Mathematical Foundations

Tutorial problems

Juan Carlos Ponce Campuzano

j.ponce@uq.edu.au

March 24, 2017

1
2
Contents

1 Week 4 5

2 Week 5 10

3 Week 7 15

4 Week 8 17

5 Week 9 22

6 Week 11 28

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 Important:

This notes contain problems and exercises from the tutorial sessions of the course
Mathematical Foundations and are constantly updated. If you find a typo or a
factual error, by all means let me know: j.ponce@uq.edu.au

4
1 Week 4

Problem 1.1. Find the domain and range of the following functions:
6 12
a) f (z) = b) f (y) =
z3 7 + |y|

Solution.

Part a). For the domain of f (z) = 6

we need to keep in mind that:
z 3

First, the denominator
of a fraction cannot be zero. Thus z 3 6= 0. This
means that z 6= 3, and so z 6= 9.
Second, we can only take the square root of positive numbers or zero. That is,
z 0.

Therefore, if z is in the domain of the function, it must satisfy that z 6= 9 and 0 z.

That is, the domain of f (z) is
D( f ) = [0, 9) (9, ).

On the other hand, for the range, we need to consider z [0, 9) (9, ). So we have
two cases.

Case 1. If z [0, 9), then

0z<9

0 z<3

3 z 3 < 3 3

3 z 3 < 0
1 1
<0
z3 3
6 6
>0
z3 3
6
f (z) = 2 > 0.
z3
Therefore, for z [0, 9), we have that f (z) [2, ).
In 1 1
this step we used the property: If a, b R such that a b < 0, then < 0.
b a

5
Case 2. If z (9, ), then
z>9

z>3

z3 > 33

z3 > 0
1
>0
z3
6
f (z) = < 0.
z3
Hence, for z (9, 0), we have that f (z) (, 0).

Consequently, we conclude that the range of the function f (z) is

R( f ) = (, 0) [2, ).

Figure 1: Domain (green) and range (blue) representation of f (z) = 6 . To use this applet click Here.
z 3

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Part b). In order to find the domain of f (y) = , we need to keep in mind that:
7 + |y|

The denominator of a fraction cannot be zero. Thus 7 + |y| 6= 0, or |y| 6= 7.

This means that y can be any real number.

6
Therefore, the domain of f (y) is D( f ) = (, ) = R.

On the other hand, in order to find the range we need to consider y (, ). This
means that
0 |y|
0 < 7 7 + |y|
1 1
0<
7 + |y| 7
12 12
0< .
7 + |y| 7

Therefore, the range of the function f (y) is

 
12
R( f ) = 0, .
7


12
Figure 2: Domain (green) and range (blue) representation of f (y) = 7+|y|
. To use this applet click Here.

7
Problem 1.2. Find the domain and range of the following functions:
1
4 sin x
a) f ( x ) = . b) f ( x ) = 2 .
tan x

Solution.

Part a). Domain = { x R : x 6= k, with k Z}. Range = R

Part b). Domain = { x R : 0 x 2k , with k Z}. Range = [1, 4]. 

1 4 sin x .
Figure 3: Graph of f ( x ) = tan x . Figure 4: Graph of f ( x ) = 2

Problem 1.3. Solve the inequalities:

a) m 2(m + 3) b) |5 + 3x | > 4

Solution.

Part a). Here we have that

m 2( m + 3)
0 2m + 6 m = m + 6
6 m.
Hence, m (6, ).

8
Part b). For this part we need to analyse two cases.

Case 1. If 5 + 3x 0, then

5 + 3x > 4
3x > 1
1
x > .
3
Case 2. If 5 + 3x < 0, then

(5 + 3x ) > 4
5 3x > 4
9 > 3x
9
3 = > x.
3

Therefore, |5 + 3x | > 4 provided that x > 1/3 or x < 3. In other words,

 
1
x (, 3) , .
3

9
2 Week 5

Problem 2.1. Solve the inequalities:

x2 5x
a) 0. b) | x 3| < | x + 4| 3.
x2 9

Solution.

Part a) Notice that

x2 5x x ( x 5)
0 0.
x2 9 ( x 3)( x + 3)
This means that we need to analyse two cases.

Case 1. Consider x ( x 5) 0 and ( x 3)( x + 3) > 0. Notice that each part splits
into two cases. That is

x(x 5) 0
Case i Case ii
x 0 and x 5 0 or x 0 and x 5 0
x 0 and x 5 x 0 and x 5

Combining both cases we have

x0 or x 5.

On the other hand

(x 3)(x + 3) > 0
Case i Case ii
x 3 > 0 and x + 3 > 0 or x 3 < 0 and x + 3 < 0
x > 3 and x > 3 x < 3 and x < 3

Which means that

x>3 or x < 3.

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 Thus

x 0 or x5 and x > 3 or x < 3

Therefore, we get the following

x < 3 or x 5.

In other words
x (, 3) [5, ).

Figure 5: Representation of the condition x < 3 or x 5 in the real line.

Case 2. Now consider x ( x 5) 0 and ( x 3)( x + 3) < 0. Again, notice that each
part splits into two cases. That is

x(x 5) 0
Case i Case ii
x 0 and x 5 0 or x 0 and x 5 0
x 0 and x 5 x 0 and x 5

The Case i must be rejected (Why?). So from Case ii we have that

0 x 5.

On the other hand

(x 3)(x + 3) < 0
Case i Case ii
x 3 > 0 and x + 3 < 0 or x 3 < 0 and x + 3 > 0
x > 3 and x < 3 x < 3 and x > 3

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 The Case i must be rejected (Why?). Hence, from Case ii, we have that

3 < x < 3.

Thus

0x5 and 3 < x < 3

Therefore, we obtain
0 x < 3.
In other words
x [0, 3).

Figure 6: Representation of the condition 0 x 5 and 3 < x < 3 in the real line.

Finally, from Case 1 and Case 2, we conclude that

x < 3 or 0x<3 or x 5.

In other words
x (, 3) [0, 3) [5, ).

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Part b) One way to solve the inequality | x 3| < | x + 4| 3 is considering the
following results:

Theorem 2.1. If x, y R such that | x | < y, then y < x < y.

Theorem 2.2. If x, y R such that | x | > y, then x > y or x < y.

By Theorem 2.1, we have to analyse two cases.

Case 1. Consider (| x + 4| 3) < x 3. Notice that

| x + 4| < x 6 | x + 4| > 6 x.

Now, by Theorem 2.2, we have to consider two more cases. That is

|x + 4| > 6 x
Case i Case ii
x+4 > 6x x + 4 < (6 x )
2x > 2 or x + 4 < 6 + x
x>1 4 < 6

The Case ii must be rejected (Why?). Hence, from Case i, we have x > 1, or
x (1, ).

Case 2. Consider now x 3 < | x + 4| 3. Observe that

x 3 < | x + 4| 3 x < | x + 4|.

Now, by Theorem 2.2, we have to consider two more cases. That is

|x + 4| > x
Case i Case ii
x+4 > x x + 4 < x
4>0 or 2x < 2
x < 2

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 Observe that, from Case i, x can take any value, that is, x (, ). On the
other hand, from Case ii, we get x < 2, or x (, 2).
Hence
x (, ) or x (, 2),
which is equivalent to

x (, ) (, 2) = (, ).

Finally, combining the results obtained in Case 1 and Case 2, we have that

x (1, ) and x (, ).

In other words
x (1, ) (, ) = (1, ).

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3 Week 7

Problem 3.1. Find y0 for the following functions:

2x

a) y = b) y = sin3 x ln x
x+1

Solution. a) First, let us change the radical for a fractional exponent. That is
2x 2x
y= = .
x+1 ( x + 1)1/2
Then
 
( x + 1) 1/2
2 2x 2(x+11)1/2
0
y = 2
(( x + 1)1/2 )
2( x + 1)1/2 (x+x1)1/2
=
x+1
2( x +1)1/2 ( x +1)1/2 x
1
( x +1) 2
=
x+1
2( x +1) x
( x +1)1/2
=
x+1
x +2
( x +1)1/2
=
x+1
x+2
=
( x + 1)3/2
Or if you prefer
x+2
y0 =
3 .
x+1

Now for part b) we have

 
1 1
y0 = sin3 x + ln x 3 sin2 x cos x
x 2 x
3
sin x

= + 3 ln x sin2 x cos x
2x 



2 sin x
= sin x + 3 cos x ln x .
2x

15
Problem 3.2. Find the derivative of
y3 + 3y = 6x2 2.
Then find the equation of the tangent line to the graph of
y3 + 3y = 6x2 2,
at the point A = (0, 2).

Solution. First, let us find the derivative. In this case, we need to use implicit differ-
entiation. Thus we have
d d
(y3 + 3y) = (6x2 2)
dx dx
dy dy
3y2 + 3 = 12x
dx dx
dy
3 3y2 = 12x


dx
dy 12x 4x
= = .
dx 3 3y2 1 y2
Evaluating in the point A = (0, 2) we have

dy  4(0)
= = 0.
dx  1 (2)2
A=(0,2)

This means that the slope of the tangent to the curve at the point A = (0, 2) is 0.
Hence, the equation of the tangent has the form
y = b, or f (x) = b
with b a real number.

Because the point A = (0, 2) belongs to both the curve and the tangent, we find that
the value of b must be 2. In other words, the equation of the tangent to the curve is
y = 2.


Exercise 3.1. Find the equation of the tangent to the curve
x3 15x2 + 48x = 27y2 64.
at the point A = (11, 2).

Note: The curve defined in the previous expression is known as the Tschirnhausen cubic.

Do you want to check your answer? Click Here.

16
4 Week 8

Guidelines to solve optimisation problems:

Read the problem carefully.
If appropriate, draw a sketch or diagram of the problem to be solved.
Define variables to be used. You can used these variables to label your diagram.
Write down all the equations which are related to the problem. Clearly denote
the equation which you are asked to maximise or minimise.
Remember, the equation to maximise or minimise must be in terms of just one
variable.
Finally, find the maxima or minima.

Problem 4.1. A company produces juice containers which have the shape of a box
with squares on the base and the top, and a capacity of 2 litres.

Figure 7: Box with a constant capacity of 2 litres.

a) Find a formula for the surface area, A, of the container in terms of the apothem
a of the base. The apothem is the segment from the centre of the square to the
midpoint of one of its sides.
b) Draw a rough sketch of A versus a.
c) Find the apothem of the container which will minimise the cost of the material
required to make the box.
d) Find the corresponding height and side of the square.

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Solution. If a represents the apothem and h the height of the box, then we have the
following:

Surface area: A = 4 (2a) h + 2(2a)2

Volume of box: 2 = (2a)2 h

2 1
From the Volume of box, we obtain: h = = .
4a2 2a2

Thus, substituting the value of h in the equation of the Surface area, we obtain:
 
1 4
A = 4(2a) + 2(2a)2 = + 8a2 .
2a2 a

This is the Surface area in terms of the apothem a. Notice that the function A( a)
is defined for all a 6= 0, which means that a > 0 or a < 0. However, we are just
interested in the positive values of a, see Figure 8. To play with the dynamic repre-
sentation of the box click Here.

4
Figure 8: Graph of A( a) = a + 8a2 on the interval (0, 2).

Now let us find the minimum of the function A( a). In this case we have that:

4
A0 ( a) = 16a
a2
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If A0 ( a) = 0, then
4
16a = 0
a2
4
16a =
a2
16a3 = 4
4 1 1
a3 = = = 2
16
r 4 2
3 1 1
a = = 0.6299
22 3
22

Remark: Notice that we are using the laws of exponents:

am = am/n , an am = an+m , an /am = anm and ( an )m = anm .
n

The second derivative of A( a) is:

8
A00 ( a) = 16 + .
a3
1
Substituting the value a = 3
, we obtain
22
 
1 8 8
A00 = 16 +  3
= 16 + = 16 + 32 = 48
3
22 1
 1

3 22
22
which is a positive value. Hence, the function of the surface area has a minimum
1
when a = 3
.
22
If S denotes the side of the square, then
 
1 3
S = 2a = 2 3
= 2 1.2599 . . .
22

Finally, the height of the box is:

1 1
3
h= = 2 = 2 1.2599 . . .
2a2

1
2
3 2
2

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To check these values, let us calculate the volume of the box which is

Volume of box = S2 h,

so we get
 2  
3 3
Volume of box = 2 2 = 22/3 21/3 = 22/3+1/3 = 2.


Exercise 4.1. Find two nonnegative numbers whose sum is 9 and so that the product
of one number and the square of the other number is a maximum.

Answer: Here
Exercise 4.2. A container in the shape of a right cylinder with no top has surface area
3 m2 . What height h and base radius r will maximise the volume of the cylinder?

To play with a dynamic representation of the cylinder click: Here

Answer: Here

20
 dy
Problem 4.2. Find , for 2x2 + 3y2 4y = 2.
dx

Solution. Here we use implicit differentiation. Thus we have

d d
2x2 + 3y2 4y


= (2)
dx dx
d d d
2x2 + 3y2



(4y) = 0
dx dx dx
dy dy
4x + 6y 4 = 0
dx dx
dy
(6y 4) = 4x
dx
dy 4x
=
dx 6y 4
dy 2x
= .
dx 2 3y


Remark: Remember that implicit differentiation is nothing more than a

special case of the well-known chain rule for derivatives.

For example, to differentiate the expression 2x2 , with respect of x, is simply

d
2x2 = 4x


dx
But to differentiate with respect of x, an expression like 3x2 y3 , you need to
consider that the variable y has an implicit variable, which in this case is x.
That is
   
d 2 3

2 2 dy 3 2 dy
3x y = 3x 3y + y (6x ) = 3xy 3x + 2y .
dx dx dx
Notice also that we used the product rule.

dy
Exercise 4.3. Find , for 3xy 5x2 + 3y2 = 0.
dx

Answer: Here

For more problems about implicit differentiation, click Here

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5 Week 9

Problem 5.1. Determine the following integrals, if possible. If not, state why.
Z 1
a) x3 dx.
1
Z 1 x1
b) dx.
2 x2 1

Solution.

a) The function f ( x ) = x3 is well-defined and continuous over the interval [1, 1].
Hence, we can apply the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus (FTC) with F ( x ) = x4 /4
as an antiderivative of f ( x ). Thus, we have
4 1
1

x
Z
x3 dx = 
1 4  1
(1)4 (1)4
=
4 4
1 1
= = 0.
4 4

R1
Figure 9: Geometrical representation of the integral 1 x3 dx.

22
b) The function
x1
f (x) =
x2 1
is not defined for x = 1 or x = 1. Notice also that 1, 1 [2, 1]. Because f ( x ) is
not continuous on the interval [2, 1], we can not apply the FTC.

Notice that this function behaves similarly to the function 1/x, because

x1 x1 1
2
= =
x 1 ( x 1)( x + 1) x+1
Z 1 x1
Hence, we can not calculate the definite integral: dx
2 x2 1

x1
Figure 10: Graph of f ( x ) = .
x2 1

Problem 5.2. Calculate the following indefinite integrals

Z
3
2x3 2x x4 2x2


a) dx.

6e2x 9e3x
Z
b) dx.
e2x e3x + 7
Z
c) x cos x dx.

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Solution. a) Let u = x4 2x2 . Then
du du
= 4x3 4x = = (2x3 2x ) dx
dx 2
Thus
This is du/2
Z Z }|
{ z
3 4 2 3 4 2 3 3



2x 2x x 2x dx = {z2x }) 2x 2x dx
(|x
This is u
du
Z
= u3
2
1
Z
= u3 du
2
1 u4 1
= + C = u4 + C
2 4 8
1
= ( x4 2x2 )4 + C.
8

b) If u = e2x e3x + 7, then

du
= 2e2x 3e3x = du = (2e2x 3e3x )dx.
dx
Multiplying by 3 we have
3du = (6e2x 9e3x )dx.
Thus,
6e2x 9e3x 3du 1
Z Z Z
du = 3 ln |u| + C = 3 ln e2x e3x + 7 + C.
 
dx = =3
e2x e3x + 7 u u

c) For this part, we need to use the method of integration by parts. Recall the formula
Z Z
u dv = uv v du + C.

We write
u = x, dv = cos x dx,
R
du = dx, v = cos x dx = sin x.

Hence Z Z
x cos x dx = x sin x sin x dx + C = x sin x + cos x + C.

24
Problem 5.3. Use integration by parts to deduce the formula
Z Z
2
sin x dx = sin x cos x + cos2 x dx.

Use the identities

sin2 + cos2 = 1 and sin( + ) = sin cos + cos sin

to deduce the formula

1 1
Z
sin2 x dx = x sin 2x.
2 4
Finally, use integration by parts and the previous results to prove that
1 n1
Z Z
sin x dx = cos x sinn1 x +
n
sinn2 x dx.
n n

Solution.

First, we write
u = sin x, dv = sin x dx,
R
du = cos x dx, v = sin x dx = cos x.

Thus
Z Z Z
2 2
cos2 x dx.


sin x dx = sin x cos x cos x dx = sin x cos x +

Since cos2 x = 1 sin2 x, we have

Z Z Z Z
2 2
sin x dx = sin x cos x + (1 sin x ) dx = sin x cos x + dx sin2 x dx.

and then we obtain

Z Z
2
sin x dx = sin x cos x + x sin2 x dx.

sin2 x dx in both sides with oposite sign.

R
Notice that we have the same integral
Hence
Z Z
2
sin x dx + sin2 x dx = sin x cos x + x
Z
2 sin2 x dx = x sin x cos x
1 1
Z
sin2 x dx = x sin x cos x.
2 2
25
Since sin x cos x = 12 sin 2x, we have
 
1 1 1 1 1
Z
sin2 x dx = x sin 2x = x sin 2x
2 2 2 2 4
which is the required result. To be more precise we write
1 1
Z
sin2 x dx = x sin 2x + C.
2 4

Now let us prove the general formula. First we write

u = sinn1 x, dv = sin x dx,

du = (n 1) sinn2 x cos x dx,
R
v = sin x dx = cos x.

Thus, using the formula of integration by parts, we have

Z Z
n 1
n
sin x dx = cos x sin x + ( n 1) sinn2 x cos2 dx.

But cos2 x = 1 sin2 x, then

Z Z
n 1
n
sin x dx = cos x sin x + ( n 1) sinn2 x (1 sin2 x )dx
Z Z
n 1 n 2
= cos x sin x + ( n 1) sin x dx (n 1) sin2 x dx.

By grouping similar terms we obtain

Z Z Z
n 1
n
sin x dx + (n 1) n
sin x dx = cos x sin x + ( n 1) sinn2 x dx
Z Z
n 1
n n
sin x dx = cos x sin x + ( n 1) sinn2 x dx
1 n1
Z Z
sin x dx = cos x sinn1 x +
n
sinn2 x dx.
n n
This proves the general formula. Finally, to be more precise we write
1 n1
Z Z
sin x dx = cos x sinn1 x +
n
sinn2 x dx + C.
n n

26
Exercise 5.1. Determine the following integrals, if possible. If not, state why.
Z 1  
4
a) 3
+ 2x4 2x2 1 dx Ans. a) Here
5 x
/2 sin (2x )
Z
b) dx Ans. b) Here
/2 cos (2x )
2
2xex
Z
c) dx Ans. c) Here
e x2
7x + 8
Z
d) dx Ans. d) Here
x2 + x 2
Z
e) sin5 x dx Ans. e) Here

27
6 Week 11

Problem 6.1. A 3 kg brick is sitting on a inclined plane at /6 radians to the hori-

zontal. The only forces acting on it are weight, normal reaction from the plane and
friction. Determine the magnitude of each force.

Figure 11: Representation of forces: An object rests on an inclined plane that makes an angle with the
horizontal.
Solution. First, we have that kWk = m g, where m = 3 kg and g = 9.8 m/s2 . Thus

kWk = 3 (9.8 N) = 29.4 N

Thus  1
kFk = kWk sin = (29.4 N) = 14.7 N
6 2
and
 3
kNk = kWk cos = (29.4 N) = 14.7 3 N
6 2

Exercise 6.1. A 12 kg brick is sitting on a inclined plane at /3 radians to the hori-

zontal. The only forces acting on it are weight, normal reaction from the plane and
friction. Determine the magnitude of each force. Click here to check your answer

28
Problem 6.2. Consider a painting that hangs on a wall. The painting is in a state
of equilibrium, and thus all the forces acting upon it must be balanced. Thus the
leftward pull of cable A must balance the rightward pull of cable B and the sum of
the upward pull of cable A and cable B must balance the weight of the sign (see
Figure 15). Suppose the tension in both of the cables is 5 N and that the angle
that each cable makes with the horizontal is 30 degrees. What is the weight of the
painting?

Figure 12: Diagram for representing the vertical component of the tension.

Solution. Considering the triangle on the right hand in Figure 15, we have that
Fy
sin 30 = .
5N
Thus Fy = 2.5 N. Since each cable pulls upwards with a force of 2.5 N, the total
upward pull of the painting is 5 N. Therefore, the force of gravity (or weight) is 5 N,
down. The painting weighs 5 N.
Exercise 6.2. Consider the painting hanging on a wall as shown in Figure 16. The
painting has a mass of 500 g and the angle between the two cables is 100 degrees.
Determine the tension on the cable. Click here to check your answer

Figure 13: Eschers paiting.

29
30
References

[1] Hirst, K. E. (2006). Calculus of one variable. Springer-Verlag London Limited.

[2] Kline, M. (1972) Mathematical Thought From Ancient to Modern Times, Oxford Uni-
versity Press.
[3] Polya, G. (2004). How to solve it? Expanded Princeton Science Library Edition.
Princeton University Press. New Jersey (First published 1945).
[4] University of Queensland. (2015). MATH1050: Mathematical foundations (Course
notes) University of Queensland

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