01-Basic Mathematics in Physics
01-Basic Mathematics in Physics
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Binomial theorem
(i) The binomial theorem for any positive value of n is
(x + a)n = xn + nC1 a xn–1 + nC2 a2 xn–2 + ….. + nCr ar xn–r + ….. + an
n!
Where ‘a’ is a constant and n Cr =
r!(n − r)!
Here, n! = n(n – 1) (n – 2) …….. 3 2 1
For example, 6! = 6 5 4 3 2 1 = 720
n(n − 1) 2 n(n − 1)(n − 2) 3
(ii) (1 + x) n = 1 + nx + x + x + ...
2! 3!
For |x| << 1, we can neglect higher powers of x
So, (1 + x)n = 1 + nx
Similarly (1 – x)n = 1 – nx
(1 + x)–n = 1 – nx and (1 – x)–n = 1 + nx
Here ‘n’ may have any value
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1st term a
S = or S =
1 − common ratio 1− r
Exponential series
n
1 1 1 1
The value of e = lt 1 + = 1 + + + .....
n →
n 1! 2! 3!
1 1 1
=1+1+ + + ........ = 2.718
2 6 24
e = 2.718
x x 2 x3 x x 2 x3
So, ex = 1 + + + + ............... and e− x = 1 − + − + ...............
1! 2! 3! 1! 2! 3!
Logarithms
For a positive real number ‘a’ and a rational number m, we have am = b. Another way of expressing the
same fact is “logarithm of ‘b’ to the base ‘a’ is m”.
i.e., loga b = m
so log a b = m b = a m
The logarithms to base ‘e’ are called natural logarithms and the logarithms to base 10 are called common
logarithms.
log10 1000 = 3 1000 = 103
loge y = x y = ex
loge y is also written as ln y.
Note that loga 1 = 0, log10 10 = 1, log10 2 = 0.693 and loge 10 = 2.303
Laws of logarithms:
(i) loga (mn) = loga m + loga n
m
(ii) log a = log a m − log a n
n
(iii) log a (m) n = n log a m
Angles
1 = 60
1 = 60
2 radian = 360 (OR) radian = 180 r l
1 radian = 57 16
O
If in a circle of radius ‘r’, an arc of length ‘l’ subtends
an angle radian at the centre, then
l
=
r
If l = r the angle subtended at the centre is 1 radian.
Trigonometric functions
In a right angled triangle ABC, we can define that C
r y
4
A B
x
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y r
sin = cosec =
r y
x r
cos = sec =
r x
y x
tan = cot =
x y
From the above ratios, we have
1 1 1
cosec = , sec = and cot =
sin cos tan
sin2 + cos2 = 1
1 + tan2 = sec2
1 + cot2 = cosec2
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(viii) cos 2A = cos2 A – sin2 A
2 tan A
(ix) tan 2A =
1 − tan 2 A
Product formulae
(i) 2sin A cos B = sin (A + B) + sin (A – B)
(ii) 2cos A sin B = sin (A + B) – sin (A – B)
(iii) 2cos A cos B = cos (A + B) + cos (A – B)
(iv) 2sin A sin B = cos (A – B) – cos (A + B)
Properties of triangle
a b c
(i) Law of sines = = A
sin A sin B sin C
(ii) Laws of cosines A
b c
a2 = b2 + c2 – 2bc cos A
b2 = a2 + c2 – 2ca cos B
C B
c2 = a2 + b2 – 2ab cos C C B
a
Areas and volumes
(i)
h
b
1
Area of a triangle is A = bh
2
(ii) b
a
1 1
Area of a trapezium is A = (a + b)h → height (sum of the parallel sides)
2 2
(iii)
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(iv)
l
h
If point Q approaches P, the slope tan of the line PQ approaches the slope of the tangent at P. Thus, we
y dy
have l t = = tan
x →0 x
dx
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Y
X
dy
i.e., at any point of the curve gives slope of the tangent at that point.
dx
Formulae in differentiation
d n d
(i) x = n x n −1 (ii) k x n = k n x n −1
dx dx
d
(iii) k=0
dx
Let u and v are functions of x, then
(iv) If y = u + v, then
d dy du dv
(u + v) = = +
dx dx dx dx
(v) If y = u – v, then (vi) If y = uv, then
d dy du dv d dy dv du
(u − v) = = − (uv) = =u +v
dx dx dx dx dx dx dx dx
u dy dy du
(vii) If y = , then (viii) We can write =
v dx du dx
du dv
v −u
d u dy dx dx
= =
dx v dx v2
dy d d
(ix) If y = sin x, then = sin x = cos x (x) cos x = − sin x
dx dx dx
d d
(xi) tan x = sec 2 x (xii) cot x = − cos ec 2 x
dx dx
d d
(xiii) cos ecx = − cot x cos ecx (xiv) sec x = tan x sec x
dx dx
d 1 d 1
(xv) sin −1 x = (xvi) cos −1 x = −
dx 1 − x2 dx 1 − x2
d 1 d x
(xvii) lnx = (xviii) e = ex
dx x dx
Maxima and minima Y
Suppose a quantity y depends on another quantity x in a manner shown in
figure. It becomes maximum at x1 and minimum at x2.
At these points the tangent to the curve is parallel to the X-axis and hence its
X
slope i s tan = 0. But the slope of the curve y-x equals the rate of change x1 x2
dy
. Thus, at a maximum or a minimum,
dx
dy
=0
dx
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Just before the maximum the slope is positive, at the maximum it is zero and just after the maximum it is
dy dy
negative. Thus, decreases at a maximum and hence the rate of change of is negative at a maximum
dx dx
d dy
i.e., 0 at a maximum.
dx dx
d dy d2y
The quantity is the rate of change of the slope. It is written as . Thus, the condition of a
dx dx dx 2
maximum is
dy
=0
dx
− maximum
d2y
0
dx 2
Similarly, at a minimum the slope changes from negative to positive. The slope increases at such a point
d dy
and hence 0. The condition of a minimum is
dx dx
dy
=0
dx
− minimum
d2y
0
dx 2
Quite often it is known from the physical situation whether the quantity is a maximum or a
d2 y
minimum. The test on may then be omitted.
dx 2
Integration
The integration is the inverse operation of differentiation. Thus, if the derivative of a function f(x) w.r.t.
d
x is f (x), then the integration of f (x) w.r.t. x will be f(x). That is if f (x) = f (x) the f (x)dx = f (x) + C
dx
where c = constant of integration.
The differentiation of a constant is zero, therefore in integration there may involve constant of
integration (C). Thus we write f (x)dx = f (x) + C .
Formulae
(i) 1dx = dx = x + c (ii) kdx = k dx = kx + C
x n +1
x dx = + C (n –1) x
−1
(iii) n
(iv) dx = ln x + C
n +1
(v) (u + v)dx = udx + vdx + C (vi) (u − v)dx = udx − vdx + C
where u and v are functions of x
e dx = e +C sin x dx = − cos x + C
x x
(vii) (viii)
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Definite integral
When a function is integrated between lower and upper limits, it is called definite integral.
If ‘a’ and ‘b’ are the lower and upper limits of variable x, then
b
Here, constant of integration c gets cancelled so, there is no need to place it in definite integration.
i.e., f (x)dx =
a
shaded area in the figure
a X
b
[‘a’ is called lower limit and ‘b’ is called upper limit]
Thus, we can say that the definite integral as defined by the equation signifies the area under the curve
between the limits ‘a’ and ‘b’.
Graphs
Following graphs and their corresponding equations are frequently used in physics.
Straight line
(i) y = mx, represents a straight line passing through origin. Here m = tan is called the slope of the line,
where is the angle which the line makes with positive X-axis, when drawn in anticlockwise direction from
the positive X-axis towards the line.
Y Y
X X
xy = mx
xy = −mx
m = tan is positive m = tan is negative
[ is acute] [ is obtuse]
Note that y = mx or y x also means that value of y becomes 2 times if x is doubled. Or it will
become
1
th
if x becomes
1
times.
4 4
(ii) y = mx + c, represents a straight line NOT passing through origin. Here, m is the slope and c is the
Y-intercept. +
Y Y Y Y
C C C
c
X X X X
− y = − c + mx C
y = c + mx C C y = − c − mx
m is positive y = c − mx y = − c + mx m is negative
C is positive m is negative C is negative
C is positive m is positive
C is negative
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Y
From the graph, it is clear that as x tends to , y → 0 and as y tends
to , x → 0.
1 3
Similarly, y − or y = − or xy = –4 represents a rectangular X
x x
hyperbola in second and fourth quadrants as shown.
y x2
x y2
Graph x y2 or x = 3y2, etc. is again a parabola passing through origin and symmetric about X-axis as shown.
In x y2, if y is doubled x becomes 4 times.
y = x2 + 3 or x = y2 – 4 represents a parabola NOT passing through origin. In the first equation (y = x2 + 3),
if x is doubled, y will not become 4 times.
Exponential graphs
Y
X
(i) y = A e–kx represents exponentially decreasing graph. Value of y decreases exponentially from A to 0. The
graph is shown.
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From the graph (and the equation), we can see that y = A at x = 0 and as
x → , y → 0
Y
(ii) y = A(1 – e–kx) represents an exponentially increasing graph. Value of y increases A
exponentially from 0 to A. The graph is shown
From the graph (and the equation), we can see that y = 0 at x = 0 and as x → ,
X
y → A.
The graph of x = et
Y
5 x = et
x = t is the line of symmetry
3
1 x = lnt
X
–2 –1 1 3 5
–1
–2
Illustrations
1. Evaluate 1.01
Solution
1 1
1
(1.01) 2 = (1 + 0.01) 2 = 1 + 0.01 = 1.005
2
1 1 1
2. Find the sum of progression 1, , , , .........
2 4 8
Solution
1
1
It’s a G.P with r = 2 = [r < 1]
1 2
a 1
S = = =2
1− r 1− 1
2
x 3
3. Using binomial expansion, simplify the following expression Q 1 + − 1 , assuming x to be small in
x
comparison to x.
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Solution
x 3 1 x Qx
Q 1 + − 1 = Q 1 + − 1 =
x 3 x 3x
4. Determine the values of sin 120, sin 240, sin 300 and sin(–30)
Solution
3
sin 120 = sin(90 + 30) = cos 30 = [ sin (90 + ) = cos ]
2
3
sin 240 = sin(270 − 30) = − cos30 = − [ sin (270 – ) = –cos ]
2
3
sin 300 = sin(360 − 60) = − sin 60 = − [ sin (360 – ) = –sin ]
2
1
sin(−30) = − sin 30 = − [ sin (–) = –sin ]
2
dy
5. If y = x3 – 5x2 + 2x + 3, find .
dx
Solution
dy d 3 d 3 d d d
= (x − 5x 2 + 2x + 3) = x − 5x 2 + 2x + 3
dx dx dx dx dx dx
= 3x2 – 10x + 2 + 0 = 3x2 – 10x + 2
dy
6. If y = (ax + b)2, evaluate .
dx
Solution
Let ax + b = u
du d dy d d
= (ax + b) = a and = (ax + b) 2 = (u) 2 = 2u
dx dx du du du
dy dy du
= = 2u a = 2au = 2a(ax + b)
dx du dx
dy
7. If y = sin [ln x3], evaluate .
dx
Solution
Let x3 = u
du d 3
= x = 3x 2
dx dx
Let ln x3 = v
dv 1 1
v = ln u = =
du u x 3
y = sin [ln x3] = sin v
dy
= cos v = cos[ln x 3 ]
dv
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dy dy dv du 1 3
Now = = cos[ln x 3 ] 3 3x 2 = cos[ln x 3 ]
dx dv du dx x x
dy
8. If y = sin 2x, evaluate .
dx
Solution
Let 2x = u
du d
= (2x) = 2
dx dx
dy d
= sin u = cos u = cos 2x
du du
dy dy du
= = cos 2x 2 = 2cos 2x
dx du dx
9. Find the minimum and maximum values of the function y = x3 – 3x2 + 6. Also, find the values of x at which
these occur.
Solution
dy d 3
= (x − 3x 2 + 6) = 3x 2 − 6x
dx dx
dy
At maxima or minima = 0 3x 2 − 6x = 0 x = 0, +2
dx
d 2 y d dy d
= = (3x 2 − 6x) = 6x − 6
dx 2 dx dx dx
d2 y
2 = 6(0) − 6 = −6 0 ,
dx at x =0
d2 y
2 = 6(2) − 6 = 6 0
dx at x = 2
dy d2 y
At x = 0, = 0 and 0.
dx dx 2
So at x = 0 y is maximum and y max = (0)3 − 3(0)2 + 6 = 6
dy d2 y
At x = 2, = 0 and 0.
dx dx 2
So at x = 2, y is minimum and y min = (2)3 − 3(2)2 + 6 = 2
10. Integrate the following w.r.t. x
1 1
(i) x3 (ii) x − (iii) e 2x +
x x2
1
(iv) cos(4x + 3) (v) (vi) cos2 x
2x + 3
Solution
(i) y = x3
x4
ydx = x dx = +C
3
4
1
(ii) y = x −
x
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1 1 x2
y dx = x
x − dx = x dx − x dx =
2
− ln x + C
1
(iii) y = e 2x +
x2
2x 1 e2x x −2 +1 e2x 1
−2
y dx = e + dx = e 2x
dx + x dx = + + C = − +C
x2 2 −2 + 1 2 x
(iv) y = cos(4x + 3)
sin(4x + 3)
y dx = cos(4x + 3)dx = 4
+C
1
(v) y =
2x + 3
1 ln(2x + 3)
y dx = 2x + 3 dx = 2
+C
(vi) y = cos2 x
1 + cos 2x 1 cos 2x x sin 2x x sin 2x
y dx = cos x dx = dx = dx + dx = + +C= + +C
2
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 4
11. Evaluate
2 v 4 9 4
1
(a) x 3dx (b) Mv dv (c) dx (d) x dx (e) cos 2x dx
1 u 3
x 4 0
Solution
2
2
x4 24 14 15
(a) x dx = = − =
3
1 4 1 4 4 4
v
v
v2 v 2 u 2 Mv 2 − Mu 2
(b) Mvdv = M = M − =
u 2 u 2 2 2
4
1 4
x dx = [ln x] = l n 4 − ln 3 = ln
4
(c) 3
3
3
9
1 +1 3 9
9
x 2 2x 2 2 32 3
2
(d) x dx = =
1 3
= 9 − 4 2 = [27 − 8] = 10
3 3
4 + 1 4
2 4
sin 2 sin
sin 2x 4 −
4
4 sin 2(0) 2 =1
(e) cos 2x dx = = =
0 2 0 2 2 2 2
X X
(a) (b)
y = 2x y = – 6x
slope = tan = 2 slope = tan = – 6
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Y Y
2
X X
(c) (d) –4
y = 4x + 2 y = 6x – 4
Y-intercept, c = 2 Slope = tan = 6
Slope = tan = 4 Y-intercept, c = –4
13. Write down the x – y equations for the graphs given below:
Y Y
45
(a) X (b) X
30
Y
Y
4
135
30
X X
(c) (d) 2
Solution
(a) Slope is positive and slope = tan = tan 45 = 1
y=x
1
(b) Slope is negative and slope = tan = tan (180 – 30) = tan 150 = – cot 60 = −
3
1
y=− x
3
1
(c) Slope = tan = tan 30 = , y-intercept is c = + 4
3
2
1
y= x+4 45
3 2
(d) Slope = tan = tan 135 = – 1, y-intercept is c = 2
y=–x+2
14. For the equations given below, tell the nature of graphs.
(a) y = 2x2 (b) y = – 4x2 + 6 (c) y = 6 e–4x
4 2
(d) y = 4(1 – e–2x) (e) y = (f) y = −
x x
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Solution
(a) Parabola passing through origin
(b) Parabola not passing through origin
(c) Exponentially decreasing graph
(d) Exponentially increasing graph
(e) Rectangular hyperbola in first and third quadrants
(f) Rectangular hyperbola in second and fourth quadrants
1
15. Calculate (1001) 3 .
Solution
1
1001 = 1000 + 1 = 1000 1 + = 1000(1 + 0.001)
1000
1
1 1 1
(1001) 3 = [1000(1 + 0.001)]3 = 10(1 + 0.001) 3 = 10 1 + (0.001)
3
= 10[1 + 0.000333] = 10[1.000333] = 10.00333
3
16. (i) If sin A = , find cos A.
5
(ii) Find tan 120, cot 150, sec 120, cosec 135
cot A − cos A cos ecA − 1
(iii) Prove that =
cot A + cos A cos ecA + 1
sin − cos + 1 1
(iv) Prove that = using sec2 = 1 + tan2
sin + cos − 1 sec − tan
Solution
(i) cos A = 1 − sin 2 A [ sin2 A + cos2 A = 1]
2
3 9 16 4
= 1− = 1− − =
5 25 25 5
4
cos A =
5
(ii) tan 120 = tan(90 + 30) = – cot 30 = − 3
cot 150 = cot(90 + 60) = – tan 60 = − 3
sec 120 = sec(90 + 30) = – cosec 30 = –2
cosec 135 = cosec(180 – 45) = + cosec 45 = 2
cos A
− cos A
cot A − cos A sin A cos A − sin A cos A
(iii) L.H.S. = = =
cot A + cos A cos A + cos A cos A + sin A cos A
sin A
(cos A − sin A cos A) / sin A cos A cos ec A − 1
= = = R.H.S.
(cos A + sin A cos A) / sin A cos A cos ec A + 1
Hence proved
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sin − cos + 1 (sin − cos + 1) / cos tan − 1 + sec
(iv) L.H.S. = = =
sin + cos − 1 (sin + cos − 1) / cos tan + 1 − sec
(tan + sec ) − 1 {(tan + sec ) − 1}(tan − sec )
= =
(tan − sec ) + 1 {(tan − sec ) + 1}(tan − sec )
tan 2 − sec 2 − tan + sec −1 − tan + sec
= =
{tan − sec + 1}(tan − sec ) (tan − sec + 1)(tan − sec )
−1 1
= = = R.H.S.
tan − sec sec − tan
Hence proved.
17. Differentiate the following functions with respect to x.
x
(a) x3 + 5x2 – 2 (b) x sin x (c) (2x + 3)6 (d) (e) e(5x + 2)
sin x
Solution
(a) Let y = x3 + 5x2 – 2
dy d 3 d 3 d d
= (x + 5x 2 − 2) = x + 5x 2 − 2 = 3x 2 + 5(2x) − 0
dx dx dx dx dx
dy
= 3x 2 + 10x
dx
(b) Let y = x sin x
dy d d d dv du
= x sin x + sin x x Usin g dx (uv) = u dx + v dx
dx dx dx
= x cos x + sin x
(c) Let y = (2x + 3)6
du dy
Let 2x + 3 = u = 2(1) + 0 = 2 ; y = u 6 = 6u 5
dx du
dy dy du
= = 6u 5 2 = 12u 5 = 12(2x + 3)5
dx du dx
x
(d) Let y =
sin x
d d du dv
sin x x − x sin x v −u
dy dx dx d u dx dx
= Usin g =
dx (sin x)2 dx v v2
sin x(1) − x(cos x) sin x − x cos x
= =
sin 2 x sin 2 x
(e) Let y = e(5x + 2) and u = 5x + 2
du dy
= 5(1) + 0 = 5 ; y = e u = eu
dx du
dy dy du
Now, = = e u 5 = 5e(5x + 2)
dx du dx
18. Integrate the following functions with respect to x.
2 1
(5x + 3x − 2)dx (b) 4sin x − dx 4x + 5 dx (d) (6x + 2)3 dx
2
(a) (c)
x
Solution
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(a) (5x 2 + 3x − 2)dx = 5 x 2dx + 3 x dx − 2dx
x 2+1 x1+1 5 3
=5 +3 − 2x + C = x 3 + x 2 − 2x + C
2 +1 1+1 3 2
2 1
(b) 4sin x − dx = 4 sin x dx − 2 dx
x x
= 4(– cos x) – 2(lnx) + C = –4cos x – 2lnx + C
1 ln(4x + 5)
(c) 4x + 5 dx = 4
+C
Solution
X
−3
(i) 3x + 2y = 0 y = x
2
−3
Slope = tan =
2
1
(ii) x – 3y + 6 = 0 – 3y = – x – 6 y = x + 6 Y
3
6
1
Slope = tan =
X
3
y-intercept is c = 6
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