Math 217

Exam 3

Page 1

Name:
ID:
Section:
This exam has 16 questions:
14 multiple choice questions worth 5 points each.
2 hand graded questions worth 15 points each.
Important:
No graphing calculators! Any non-graphing scientific calculator is fine.
For the multiple choice questions, mark your answer on the answer card.
Show all your work for the written problems. You will be graded on the ease of reading your
solution as well as for your work.
You are allowed both sides of 3 5 note cheat card for the exam.

Power Series Representations

The following power series converge to the indicated functions for all x.
x

e =
cos x =

X
xn
n=0

X
n=0

sin x =
cosh x =
sinh x =

n=0

X
n=0

x2 x3
+
+
2!
3!

(1)n x2n
x2 x4
=1
+
+
(2n)!
2!
4!

X
(1)n x2n+1

n=0

ln(1 + x) =

n!

=1+x+

(2n + 1)!

=x

x3 x5
+

3!
5!

x2n
x2 x4
=1+
+
+
(2n)!
2!
4!
x2n+1
x3 x5
=x+
+
+
(2n + 1)!
3!
5!

X
(1)n+1 xn
n=1

=x

x2 x3
+

2
3

Geometric series: converges if |x| < 1 but diverges if |x| > 1.

X
1
=
xn = 1 + x + x2 + x3 +
1 x n=0
Binomial series: if is a nonnegative integer, the series terminates. Otherwise, the series converges
if |x| < 1 but diverges if |x| > 1.
(1 + x) = 1 + x +

( 1) 2 ( 1)( 2) 3
x +
x +
2!
3!

Math 217
Exam 3

Page 2

1. Simple Harmonic Motion: Mechanical Vibrations

Determine the period and frequency of the simple harmonic motion of a body of mass 0.75 kg
on the end of a spring with spring constant 48 N/m.
a. frequency =
b. frequency =
c. frequency =
d. frequency =
e. frequency =
f. frequency =
g. frequency =

3
3

4
8

s, period= 3 Hz
Hz, period= 3 s
Hz, period= 3 s
Hz, period= 4 s
s, period= 4 Hz
Hz, period= 4 s
Hz, period= 8 s

h. None of the above

Solution. Ans.: d.
q
q
k
48
We are given m = 0.75 kg and k = 48 N/m. The circular frequency is 0 = m = 0.75
=8
= 4 s. The frequency is equal to the reciprocal of the
rad/s. The period is T = 20 = 2
8
period (in Hz), so = T1 = 4 Hz.

Math 217
Exam 3

Page 3

2. Simple Harmonic Motion: Mechanical Vibrations

A body with mass m = 12 kg is attached to the end of a spring that is stretched 2m by a force
of 100N. It is set in motion with initial position x0 = 1 m and initial velocity v0 = 5 m/s.
Find the position function of the body.
a. x(t)

5
2

cos(10t 0.4636)

5
2

cos(10t 5.8195)

c. x(t) 21 5 cos(10t 6.7468)

d. x(t) 21 5 cos(10t 0.4636)

e. x(t) 21 5 cos(10t 5.8195)

b. x(t)

f. None of the above.

Solution. Ans.: e.
This is Example 1, page 139. Note that 0 < < 2, so (c) and (d) cannot be correct.

Page 4

Math 217
Exam 3

3. Simple Harmonic Motion: Mechanical Vibrations

A mass m = 4 kg is attached to both a spring (with spring constant k = 169) and a dashpot
(with damping constant c = 20). The mass is set in motion with initial position x0 = 4 m and
initial velocity v0 = 16 m/s. Find the position function x(t) and determine whether the motion
is overdamped, critically damped, or underdamped.

a. Underdamped. x(t) 13 313e5t/2 cos(6t 0.8254)

b. Critically damped. x(t) 13 313e5t/2 cos(6t 0.8254)

c. Overdamped. x(t) 13 313e5t/2 cos(6t 0.8254)

d. Underdamped. x(t) 13 313e5t/2 sin(6t 0.8254)

e. Underdamped. x(t) 13 313e5t/2 sin(6t + 0.8254)

f. None of the above.
Solution. Ans.: a.
This is 2.4 #19

Math 217
Exam 3

Page 5

4. Simple Harmonic Motion: Simple Pendulum

Two pendulums are of lengths L1 and L2 and when located at the respective distances R1
and R2 from the center of the earth have periods p1 and p2 , respectively. Which of the
following statements is true?
a.

p1
p2

b.

p1
p2

c.

p1
p2

d.

p1
p2

R1 L1
R2 L2

R2 L1
R1 L2

R1 L2
R2 L1

R2 L2
R1 L1

e. All the above

f. None of the above
Solution. Ans.: a.
This is 2.4 #9.

Page 6

Math 217
Exam 3

5. Simple Harmonic Motion: Simple Pendulum

Most grandfather clocks have pendulums with adjustable lengths. One such clock loses 10
minutes per day when the length of its pendulum is 30 inches. With what length pendulum
will this clock keep perfect time?
a. 28.41 inches
b. 28.59 inches
c. 29.41 inches
d. 29.59 inches
e. 30.41 inches
f. 30.59 inches
Solution. Ans: d.
2.4 #8.

Math 217
Exam 3

Page 7

6. Elementary Power Series

2
The power series 1 + x2 + x4 +

x3
8

+ represents which of the following functions?

a. cosh x2
b. sinh x2
c.

2
2x

d. 2

1
1x

e. (1 + x)1/2
f. None of the above
Solution. Ans.: c.
This is a geometric series:
1+

x  x 2  x 3
1
x x2 x3
+
+
+ = 1 + +
+
+ =
2
4
8
2
2
2
1

x
2

2
.
2x

Math 217
Exam 3

Page 8

7. Power Series Operations: Multiplication

1 3
The power series 1 + 12 x 81 x2 + 16
x + represents which of the following functions?
a. cosh x2
b. sinh x2
c.

2
2x

d. 2

1
1x

e. (1 + x)1/2
f. None of the above
Solution. Ans.: e.
Note: (a) only involves even powers, (b) only odd powers. Choice (c) is the answer to the last
question. By elimination, only (d) and (e) are left and a check shows that (e) is correct.

Page 9

Math 217
Exam 3

8. Analytic functions
Which of the following statements is true?
a. If the Taylor series of the function f converges to f (x) for all x in some open interval
containing a, then we say that the function f is analytic at x = a
b. Every polynomial function is analytic everywhere.
c. Every rational function is analytic wherever its denominator is nonzero.
d. The sum of functions which are analytic at x = a is analytic at x = a.
e. The product of functions which are analytic at x = a is analytic at x = a.
f. All of the above.
g. None of the above.
Solution. Ans.: f.
These are all true statements. (See page 196).

Math 217
Exam 3

Page 10

9. Analytic Functions
Which of the following functions is analytic at x = 2?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

x+2
x2 4
x2
x2 4

x+2
x2 4

x2
x2 4

x+2
x2 +4

f. None of the above

Solution. Ans.: e.
Choices (a)-(f) all have a singularity at x = 2 because the denominator is zero there.
I also accepted (f): None of the above as an answer. Several students pointed out that the
function is not differentiable at 0, thus not analytic there.

Page 11

Math 217
Exam 3

10. Radius of Convergence

Suppose we apply theP
method of power series to a DE and find out that the recurrence relation
n+2
for the coefficients of
n=0 is cn+1 = 3(n+1) cn for n 0. What is the radius of convergence of
the power series solution?
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 9
e. 0
f. None of the above
Solution. Ans.: c.
This question is based on Example 2, page 202. Note that


 cn 
 = 3.
= limn 
cn+1 

Page 12

11. Manipulating Power Series

Consider the following power series.
P
n
I.
n=0 cn x
P
n3
II.
n=3 cn n(n 1)(n 2)x
P
n3
III.
n=0 cn n(n 1)(n 2)x
P
n
IV.
n=1 cn x
Which of these power series represents the same function?
a. I and IV only
b. II and III only
c. I and II only
d. II and IV only
e. All the above
f. None of the above, or some other combination of I, II, III and IV
Solution. Ans.: b.

Math 217
Exam 3

Math 217
Exam 3

Page 13

12. Recurrence Relation

2
Suppose cn+1 = n+1
cn for n 0. Which of the following is a closed form expression for cn ?
a. cn =
b. cn =

2n
c ,n0
n! o
2n
(1)n (n+1)!
co ,

n0

2n

c. cn = (1)n n! c0 , n 1
n

d. cn = (1)n 2n! c1 , n 0
2

e. cn = (1)n nn! co , n 0
f. None of the above.
Solution. Ans.: c.
3.1 Example 1.
I also accepted (f): None of the above. Several students pointed out that the formula is true for
n 0, not just n 1.

Page 14

13. Solving DEs with Power Series

Solve: y=y. What is the radius of convergence?
a. y = c0 sin x; =
b. y = c0 sin x; =
c. y = c0 ex ; = 1
d. y = c0 ex ; =
e. No power series solution since = 0
f. None of the above
Solution. Ans.: d.
This is 3.1 #1.

Math 217
Exam 3

Math 217
Exam 3

Page 15

14. Solving IVPs with Power Series

Solve the IVP: y 00 + 4y = 0; y(0) = 0, y 0 (0) = 3
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

2
3
3
2
2
3
3
2
2
3

sin 2x
sin 2x
cos 2x
cos 2x
sin 3x

f. None of the above

Solution. Ans.: b.
3.1 #19.

WRITTEN PROBLEMSHOW YOUR WORK

Math 217
Exam 3

Name:
ID:
Section:
Note: You will be graded on the readability of your work. Use the back of this sheet, if
necessary.
15. Power Series Solutions
Solve the equation (2x 1)y 0 + 2y using the power series method.
1
Solution. Ans. y(x) = c0 12x
This is 3.1 #7.

WRITTEN PROBLEMSHOW YOUR WORK

Math 217
Exam 3

Name:
ID:
Section:
Note: You will be graded on the readability of your work. Use the back of this sheet, if
necessary.
16. Power Series Solutions Show that the equation
x2 y 00 + x2 y 0 + y = 0
P
n
has no nontrivial power series solution of the form y =
n=0 cn x . (Hint: Assume that the
equation does have a power series and work it out. What happens?)
Solution. Assume that there is a power series of the form y =

n=0 cn x

. Then

0 = x2 y 00 + x2 y 0 + y

X
X
X
2
n2
2
n1
=x
cn n(n 1)x
+x
cn nx
+
cn x n
=
=

n=2

n=1

cn n(n 1)xn +

n=2

n=1

cn n(n 1)x +

n=1

n=2

= c0 + c1 x +
= c0 + c1 x +

X
n=2

n=0

cn nxn+1 +

cn x n

n=0
n+1

cn nx

+ c0 + c1 x +

cn x n

n=2

[(n(n 1) + 1)cn + (n 1)cn1 ]xn

[(n2 n + 1)cn + (n 1)cn1 ]xn .

n=2

Therefore, c0 = c1 = 0 and cn = n2n1

c
for n 2. Consequently, cn = 0 for all n 0, and
n+1 n1
so there is no nontrivial power series solution.