Algebraic

Methods
Analytical Methods for
Engineers
By Brendan Burr

Brendan Burr

BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Algebraic Methods

Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS...........................................................2
TASK 1................................................................................5
1.1 Solve the following polynomial division :-......................5
Solution:-.........................................................................................5
Check:-.............................................................................................6
1.2 Solve the following equation using the factor theorem :- 7
Solution:-.........................................................................................7
Check:-.............................................................................................7
1.3 Use the remainder theorem to find the remainder for :-. .8
Solution:-.........................................................................................8
Check:-.............................................................................................8
1.4 Find the remainder for the following expression :- .........9
Solution:-.........................................................................................9
Check:-...........................................................................................10
1.5 Resolve the following into partial fractions :-................11
Solution (a) :-.................................................................................11
Check:-...........................................................................................11
Solution (b) :-.................................................................................12
Check:-...........................................................................................12
Solution (c) :-.................................................................................13
Check:-...........................................................................................13
TASK 2..............................................................................14
2.1 Solve the following equations correct to 2 decimal
places :-............................................................................14
Solution (a) :-.................................................................................14
Check:-...........................................................................................14
Solution (b) :-.................................................................................15
Check:-...........................................................................................15
Solution (c) :-.................................................................................16
Check:-...........................................................................................16
2.2 The voltage across a capacitor at time t is given by :- . 17
Graph and Circuit Diagram :-.........................................................17
Solution (a) :-.................................................................................18
Check:-...........................................................................................18
Solution (b) :-.................................................................................19
Check:-...........................................................................................19
2.3 Evaluate correct to 4 significant figures.......................20
Solution (a) :-.................................................................................20
2

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BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Algebraic Methods

Check:-...........................................................................................20
Solution (b) :-.................................................................................21
Check:-...........................................................................................21
2.4 A telegraph wire hangs so that its shape is described
by :-..................................................................................22
Solution :-......................................................................................22
Check:-...........................................................................................23
2.5 If , find values for A and B...........................................24
Solution :-......................................................................................24
Check:-...........................................................................................25
2.6 If find values for P and Q............................................26
Solution :-......................................................................................26
Check:-...........................................................................................26
2.7 Solve the equation correct to 2 d.ps...........................27
Solution :-......................................................................................27
Check:-...........................................................................................29
TASK 3..............................................................................30
3.1 Determine the 15th term of the series 12, 17, 22, 27,.....
........................................................................................30
Solution :-......................................................................................30
Check:-...........................................................................................30
3.2 The sum of the first 10 terms of an arithmetic
progression is 200 and the common difference is 4. Find the
first term of the series.......................................................31
Solution :-......................................................................................31
Check:-...........................................................................................31
3.3 An Oil & Gas Company drills a hole 10 km deep. ...........32
Estimate the cost of drilling if the cost is 1000 for drilling
the first metre with an increase in cost of 200 per metre for
each succeeding metre......................................................32
Solution :-......................................................................................32
Check:-...........................................................................................32
3.4 Determine the 10th term of the series 2, 6, 18, 54,.......33
Solution :-......................................................................................33
Check:-...........................................................................................33
3.5 Find the sum of the first 12 terms of the series 1, 4, 16,
64,....................................................................................34
Solution :-......................................................................................34
Check:-...........................................................................................34

Brendan Burr

BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Algebraic Methods

3.6 Find the sum to infinity of the series 4, 2, 1, 1/2, 1/4,.....

........................................................................................35
Solution :-......................................................................................35
3.7 Use the Binomial Series to expand ..............................36
Solution :-......................................................................................36
Check:-...........................................................................................36
3.8 (a) Expand the following in ascending powers of x as far
as the term in using the Binomial Series. ..........................37
Solution (a) :-.................................................................................37
Check:-...........................................................................................38
(b) State the limits for which the expansion is valid............38
Solution (b) :-.................................................................................38
TASK 4..............................................................................39
Please refer to Assignment 3 (Calculus)..............................39
EVALUATION.....................................................................40
CONCLUSION.....................................................................40
Books...............................................................................41
Catalogues........................................................................41
Websites...........................................................................41

Brendan Burr

BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Algebraic Methods

Task 1
1.1 Solve the following polynomial division :6x 2 + 7x 5
x 1

Solution:x 1 6 x 2 + 7 x 5
6 x2
= 6x
x
6x
x 1 6x2 + 7 x 5
6 x x = 6 x2
6 x 1 = 6 x

6 x2 + 7 x 5
6 x2 6x

(Subtracting -6 from 7 gives a new denominator)

0 + 13 x 5
13 x
= 13
x
6 x + 13
x 1 6 x2 7 x 5
13 x = 13 x
13 1 = 13

13 x 5
13 x 13

(Subtracting -13 from -5 leaves the remainder)

0+8

6 x + 13
remainder + 8

Brendan Burr

BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Algebraic Methods

Check:8

6 x + 13 +
( x 1) =
x 1

6 x 2 6 x + 13 x 13 + 8
6 x 2 +7 x 5

Brendan Burr

BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Algebraic Methods

1.2 Solve the following equation using the factor theorem :x3
2x 2
x +
2 =
0

Solution:(

3
2
x =1
(1) =1 2 1 1 +2 =0

Hence (x-1) is a factor and x=1 is a root.

(

3
2
x =2
(2) =2 2 2 2 +2 =0

Hence (x-2) is a factor and x=2 is a root.

x = 3 ( 3) = 33 2 32 3 + 2 0
Factors of x begin to predominate at the first term, so move onto
Negative Numbers!

x = 3 ( 3) = 33 2 32 3 + 2 0
x = 2 ( 2) = 23 2 22 2 + 2 0
(

3
2
x =
1
(1) =1 2 1 1 +2 =0

Hence (x+1) is a factor and x=-1 is a root.

Therefore:
x= 1
x= 2

x3
2x2
x+
2 (x
1)(x
2 )(x +
1)

x = 1

Check:Let x = 5 :
x3 2x 2 x + 2

53 ( 2 52 ) 5 + 2 = 72

( x 1)( x 2)( x + 1)
( 5 1)( 5 2)( 5 + 1) = 72

Brendan Burr

BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Algebraic Methods

1.3 Use the remainder theorem to find the remainder for :3

2
x -6 x + x -5
x-3

Solution:If ax 3 + bx 2 + cx + d is divided by ( x p ) the remainder will be

ap 3 + bp 2 + cp + d .
Therefore:
a=1
b = -6
c=1
p = 3 (After dropping the minus sign)
d = -5

) (

r = 1 33 + 6 32 + (1 3) + ( 5)
r = 27 54 + 3 5
r =
29

Check:x 2 3x 8
x 3 x 3 6x 2 + x 5
x 3 3x 2
0 3x 2 + x 5
0 3x 2 + 9 x
0 + 0 8x 5
0 + 0 8 x + 24
0 + 0 + 0 + 29

BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Brendan Burr

Algebraic Methods

1.4 Find the remainder for the following expression :(3 x 2 4 x + 2 )

( x + 1)

Solution:x +1 3 x 2 4 x + 2
3x 2
= 3x
x
3x
x + 1 3x 4 x + 2
2

3 x x = 3x 2
3 x 1 = +3x

3x 2 4 x + 2
3x 2 + 3x
0 7x + 2
(The difference between -4 from 3 gives a new denominator)
7x
= 7
x
3x 7
x + 1 3x 4 x + 2
2

7 x = 7 x
7 1 = 7

7x + 2
7x 7
0+9

3x 7
remainder + 9

Brendan Burr

BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Algebraic Methods

Check:If ax 2 + bx + c is divided by ( x p ) the remainder will be ap 2 + bp + c .

Therefore:
a = +3
b = -4
c = +2
p = -1

r = 3 12 + ( 4 1) + ( 2 )
r =3+ 4+ 2
r =+9

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Algebraic Methods

1.5 Resolve the following into partial fractions :3- x

( x 2 + 3)(x + 3)

(a)

Solution (a) :-

3 x
Ax + B
C
2
+
x + 3 ( x + 3)
x + 3 ( x + 3)

3 x
(Ax

+B )(x +
3) +
(C )(x 2 +3)

Let x = 3 :
3 3 ( ( A 3) + B )( 3 + 3) + ( C ) ( ( 3 3) + 3)
7 =B

Find the coefficients of x on both sides:

4 x 3 = A( x + 1) + B
4 = Ax + A + B
4 =A

4 x 3

( x +1) 2

( x +1) ( x +1) 2

Check:4x 3

( 7 + 1)

25
64

4
7
25

=
2
( 7 + 1) ( 7 + 1) 64

11

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Brendan Burr

Algebraic Methods

4x - 3
2
(x + 1 )

(b)

Solution (b) :4x 3

( x + 1)

A
B
+
( x + 1) ( x + 1) 2

A( x + 1)
B ( x + 1)
+
( x + 1)
( x + 1) 2
2

4x 3

4x
3 A(x +
1) +B

Let x = 1 :

( 4 1) 3 = A( 1 + 1) + B
7 =B

Find the coefficients of x on both sides:

4 x 3 = A( x + 1) + B
4 = Ax + A + B
4 =A

4 x 3
4
7
=

2
(
x
+
1
)
( x +1)
( x +1) 2

Check:Let x = 5 :

( 4 5) 3 = 17
( 5 + 1) 2 36
4

( 5 + 1) ( 5 + 1) 2

17
36

12

Brendan Burr

BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Algebraic Methods

6x - 5
(x - 4)( x + 3)

(c)

Solution (c) :A
B
( x)

+
( x + a )( x + b ) ( x + a ) ( x + b )
6x
5 A(x +
3) +
B (x
4)

Let x = 3 :

( 6 3) 5 = A( 3 + 3) + B( 3 4)
23 = 7 B
B=

23
7

Let x = 3 :

( 6 4) 5 = A( 4 + 3) + B( 4 4)
19 = 7 A
A=

19
7

Therefore:
19
23
6x 5
7 +
7

( x 4)( x + 3) ( x 4) ( x + 3)

Check:Let x = 9 :

( 6 9) 5 = 49
( 9 4)( 9 + 3) 60
19

23
7 +
7 = 49
( 9 4) ( 9 + 3) 60

13

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Brendan Burr

Algebraic Methods

Task 2
2.1 Solve the following equations correct to 2 decimal places :(a) ln ( x ) = 5.4
Solution (a) :x = ANTILOG ( 5.4 )
x =
2
2
1

.4
1

to 2 Decimal Places

Check:ln (221 .41

) =5.4

14

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Brendan Burr

Algebraic Methods

(b) 5 = 8(1 e 4 )
Solution (b) :Transposing gives:
t

5
=e 4
8

3
=e 4
8

Take Log of both sides:

t
3
LN e 4 = LN
8

Using the Laws of Logs:

LN ( A B ) = LN ( A) + LN ( B )
A
LN = LN ( A) LN ( B )
B
LN A 2 = 2 LN ( A)

( )

So:

t
3
LN ( e ) = LN
4
8

t
3
= LN
4
8

3
t = 4 LN
8
t = 3.923317012
t =
3.92

(Seconds) to 2 Decimal Places

Check:3.92

5 = 81 e 4

15

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Algebraic Methods

(c) 4 ( y +1) = 2 ( y 2 )
Solution (c) :Take the Log of both sides:
Log 4 ( y +1) = Log 2 ( y 2 )
Log

( A) N

=NLog

( A)

( y + 1) Log 4 = ( y 2) Log 2

Multiply out the brackets

( yLog 4) + ( Log 4) = ( yLog 2) ( 2 Log 2)

2 Log 2 + Log 4 = y ( Log 2 Log 4)
So:
y=

2( Log 4)
( Log 2 Log 4)

to 2 Decimal Places

y =
4.00

Check:4 ( 4 + 1) =

1
64

2 ( 4 2 ) =

1
64

16

Join like terms

Brendan Burr

BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Algebraic Methods

2.2 The voltage across a capacitor at time t is given by :t

v = 10(1 - e- CR )

where C = 10 F and R = 20 k .
Determine :(a)
The time for the voltage to reach 5 V.
(b)
The voltage after 1 mS.
Graph and Circuit Diagram :-

17

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Brendan Burr

Algebraic Methods

Solution (a) :C R =

(10 10 ) ( 20 10 ) =
6

=
0.2 S
e
c
o
n
d
s

So:
t

0
5 = 101 e .2

5
= 1 e 0. 2
10

LN ( 0.5) =

t
0 .2

t = 0.2 LN ( 0.5)
t = 0.1386294361
t =
0.13
9

(Seconds) to 3 Decimal Places

Check:0.139

v = 10 1 e 0.2

v=5

18

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BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Algebraic Methods

Solution (b) :t

0
If v = 101 e .2 and t = 0.001 then:

0.001

v = 101 e 0.2

v =0.05

Volts

Check:-

19

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Algebraic Methods

2.3 Evaluate correct to 4 significant figures.

(a)

cosh 2.47

Solution (a) :COSH ( x )

e x + e x
2

e
COSH ( 2.47 )

2.47

+ e 2.47
2

e 2.47 + e 2.47
= 5.953515855
2
C
O
SH

(2.47 ) =5.954

to 4 significant figures

Check:-

20

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Brendan Burr

Algebraic Methods

(b)

sinh 1.385

Solution (b) :SINH ( x )

e x e x
2

SINH (1.385 )

e 1.385 e 1.385
2

e 1.385 e 1.385
= 1.872251053
2
SIN
H

(1.385 ) =
1.872

to 4 significant figures

Check:-

21

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Brendan Burr

Algebraic Methods

2.4 A telegraph wire hangs so that its shape is described by :x

20

y = 20 ch

Evaluate correct to 3 significant figures the value of y when x is 10.

Solution :y = 20 ch

10
20

y = 20CH ( 0.5)
y = 22 .6

to 3 Significant Figures

22

Brendan Burr

BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Algebraic Methods

Check:-

23

Brendan Burr

BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Algebraic Methods

2.5 If 4 e x - 5 e x = A SH x + B CH x , find values for A and B.

Solution : e x ex
RHS of Equation A
2

e x + ex
+ B
2

e x e x
ex ex

A
+ B 2 + 2
2
2

ex
e x
ex
ex
A
+B
+B
2
2
2
2

Collecting the like terms together gives:

B B
A
A

e x + e x + e x e x
2 2
2
2

A B B A
+ e x + e x
2 2 2 2
Factorise by looking at the LHS, giving:

(1) 4 = A + B
2

( 2 ) 5 = B A
2

Multiply both equations by 2, giving:

( 3) 8 = A + B
( 4) 10 = B A
Adding equations (3) and (4) together gives:
2 = 2B
Therefore

B =

24

Brendan Burr

BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Algebraic Methods

Substituting B back into equation (1) gives:

4=

A 1
+
2
2

8 = A 1
A = 8 +1
So:
A =9

Therefore the equation is:

4e x
5e x
9 SH

(x )
1C
H (x )

Check:Let x = 4 :
4e 4 5e 4 = 218 .3010219
( 9SH 4) + ( 1CH 4 ) = 218 .3010219

25

Brendan Burr

BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Algebraic Methods

2.6 If P. e x - Q. e x = 2.CH x + 6.SH x find values for P and Q.

Solution :CH ( x ) = COSH ( x ) =

e x ex
+
2
2

1 x 1 x
e + e
2
2

SH ( x ) = SINH ( x ) =

e x + ex
2

e x ex
2

e x ex

2
2

1
1
= e x ex
2
2

So:
1
1
1

2 e x + e x + 6 e x e x
2
2
2

Multiply out the brackets:

e x + e x + 3e x 3e x
4e x 2e x

P= 4
Q= 2

Check:Let x = 9 :
4e 9 2e 9 = 32412
2CH 9 + 6SH 9 = 32412

26

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Brendan Burr

Algebraic Methods

2.7 Solve the equation 3.52 CH x + 8.42 SH x = 5.32 correct to 2 d.ps.

Solution :Step 1: replace COSH(x) and SINH(x) with definitions in terms of
EXP(x).
e x + e x
3.52
2

e x e x 2
+ 8.42
= 5.32
2

Step 2: remove the divisor of 2.

3.52 x
8.42 x
e + ex +
e e x = 5.32
2
2

1.76 e x + e x + 4.21 e x e x = 5.32

1.76e x + 1.76e x + 4.21e x 4.21e x = 5.32

Step 3: collect the like terms together.
5.97e x 2.45e x = 5.32
5.97e x 2.45e x 5.32 = 0
Step 4: multiply the LHS by e x .
5.97e x e x 2.45e x e x 5.32e x = 0

( )

2.45 e x + x 5.32e x = 0

( )

2.45e 0 5.32e x = 0

( )

2.45 5.32e x = 0

( )

5.32e x 2.45 = 0

5.97 e x
5.97 e x
5.97 e x
5.97 e x

27

Brendan Burr

BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Algebraic Methods

This then looks like a Quadratic Equation, where:

y = ex
a = 5.97
b = 5.32
c = .245
5.97 y 2 5.32 y 2.45 = 0
Using the formula for solving Quadratic Equations in terms of y gives:
y=

b b 2 4ac
2a

y=

5.32 5.32 2 4( 5.97 2.45)

2 5.97

y=

5.32 28.3024 4( 14.6265 )

11.94

y=

5.32 86.8084
11.94

y=

5.32 + 9.317102554
11.94

y =
1.225887986

y=

5.32 9.317102554
11.94

y =

0.3
3
4
7
6
5
7
0
8

(this has no real solution so ignore!!!)

28

Brendan Burr

BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Algebraic Methods

Replacing y with e x gives:

e x = 1.225887986

LNe x = LN (1.225887986 )
x = 0.2036654679
x =
0.20

to 2 Decimal Places

Check:3.5
2 C
H

(0.20 ) +
8.4
2

S
H

(0.20 ) =
5.2
9

(Note with the full answer of x = 0.2036654679 the equation equals

5.319999999, shown in the assignment as 5.32!)

29

BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Brendan Burr

Algebraic Methods

Task 3
3.1 Determine the 15th term of the series 12, 17, 22, 27,.....
Solution :N

th

Term

=a +(N
1)d

a = 1st Term
d = Common Difference
a=12
d=5
N =15

N 15 = 12 + ( (15 1) 5)
N 15 =82

Check:1
12

2
17

3
22

4
27

5
32

6
37

7
42

8
47

30

9
52

10
57

11
62

12
67

13
72

14
77

15
82

BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Brendan Burr

Algebraic Methods

3.2 The sum of the first 10 terms of an arithmetic progression is 200 and the
common difference is 4. Find the first term of the series.
Solution :Sn =

n
{2a + ( n 1) d }
2

a= ?
d=4
n = 10
S1 0 = 2 00

200 =

10
{ 2a + (10 1) 4}
2

200
= { 2a + ( 9 4 ) }
5
40 = 2a + 36

40 36 = 2a
4
=a
2
a =2

Check:-

1
2

2
6

3
10

4
14

5
18

6
22

2 + 6 + 10 + 14 + 18 + 22 + 26 + 30 + 34 + 38
= 200

31

7
26

8
30

9
34

10
38

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Algebraic Methods

3.3 An Oil & Gas Company drills a hole 10 km deep.

Estimate the cost of drilling if the cost is 1000 for drilling the first
metre with an increase in cost of 200 per metre for each succeeding
metre.
Solution :Sn =

n
{2a + ( n 1) d }
2

a = 1,0 00
d = 20 0
n = 1 0,000
S10,0 00 = ?

S10,000 =
S 10 , 000

10,000
{ ( 2 1,000 ) + (10,000 1) 200}
2

=10 ,009 ,000 ,000

Check:-

32

Brendan Burr

BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Algebraic Methods

3.4 Determine the 10th term of the series 2, 6, 18, 54,....

Solution :The nth term is determined using

ar n 1

a= 2
r= 3

Therefore:
N 10 = ( 2 )( 3)

10 1

N 10 =39366

Check:1
2

2
6

3
18

4
54

5
162

6
486

33

7
1458

8
4374

9
10
13122 39366

BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Brendan Burr

Algebraic Methods

3.5 Find the sum of the first 12 terms of the series 1, 4, 16, 64,....
Solution :-

Sn =

a 1 rn
(1 r )

Sn =

a r n 1
( r 1)

When r<1

When r>1

a=1
N=12
r= 4

Sn =

1 412 1
4 1

S n =5592405

Check:-

1 2 3 4 5
6
1 4 16 64 256 102
4

7
8
9
10
11
12
4096 16384 65536 262144 1048576 4194304

1 + 4 +16 + 64 + 256 +1024 + 4096 +16384

=5592405

34

+ 65536

+ 262144

+1048576

+ 4194304

BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Brendan Burr

Algebraic Methods

3.6 Find the sum to infinity of the series 4, 2, 1, 1/2, 1/4,.....

Solution :S =

a
1 r

When -1 < r < 1.

a= 4
r=

1
2

S =

4
1 0.5

S =8

35

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Algebraic Methods

3.7 Use the Binomial Series to expand (1 + x )6

Solution :The binomial expansion of ( q + p ) n is:
q n +nq n 1 p +

n( n 1) n 2 2 n( n 1)( n 2 ) n 3 3
q
p +
q
p +...
2 1
3 2 1

Therefore the binomial expansion of (1 + x ) 6 is:

(1 + x ) 6

((

((6 1 ) x ) + ( x )
1

(1 +x )6

) ((

) ((

) ((

(1) + 6 15 x + 15 14 x 2 + 20 13 x 3 + 15 12 x 4 +
5

1 +6 x +
15 x 2 +20 x 3 +
15 x 4 +6 x 5 +x 6

Check:Let x = 4 :
(1 + 4) 6 =15625
1 + ( 6 4 ) + (15 4 2 ) + (20 4 3 ) + (15 4 4 ) + (6 4 5 ) + (4 6 ) =15625

36

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Algebraic Methods

3.8 (a) Expand the following in ascending powers of x as far as the term in
3
x using the Binomial Series.
1
(4 + x)
Solution (a) :1
4+ x

1
x

2 1 +
4

1
4+x

1
x
1 +
2
4

1
2

x2

2 1 +
4

1
x
1 +
2
4

1
2

Therefore expanding 1 1 + x
2
4

1
2

in terms of (1 + x ) n gives:

1 1

1
1
1

1
2
1
x
x
2
2

2
2

1 2 + 1
+
1
+

4
2
2 1
4

1
1

4 + x 2 1 1 1

1 2 1

3
2 2 2

2 3 x
1
+ ...

4
3 2 1

1
4+ x

1 1 1
3 1
5 1
1 x + x 2 x 3 ...

2 2 4
8 16
16 64

37

BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Brendan Burr

Algebraic Methods

1
4 +x

1
2

1 3
5
2
3
1 8 x + 128 x 1024 x ...

Check:Let x = 3 :
1
4+3

= 0.377964473

1 1
3
5

1 3 +
32
3 3 ... = 0.3520507813

2 8
128
1024

There is a difference of 0.02591369175.

With the additional terms of x N the 0.02591369175 will gradually
decrease and eventually equal 0.
The discrepancy comes from the expansion only being to x 3 .

(b) State the limits for which the expansion is valid.

Solution (b) :The expansion in (a) is valid provided
x <4
OR
4 < x < +4

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x
< 1 . i.e.
4

Brendan Burr

BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Algebraic Methods

Task 4
Please refer to Assignment 3 (Calculus).

39

Brendan Burr

BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Algebraic Methods

Evaluation
During this assignment I found that the notes taken from classes helped
considerably.
Beginning with the Polynomial Division, I found confusing at first. This is
simply because today we very rarely use long division, and the method used
to confuse me at school so I have very easily forgotten how to use it! To
resolve the problem I decided to recap on the long division method by using
the Higher Engineering Mathematics Book by John Bird. I could then move
onto inserting letters in the place of numbers using the same methods and all
soon became clear.
With the Factor Theorem I quickly understood that the key part of the theory is
to guess a suitable number to use. Fortunately I was able to determine the
required factors quite quickly.
The Remainder Theorem question was also straight forward as it simply
involved inserting numbers for letters in a predetermined equation.
I had a bit of difficulty with 1.5a as for some reason I was getting the
denominators on the RHS around the wrong way, this meant after getting
values for A,B and C I was getting dissimilar matches between the two sides.
Using my notes from class I was able to complete and check 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4,
2.5 and 2.6, but I struggled a little bit on 2.7.
When I came to check 2.7, I found that when replacing x with my answer, I did
not get 5.32. I went back over the work a couple of times before reaching the
0.20 answer required to get the 5.32.
We had touched on Arithmetic and Geometric Progressions in previous years
so this was fairly straight forward.
I had learned to do the Binomial Series from the Statistics Assignment,
however expanding a reciprocal square root term was new to me. I
completed this before the going through this in class and then used my notes
from class to double check my workings, which seem to be accurate.

Conclusion
I am very pleased with this assignment and believe it is one of the best I have
handed in. My consistency in the presentation has taken a lot of time and
effort.
Due to the amount of work already completed I decided to leave Task 4 until
the Calculus Assignment.
I feel I understand the use of checking my answers by simply using a different
method. This also helps relieves the pressure when handing the assignment
in as the answers are unlikely to be incorrect if they have also been checked.
I will continue to check my answers by using multiple methods, as this is a
similar approach to what happens on site at work.

40

Brendan Burr

BTEC Higher National Certificate in Electronics

Algebraic Methods

Bibliography
Through guidance from my lecturer, the following text books, catalogues and
websites I was able to complete this assignment:
Books
Higher Engineering Mathematics (John Bird)
ISBN: 0-7506-8152-7
Catalogues
N/A
Websites
N/A

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