MAT1581 SOLUTIONS Semester 1, 2022

QUESTION 1
7
 a
Use the Binomial theorem to expand  x 2 y   and simplify each term. [9]
 2
Answer:
7
 2 a
Compare terms  a  b    x y   and substitute from the information sheet:
n

 2
a
a  x 2 y; b  ; n  7 .
2

Marking: 8 terms, one mark for each term. One mark for final answer (full expansion)
Other formulas used. Deduct one mark if the student does not reference the source.

There are many methods that will result in the correct answers. In MAT1581 the only
official study material is the study guides. If other methods are used the student must
reference their source. Students are not required to reference the study guide.

7
 a
a  b 
n
  x2 y  
 2

 
7
T1  a n  x 2 y  x14 y 7

    x y a
6
T 2  n a n 1b  7 x 2 y a
2
7
2
12 6

x y     x y a
n ( n  1) 5 2
T3  2!
a n 2b 2  7 .6
2
2 a
2
21
4
10 5 2

n ( n  1)  n  2 
x y     x y
4 3
T4  3!
a n3 3
b  7 .6 .5
3 .2
2 a
2
35
8
8 4
a3
n ( n  1)  n  2 
 x y     1365 x
3 4
T5  4!
a n4 4
b  7 .6 .5 .4
4 .3 .2
2 a
2
6
y 3a 4

n ( n  1)  n  2 
x y   
21 4 2 5 2 5
T6  5!
a n  3b 3  7 .6 .5 .4 .3
5 .4 .3 .2
2
x y a a
2

32
T7 
n ( n  1)  n  2  n  3 3
6!
a b  67 .5 .6 .5 .4 .3
.4 .3 .2 
x 2 y  a2  
6 7 2 6
64
x ya 
a7
n ( n  1)  n  2  n  7 7
 2  128  
0
2 a 7
T8  7!
a b  7 .6 .5 .4 .3 .2 .1
7 .6 .5 .4 .3 .2 .1
x y 
7
 2 a 14 7 7 12 6 21 10 5 2 35 8 4 3 35 6 3 4 21 4 2 5 7 2 6 a 7
Thus  x y    x y  2 x y a  4 x y a  8 x y a  x y a  x y a  x ya 
 2 16 32 64 128
MAT1581 SOLUTIONS Semester 1, 2022

QUESTION 2
Resolve completely into partial fractions:
x
[8]
 x  1  x  2 
2

Answer:
There is a repeated linear factor therefore,
x A B C
  
 x  1  x  2 
2
 x  1  x  1  x  2 
2

A  x  1 x  2   B  x  2   C  x  1
2


 x  12  x  2 
x  A  x  1 x  2   B  x  2   C  x  1 ........eq(1)
2

Put x  1:  1  B
Put x  2 :  2  C
Substitute B and C into eq 1 :
x  A( x 2  3 x  2)  x  2  2 x 2  4 x  2
compare coefficients in x 2 :
0  A2
A2
x 2 1 2
Thus   
 x  1  x  2 
2
 x  1  x  1  x  2 
2

Marking: One mark for correct partial fraction expansion.

4 marks for working out the coefficients. Any method acceptable.
3 marks for correct final answer.
MAT1581 SOLUTIONS Semester 1, 2022

QUESTION 3
Find x using Cramèr's rule given the following simultaneous equations:
x  3 y  2 z  9
4 x  3 z  2 y  10 [8]
3 x  5 y  z  12
Answer:
Rewrite equations:
x  3 y  2 z  9
4 x  2 y  3 z  10 (1)
3 x  5 y  z  12
Find determinant of coefficients:
1 3 2
4 2 3
3 5 1
Develop along first row:
 (1)  2  15    1 3 4  9    2  20  6 
 17  39  28
 28 (3)
9 3 2
10 2 3
12 5 1
Develop along first row:
 (9)  2  15    1 3 10  36    2  50  24 
 (9) 17   3  46   2  26 
 67 (3)

x 67
x  (1)
 28

Marking: Wrong method, give 1 mark for final answer only.

On determinants, give 1 mark for determinant, 1 mark for working, 1
mark for answer.
MAT1581 SOLUTIONS Semester 1, 2022

QUESTION 4
If three cables are joined at a point and three forces are applied so the system is in
equilibrium, the following system of equations results:
6 2
FB  FC  2000
7 3
3 1
 FA  FB  FC  0
7 3
2 2
FB  FC  1200
7 3
4.1 Rewrite each of the equations to remove the fractions.
4.2 Use Cramer’s rule to determine the force FB , measured in newton.

4.3 Find forces FA and FC in newton.

Comment on each of the parts above by answering the following questions:
4.1 Why do we rewrite the equations?
4.2 Which method would you have chosen to start solving the simultaneous equations?
4.3 Why do you think no method is specified to find FA and FC ?

[15]
Answer:
4.1
In this case each of the fractions can be multiplied by the same number, namely 21.
18FB  14 FC  42000 (1)
21FA  9 FB  7 FC  0 (2) (1)
6 FB  14 FC  25200 (3)
Marking: Student may simplify equation 1 and 3 by dividing right through with 2.
Thus the answers for the determinants in 4.2 will be different but the final answer will
be the same.
Depending on the kind of mistake in the equations the marker may consider to award
follow-up marks in the answer for 4.2
OR:

9 FB  7 FC  21000 (1)
21FA  9 FB  7 FC  0 (2)
3FB  7 FC  126000 (3)
MAT1581 SOLUTIONS Semester 1, 2022

4.2
0 18 14
  21 9 7
0 6 14
Expand along the first column:
 0  (1)(21) 18 14    6  14    0
 7056 (3marks )
0 42000 14
 FB  21 0 7
0 25200 14
Expand along the first column:
 0  (1)(21)  42000 14    25200  14    0
 19 756 800 (3marks )

 19 756 800
FB  
x 7056
 2800 N (1marks )

Marking: 3 marks for each determinant, 1 mark for answer. No unit given in the
question, do not subtract marks for unit. The method for this part of the answer is
specified. No marks for a different method.

4.3
Substitute FB into equation (3):

6  2800   14 FC  25200 (3)

14 FC  8400 (2)
FC  600 N

Substitute FB and FC into equation (2):

21FA  9  2800   7  600   0 (2)

21FA  21000 (2)
FA  1000 N
Marking: Student may use any method for full marks.
MAT1581 SOLUTIONS Semester 1, 2022

Comment on each of the parts above by answering the following questions:

This is a reflection on question 4. Marks will be awarded at the discretion of the marker.
4.1 Why do we rewrite the equations?
The calculations is easier without fractions. Other possible solution methods may be
clearer when the fractions are removed. (1)
Solution without simplifying:
 

2
3
3
  1 7
1
3
2 2
0 7 3

Develop along the first column

 2
 0   1 1
3 
2
3
2
0
 3

 1    2    32  32  

 1221 4
 121
 2
2000  3
16 000
 FA  0 3
7
1
3

2 2
21
1200 7 3

 FA 16 000 16
FA     1000 N
 21 21
6 400
 FB  and FB  2800 N
3
3200
 FC  and FC  600 N
7
4.2 Which method would you have chosen to start solving the simultaneous equations?
Student may name any other method of solving simultaneous equations: determinants,
inverse of the coefficient matrix, Gauss elimination.
Best option: Elimination because from the simplified equations it is easily seen that
adding eq (1) and (3) would eliminate FC to find FB. FB and FC can then be substituted
into (2) to find FA. (1)
4.3 Why do you think no method is specified to find FA and FC ?
Both can be found using substitution which is less work than Cramer’s rule. (1)
[15]
Total: [40]