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University of Nairobi

This document contains instructions and questions for a third year Bachelor of Science examination in methods (SMA 321) at the University of Nairobi. There are 5 questions assessing a range of mathematical topics: 1) Question one has parts assessing power series convergence, properties of functions, and solving a differential equation. 2) Question two involves using a substitution to reduce a differential equation to Bessel's equation and solving an initial value problem. 3) Question three covers Fourier series, including sketching a periodic function and evaluating integrals using a Fourier series. 4) Question four involves determining derivatives of Laplace transforms and using them to solve an initial value problem. 5) Question five asks about Rodrigues'

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73 views3 pages

University of Nairobi

This document contains instructions and questions for a third year Bachelor of Science examination in methods (SMA 321) at the University of Nairobi. There are 5 questions assessing a range of mathematical topics: 1) Question one has parts assessing power series convergence, properties of functions, and solving a differential equation. 2) Question two involves using a substitution to reduce a differential equation to Bessel's equation and solving an initial value problem. 3) Question three covers Fourier series, including sketching a periodic function and evaluating integrals using a Fourier series. 4) Question four involves determining derivatives of Laplace transforms and using them to solve an initial value problem. 5) Question five asks about Rodrigues'

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Mary Oguta
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UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI

SECOND SEMESTER EXAMINATIONS 2019/2020

THIRD YEAR EXAMINATIONS FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF


SCIENCE

SMA 321:METHODS
DATE: ——— TIME: ——–

INSTRUCTIONS: Answer Question ONE and any other TWO questions

QUESTION ONE (30 MARKS)


(a) Consider the power series below
∞
1
∑ (−3)2+n(n2 + 1) (4x − 12)n.
n=0

Determine the interval and radius of convergence of the above power series. (8mks)
(b) Briefly explain the following and give an example in each case.
(i) A function which is odd in the interval [−π , π ].
(ii) Convergence of power series ∑∞
n=0 An (x − x0 ) .
n

(ii) A function which is analytic at the point x0 .


(iv) Set of functions which is orthogonal in the interval [a, b] . (8mks)
(c) Determine the solution of the following equation which is finite at x = 0. (7mks)

4x2 y′′ (x) + 4xy′ (x) + (16x2 − 1)y(x) = 0.

(d) Show that the function below is even in the interval [−π , π ], hence find its Fourier series in the
interval.
f (x) = π − |x| (−π ≤ x ≤ π ).

Use your result to sum the infinite series: 1 + 312 + 512 + 712 + · · · (7mks)
QUESTION TWO (20 MARKS)
One of the mathematical models for the free undamped motion of a mass on an ageing spring is
given
my′′ (t) + Ke−α t y(t) = 0, where α > 0.
√
at
(a) Using the substitution x = α2 e 2 K m , reduce the differential equation to a Bessel’s differential
equation in x. Hence determine the general solution of the differential equation which is finite
at x = 0. (12mks)
(b) Using the first three terms of the series solution obtained in part (a) of this question, solve the
initial-value problem:
4y′′ (t) + e−0.1t y(t) = 0, y(0) = 1.
(8mks)

QUESTION THREE (20 MARKS)


(a) Write down the Fourier series of a periodic function f (x) of period 2π , defined in the interval
[−π , π ] . (3mks)
(b) Let f (x) be a function of period 2π such that:
{
0, −π < x < 0
f (x) =
x, 0<x<π

(i) Sketch a graph of f (x) in the interval −3π < x < 3π . (3mks)
(ii) Obtain the Fourier series of of the function, f (x), hence use the series to show that:

π 1 1 1
= 1− + − +···
4 3 5 7

π2 1 1 1
= 1+ 2 + 2 + 2 +···
8 3 5 7
(14mks)

QUESTION FOUR (20 MARKS)


(a) let f (s) = L {F(t)} denote the Laplace transform of F(t). Determine f ′ (s) and f ′′ (s) and hence
deduce the expression for f (n) (s) (6mks)
Write down the expressions for L {F ′ (t)} and L {F ′′ (t)} and hence solve the initial-value prob-
lem
y′′ (x) − 3y′ (x) − 10y(x) = 2, y(0) = 1 and y′ (0) = 2.
(14mks)
QUESTION FIVE (20 MARKS)
(a) State the Rodrigues’ formula. Hence use it to obtain the expressions for the Legendre polyno-
mials P0 (x), P1 (x), P2 (x) and P3 (x). (10mks)
(b) Use the orthogonality property of Legendre polynomials to evaluate the integral
∫ 1
I= (3 + 5x)(3 + 4x2 + x3 )dx
−1

(10mks)

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