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MathsSemester 1All

Engineering Mathematics — Calculus & Linear Algebra

Matrices, determinants, differential equations, Laplace transforms.

22 min read3 sectionsExam-ready notes

Key points

  • Matrix rank & inverse
  • Eigenvalues / eigenvectors
  • ODE first & second order
  • Laplace transform pairs
  • Partial derivatives & maxima

1. Matrices & Determinants

Operations: add, multiply, transpose, inverse

Rank: max independent rows/columns

Types: singular (det=0), orthogonal (AᵀA=I), symmetric

Eigenvalues: det(A − λI) = 0

Eigenvectors: (A − λI)x = 0

Cayley-Hamilton: every matrix satisfies its characteristic equation.

2. Differential Equations

First order: variable separable, linear (IF = e∫P dx), exact

Second order linear: homogeneous (aux. equation), particular integral

Applications: growth/decay, circuits (RLC), vibrations

3. Laplace Transforms

L{f(t)} = ∫₀^∞ e^{−st} f(t) dt

Standard pairs

  • 1 → 1/s
  • tⁿ → n!/sⁿ⁺¹
  • e^{at} → 1/(s−a)
  • sin at → a/(s²+a²)
  • cos at → s/(s²+a²)

Use: convert DE to algebraic equation, solve, inverse Laplace.