Higher National Certificate/Diploma in

Computing

Assignment Brief
Student Name/ID
Number

Unit Number and Title Maths for Computing

Academic Year 2023

Unit Tutor Hasitha Sanjeewa

Assignment Title Maths for Computing (Unit 11)

Issue Date 21/12/2023

Submission Date 04/02/2023

IV Name & Date

 Assignment Guidelines

• This Assignment contains 16 tasks in 14 pages.

• Answer all 16 tasks.

• Any type/size of papers can be used.

• Answer scripts should be handwritten and must be submitted through the LMS as PDF

files.

• Output of the GeoGebra mathematics software should be attached where necessary.

• Read the questions carefully before attempt to answer.

• Write your answers in professional manner.

• Show the steps how you get the answer at relevant places.

• Use clear sketches where necessary.

• Your answers should be clear, up to the point and well ordered.

• Clearly mention your assumptions (if any) at relevant places.

Unit Learning Outcomes

LO1 Use applied number theory in practical computing scenarios

In mathematics and computer science, computational number theory, also known as

algorithmic number theory, is the study of computational methods for investigating and
solving problems in number theory and arithmetic geometry, including algorithms for
primality testing and integer factorization, finding solutions to Diophantine equations, and
explicit methods in arithmetic geometry.

Task 1(P1)
1. A Charity worker has 240 books, 200 pens, 80 pencils and 45 chocolates. He wants to
distribute them with a group of children equally.
a) Find the largest number of children he can distribute, so that each student gets an equal
number of books, pens, pencils, and chocolates.
b) Write down how many books, pens, pencils, and chocolates will be given to each child.
c) What is the most appropriate mathematical technique to solve this type of problem?
d) Why cannot the technique mentioned in part (c) be directly used to solve part (a)?
e) Briefly explain how you overcome the obstacle state in part (d).

2. An artist wants to paint a side wall of a jogging park with black and white squares
representing chess board pattern. The length and the width of the wall are 910 meters and
70 meters.
a) What is the largest square that can be used for this purpose?
b) How many black squares will be on the wall if he applied white color on top left
corner square?

3. Four terrorists are guarding a checkpoint, and a solder is supposed to eliminate them with
one time bomb. Intelligence service has informed the solder that after meeting their
commander, all four terrorists arrive at a particular location in 4,6,8 and 9 minutes while
maintain same cycle till they report the commander again. And it is observed that the group
of terrorists report the commander in every 6 hours. If the solder observed that terrorist
report the commander at 6.00 pm, what is the time must be set for the blast.
Task 2 (P2)
1. A polygon has ten sides. The lengths of the sides, starting with the shortest, form an
arithmetic series. The perimeter of the polygon is 675 cm, and the length of the longest
side is twice that of the shortest side. Find the length of the shortest side of the polygon.
2. A flower bed consists of 50 rows of red flowering shrubs and white flowering shrubs. There
are red flowering shrubs at both end of each row and between every two consecutive red
flowering shrubs, there is a white flowering shrub. There are 13 flowering shrubs in the
first row and each row thereafter has one red flowering shrub and one white flowering
shrub more than the previous row.
a) Write the number of flowering shrubs is in the first, second and third rows respectively.
b) How many flowering shrubs are there in the 28th row?
c) How many rows are there with less than 90 flowering shrubs?
d) Find the total number of flowering shrubs are in the flower bed.
e) How many more white flowering shrubs are in the bed than red flowering shrubs?

3. A rocket was launched by a child from the ground, and it is observed that 30 meters were
travelled during the first second and the distance covered during the second is 0.9 times
the pervious distance covered by the rocket, while the same pattern continue till the
velocity of the rocket is zero.
a) What is the maximum height that the rocket would reach?
b) How long does it take to reach the maximum height?
c) What is the distance travel during the 4th second?
d) What is the total distance travel after 3 seconds?
e) Clearly mention the assumption made in part (b)
Task 3 (M1)
1. Determine the multiplicative inverse of 15 (mod 29) using Extended Euclidean
Algorithm.
2. There exists a multiplicative inverse (𝑘 −1 ) for 𝑘 (𝑚𝑜𝑑 𝑛) for any integer value of 𝑘 and
𝑛. Do you agree with the claim? If not provide counter argument to disprove the claim
and provide a condition for integer k and n for the existence of the multiplicative inverse
(𝑘 −1 ) for 𝑘 (𝑚𝑜𝑑 𝑛)

Task 4(D1)
1. Produce a detailed written explanation of the importance of prime numbers within the
field of computing encompassing the following areas.
a) cyber-age security.
b) encryption and decryption.
c) error-correcting codes used in telecommunications.
d) cryptography algorithms.
Unit Learning Outcomes

LO2 Analyse events using probability theory and probability distributions

Work in computing increasingly relies on probability theory as a tool for analysis and data
modelling.
Task 5(P3)
1. A candy bag contains 10 candies identical in size. Out of these, 5 are lemon flavoured
and the rest are grape flavoured. Another candy bag contains 12 candies where 4 of
them are lemon flavoured and the rest are grape flavoured. A candy is drawn at
random from the first bag and placed in the second bag. Another candy is drawn at
random from the first bag and placed in the second bag. Then another candy is drawn
at random from the second bag.
a) Sketch the tree diagram.
b) If The event A occurs when 2 same flavoured candies drawn from the first bag.
The event B occurs when the candy drawn from the second bag is grape flavoured.
Find 𝑃(𝐴), 𝑃(𝐵), P (A∩ B), 𝑃(𝐴⋃𝐵), and P (Ac ∩ B).
c) Given that all drawn candies are of the same flavour, find the probability that they are
grape flavoured.

2. There are 3 paper production companies namely Rock, Paper, and Scissor that supply
paper bundles to the “A-star” publisher. Rock Company supplies 30% of the total paper
bundle supply while Paper and Scissor Companies supply 20% and 50% of the total
supply. Usually, 25% of Rock Company’s paper supply is not up to the acceptable
printing standards, and 5% and 15% of the Paper and Scissor companies’ supply
respectively.
a) If a paper bundle is selected at random from the storeroom of the A-star publisher,
what is the probability of it being unsuitable for printing?
b) What is the probability that the selected defective bundle was supplied by the Scissor
company?
c) What is the probability that the selected defective bundle was not supplied by the Rock
company?
d) What is the probability of obtaining exactly one defective paper bundle when three
paper bundles are selected at random from the storeroom of the A-star publisher?
Task 6(P4)
1. A fair four-sided die which the faces are numbered from (-1) to 2, and six-sided die
which the faces are numbered from 1 to 6 are thrown. The random variable X
represents the sum of the scores appeared on two dies.

a) Deduce probability distribution of X and indicate using a tabulation.

b) Deduce the cumulative probability distribution of X.
c) What is the probability that sum of the scores appeared on two dies is less than 2?
d) What is the probability that 2 ≤ 𝑋 < 4 ?
e) Calculate the expected value of sum of the scores appeared on two dices (E(X)).
f) Calculate the variance (Var(X)) and the standard deviation of sum of the scores
appeared on two dices.

2. A semiconductor manufacturing company produces ICs for different electronic

equipment companies. Probability mass function of the number of days it takes to fix
defects in an IC is given bellow 𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥).
0.15 𝑥 = 0
𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) = 𝑘𝑥 𝑥 = 1,2,3,4,5
𝑘(10 − 𝑥) 𝑥 = 6,7,8,9,10

a) What is the random variable associated with the case study?

b) What is the maximum number of days required to fix a defective IC, according to the
given probability mass function?
c) Find the value of the constant k and sketch the probability mass function.
d) Find the mean, variance, and standard deviation of the number of days to fix defects
in an IC.
e) What is the probability that a defective IC will take less than 7 days to be fixed?
f) What is the probability that a defective IC will take greater than 6 days to be fixed?
g) What is the probability that a defective IC will take 5 to 8 days to be fixed?
h) Manufacturing cost per IC is 1000 rupees. Fixing defective ICs costs additional 50
rupees per day per IC. The manufacturer sells a non-defective IC for 1500 rupees. The
manufacturing company wanted to check the cost effectiveness of repairing defective
ICs instead of manufacturing new ICs. Give your recommendation with reasons.
Task7(M2)
1. According to past records, a skin specialist knows that 20% of the population will have a
bad reaction to a certain type of medicinal lotion. The specialist prescribes this lotion for
12 patients.
a) Find the probability that at most 5 patients suffer a bad reaction.
b) Find the probability that less than 2 patients suffer a bad reaction.
c) Find the probability that more than 3 patients suffer a bad reaction.
d) Find the probability that 3 to 5 patients suffer a bad reaction.
e) Find the expected number of patients who suffer a bad reaction.
f) What is the probability that 7th, 8th, and 11th patients suffer bad reaction while other do
not suffer?
g) What is the probability that only 5 consecutive patients suffer bad reaction while other
do not suffer?

2. The length of sweet pea flower stems is normally distributed with mean 18.2 cm and
standard deviation 2.3 cm.
a) Find the probability that the length of a flower stem is greater than 15 cm.
b) Find the probability that the length of a flower stem is less than 18 cm.
c) Find the probability that the length of a flower stem is between 16 cm and 20 cm.
d) 12% of the flower stems are longer than h cm. 20% of the flower stems are shorter
than k cm. finds h and k.
e) Stem lengths less than 14 cm are unacceptable at a florist’s shop. In a batch of 500
sweet peas, estimate how many would be unacceptable.

Task 8(D2)
1. Load balancing is one of the most important applications of hashing. It is highly related
to the probability theory. Evaluate probability theory to an example involving hashing
and load balancing.

Unit Learning Outcomes

LO3 Determine solutions of graphical examples using geometry and vector methods

Computational geometry is a mathematical field that involves the design, analysis, and
implementation of efficient algorithms for solving geometric input and output problems.
Task 9(P5)
1. Derive the general equation of a circle, with the centre (𝑎, 𝑏) and radius r.
2. The equation of a particular circle is given as 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2𝑓𝑥 + 2𝑔𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0, find the
centre and the radius of the circle in terms of 𝑓, 𝑔, and 𝑐.
3. The circle C has a centre at (6,9) and a radius of √50. The line 𝑙1 with equation
𝑥 + 𝑦 − 21 = 0 intersects the circle at the points P and Q.
a) Find the coordinates of the point P and the point Q.
b) Find the equation of 𝑙2 and 𝑙3 ,the tangents at the points P and Q respectively.
c) Find the equation of 𝑙4 , the perpendicular bisector of the chord PQ.
d) Show that the two tangents and the perpendicular bisector intersect and find
the coordinate of R, the point of intersection.
e) Calculate the area of the kite APRQ.
Task10(P6)
1. Let the coordinates of the points O ≡ (0,0), A ≡ (4,2), B ≡ (6,6) and C ≡ (2,4).

a) Show that 𝑂𝐶
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 𝜆 𝐴𝐵 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ and 𝑂𝐴 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ . Where 𝜆 is an unknown constant.
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 𝜆 𝐶𝐵
b) Show that |𝑂𝐶⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ |=|𝑂𝐴
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ |
c) Find the angle between OB and AC.
d) Find the angle 𝐶𝑂̂𝐴.
e) Hence prove that 𝑂𝐴𝐵𝐶 is a rhombus.

Task 11 (M3)
1. If 𝑎 = 2𝑖 + 2𝑗 + 3𝑘, 𝑏 = −𝑖 + 2𝑗 + 𝑘, 𝑐 = 3𝑖 + 𝑗 are such that 𝑎 + 𝜆𝑏 is perpendicular
to 𝑐, then find the value of 𝜆.
2. Find the volume of the parallelepiped 𝐴𝐵𝐶𝐷𝐸𝐹𝐺𝐻 and the area of the base 𝐴𝐵𝐶𝐷 where
the vertices 𝐴, 𝐵, 𝐷, and 𝐸 have coordinates (−1,0,1), (3,0, −1), (2,2,0) and (2,1,2).

Task 12 (D3)
Let the coordinates of the points A ≡ (2,3), B ≡ (2,6), C ≡ (6,6) and D ≡ (6,3).
Let the coordinates of the points O ≡ (0,0), P ≡ (4,2), Q ≡ (6,6)and R ≡ (2,4).

a) Indicate the points ABCD and OPQR in a x − y coordinate system using GeoGebra
mathematics software.
b) What are the shapes of ABCD and OPQR.
c) Find the images of ABCD and OPQR separately under the transformations given by
following matrices.
0 1
I. ( )
1 0
0 −1
II. ( )
−1 0
 cos 45 − sin 45
III. ( )
sin 45 cos 45
3 0
IV. ( )
0 2
2 0
V. ( )
0 −3
d) Briefly explain the transformation criteria of each of the transformation matrix.
e) Clearly show all above transforms in an x-y coordinate system using GeoGebra
mathematics software.

Unit Learning Outcomes

LO4 Evaluate problems concerning differential and integral calculus.

Differential calculus deals with the rate of change of a quantity. Calculus is used in an array
of computer science areas, including creating graphs or visuals, simulations, problem-solving
applications, coding in applications, creating statistic solvers, and the design and analysis of
algorithm.
Task 13(P7)
1
1. Obtain the gradient function of the function 𝑦 = 3√𝑥 + +2𝑥 − 3 and evaluate the
5√𝑥
gradient at x = 1.

2. The decay rate of the mass of a radio wave substance in mg per minutes, at any time,
equals minus 2 times the square of the elapsed time and the time is measured in
minutes.
a) Obtain the mathematical relationship between mass of the substance in mg
and the elapsed time in minutes, given that the total mass is evaporated after
3 minutes of time.
b) calculate the amount of mass remaining after 1.5 minutes.

Task 14(P8)
1. Velocity of a car v(t) m/s is observed as a function of t (s) and the relationship is given
by 𝑣(𝑡) = 3𝑡 3 − 2𝑡 2 + 6.
a) Find the distance travel by the car after 3 seconds.
b) Find the distance travel during 4th second.
c) Find the acceleration of the car at the 2nd second.
 2. Two trains have just passed a railway station at the same time (𝑡 = 0) and travelling
along two railway tracks in the same direction. Velocity time relationships of the two
trains are given by 𝑣 = 5 + 4𝑡 − 𝑡 2 and 𝑣 = 0.5𝑡 2 + 1. Find the distance between two
trains (gap) when the velocities of both trains are equals.

Task 15(M4)
1. A wire of given length 2m is cut in to two portions, one portion is bent into the shape
of a circle and the other portion into the shape of a square. Find the optimum length
of the side of the square and the optimum radius of the circle when sum of the areas
is minimum.
2. A rectangular box is to be made having a capacity of 256cm2, with a square base, but
without a lid. Find the dimensions of the cheapest box, if the materials for
rectangular sides cost 8$ and the materials for the base cost 1$.

Task 16(D4)

1. By further differentiation, identify minimum points of the following curves if exists.

a) 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 − 5𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 12 b) 𝑦 = 2𝑥 3 − 11⁄2 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 5
c) 𝑦 = 12𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 d) 𝑦 = (𝑥 3 − 5𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 − 4)

2. Engineers have found that fuel burning rate F(v) (L/hr) of a bullet train and its speed
(v) in 100 Km/hr has following function of 𝐹(𝑣) = 2𝑣 3 − 21𝑣 2 + 60𝑣 + 100. Further,
maximum speed of the train is discovered as 600 Km/hr?

a) At what speed do the stationary points of F occur?

b) Find the nature of the stationary points.
c) Sketch the graph of F against v for 𝑣 ≥ 0.
d) Find the optimum speed at which the fuel burning is minimum.
Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria

Pass Merit Distinction

LO1 Use applied number theory in practical computing

scenarios

P1 Calculate the greatest M1 Identify multiplicative D1 Produce a detailed

common divisor and least inverses in modular written explanation of the
common multiple of a given arithmetic importance of prime
set of numbers. numbers within the field of
computing.
P2 Use relevant theory to
sum arithmetic and
geometric progressions.

LO2 Analyse events using probability theory and

probability distributions

P3 Deduce the conditional M2 Calculate probabilities D2 Evaluate probability

probability of different within both binomially theory to an example
events occurring within distributed and normally involving hashing and load
independent trials. distributed random balancing.
variables.
P4 Identify the expectation
of an event occurring from a
discrete, random variable

LO3 Determine solutions of graphical examples using D3 Construct the scaling of

geometry and vector method simple shapes that are
described by vector
coordinates

P5 Identify simple shapes M3 Evaluate the coordinate

using co-ordinate geometry. system used in
programming a simple
output device.
P6 Determine shape
parameters using
appropriate vector methods

LO4 Evaluate problems concerning differential and integral

calculus
P7 Determine the rate of M4 Analyse maxima and D4 Justify, by further
change within an algebraic minima of increasing and differentiation, that a value
function. decreasing functions using is a minimum
higher order derivatives.
P8 Use integral calculus to
solve practical problems
involving area

Grade achievements

Grade descriptor Achieved? Grade descriptor Achieved?

(tick) (tick)

P1 M1

P2 M2

P3 M3

P4 D1

P5 D2

P6 D3

P7

P8
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