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 y mx b
the equation for a line whose y y1 6 0 3
x-intercept is 4 and y- m 2
x 2 x1 04 2
intercept is -6?
b 6
(A) 2x 3y 18 = 0
3
(B) 2x + 3y + 18 = 0 y x 6
(C) 3x 2y 12 = 0 2
(D) 3x + 2y + 12 = 0 2 y 3 x 12
Try using standard form 0 3 x 2 y 12
Handbook pg 3: y = mx + b
Given (x1, y1) = (4, 0)
Given (x2, y2) = (0, -6)

Answer is (C)
 Equations of lines
What is the general form of (A) 2 4 3 0 18 10 0
the equation for a line whose (B) 2 4 3 0 18 26 0
x-intercept is 4 and y- (C) 3 4 2 0 12 0
intercept is -6?
(D) 3 4 2 0 12 24 0
(A) 2x 3y 18 = 0
(B) 2x + 3y + 18 = 0
(C) 3x 2y 12 = 0 (C) 3 0 2 (6) 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)
 Trigonometry
For some angle q, csc q = -
8/5. What is cos 2q?
(A) 7/32
(B) 1/4
(C) 3/8
(D) 5/8
 Trigonometry
For some angle q, csc q = - csc q
1
8/5. What is cos 2q? sin q
(A) 7/32 cos 2q 1 2 sin 2 q
(B) 1/4 1
(C) 3/8 cos 2q 1 2
csc 2 q
(D) 5/8
52 25
Use trigonometric identities cos 2q 1 2 2 1 2
8 64
on handbook page 5 25 7
cos 2q 1
Answer is (A) 32 32
Confirm with calculator
First find q = csc-1(-8/5)
Then find cos 2q
 Polar coordinates
What is rectangular form of
the polar equation r2 = 1
tan2 q?
(A) x2 + x4y2 + y2 = 0
(B) x2 + x2y2 - y2 - y4 = 0
(C) x4 + y2 = 0
(D) x4 x2 + x2y2 + y2 = 0
 Polar coordinates
What is rectangular form of r x 2 y2
the polar equation r2 = 1
y
tan2 q? q tan 1 ( )
(A) x2 + x4y2 + y2 = 0
x
(B) x2 + x2y2 - y2 - y4 = 0 r 2 1 tan 2 q
(C) x4 + y2 = 0 y 1
( x y ) 1 tan (tan ( ))
2 2 2 2

(D) x4 x2 + x2y2 + y2 = 0 x
Polar coordinate identities on y2
x y 1 2
2 2

handbook page 5 x
Answer is (D) x 4 x 2 y2 x 2 y2
x 4 x 2 x 2 y2 y2 0
 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)
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

Matrix identities on handbook

page 7
Answer is (C)
 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 i j k
A = 6i + 8j + 10k B C 1 2 3
B = i + 2j + 3k 3 4 5
C = 3i + 4j + 5k, what is the B C i(2 5 3 4) j(1 5 3 3) k (1 4 2 3)
product A(B x C)?
B C 2i 4 j 2k
(A) 0
A (B C) (6i 8 j 10k ) (2i 4 j 2k )
(B) 64
A (B C) 6 (2) 8 4 10 (2) 0
(C) 80
(D) 216

Vector products on
handbook page 6
Answer is (A)
 Vector calculations
For three vectors i j k
A = 6i + 8j + 10k B C 1 2 3
B = i + 2j + 3k 3 4 5
C = 3i + 4j + 5k, what is the B C i(2 5 3 4) j(1 5 3 3) k (1 4 2 3)
product A(B x C)?
B C 2i 4 j 2k
(A) 0
A (B C) (6i 8 j 10k ) (2i 4 j 2k )
(B) 64
A (B C) 6 (2) 8 4 10 (2) 0
(C) 80
(D) 216
Aside: why is the answer zero? A dot
Vector products on product is only zero when two vectors A
handbook page 6 and (B x C) are perpendicular. But this is
Answer is (A) 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 l n ar n 1
geometric progression are 3 243
3/10 and 243/160. What is l2 , l6
10 160
the first term of the
l 6 ar 5 243 / 160 81
sequence? r4
(A) 1/10 l 2 ar 3 / 10 16
(B) 1/5 81 3
r4
(C) 3/5 16 2
(D) 3/2 3 3
l2 a
Geometric progression on 2 10
handbook page 7 1
l1 a
Answer is (B) 5
 Geometric progression
The 2nd and 6th terms of a l n ar n 1
geometric progression are 3 243
3/10 and 243/160. What is l2 , l6
10 160
the first term of the
l 6 ar 5 243 / 160 81
sequence? r4
(A) 1/10 l 2 ar 3 / 10 16
(B) 1/5 81 3
r4
(C) 3/5 16 2
(D) 3/2 3 3
l2 a
Geometric progression on 2 10
handbook page 7 1
l1 a
Answer is (B) 5
Confirm answer by calculating l2 and l6
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 3rd approximation if
the 1st 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 x n 1 x n
f (x n )
used to find the roots of the f ( x n )
equation f(x) = (x 2)2 1. f ( x ) ( x 2) 2 1
Find the 3rd approximation if
the 1st approximation of the f ( x ) 2 ( x 2)
root is 9.33 x1 9.33
(A) 1.0 (9.33 2) 2 1
(B) 2.0
x 2 9.33
2 (9.33 2)
(C) 3.0
52.73
(D) 4.0 x 2 9.33 5.73
14.66
Newtons method on (5.73 2) 2 1
handbook page 13 x 3 5.73
2 (5.73 2)
Answer is (D) 12.91
x 3 5.73 4 .0
7.46
 Limits
What is the limit of (1 e3x) /
4x as x 0?
(A) -
(B) -3/4
(C) 0
(D) 1/4
 Limits
What is the limit of (1 e3x) / 1 e3 x 1 e30 1 1 0
lim ?
4x as x 0? x 0 4x 40 0 0
(A) - f (x) 0 f ' (x)
if lim , try lim
(B) -3/4 x 0 g ( x ) 0 x 0 g ' ( x )

(C) 0
1 e3x 3e3x
(D) 1/4 lim lim
x 0 4x x 0 4
LHopitals rule on handbook 3e3 x 3 1 3
page 8 lim
x 0 4 4 4
Answer is (B)
 Limits
What is the limit of (1 e3x) / 1 e3 x 1 e30 1 1 0
lim ?
4x as x 0? x 0 4x 40 0 0
(A) - f (x) 0 f ' (x)
if lim , try lim
(B) -3/4 x 0 g ( x ) 0 x 0 g ' ( x )

(C) 0
1 e3x 3e3x
(D) 1/4 lim lim
x 0 4x x 0 4
LHopitals rule on handbook 3e3 x 3 1 3
page 8 lim
x 0 4 4 4
Answer is (B)
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 m3 / min
(B) 0.52 m3 / min
(C) 0.63 m3 / min
(D) 0.84 m3 / min
 Application of derivatives
The radius of a snowball 4 3
rolling down a hill is V(r ) r
3
increasing at a rate of 20 cm
dV dV dr
/ min. How fast is its volume
increasing when the dt dr dt
diameter is 1 m? dV dr
4r 2
(A) 0.034 m3 / min dt dt
(B) 0.52 m3 / min dV m
(C) 0.63 m3 / min 4 0.5m 2 0.2
dt min
(D) 0.84 m3 / min
dV m3
Derivatives on handbook 0.63
page 9; volume of sphere on dt min
handbook page 10
Answer is (C)
 Application of derivatives
The radius of a snowball 4 3
rolling down a hill is V(r ) r
3
increasing at a rate of 20 cm
dV dV dr
/ min. How fast is its volume
increasing when the dt dr dt
diameter is 1 m? dV dr
4r 2
(A) 0.034 m3 / min dt dt
(B) 0.52 m3 / min dV m
(C) 0.63 m3 / min 4 0.5m 2 0.2
dt min
(D) 0.84 m3 / min
dV m3
Derivatives on handbook 0.63
page 9; volume of sphere on dt min
handbook page 10
Convert cm to m, convert diameter to
Answer is (C)
radius, and confirm final units are correct.
 Evaluating integrals
Evaluate the indefinite
integral of f(x) = cos2x sin x
(A) -2/3 sin3x + C
(B) -1/3 cos3x + C
(C) 1/3 sin3x + C
(D) 1/2 sin2x cos2x + C
 Evaluating integrals
u cos 2 x
Evaluate the indefinite
du 2 cos x sin x dx
integral of f(x) = cos2x sin x
dv sin x dx
(A) -2/3 sin3x + C v cos x
(B) -1/3 cos3x + C
u dv u v v du
(C) 1/3 sin3x + C
cos x sin x dx cos x 2 cos x sin x dx
2 3 2

(D) 1/2 sin2x cos2x +C

3 cos x sin x dx cos x
2 3

Apply integration by parts on 1

2
cos x sin x dx cos 3 x
handbook page 9 3

Answer is (B)
 Evaluating integrals
d 2
Evaluate the indefinite (A) ( sin 3 x C) 2 sin 2 x cos x
dx 3
integral of f(x) = cos2x sin x d 1
(B) ( cos 3 x C) cos 2 x sin x
(A) -2/3 sin3x + C dx 3
(B) -1/3 cos3x + C d 1 3
( C) ( sin x C) sin 2 x cos x
dx 3
(C) 1/3 sin3x + C d 1
( D) ( sin 2 x cos 2 x C) sin x cos 3 x sin 3 x cos x
(D) 1/2 sin2x cos2x + C dx 2

Alternative method is to
differentiate answers
Answer is (B)
 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 [/2, 2]?
(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
2
interval [/2, 2]?
/2
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4 2
area sin x dx
Need absolute value / 2
2
because sin x is negative area sin x dx sin x dx
over interval [, 2] / 2

Answer is (C) area cos x / 2 cos x 2

area (1) 0 1 (1) 3
 Differential equations
What is the general solution
to the differential equation
y 8y + 16y = 0?
(A) y = C1e4x
(B) y = (C1 + C2x)e4x
(C) y = C1e-4x + C1e4x
(D) y = C1e2x + C2e4x
 Differential equations
What is the general solution y 8 y 16 y 0
to the differential equation y 2 4 y 16 y 0
y 8y + 16y = 0? a 4, b 16
(A) y = C1 e4x
r 2 2 4r 16r 0
(B) y = (C1 + C2x)e4x
(C) y = C1e-4x + C1e4x r 4 4 2 16 4
(D) y = C1e2x + C2e4x y (C1 C 2 x ) e 4 x
Solving 2nd order differential
eqns on handbook page 12
Answer is (B)
 Differential equations
What is the general solution
to the differential equation
y 8y + 16y = 0?
(A) y = C1 e4x
(B) y = (C1 + C2x)e4x
(C) y = C1e-4x + C1e4x
(D) y = C1e2x + C2e4x
Solving 2nd order differential
eqns on handbook page 12
Answer is (B)
y 8 y 16 y 0
y 2 4 y 16 y 0
a 4, b 16
r 2 2 4r 16r 0
r 4 4 2 16 4
y (C1 C 2 x ) e 4 x
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 bt where f(0) and f(0) = 0
(A) F(s) = b / [(1 + s2)(s2 + b2)]
(B) F(s) = b / [(1 + s2)(s2 - b2)]
(C) F(s) = b / [(1 - s2)(s2 + b2)]
(D) F(s) = s / [(1 - s2)(s2 + b2)]
 Laplace transforms
Find the Laplace transform f ( t ) s 2 F(s) s f (0) s 2 f (0)
of the equation f(t) + f(t) = f ( t ) s 2 F(s)
sin bt where f(0) and f(0) = 0
f ( t ) F(s)
(A) F(s) = b / [(1 + s2)(s2 + b2)]
b
(B) F(s) = b / [(1 + s2)(s2 - b2)]
(C) F(s) = b / [(1 - s2)(s2 + b2)]

sin bt e 0 t sin bt s 2 b2
(D) F(s) = s / [(1 - s2)(s2 + b2)]
b
s 2 F(s) F(s)
Laplace transforms on s 2 b2
handbook page 174 (EECS b
section) (s 2 1) F(s) 2
s b2
Answer is (A)
1 b
F(s) 2 2
s 1 s b2
 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 Let X = a random score, find
normally with a mean of 73 and Prob(65 < X < 80)
a standard deviation of 11. X is normally distributed with
What is the probability of finding mean 72 and S.D. 11
a score between 65 and 80? (65 72) / 11 = -0.73 -0.7
(A) 0.4196
(B) 0.4837
(80 72) / 11 = 0.64 0.6
(C) 0.5161 Prob(65 < X < 80) Prob(-0.7 <
(D) 0.6455 Z < 0.6)
Standard normal tables on Convert Prob(-0.7 < Z < 0.6)
handbook page 20 Prob(Z < 0.6) Prob(Z < -0.7)
Prob(Z < 0.6) Prob(Z > 0.7)
Answer is (B)
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
ta values handbook page 21
Answer is (A)
Use formula for population
standard deviation unknown
s
Formula is X t a / 2
n
Look up ta/2, n
a = 1 0.95 = 0.05
a/2 = 0.025
n = 25 1 = 24 degrees of
freedom
t0.025, 24 = 2.064 on page 21
Calculate confidence interval
73 (2.064) (11) / 25
Answer is 73 4.54
 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, t0 = -1.96
(B) No difference, z0 = 1.81
(C) No difference, t0 = 1.74
(D) First lot lasts longer, t0 = 1.96
 Hypothesis testing
You sample two lots of light bulbs Test H0: m1 = m2 vs. H1: m1 > m2
for mean lifetime. The first lot mean H0: m1 - m2 = 0 vs. H1: m1 - m2 > 0
= 792 hours, S.D. = 35 hours, n =
Use formula for population standard
25. The second lot mean = 776
deviation or variance unknown
hours, S.D. = 24 hours, n = 20.
Determine with 95% confidence
whether light bulbs from the first lot (25 1) 352 (20 1) 24 2
Sp 30.63
last longer than those from the 25 20 2
second lot. Provide a statistic
value. 792 776
t0 1.74
(A) First lot lasts longer, z0 = -1.96 30.63 1 25 1 20
(B) No difference, z0 = 1.81
(C) No difference, t0 = 1.74 Look up ta, n
(D) First lot lasts longer, t0 = 1.96 a = 1 0.95 = 0.05
Hypothesis testing in IE section of n = 25 + 20 2 = 43 d.o.f.
handbook page 198 t0.05, 43 = 1.96 from page 21 (n > 29)

ta values handbook page 21 Accept null hypothesis since

statistic t0 < t0.05, 43
Answer is (C)
Bulbs from first lot do not last longer