1 General Mathematical Principles ‘The mathematical concepts provided by this review should be thoroughly mastered for success in solving problems in mechanics. Solution of Linear Algebraic Equations Such a set of equations may be solved by sucessive elimination of the unknown variables, until one is left with « having one unknown. After solving for this unknown, the other unknowns are determined by the process of back substitution, The following example, involving three equations with three unknowns (x,y,z) illustrates the procedure, wxtdy+z a 2e-ytz @ 4x-Sy+32=4 8) Eliminate one of the variables, for example solve for x in Eq. (1) and Eq, (2), both in terms of y and z. This yields, (4) (5) ‘Substitute each of these equations into Eq. (3) and simplify, which gives, lly+7z=8 (6) ~3y+z=0 7) ‘We now have eliminated x and have two equations with two unknowns. Solve Bq. (7) for y in terms of z, Substitute into Eq. (6) and solve for z; i.e., 1 (8) So that, MeeTe=8 gine Therefore, 0.750 Ans. Now by back substituion of z solve for y using Eq. (8), 1 3(0.750) = 0.250 Ans. then for x, using Eq. (4), x = 4(0.250) +0.750~ | = 0.750 Ans. ‘The solution may be rechecked by substituting the answers into the original three equations. 1Solution of a Quadratic Equation ‘The standard form of this equation is ae +bx+c=0 ‘The solution is determined from the quadratic formula wb Pate 2a For example, to solve x” +2x = 4, the equation is rearranged in the standard form x 420-4=0 So thata=1,b=2,c=-4. Thus, + 2-4-4) 2c) 24 and x = -3.24 Ans. Constructed Relationships Between Angles ‘Note how the angles between parallel lines and sloping and normal lines are related. For the cases involving sloping and normal lines, the angles are easy to establish if one imagines 6 —> 0, so that the incline lines approach the horizontal or vertical coincidently.All triangles inscribed in a semicircle have a right angle. oO Right Triangles C= YAT+B? (Pythagorean Theorem) a+b=90" 1 ‘Area = 5AB aXe In particular, note the 3-4-5 and 5-12-13 right triangles : If two triangles are similar, their sides are respectively proportional. For example, if ABC is similar to A’B’C’, then AC_A’C AC ABR cB_CB’ cB AB eo A 5 Is A , whCircle ‘Arc length is defined by s = @r, where @ is in radians and s and rhave the same dimensions 360° = 2m radians, so that | radian = 180°/7, a 4f{4 \ NL NN Right triangles For a given right triangle we define the basic trigonometric functions as side opposite to the angle sin (angle) = hypotenuse side adjacent to the angle cos (angle) = =" SE hypotenuse side opposite to the angle tan (angle) = side adjacent to the angle ‘These equations are easily remembered if one memorizes the acronyn, SOH-CAH-TOA, where S.C, and Tare sine, cosine, and tangent, respectively, and O is the opposite side, A is the adjacent side, and H is the hypotenuse. For example, given the right triangle shown in the figure, ‘The angle can be determined from a pocket calculator. Mathematically, we designate this by the notation where sin’! denotes the arc or inverse sine etc. of the angle. Ina similar manner, given any right triangle, we can determine the sides AB and BC from the triangles shown by using a pocket calculator. AB 605 20° = >; AB = 3.c0s20° = 2.82 BC sin 20° = =; BC=3 sin20° = 1.03 4In particular, from the special triangles shown note the following : 1 sin ase = =0.7071 a 1 cos 45° = — = 0.7071 ii > io Sf, LN Nonright triangles ‘The sides and angles of a nonright triangle are determined from Sine law A_B_C sina sinb~ sine . 4 Cosine law = VAP+BP—2AB cos ¢ € For example, for the triangle shown in the figure, the unknown side B can be determined as follows B ‘sin 105° p= 30.9659) ay 7580 Since @ = 180° 105°-30° = 45°, A may also be obtained by the law of sines A 3 4 = 310-7071) sin 45° ~ sin 30°" 05 = 4.24 or, using the results for B and 8, we can obtain A by the law of cosines, ie., A = VQ)? + (5.B0)? — 2(3)(5.80) cos 45° = 4,24 5Problems 1.1. Solve the following three equations for x, y, and z: xeytescl naty+ xt2y-22=5 1.2 Ineach case, solve the following quadratic equations for the two roots of x : a)x?-16=0 b) -x"+5x=-6 1,3 Ineach case, determine the angle @ : a) b) me RK 1.4 Determine the length of side AB if AABC is similar to AA’B’ he as| 1.5 Ineach case, using the basic trigonometric functions, determine the length of side AB : a) b) fl ; 2 a aN : 4+, : °) A as1.6 Determine the angles $ and @, and the side AB of the triangle : ‘0 ° 1.7 Using the law of sines or cosines determine the length of the unknown sides in each triangle. 33