MT105A

Summer 2020 online assessment guidance

MT105A Mathematics 1

The assessment will be an open-book take-home online assessment within a

24-hour window. The requirements for this assessment remain the same as the
originally planned closed-book exam, with an expected time/effort of 2 hours.

Candidates should answer all EIGHT questions: all SIX questions of Section A (60
marks in total) and BOTH questions from Section B (20 marks each). Candidates are
strongly advised to divide their time accordingly.

You should complete this examination using pen and paper. Please use BLACK ink
only.

Handwritten work then needs to be scanned, converted to PDF and then uploaded to
the VLE as ONE individual file including the coversheet. Each scanned sheet should
have your candidate number written clearly at the top. Please do not write your
name anywhere on any sheet.

The paper will be available at 12.00 midday (BST) on Monday 15 June 2020.

You have until 12.00 midday (BST) on Tuesday 16 June 2020 to upload your file into
the VLE submission portal. However, you are advised not to leave your submission to
the last minute. A late penalty will be applied pro-rata of 5 percentage marks for every
hour (or part) late outside of the 1 hour.

If you think there is any information missing or any error in any question, then you
should indicate this but proceed to answer the question stating any assumptions you
have made.

The assessment has been designed with a duration of 24 hours to provide a more flexible
window in which to complete the assessment and to appropriately test the course
learning outcomes. As an open-book exam, the expected amount of effort required to
complete all questions and upload your answers during this window is no more than 2
hours. Organise your time well and avoid working all night.

You may use any calculator for any appropriate calculations, but you may not use any
computer software to obtain solutions. Credit will only be given if all workings are
shown.

Page 1 of 6
You are assured that there will be no benefit in you going beyond the expected 2 hours
of effort. Your assessment has been carefully designed to help you show what you have
learned in the hours allocated.

This is an open book assessment and as such you may have access to additional
materials including but not limited to subject guides and any recommended reading. But
the work you submit is expected to be 100% your own. Therefore, unless instructed
otherwise, you must not collaborate or confer with anyone during the assessment. The
University of London will carry out checks to ensure the academic integrity of your work.
Many students that break the University of London’s assessment regulations did not
intend to cheat but did not properly understand the University of London’s regulations
on referencing and plagiarism. The University of London considers all forms of
plagiarism, whether deliberate or otherwise, a very serious matter and can apply severe
penalties that might impact on your award. The University of London 2019-20
Procedure for the Consideration of Allegations of Assessment offences is available
online at:

https://london.ac.uk/sites/default/files/governance/assessment-offence-procedure-year-
2019-2020.pdf

The University of London’s Rules for Taking Online Timed Assessments have been
included in an update to the University of London General Regulations and are available
at:

https://london.ac.uk/sites/default/files/regulations/progregs-general-2019-2020.pdf

Page 2 of 6
SECTION A

Answer all six questions from this section (60 marks in total).

1. Suppose that the function f is given by

f (x) = x2 e x .

Show that f has two critical points. Determine whether each

critical point is a local maximum, minimum, or inflexion
point.

2. Determine the integrals

Z Z
5/2 1
x(x + 1) dx and dx.
1 + ex

3. Find the critical points of the function

f (x, y) = 2x2 x + y 3 + 3xy 2 1.

For each critical point of f , determine whether it is a local

minimum, local maximum, or a saddle point.

4. Use the method of Lagrange multipliers to find the values of x

p
and y that maximise (x + 1) y and satisfy the equation
x + 2y = 11.

UL20/0483

Page 3 of 6
5. The function f (x, y) is given by
✓ ◆
x
f (x, y) = xy ln ,
y
@f @f
for x, y > 0. Find the partial derivatives and .
@x @y
Verify that
@f @f
x +y = 2f (x, y).
@x @y

6. A firm is the only supplier of two goods, X and Y , and the

demand equations for these goods are
1
x = 76 pX and y = 50 pY ,
2
where pX and pY are the prices of X and Y , and where x and
y are (respectively) the amounts of X and Y . The firm has a
total joint cost function

T C = 2x2 + 2xy + 3y 2 + 10.

Find an expression, in terms of x and y, for the firm’s profit.

Determine also the values of x and y that will maximise this
profit.

UL20/0483

Page 4 of 6
SECTION B

Answer both questions from this section (20 marks each).

7. (a) For some numbers a, b and c, let f be the function of one

variable given by
p
f (x) = ax2 + bx + c x,

for x 0. Given that

Z 1
0
f (1) = 2, f (1) = 1, f (x) dx = 3,
0

show that the following system of equations holds:

a+b+c = 2
4a + 2b + c = 2
2a + 3b + 4c = 18.

Use row operations to solve this system to find a, b and c.

(b) Determine the integral

Z
ln(1 + x2 )
dx.
x3
[Hint: it might be useful to start with a substitution.]

UL20/0483

Page 5 of 6
8. (a) A firm produces a good using two raw materials, X and Y ,
and the corresponding costs per unit of these raw materials
are cX and cY , respectively. The amount of its good that a
p p
firm can produce using x units of X and y of Y is x + y.

Use the Lagrange multiplier method to find the minimum

combined cost, C, of raw materials X and Y which will
enable the firm to produce a total amount q of its good.

Find the value, ⇤ , of the Lagrange multiplier corresponding

to the optimising values of x and y. Show that

⇤ @C
= .
@q

(b) Find the first term and the common ratio of the geometric
progression that has second term equal to 5 and sum to
infinity equal to 20.

END OF PAPER

UL20/0483

Page 6 of 6
 Examiners’ commentaries 2020

Examiners’ commentary 2020

MT105a Mathematics 1

Important note

This commentary reflects the examination and assessment arrangements for this course in the
academic year 2019–20. The format and structure of the examination may change in future years,
and any such changes will be publicised on the virtual learning environment (VLE).

Information about the subject guide and the Essential reading

references

Unless otherwise stated, all cross-references will be to the latest version of the subject guide (2011).
You should always attempt to use the most recent edition of any Essential reading textbook, even if
the commentary and/or online reading list and/or subject guide refer to an earlier edition. If
different editions of Essential reading are listed, please check the VLE for reading supplements – if
none are available, please use the contents list and index of the new edition to find the relevant
section.

General remarks

Learning outcomes

At the end of this half course and having completed the Essential reading and activities you should
have:

• used the concepts, terminology, methods and conventions covered in the half course to solve
mathematical problems in this subject
• the ability to solve unseen mathematical problems involving understanding of these concepts
and application of these methods
• seen how mathematical techniques can be used to solve problems in economics and related
subjects.

Showing your working

We start by emphasising that you should always include your working. This means two things.
First, you should not simply write down the answer in the examination script, but you should
explain the method by which it is obtained. Second, you should include rough working (even if it is
messy!). The examiners want you to get the right answers, of course, but it is more important that
you prove you know what you are doing: that is what is really being examined.

We also stress that if you have not completely solved a problem, you may still be awarded marks for
a partial, incomplete, or slightly wrong, solution; but, if you have written down a wrong answer and
nothing else, no marks can be awarded. So it is certainly in your interests to include all your
workings.

1
MT105a Mathematics 1

Covering the syllabus and choosing questions

You should ensure that you have covered the syllabus in order to perform well in the examination: it
is bad practice to concentrate only on a small range of major topics in the expectation that there
will be lots of marks obtainable for questions on these topics. There are no formal options in this
course: you should study the full extent of the topics described in the syllabus and subject guide. In
particular, since the whole syllabus is examinable, any topic could appear in the examination
questions.

Expectations of the examination paper

Every examination paper is different. You should not assume that your examination will be almost
identical to the previous year’s: for instance, just because there was a question, or a part of a
question, on a certain topic last year, you should not assume there will be one on the same topic this
year. Each year, the examiners want to test that candidates know and understand a number of
mathematical methods and, in setting an examination paper, they try to test whether the candidate
does indeed know the methods, understands them, and is able to use them, and not merely whether
they vaguely remember them. Because of this, every year there are some questions which are likely
to seem unfamiliar, or different, from previous years’ questions. You should expect to be surprised
by some of the questions. Of course, you will only be examined on material in the syllabus, so all
questions can be answered using the material of the course. There will be enough, routine, familiar
content in the examination so that a candidate who has achieved competence in the course will pass,
but, of course, for a high mark, more is expected: you will have to demonstrate an ability to solve
new and unfamiliar problems.

Answer the question

Please do read the questions carefully. You might be asked to use specific methods, even when
others could be used. The purpose of the examination is to test that you know certain methods, so
the examiners might occasionally ask you to use a specific technique. In such circumstances, only
limited partial credit can be given if you do not use the specified technique. It is also worth reading
the question carefully so that you do not do more than is required (because it is unlikely that you
would get extra marks for doing so). For instance, if a question asked you only to find the critical
points of a function, but not their natures, then you should not determine their natures. Be careful
to read all questions carefully because, although they may look like previous examination questions
on first glance, there can be subtle differences.

Graph sketching

Some examinations in this subject ask you to sketch the graph of a function. Any sketching of
graphs should be done in the answer book. Graph paper is not needed. Indeed, as we have
mentioned often in the Examiners’ commentaries, the plotting of points in order to graph a function
is not the correct approach. A sketch of the graph of a function should indicate its shape, its
position with respect to the axes, and its intercepts on those axes: it need not be drawn to scale.
Graph paper is not necessary for this.

Calculators

You are reminded that calculators are not permitted in the examination for this course, under any
circumstances. The examiners know this, and so they set questions that do not require a calculator.
It is a good idea to prepare for this by attempting not to use your calculator as you study and revise
this course.

2
 Examiners’ commentaries 2020

Examination revision strategy

Many candidates are disappointed to find that their examination performance is poorer than they
expected. This may be due to a number of reasons, but one particular failing is ‘question
spotting’, that is, confining your examination preparation to a few questions and/or topics which
have come up in past papers for the course. This can have serious consequences.

We recognise that candidates might not cover all topics in the syllabus in the same depth, but you
need to be aware that examiners are free to set questions on any aspect of the syllabus. This
means that you need to study enough of the syllabus to enable you to answer the required number of
examination questions.

The syllabus can be found in the Course information sheet available on the VLE. You should read
the syllabus carefully and ensure that you cover sufficient material in preparation for the
examination. Examiners will vary the topics and questions from year to year and may well set
questions that have not appeared in past papers. Examination papers may legitimately include
questions on any topic in the syllabus. So, although past papers can be helpful during your revision,
you cannot assume that topics or specific questions that have come up in past examinations will
occur again.

If you rely on a question-spotting strategy, it is likely you will find yourself in difficulties
when you sit the examination. We strongly advise you not to adopt this strategy.

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MT105a Mathematics 1

Examiners’ commentary 2020

MT105a Mathematics 1

Important note

This commentary reflects the examination and assessment arrangements for this course in the
academic year 2019–20. The format and structure of the examination may change in future years,
and any such changes will be publicised on the virtual learning environment (VLE).

Information about the subject guide and the Essential reading

references

Unless otherwise stated, all cross-references will be to the latest version of the subject guide (2011).
You should always attempt to use the most recent edition of any Essential reading textbook, even if
the commentary and/or online reading list and/or subject guide refer to an earlier edition. If
different editions of Essential reading are listed, please check the VLE for reading supplements – if
none are available, please use the contents list and index of the new edition to find the relevant
section.

Comments on specific questions

Candidates should answer all EIGHT questions: all SIX questions of Section A (60 marks in total)
and BOTH questions from Section B (20 marks each). Candidates are strongly advised to divide
their time accordingly.

Section A

Answer all six questions from this section (60 marks in total).

Question 1

Suppose that the function f is given by:

f (x) = x2 e−x .

Show that f has two critical points. Determine whether each critical point is a local
maximum, minimum, or inflexion point.

Reading for this question

The relevant background material is discussed in Chapter 3 of the subject guide.

Approaching the question

We have:
f 0 (x) = (2x − x2 )e−x .
Critical points are given by 2x − x2 = x(2 − x) = 0 (noting that e−x 6= 0). So there are two
critical points, x = 0 and 2.

4
 Examiners’ commentaries 2020

We can check the nature of critical points by examining the behaviour of the sign of the
derivative around each point, or we can use the second derivative test.

With the second derivative approach, we have:

f 00 (x) = (2 − 2x)e−x − (2x − x2 )e−x .

When x = 2, we have:
f 00 (2) = −2e−2 < 0
so this is a local maximum. When x = 0:

f 00 (0) = 2 > 0

so this is a local minimum.

Using the first derivative, we examine the sign of f 0 .

• At 2, this changes from + to −. So this point is a local maximum.

• At 0, this changes from − to +. So this point is a local minimum.

Question 2

Determine the integrals:

1
Z Z
x(x + 1)5/2 dx and dx.
1 + ex

Reading for this question

See Chapter 4 of the subject guide.

Approaching the question

We can use integration by parts for the first integral. We have:

Z Z
5/2 2 7/2 2
x(x + 1) dx = x(x + 1) − (x + 1)7/2 dx
7 7
2 22
= x(x + 1)7/2 − (x + 1)9/2 + c
7 79
so the answer is:
2 4
x(x + 1)7/2 − (x + 1)9/2 + c.
7 63
We could also proceed as follows, using a substitution. Let u = x + 1. Then the integral is:
Z
I = (u − 1)u5/2 du
Z
= (u7/2 − u5/2 ) du

2 9/2 2 7/2
= u − u +c
9 7
2 2
= (x + 1)9/2 − (x + 1)7/2 + c.
9 7
For the second integral, we can use substitution. Let u = ex . We find dx = du/u and the integral
is: Z
du
I= .
u(1 + u)

5
MT105a Mathematics 1

Now we use partial fractions. There are A, B such that:

1 A B
= + .
u(1 + u) u 1+u
We find (by a number of possible means) that A = 1 and B = −1. So the integral is:
Z  
1 1
I= − du
u 1+u
= ln |u| − ln |1 + u| + c
= ln ex − ln(1 + ex ) + c
= x − ln(1 + ex ) + c.

Question 3

Find the critical points of the function:

f (x, y) = 2x2 − x + y 3 + 3xy 2 − 1.
For each critical point of f , determine whether it is a local minimum, local
maximum, or a saddle point.

Reading for this question

See Chapter 5 of the subject guide.

Approaching the question

We set the partial derivatives to 0.

fx = 4x − 1 + 3y 2 = 0 and fy = 3y 2 + 6xy = 0.
From the second equation, y = 0 or y = −2x.

Suppose y = 0. The first equation then gives x = 1/4, so one critical point is (1/4, 0).

When y = −2x, the first equation becomes 12x2 + 4x − 1 = 0. This is (6x − 1)(2x + 1) = 0, with
solutions x = 1/6 and −1/2. Corresponding values of y are −1/3 and 1. So there are two other
critical points: (1/6, −1/3) and (−1/2, 1).

To test the nature of a critical point, we use the second derivative test. We have:
fxx = 4, fxy = 6y, and fyy = 6y + 6x.
2
At (1/4, 0), we have H = fxx fyy − fxy = 6 > 0 and fxx > 0, so this is a local minimum point.

At (1/6, −1/3), we have H = −8 < 0, so this is a saddle point.

At (−1/2, 1), we have H = −24 < 0, so this is also a saddle point.

Question 4

Use the method of Lagrange multipliers to find the values of x and y that maximise
√
(x + 1) y and satisfy the equation x + 2y = 11.

Reading for this question

The Lagrange multiplier method for constrained optimisation is discussed in Chapter 5 of the
subject guide.

6
 Examiners’ commentaries 2020

Approaching the question

The Lagrangian is:

√
L = (x + 1) y − λ(x + 2y − 11).
The first-order conditions are:
√
Lx = y−λ=0

x+1
Ly = √ − 2λ = 0
2 y

Lλ = −(x + 2y − 11) = 0.

Eliminating λ:
√ x+1
λ= y= √
4 y
showing that x = 4y − 1. (Or, we could alternatively solve for y in terms of x.)

Then x + 2y = 11 becomes 6y = 12, and so y = 2 and x = 7.

Question 5

The function f (x, y) is given by:

 
x
f (x, y) = xy ln
y

∂f ∂f
for x, y > 0. Find the partial derivatives and .
∂x ∂y
Verify that:
∂f ∂f
x +y = 2f (x, y).
∂x ∂y

Reading for this question

See Chapter 5 of the subject guide.

Approaching the question

We have:  
∂f x y 1  
x
= y ln + xy = y ln +y
∂x y x y y
and:  
∂f x y x   
x
= x ln + xy − 2 = x ln − x.
∂y y x y y
Then:
       
∂f ∂f x x
x +y = xy ln + xy + yx ln − yx
∂x ∂y y y
 
x
= 2xy ln
y
= 2f.

7
MT105a Mathematics 1

Question 6

A firm is the only supplier of two goods, X and Y , and the demand equations for
these goods are:
1
x = 76 − pX and y = 50 − pY
2
where pX and pY are the prices of X and Y , and where x and y are (respectively)
the amounts of X and Y . The firm has a total joint cost function:

T C = 2x2 + 2xy + 3y 2 + 10.

Find an expression, in terms of x and y, for the firm’s profit. Determine also the
values of x and y that will maximise this profit.

Reading for this question

See Chapter 5 of the subject guide.

Approaching the question

We have pX = 76 − x and pY = 100 − 2y.

So:

Π = xpX + ypY − T C

= x(76 − x) + y(100 − 2y) − (2x2 + 2xy + 3y 2 + 10)

= 76x − 3x2 − 5y 2 + 100y − 2xy − 10.

We solve Πx = Πy = 0, which is 76 − 6x − 2y = 0 and −10y + 100 − 2x = 0.

This is equivalent to 3x + y = 38 and x + 5y = 50, which has solution x = 10 and y = 8.

We note that Πxx = −6 < 0 and Πxx Πyy − Π2xy = (−6)(−10) − (−2)2 > 0, so it is a local
maximum.

Section B

Answer both questions from this section (20 marks each).

Question 7

(a) For some numbers a, b and c, let f be the function of one variable given by:
√
f (x) = ax2 + bx + c x

for x ≥ 0. Given that:

Z 1
f (1) = 2, f 0 (1) = 1, f (x) dx = 3
0

show that the following system of equations holds:

a+b+c=2

4a + 2b + c = 2

2a + 3b + 4c = 18.

Use row operations to solve this system to find a, b and c.

8
 Examiners’ commentaries 2020

Reading for this question

The recommended method for solving linear equations using row operations can be found in
Chapter 6 of the subject guide. It is known by several names: the row operation method,
the Gauss–Jordan method, the row-reduction method, and so on.
Approaching the question
We have: √
f (x) = ax2 + bx + c x
so:
c
f 0 (x) = 2ax + b + √
2 x
and: 1
1  3
x2
Z
x 2 a b 2c
f (x) dx = a + b + cx3/2 = + + .
0 3 2 3 0 3 2 3
The given information means that:

c a b 2c
a + b + c = 2, and 2a + b + =1 and + + = 3.
2 3 2 3
So:

a+b+c=2

4a + 2b + c = 2

2a + 3b + 4c = 18.

The augmented matrix is:  

1 1 1 2
(A | b) = 4 2 1 2 .
2 3 4 18
A valid reduction to row-echelon form is as follows:
       
1 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 2
(A | b) = 4 2 1 2  → 0 −2 −3 −6 → 0 1 2 14 → 0 1 2 14 .
2 3 4 18 0 1 2 14 0 2 3 6 0 0 1 22

So, from the row-echelon form, we have:

c = 22, b = 14 − 2c = −30 and a = 2 − b − c = 10.

This is probably a good point at which to make some general comments about how
questions are marked. Clearly, in a question like this, it is easy to get the wrong answer.
(Though it should be noted that in this particular question, you can always substitute the
values that you have found into the original equations, and this will show whether these are
correct or not. So you can tell if you have the wrong answer and, if you have time, you can
then re-work the calculation.)
Examiners understand that arithmetical errors can be made, especially in the stressful
circumstances of an examination. Quite probably, the examiners themselves would make
some mistakes if they sat the paper. So, although there are marks for correct calculations,
there are also marks for using the right method (even if you make a mistake). So, here, for
instance, examiners will award marks if you can indicate that you know how to start to
solve the equations (by writing down an augmented matrix); that you know what row
operations are; that you know what it is you want to achieve with row operations (the
reduced matrix, that is); and that you then know how to work from that reduced matrix to
determine the required solutions. There are marks for all these things.
Be sure to understand that only certain types of operations qualify as valid row operations.
In particular, a number of candidates make the mistake of thinking that subtracting a fixed

9
MT105a Mathematics 1

constant from each entry of a row is valid. It is not. (And, if you don’t know what we mean
by that, then you’re probably not doing it, which is good!)
It is also important to answer the question. The question explicitly asks you to use row
operations. Given this, other approaches to solving the system of equations are not
acceptable because to take such an approach is not to answer the question.

(b) Determine the integral:

ln(1 + x2 )
Z
dx.
x3
[Hint: it might be useful to start with a substitution.]

Reading for this question

See Chapter 4 of the subject guide for integration.
Approaching the question
Substitute u = 1 + x2 . We have du = 2x dx and so:
Z Z
1 ln u 1
I= du = (u − 1)−2 ln u du.
2 (u − 1)2 2
Now we use parts. Z
1 1 1
I = − (u − 1)−1 ln u + (u − 1)−1 du.
2 2 u
By partial fractions:
Z Z Z  
−1 1 1 1 1
(u − 1) du = du = − du
u (u − 1)u u−1 u
= ln |u − 1| − ln |u| + c.

So:
ln(1 + x2 ) 1 1
I=− + ln x2 − ln(x2 + 1) + c.
2x2 2 2

Question 8

(a) A firm produces a good using two raw materials, X and Y , and the
corresponding costs per unit of these raw materials are cX and cY , respectively.
The
√ amount of its good that a firm can produce using x units of X and y of Y is
√
x + y.
Use the Lagrange multiplier method to find the minimum combined cost, C, of
raw materials X and Y which will enable the firm to produce a total amount q
of its good.
Find the value, λ∗ , of the Lagrange multiplier corresponding to the optimising
values of x and y. Show that:
∂C
λ∗ = .
∂q

Reading for this question

See Chapter 5 of the subject guide.
Approaching the question
√ √
The problem is to minimise xcX + ycY subject to x + y = q. The Lagrangian is:
√ √
L = xcX + ycY − λ( x + y − q).

10
 Examiners’ commentaries 2020

The first-order conditions are:

1
cX − √ λ = 0
2 x

1
cY − √ λ = 0
2 y
√ √
x+ y = q.
√ √ √ √
The first two give xcX =
ycY , from which we have y = (cX /cY ) x.
√ √
Then the third equation becomes x + (cX /cY ) x = q and hence:
2
c2X c2Y c2X

cY
x= q2 and y = q 2
= q2 .
cX + cY c2Y (cX + cY )2 (cX + cY )2

Therefore, the minimised cost is:

cX c2Y cY c2X
 
C = xcX + ycY = + q2
(cX + cY )2 (cX + cY )2
cX cY (cX + cY ) 2
= q
(cX + cY )2
cX cY q 2
= .
cX + cY
The corresponding λ is:
√ cY 2cX cY
λ∗ = 2 xcX = 2cX q= q
cX + cY (cX + cY )

and:
∂C 2cX cY
= q = λ∗ .
∂q cX + cY

(b) Find the first term and the common ratio of the geometric progression that has
second term equal to 5 and sum to infinity equal to 20.

Reading for this question

See Chapter 7 of the subject guide.
Approaching the question
With the usual notation, the sum to infinity is a/(1 − r) and the second term is ar.
So:
a
= 20 and ar = 5.
1−r
So a = 20(1 − r) and 20(1 − r)r = 5, giving:

20r2 − 20r + 5 = 0 ⇒ 4r2 − 4r + 1 = 0

(or an equivalent equation involving a if r has been eliminated instead).

It follows that:
(2r − 1)2 = 0
and hence r = 1/2 The corresponding value of a is a = 10.

11