqns on handbook page 12
Answer is (B)
x 4
2 1
2
2
e ) x C C ( y
4 16 4 4 r
0 r 16 r 4 2 r
16 b , 4 a
0 y 16 y 4 2 y
0 y 16 y 8 y
+ =
= =
= +
= =
= + ' ' '
= + ' ' '
Differential equations
What is the general solution
to the differential equation
y 8y + 16y = 0?
(A) y = C
1
e
4x
(B) y = (C
1
+ C
2
x)e
4x
(C) y = C
1
e
-4x
+ C
1
e
4x

(D) y = C
1
e
2x
+ C
2
e
4x

Solving 2nd order differential
eqns on handbook page 12
Answer is (B)
x 4
2 1
2
2
e ) x C C ( y
4 16 4 4 r
0 r 16 r 4 2 r
16 b , 4 a
0 y 16 y 4 2 y
0 y 16 y 8 y
+ =
= =
= +
= =
= + ' ' '
= + ' ' '
In this case, working backwards could
give an incorrect answer because answer
(A) would also work. The answer in (B)
is the sum of two terms that would satisfy
the differential equation, one of these
terms is the same as answer (A).
Laplace transforms
Find the Laplace transform
of the equation f(t) + f(t) =
sin |t where f(0) and f(0) = 0
(A) F(s) = | / [(1 + s
2
)(s
2
+ |
2
)]

(B) F(s) = | / [(1 + s
2
)(s
2
- |
2
)]

(C) F(s) = | / [(1 - s
2
)(s
2
+ |
2
)]
(D) F(s) = s / [(1 - s
2
)(s
2
+ |
2
)]

Laplace transforms
Find the Laplace transform
of the equation f(t) + f(t) =
sin |t where f(0) and f(0) = 0
(A) F(s) = | / [(1 + s
2
)(s
2
+ |
2
)]

(B) F(s) = | / [(1 + s
2
)(s
2
- |
2
)]

(C) F(s) = | / [(1 - s
2
)(s
2
+ |
2
)]
(D) F(s) = s / [(1 - s
2
)(s
2
+ |
2
)]
Laplace transforms on
handbook page 174 (EECS
section)
Answer is (A)
{ }
{ }
{ }
{ } { }
2 2 2
2 2
2
2 2
2
2 2
t 0
2
2 2
s 1 s
1
) s ( F
s
) s ( F ) 1 s (
s
) s ( F ) s ( F s
s
t sin e t sin
) s ( F ) t ( f
) s ( F s ) t ( f
) 0 ( f s ) 0 ( f s ) s ( F s ) t ( f
| +
|

+
=
| +
|
= +
| +
|
= +
| +
|
= | = |
=
= ' '
'
=
' '

Probability of an outcome
A marksman can hit a bulls-
eye 3 out of 4 shots. What is
the probability he will hit a
bulls-eye with at least 1 of
his next 3 shots?
(A) 3/4
(B) 15/16
(C) 31/32
(D) 63/64

Probability of an outcome
A marksman can hit a bulls-
eye 3 out of 4 shots. What is
the probability he will hit a
bulls-eye with at least 1 of
his next 3 shots?
(A) 3/4
(B) 15/16
(C) 31/32
(D) 63/64
Answer is (D)
Let H = hit, M = miss,
Prob(H) = , Prob(M) =
Use combinations for next
three shots
Find Prob(HMM + MHM +
MMH + HHM + ...)
Easier method: Prob(at least
one hit) = 1 Prob(no hits)
1 Prob(no hits) = 1
Prob(MMM)
Prob(MMM) = Prob(M)
3
=
(1/4)
3
= 1/64
Answer is 1 1/64 = 63/64
Normal distribution
Exam scores are distributed
normally with a mean of 73
and a standard deviation of
11. What is the probability of
finding a score between 65
and 80?
(A) 0.4196
(B) 0.4837
(C) 0.5161
(D) 0.6455

Normal distribution
Exam scores are distributed
normally with a mean of 73 and
a standard deviation of 11.
What is the probability of finding
a score between 65 and 80?
(A) 0.4196
(B) 0.4837
(C) 0.5161
(D) 0.6455
Standard normal tables on
handbook page 20
Answer is (B)
Let X = a random score, find
Prob(65 < X < 80)
X is normally distributed with
mean 72 and S.D. 11
(65 72) / 11 = -0.73 -0.7
(80 72) / 11 = 0.64 0.6
Prob(65 < X < 80) Prob(-0.7 <
Z < 0.6)
Convert Prob(-0.7 < Z < 0.6)
Prob(Z < 0.6) Prob(Z < -0.7)
Prob(Z < 0.6) Prob(Z > 0.7)
F(0.6) R(0.7) from table
Prob(65 < X < 80) 0.7257
0.2420 = 0.4837
Confidence intervals
What is the 95% confidence
interval for the mean exam
score if the mean is 73 and
the standard deviation is 11
from 25 scores?
(A) 73 4.54
(B) 73 0.91
(C) 73 4.31
(D) 73 0.86

Confidence intervals
What is the 95% confidence
interval for the mean exam
score if the mean is 73 and
the standard deviation is 11
from 25 scores?
(A) 73 4.54
(B) 73 0.91
(C) 73 4.31
(D) 73 0.86
Confidence intervals on
handbook page 19
t
o
values handbook page 21
Answer is (A)
Use formula for population
standard deviation unknown
Formula is
Look up t
o/2, v
o = 1 0.95 = 0.05
o/2 = 0.025
v = 25 1 = 24 degrees of
freedom
t
0.025, 24
= 2.064 on page 21
Calculate confidence interval
73 (2.064) (11) / 25
Answer is 73 4.54
n
s
t X
2 /

o
Hypothesis testing
You sample two lots of light bulbs
for mean lifetime. The first lot mean
= 792 hours, S.D. = 35 hours, n =
25. The second lot mean = 776
hours, S.D. = 24 hours, n = 20.
Determine with 95% confidence
whether light bulbs from the first lot
last longer than those from the
second lot. Provide a statistic
value.
(A) First lot lasts longer, t
0
= -1.96
(B) No difference, z
0
= 1.81
(C) No difference, t
0
= 1.74
(D) First lot lasts longer, t
0
= 1.96

Hypothesis testing
You sample two lots of light bulbs
for mean lifetime. The first lot mean
= 792 hours, S.D. = 35 hours, n =
25. The second lot mean = 776
hours, S.D. = 24 hours, n = 20.
Determine with 95% confidence
whether light bulbs from the first lot
last longer than those from the
second lot. Provide a statistic
value.
(A) First lot lasts longer, z
0
= -1.96
(B) No difference, z
0
= 1.81
(C) No difference, t
0
= 1.74
(D) First lot lasts longer, t
0
= 1.96
Hypothesis testing in IE section of
handbook page 198
t
o
values handbook page 21
Answer is (C)
Test H
0
:
1
=
2
vs. H
1
:
1
>
2

H
0
:
1
-
2
= 0 vs. H
1
:
1
-
2
> 0

Use formula for population standard
deviation or variance unknown





Look up t
o, v
o = 1 0.95 = 0.05
v = 25 + 20 2 = 43 d.o.f.
t
0.05, 43
= 1.96 from page 21 (v > 29)
Accept null hypothesis since
statistic t
0
< t
0.05, 43
Bulbs from first lot do not last longer
74 . 1
20 1 25 1 63 . 30
776 792
t
63 . 30
2 20 25
24 ) 1 20 ( 35 ) 1 25 (
S
0
2 2
p
=
+

=
=
+
+
=