MAT3700/101/3//2022

Tutorial Letter 101/3/2022

Mathematics III (Engineering)

MAT3700
Semester 1 and 2

Department Mathematical Sciences

This tutorial letter contains important information about MAT3700.

The information in this letter was compiled on 2 September 2021.
Any changes will be announced on the MAT3700 site on myUNISA.
Follow-up tutorial letters and solutions to the assignments will be posted on
myUNISA under additional resources.

Have you claimed your UNISA login and mylife e-mail?

If not go to http://my.unisa.ac.za

BARCODE
 CONTENTS
Page

1  INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................ 3 
1.1  Getting started ................................................................................................................................ 3 
2  PURPOSE AND OUTCOMES ........................................................................................................ 3 
2.1  Purpose .......................................................................................................................................... 3 
2.2  Outcomes ....................................................................................................................................... 3 
3  CURRICULUM TRANSFORMATION ............................................................................................ 4 
4  LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS .................................................................................... 5 
4.1  Lecturer(s) ...................................................................................................................................... 5 
4.2  Department ..................................................................................................................................... 5 
4.3  University ........................................................................................................................................ 5 
5  RESOURCES ................................................................................................................................. 5 
5.1  Prescribed book(s) .......................................................................................................................... 5 
5.2  Recommended book(s) .................................................................................................................. 6 
5.3  Electronic reserves (e-reserves) ..................................................................................................... 6 
6  STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES ................................................................................................. 6 
6.1  First-Year Experience Programme @ Unisa .................................................................................. 7 
6.2 Students with disabilities .................................................................................................................. 7 
7  STUDY PLAN ................................................................................................................................. 7 
8  PRACTICAL WORK ....................................................................................................................... 9 
9  ASSESSMENT ............................................................................................................................... 9 
9.1  Assessment criteria ........................................................................................................................ 9 
9.2  Assessment plan ............................................................................................................................ 9 
9.3  Submission of assignments ............................................................................................................ 9 
9.3.1  Written assignments ....................................................................................................................... 9 
9.3.2 To submit via myUnisa: .................................................................................................................. 10 
9.4  The assignments .......................................................................................................................... 10 
9.5   The examination ........................................................................................................................... 10 
10  FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS .......................................................................................... 10 
11  SOURCES CONSULTED ............................................................................................................. 11 
12  IN CLOSING ................................................................................................................................. 11 

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 MAT3700/101/3/2022

Dear Student

1 INTRODUCTION
Welcome to MAT3700 Mathematics III (Engineering).

In MAT3700 you have to work independently and motivate yourself to do so regularly to be

successful. See an example of a study plan further on in this letter. The amount of time you
study is not important, but how efficient you use that time is very important.

This module is not a continuous assessment module as modules offered by the School of
Engineering are. You will write an examination and not tests.

If you are registered for semester 1 you will write your final examination in May/June 2022 and if
you are registered for semester 2 you will write your final examination in Oct/Nov 2022.

1.1 Getting started

You will receive two study guides. Two topics are not covered in your study guides: Linear
Algebra and Fourier Series. To master this content you need to buy the prescribed book. The
prescribed book will also provide more examples and exercises on the other topics in this
module. The prescribed book also provides revision of Mathematics I and II (Engineering).

The study guides of all the modules you are registered for can be downloaded from myUNISA.
Please forward possible mistakes to the lecturer for errata to be posted on myUNISA.

2 PURPOSE AND OUTCOMES

2.1 Purpose

Students completing this module will be able to solve first-order ordinary differential equations
and second order ordinary differential equations using the method of undetermined coefficients,
solve any order differential equations using d-operators and Laplace transforms, to find the
eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a matrix and write the Fourier series of a function.

This module will support students in their studies in the field of engineering and the physical
sciences as part of a diploma.

2.2 Outcomes

Specific outcome 1:
Solving first order differential equations
Assessment criteria:
1. Use direct integration, separation of variables, substitution and the integrating factor method to solve
exact, linear, Bernoulli and homogeneous first-order differential equations.
2. Apply knowledge to solve practical problems involving growth and decay, cooling, mixtures and
falling bodies.

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Specific outcome 2:
d2y dy
Solving second order differential equations of the form P0 2
 P1  P2 y  Q where Q is equal to
dx dx
zero, a constant, or a function of x only, and P0, P1 and P2 are constants.
Assessment criteria
1. Use the method of undetermined coefficients to find the general solution of second order differential
equations.
2. Be able to find the particular solution from the general solution when given the necessary conditions.

Specific outcome 3:
dn y dy
Solving second order differential equations of the form P0  ...  P1  P2 y  Q where Q is equal to
dx n dx
zero, a constant, or a function of x only, and P0, P1 and P2 are constants and n is a natural number.
Assessment criteria
1. Use D-operator methods to find the general or particular solution.
2. Use Laplace transforms and inverse Laplace transforms to find the particular solution.

Specific outcome 4:
Determine eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a matrix
Assessment criteria
1. Be able to calculate the eigenvalues of a 2x2 or 3x3 matrix.
2. Given an eigenvalue of a 2x2 or 3x3 matrix be able to find an eigenvector corresponding to the
eigenvalue.

Specific outcome 5:
Representing a function as a Fourier series.
Assessment criteria
1. Be able to sketch a function over a given range and expand the sketch to represent a periodic function.
2. Obtain the Fourier series expansion of the periodic function.

3 CURRICULUM TRANSFORMATION
Unisa has placed curriculum transformation high on the teaching and learning agenda.
Curriculum transformation includes the following pillars: student-centred scholarship, the
pedagogical renewal of teaching and assessment practices, the scholarship of teaching and
learning, and the infusion of African epistemologies and philosophies. These pillars and their
principles will be integrated at both programme and module levels as a phased-in approach.
You will notice a marked change in the teaching and learning strategy implemented by Unisa,
together with how the content is conceptualised in your modules. We encourage you to
embrace these changes during your studies at Unisa in a responsive way.

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 MAT3700/101/3/2022

4 LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS

4.1 Lecturer(s)

The primary lecturer for this module is Ms L E Greyling at the time of compiling this tutorial letter
(September 2021):
Department: Mathematical Sciences
If you experience any problems with the mathematical content you are welcome to contact the
lecturer:
Telephone: 011 471 2350
E-mail: [email protected]

You should spend time on a problem but do not brood over it, in most cases you only need a
hint from the lecturer or tutor to solve the problem or to move forward with your studies. You can
save valuable time if you contact your lecturer when needed.

You must mention your student number and the code MAT3700 in all enquiries about this
module. Any question without your student number and code MAT3700 will be ignored.

You must use your mylife e-mail to send enquiries to all UNISA departments.

4.2 Department

The department of Mathematical Sciences is situated on the UNISA Science Campus in Florida.
The secretary of the department is available on 011-670-9147.
4.3 University
To contact the University, follow the instructions on the Contact us page on the Unisa website.
Remember to have your student number available whenever you contact the University.

5 RESOURCES
5.1 Prescribed book(s)

Your study guides do not cover the outcomes sufficiently.

First Author Year Title Edition Publisher ISBN

Bird, John 2017 Higher Engineering Mathematics 8th Routledge(Newnes) 9781138673571

Note: The 9th edition will also be acceptable.

Prescribed books can be obtained from the University’s official booksellers. Please refer to the
list of official booksellers and their addresses in the Study@Unisa brochure. If you have
difficulty locating your book at these booksellers, please contact the Prescribed Books section
at 012 429 4152 or e-mail [email protected].

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5.2 Recommended book(s)

You may consult the following book in order to broaden your knowledge of MAT3700
A limited number of copies are available in the Library and at learning centers:

First Author Year Title Edition Publisher ISBN

James,G 2011 Advanced Modern Engineering Mathematics 4th Pearson-Prentice Hall 978-0-273-71923-6

5.3 Electronic reserves (e-reserves)

There are no e-reserves for this module.

5.4 Library services and resources information

The Unisa Library offers a range of information services and resources:

 For brief information, go to https://www.unisa.ac.za/library/libatglance

 For more detailed Library information, go to
http://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library
 For research support and services (eg Personal Librarians and literature search
services), go to http://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Library-
services/Research-support

The Library has created numerous Library guides: http://libguides.unisa.ac.za

Recommended guides:

 Request and find library material/download recommended material:

http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/request/request
 Postgraduate information services: http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/request/postgrad
 Finding and using library resources and tools:
http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/Research_skills
 Frequently asked questions about the library:
http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/ask
 Services to students living with disabilities:
http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/disability

Important contact information:

 Ask a Librarian: https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/ask
 Technical problems accessing library online services: [email protected]
 General library related queries: [email protected]
 For queries related to library fines and payments: [email protected]

6 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

The Study @ Unisa website is available on myUnisa: www.unisa.ac.za/brochures/studies

The website has all the tips and information you need to succeed at Unisa.
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 MAT3700/101/3/2022

On the myUNISA landing page more information can be found under the Learner Support and
Regions block. I would like two highlight to sections in this letter.

6.1 First-Year Experience Programme @ Unisa

For many students, the transition from school education to tertiary education is beset with
anxiety. This is also true for first-time students to Unisa. Unisa is a dedicated open distance and
e-learning institution. Unlike face-to-face/contact institutions, Unisa is somewhat different. It is a
mega university and all our programmes are offered through a blended learning mode or fully
online learning mode. It is for this reason that we thought it necessary to offer first-time students
additional/extended support so that you can seamlessly navigate the Unisa teaching and
learning journey with little difficulty and few barriers. In this regard we offer a specialised student
support programme to students entering Unisa for the first time. We refer to this programme as
Unisa’s First-Year Experience (FYE) Programme. The FYE is designed to provide you with
prompt and helpful information about services that the institution offers and how you can access
information. The following FYE programmes are currently offered:

 FYE website: All the guides and resources you need to navigate through your first year at
Unisa can be accessed using the following link: www.unisa.ac.za/FYE

 FYE e-mails: You will receive regular e-mails to help you stay focused and motivated.

 FYE broadcasts: You will receive e-mails with links to broadcasts on various topics related to
your first-year studies (eg videos on how to submit assignments online).

 FYE mailbox: For assistance with queries related to your first year of study, send an e-mail
to [email protected]

6.2 Students with disabilities

Unisa provides equal opportunities for all students. The university respects the rights of
students to disclose or not disclose any disability.
For more information on services and support offered to students with disabilities, access
https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Apply-for-admission/Students-with-disabilities

E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: +27 12 429 6923 / 6924 / 6540 / 3829 / 8668 / 6050 / 2607 or +27 12 441 5470 / 5471

7 STUDY PLAN
To successfully prepare for submitting your assignments you have to work according to a time
table. Use the following table or draw up your own table to schedule your studies for this
subject.

Be realistic. You need to add additional factors like work, family commitments and rest. If you
do not schedule your “play time” you will feel guilty and stressed instead of relaxing and building
up energy for your studies.
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Your study material is compiled in such a way that you should be able to complete a unit per
day. The post-test should take you another day or a bit longer if you need to revise some of the
work.

Warning: Do not study selectively. To explain, do not take the assignment and try to find
similar questions in the study guides and only work through those questions.

WEEK STUDYGUIDES TEXT BOOK Content

(8th ed)
Chapter
1&2 Module 1 33, 50 and 51 First Order Differential Equations
Unit 1 and 2 Applications of First Order Differential Equations
Complete assignment 1
Module 1 52 Numerical Methods
Unit 3
3 Module 2 53 and 54 Solving second-order differential equations with
Unit 1 and 2 constant coefficients
Method of undetermined coefficients
4&5 Module 3 Introduction to Differential Operators
Unit 1 and 2 Differential Equations and D-operator Methods
6 Module 3 Simultaneous equations and numerical
Unit 3 and 4 methods.
Practical Problems solved with D-operator
methods
7 Module 4 67 and 68 Laplace Transforms
Unit 1
8&9 Module 4 69 Inverse Laplace Transforms
Unit 2
10 Module 4 70 Special Functions: Unit step and impulse
Unit 3 functions
11&12 Module 4 71 Solving differential equations with Laplace
Unit 4 transforms
13 Module 4 72 Solving simultaneous differential equations with
Unit 5 Laplace transforms
14 Module 4 Practical Problems solved with Laplace
Unit 6 Transforms
Complete assignment 2
15 Module 5 25.4 and 25.5 Gauss Elimination
Unit 1 and Unit 2 Eigenvalues and eigenvectors
16 Module 6 73 Fourier Series for periodic functions of period 2
Unit 1 
Module 6 74 Fourier Series for non-periodic functions over a
Unit 2 range of 2 
17 Module 6 75 Even and Odd functions and Half-range Fourier
Unit 3 series
18 Module 6 76 Fourier Series over any range
Unit 4
Complete assignment 3
Revision: Do preparation papers

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 MAT3700/101/3/2022

8 PRACTICAL WORK
There are no practical work for this module.

9 ASSESSMENT
9.1 Assessment criteria

See the assessment criteria listed with each outcome under point 2 in this letter.
9.2 Assessment plan

Your performance in your assignments plays a vital part in your final mark. Submission of
an assignment gives you admission to the examination. Your assignment marks for all four
assignments will be used to calculate your year mark. Your year mark will form part of your final
mark for the module.

Assignment % of Year mark Description and Instructions

01 10 Written assignment on module 1

02 70 Written assignment on module 2,3 and 4

03 20 Written assignment on module 5 and 6

Each module in your study guides contains a post-test with solutions to help you prepare for the
compulsory assignments and the final examination.

9.3 Submission of assignments

Plan your programme so that study problems can be sorted out in time. The due dates will be
posted on the myUNISA module site,
9.3.1 Written assignments
The rules for assignments are:
- Please keep a copy of your answers.
- Write your student number and module code at the top of each page.
- Submit answers in numerical order with each page numbered in the lower right hand
corner.
- Keep to the due dates.
- Write clearly with a black pen.
- Marks may be deducted or not given if answers are scratched out or difficult to read.

Write your answers down in the correct order and make sure that every answer is numbered
clearly. Make sure that your answers are clear and unambiguous.

Do not string a series of numbers together without any indication of what you are calculating.
Be careful with the use of the equal sign (=). The correct units must be shown in you answer.

Note that we are not only interested in whether you can get the correct answer, but also in
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whether you can formulate your thoughts correctly. Mere calculations are not good enough
– you have to make sure that what you have written down consists of mathematically correct
notation, which makes sense to the marker.

Students must send in their own work. Of course, it is a good thing to discuss problems with
fellow students. However, where copying has clearly taken place disciplinary action will be
taken.

9.3.2 To submit via myUnisa:

You can scan your handwritten assignment answers to be submitted electronically.

You may also type your answers. Don’t scan an assignment cover. You assignment will be
marked electronically. Please make sure that it is easy to read. Your assignment must be
combined in one pdf document. Only one pdf document can be uploaded per assignment.
Login with your student number and password. Select the module. Click on assignments.
Click on the assignment number you want to submit. Follow the instructions on the screen.

Your marked assignment will be available on myUNISA for viewing.

9.4 The assignments

The assignment question will be posted on the myUNISA module site.

9.5 The examination

Particulars about the examination will be sent to you by the examinations division during the
semester. Note that lecturers cannot give admission to the examination if you failed to obtain
access to the examination nor can we change the examination date.

Please check your permission to write the examination on 16 April for semester 1 and 17
September for semester 2 on myUNISA. Also check your examination date.

Copies of previous examination papers are not available on request from the lecturer.
The most recent paper is available on MyUnisa under official study material without
memorandum.

Your final mark will be calculated as follows: (20%  Year mark) + (80%  Examination mark)

You need a final mark of 50% in order to pass the subject with a subminimum of 40% on your
examination mark. A subminimum of 40% means that if you receive less than 40% in the
exam you fail and in this case your year mark does not count.

This module has no tests as the module is not a continuous assessment module.

10 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Question: Can I get an extension on the due date for my assignment 01?
Answer: No, this assignment gives you admission to the examination and for administrative
purposes no extension can be given.
Question: May I use a calculator in the examination?
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 MAT3700/101/3/2022

Answer: Yes, it must be non-programmable.

Question: Can I request more past papers from the lecturers?
Answer: No, past papers are on MyUnisa under official Study material.
Question: Where do I get memorandums for past papers?
Answer: No memorandums are supplied, but the lecturer may decide to post some solutions
or answers only under additional resources on myUNISA.
Question: What does the letters FC after my module code mean?
Answer: FC stands for Financial Cancellation. You may continue your studies and even write
the examination but no results will be released before your student account has been
paid in full.

11 SOURCES CONSULTED
Study Guides and documents supplied on the UNISA website

12 IN CLOSING
Do not hesitate to contact us by e-mail if you are experiencing problems with the content of this
tutorial letter or with any academic aspect of the module.

We wish you a fascinating and satisfying journey through the learning material, and trust that
you will complete the module successfully.

We wish you every success with your studies!

Enjoy the journey!

Ms L E Greyling – lecturer for MAT3700

Department of Mathematical Sciences

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