Examiners’ commentaries 2021

Examiners’ commentary 2021

MT105b Mathematics 2

Important note

This commentary reflects the examination and assessment arrangements for this course in the
academic year 2020–21. 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 the 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.

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MT105b Mathematics 2

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.

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.

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.

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 Examiners’ commentaries 2021

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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MT105b Mathematics 2

Examiners’ commentary 2021

MT105b Mathematics 2

Important note

This commentary reflects the examination and assessment arrangements for this course in the
academic year 2020–21. 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 – Zone A

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

Use Taylor’s theorem to find the first three non-zero terms in the expansion of
8x
f (x) =
x+1
about x = 1. Call this three-term expansion g(x).

Hence find the values of x for which |f (1) − g(x)| < 1.

Reading for this question

Section 2.4 of the subject guide.

Approaching the question

Taylor’s theorem about x = 1 states that

(x − 1)2 00
f (x) = f (1) + (x − 1)f 0 (1) + f (1) + · · ·
2!

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 Examiners’ commentaries 2021

and so, bearing in mind that we are only interested in the first three non-zero terms, we have
f (x) = 8x(x + 1)−1 =⇒ f (1) = 4

f 0 (x) = 8(x + 1)−1 − 8x(x + 1)−2 =⇒ f 0 (1) = 2

f 00 (x) = −8(x + 1)−2 − 8(x + 1)−2 + 16x(x + 1)−3 =⇒ f 00 (1) = −2

and this gives us
8x (x − 1)2
= 4 + 2(x − 1) + (−2) + · · · = 4 + 2(x − 1) − (x − 1)2 + · · · .
x+1 2
Following the question, we then have
g(x) = 4 + 2(x − 1) − (x − 1)2
so that
f (1) − g(x) = 4 − [4 + 2(x − 1) − (x − 1)2 ] = x2 − 4x + 3.
Thus, for |f (1) − g(x)| < 1, we must have
−1 < x2 − 4x + 3 < 1
and so, we see that

• for x2 − 4x + 3 < 1, we have

√
2 2 4± 8 √
x − 4x + 3 = 1 =⇒ x − 4x + 2 = 0 =⇒ x= =2± 2
2
√ √
and so we must have 2 − 2<x<2+ 2.
2
• for −1 < x − 4x + 3, we have
−1 < x2 − 4x + 3 =⇒ 0 < x2 − 4x + 4 =⇒ 0 < (x − 2)2
and so we must have x 6= 2.

Putting this all together, we then see that if x is such that

√ √
2 − 2 < x < 2 or 2 < x < 2 + 2
the given inequality holds.

Question 2

Suppose that α, β and γ are constants, and that h is the function

x2 y β
 γ
x
h(x, y) = α β
cos .
x +y y3
For what values of α, β and γ is this function homogeneous?

What is its degree of homogeneity?

Reading for this question

Section 3.3 of the subject guide.

Approaching the question

For the function h given by

x2 y β xγ
 
h(x, y) = α cos
x + yβ y3
to be homogeneous, we need:

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MT105b Mathematics 2

• the term within the cosine to be homogeneous of degree zero, i.e. we must have γ = 3

• the denominator must be homogeneous, i.e. we must have α = β.

Then, the degree of homogeneity of h is (2 + β) − β = 2.

Question 3

A company uses quantities x, y and z of three raw materials to produce a quantity

q(x, y, z) = xα y β z γ of its product where α, β and γ are positive constants. If each
raw material has a unit cost of $1 and the company has $M to spend on raw
materials, use the method of Lagrange multipliers to find their maximum output.

Reading for this question

Section 3.4.4 of the subject guide.

Approaching the question

We need to maximise xα y β z γ subject to the constraint x + y + z = M . To do this, we use the

Lagrangean
L(x, y, z, γ) = xα y β z γ − λ(x + y + z − M )
and solve the equations

Lx (x, y, z, λ) = αxα−1 y β z γ − λ = 0

Ly (x, y, z, λ) = βxα y β−1 z γ − λ = 0

Lz (x, y, z, λ) = γxα y β z γ−1 − λ = 0

Lλ (x, y, z, λ) = −(x + y + z − M ) = 0

simultaneously. Eliminating λ from the first three equations yields

α α β γ β γ α β γ
λ= x y z = xα y β z γ = xα y β z γ =⇒ = =
x y z x y z

and so, in terms of z (say) we have

α β
x= z and y = z.
γ γ

Substituting these into the fourth equation (i.e. the constraint) we then find that

α β α+β+γ γM
z+ z+z =M =⇒ z=M =⇒ z=
γ γ γ α+β+γ

which means that we also have

αM βM
x= and y =
α+β+γ α+β+γ

if we use x = αz/γ and y = βz/γ, respectively. Consequently, we find that

 α  β  γ  α+β+γ
αM βM γM α β γ M
=α β γ
α+β+γ α+β+γ α+β+γ α+β+γ

is their maximum output.

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 Examiners’ commentaries 2021

Question 4

Find the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the matrix

1 a2
 
A=
4 1

where a is a constant.

Hence, for each value of a, find an invertible matrix P and a diagonal matrix D such
that P −1 AP = D or explain why this is not possible.

Reading for this question

Chapter 4 of the subject guide.

Approaching the question

To find the eigenvalues of this matrix, we solve the equation

 
1 − λ a2 
|A − λI| = 0 =⇒   = 0 =⇒ (1 − λ)2 − 4a2 = 0
4 1 − λ

which, in turn, gives us

(1 − λ)2 = 4a2 =⇒ 1 − λ = ±2a
and so the eigenvalues are 1 + 2a and 1 − 2a. To find the corresponding eigenvectors we seek a
non-zero vector, x, which is a solution to the equation (A − λI)x = 0, i.e. we have

• for λ = 1 + 2a, we solve

−2a a2
      
x ay x a
=0 =⇒ 4x − 2ay = 0 =⇒ x= =⇒ =
4 −2a y 2 y 2

(or any non-zero multiple of this) is an eigenvector.

• for λ = 1 − 2a, we solve

2a a2
      
x ay x −a
=0 =⇒ 4x + 2ay = 0 =⇒ x=− =⇒ =
4 2a y 2 y 2

(or any non-zero multiple of this) is an eigenvector.

Consequently, if a 6= 0, we see that

   
a −a a −a
P = is an invertible matrix as |P | =  = 4a 6= 0
2 2 2 2 

and so, together with the diagonal matrix

 
1 + 2a 0
D=
0 1 − 2a

we have P −1 AP = D.

However, if a = 0, we see that λ = 1 is the only eigenvalue and all of the eigenvectors are
non-zero multiples of the vector (0, 1)T . As such, we find that any matrix P we construct will
have the form
   
0 0 0 0
P = and this is not an invertible matrix as |P | =   = 0.
r s r s

That is, if a = 0, there is no invertible matrix P and diagonal matrix D such that P −1 AP = D.

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MT105b Mathematics 2

Question 5

Find the function f that satisfies the differential equation

df f (x) 1
− =
dx x+1 x−2
and the initial condition f (0) = 0.

Reading for this question

Section 5.3 of the subject guide.

Approaching the question

The differential equation

df f (x) 1
− =
dx x + 1 x−2
is linear and we solve it by comparing it to the standard form
df
+ p(x) f (x) = q(x)
dx
to get p(x) = −(x + 1)−1 and q(x) = (x − 2)−1 . So, following the standard method, the
integrating factor is
−1 −1
R R
e p(x) dx
=e x+1 dx
= e− ln(x+1) = eln(x+1) = (x + 1)−1

and multiplying both sides of our linear differential equation by this gives us
df 1 d 1
(x + 1)−1 − (x + 1)−2 f (x) = =⇒ [(x + 1)−1 f (x)] =
dx (x + 1)(x − 2) dx (x + 1)(x − 2)
if we use the product rule to simplify the left-hand side. We then integrate both sides with
respect to x to get
Z Z  
dx 1/3 1/3 1 1
(x + 1)−1 f (x) = = − dx = ln |x − 2| − ln |x + 1| + c
(x + 1)(x − 2) x−2 x+1 3 3
if we use partial fractions to evaluate the integral on the right-hand side. Then, multiplying both
sides of this expression by x + 1, this gives us
 
x + 1  x − 2 
f (x) = ln  + c(x + 1)
3 x + 1
as the general solution.

However, we are told that f (0) = 0 and so we have

1 1
0= ln | − 2| + c =⇒ c=− ln(2)
3 3
which means that
   
x + 1  x − 2  x + 1 x + 1  x − 2 
f (x) = ln  − ln(2) = ln 
3 x + 1 3 3 2(x + 1) 
is the particular solution we seek.

Question 6

For t ≥ 0, the sequence xt satisfies the difference equation

xt+2 − 6xt+1 + 8xt = 24(8t )

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 Examiners’ commentaries 2021

with x0 = 3 and x1 = 14. Find xt writing your answer in terms of powers of two.

Reading for this question

Sections 6.8 and 6.9 of the subject guide.

Approaching the question

To solve the second-order difference equation

xt+2 − 6xt+1 + 8xt = 24(8t )

we start with the auxiliary equation which is

m2 − 6m + 8 = 0 =⇒ (m − 2)(m − 4) = 0, m = 2, 4

and so, as we get two distinct real roots, the complementary sequence is

xt = A(2t ) + B(4t )

for some arbitrary constants A and B. To find a particular sequence, as the right-hand side is
24(8t ), we try something of the form xt = α(8t ) where α is a constant to be determined. So, as
xt+1 = 8α(8t ) and xt+2 = 64α(8t ), we can substitute these in to the given difference equation to
get
64α(8t ) − 48α(8t ) + 8α(8t ) = 24(8t ) =⇒ 24α(8t ) = 24(8t ) =⇒ α = 1
giving us the particular sequence xt = 8t and, adding this to the complementary sequence, we get

xt = A(2t ) + B(4t ) + 8t

as the general solution of the given difference equation. Indeed, since x0 = 3, we have

3=A+B+1 =⇒ A+B =2

and, since x1 = 14, we also have

14 = 2A + 4B + 8 =⇒ A + 2B = 3

which, solving simultaneously, gives us A = 1 and B = 1. Thus

xt = 2t + 4t + 8t = 2t + 22t + 23t

is the sought-after particular solution written in terms of powers of two.

Section B

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

Question 7

(a) For all values of the constants a and b, use a matrix method to determine the
number of solutions to the system of equations

x + 2y + z = 1,

2x + 4y + 2z = a,

3x + 6y + 3z = b.

For any values of a and b that give at least one solution, find the solution(s) to
this system of equations and express your answer in vector form.

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MT105b Mathematics 2

Reading for this question

Section 4.8 of the subject guide.
Approaching the question
The augmented matrix is  
1 2 1 1
2 4 2 a
3 6 3 b
where a and b are constants and, in particular, it is easy to reduce this to its row-echelon
form by performing the following row operations.
   
1 2 1 1 1 2 1 1
R2 →R2 −2R1
2 4 2 a −−−−−−−−→ 0 0 0 a − 2 .
R3 →R3 −3R1
3 6 3 b 0 0 0 b−3

From this, we can see that when

• a 6= 2 or b 6= 3, there are no solutions
• a = 2 and b = 3, there are an infinite number of solutions.
Indeed, when a = 2 and b = 3, we can set y = s ∈ R and z = t ∈ R so that

x + 2y + z = 1 gives us x = 1 − 2s − t

which gives us          
x 1 − 2s − t 1 −2 −1
y  =  s  = 0 + s  1  + t  0 
z t 0 0 1
in vector form.

(b) A town can accommodate a population of K people and its initial population is
K/10.
If the population of the town at time t ≥ 0, N (t), satisfies the differential
equation
dN K−N
= N,
dt K
find N (t). Hence describe how the population of the town is changing with time.

Reading for this question

Section 5.2 of the subject guide.
Approaching the question
The given differential equation is separable and so, using the standard method, we have
K −N
Z Z
dN K
= N =⇒ dN = dt.
dt K (K − N )N
So, using partial fractions on the left-hand side, we have
Z Z  
K 1 1
dN = + dN
(K − N )N K −N N
and so we get
 
 N  N
− ln |K − N | + ln |N | = t + c =⇒ ln 
 =t+c =⇒ = Aet .
K −N K −N

Now, using the initial condition N (0) = K/10, we see that

K/10 1
= Ae0 =⇒ A=
9K/10 9

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 Examiners’ commentaries 2021

and so we have
N et Ket
= =⇒ 9N = Ket − N et =⇒ N (t) =
K −N 9 9 + et
as the solution we seek.
To describe how the population of the town is changing with time, we note that K > 0 and

Ket 9K
N (t) = =K−
9 + et 9 + et
which means that, as t increases, we see that N (t) will be increasing to K.

Question 8

The supply and demand sets for a market are

S = {(q, p) | p − 3q = 6} and D = {(q, p) | p + 2q = 16}.

(a) Find the equilibrium price and quantity for this market.

(b) The cobweb model dictates that, for t ≥ 1, a market will evolve according to the
formulae
qt = q S (pt−1 ) and pt = pD (qt ).
Find a recurrence equation which describes how the price changes with time if
this market evolves in accordance with the cobweb model.
If the initial price is ten, solve this equation and describe how pt behaves as t
increases.
Also find qt as an explicit function of t.

(c) If the government imposes a percentage [of the price] tax of 100r% on the sale
of goods in this market, the price including the tax is pr and the equilibrium
price is now determined by the equation

q S (pr − rpr ) = q D (pr ).

Find the equilibrium price and quantity for this market in the presence of this
tax.
For what values of r will this equilibrium be economically meaningful?

Reading for this question

Sections 2.6 and 6.6 of the subject guide.

Approaching the question

(a) Given the supply and demand sets

S = {(q, p) | p − 3q = 6} and D = {(q, p) | p + 2q = 16}

we can see that the equilibrium price and quantity occurs when we solve the equations
p − 3q = 6 and p + 2q = 16 simultaneously. Doing this, by (say) eliminating p, we find that

6 + 3q = 16 − 2q =⇒ 5q = 10 =⇒ q=2

is the equilibrium quantity and, as such, p = 6 + 3(2) = 12 is the equilibrium price.

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MT105b Mathematics 2

(b) From the given supply and demand sets, we find that
p−6
q S (p) = and pD (q) = 16 − 2q
3
and so, using the cobweb model, we have
pt−1 − 6
qt = and pt = 16 − 2qt .
3
Thus, eliminating qt from these two expressions, the recurrence equation we seek is
 
pt−1 − 6 2
pt = 16 − 2 = 20 − pt−1 .
3 3

As a, the coefficient of pt−1 , is not equal to one, this has a time-independent solution, p∗ ,
given by
2 5 ∗
p∗ = 20 − p∗ =⇒ p = 20 =⇒ p∗ = 12
3 3
so that, using the formula pt = p∗ + (p0 − p∗ )at , we have the solution
 t  t
2 2
pt = 12 + (10 − 12) − = 12 − 2 −
3 3

as p0 = 10. Indeed, we can see that pt oscillates decreasingly towards 12 as t increases.

As pt = 16 − 2qt , we also have
"  t #  t
1 2 2
qt = 8 − 12 − 2 − =2+ −
2 3 3

which tells us qt as an explicit function of t ≥ 1.

(c) From the given supply and demand sets, we find that
p−6 16 − p
q S (p) = and q D (q) =
3 2
and so, in the presence of the tax, the equilibrium price is now determined by the equation
p − rp − 6 16 − p 60
= =⇒ 2p−2rp−12 = 48−3p =⇒ (5−2r)p = 60 =⇒ p=
3 2 5 − 2r
and the equilibrium quantity in the presence of the tax is then given by
 
D 60 30 10 − 16r
q=q =8− = .
5 − 2r 5 − 2r 5 − 2r

For this equilibrium to be economically meaningful, we must have 5 − 2r > 0 (or r < 5/2) so
that the equilibrium price is non-negative and 10 − 16r ≥ 0 (or r ≤ 5/8) so that the
equilibrium quantity is non-negative as well. That is, as r ≥ 0, we must have 0 ≤ r ≤ 5/8.

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 Examiners’ commentaries 2021

Examiners’ commentary 2021

MT105b Mathematics 2

Important note

This commentary reflects the examination and assessment arrangements for this course in the
academic year 2020–21. 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 – Zone B

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

Use Taylor’s theorem to find the first three non-zero terms in the expansion of
x
f (x) =
x−1
about x = 2. Call this three-term expansion g(x).

Hence find the values of x for which |g(x) − f (2)| < 2.

Reading for this question

Section 2.4 of the subject guide.

Approaching the question

Taylor’s theorem about x = 2 states that

(x − 2)2 00
f (x) = f (2) + (x − 2)f 0 (2) + f (2) + · · ·
2!

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MT105b Mathematics 2

and so, bearing in mind that we are only interested in the first three non-zero terms, we have
f (x) = x(x − 1)−1 =⇒ f (2) = 2

f 0 (x) = (x − 1)−1 − x(x − 1)−2 =⇒ f 0 (2) = −1

f 00 (x) = −(x − 1)−2 − (x − 1)−2 + 2x(x − 1)−3 =⇒ f 00 (2) = 2

and this gives us
x (x − 2)2
= 2 − (x − 2) + (2) + · · · = 2 − (x − 2) + (x − 2)2 + · · · .
x−1 2
Following the question, we then have
g(x) = 2 − (x − 2) + (x − 2)2
so that
g(x) − f (2) = [2 − (x − 2) + (x − 2)2 ] − 2 = x2 − 5x + 6.
Thus, for |g(x) − f (2)| < 2, we must have
−2 < x2 − 5x + 6 < 2
and so, we see that

• for x2 − 5x + 6 < 2, we have

x2 − 5x + 6 = 2 =⇒ x2 − 5x + 4 = 0 =⇒ (x − 4)(x − 1) = 0
and so we must have 1 < x < 4.
• for −2 < x2 − 5x + 6, we have
 2
2 2 5 7
−2 < x − 5x + 6 =⇒ 0 < x − 5x + 8 =⇒ 0< x− +
2 4
which is always true.

Putting this all together, we then see that if x is such that 1 < x < 4 the given inequality holds.

Question 2

The production function for a firm is given by

k α + l2 √
q(k, l) = ln(kγ l),
k β l3
where k and l are, respectively, the amounts of capital and labour used.

If the firm has decreasing returns to scale, find all the possible values of the
constants α, β and γ.

Reading for this question

Section 3.3 of the subject guide.

Approaching the question

For the function q given by

k α + l2 √
q(k, l) = β 3
ln(k γ l)
k l
to have decreasing returns to scale it must be homogeneous and its degree of homogeneity must
be less than one. In particular, for it to be homogeneous

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 Examiners’ commentaries 2021

• the term within the logarithm must be homogeneous of degree zero, i.e. we must have
γ = −1/2
• the numerator must be homogeneous, i.e. we must have α = 2.

Then, as the degree of homogeneity of q is 2 − (β + 3), for decreasing returns to scale, we need
2 − (β + 3) < 1 =⇒ −β < 2 =⇒ β > −2.
Thus, all the possible values of α, β and γ are given by α = 2, β > −2 and γ = −1/2.

Question 3

A company uses quantities x, y and z of three raw materials, whose unit costs are
α, β and γ, respectively, to produce a quantity q(x, y, z) = xyz of its product. If the
company is contracted to produce a quantity Q of its product, use the method of
Lagrange multipliers to find the minimum amount that they can spend on raw
materials.

Reading for this question

Section 3.4.4 of the subject guide.

Approaching the question

We need to minimise αx + βy + γz subject to the constraint xyz = Q. To do this, we use the

Lagrangean
L(x, y, z, γ) = αx + βy + γz − λ(xyz − Q)
and solve the equations
Lx (x, y, z, λ) = α − λyz = 0

Ly (x, y, z, λ) = β − λxz = 0

Lz (x, y, z, λ) = γ − λxy = 0

Lλ (x, y, z, λ) = −(xyz − Q) = 0
simultaneously. Eliminating λ from the first three equations yields
α β γ
λ= = = =⇒ αx = βy = γz
yz xz xy
and so, in terms of z (say) we have
γ γ
x= z and y = z.
α β
Substituting these into the fourth equation (i.e. the constraint) we then find that
γ γ   1/3
αβ αβQ
z z z = Q =⇒ z 3 = 2 Q =⇒ z =
α β γ γ2
which means that we also have
 1/3  1/3  1/3  1/3
γ αβQ βγQ γ αβQ αγQ
x= = and y = =
α γ2 α2 β γ2 β2
if we use x = γz/α and y = γz/β, respectively. Consequently, we find that
 1/3  1/3  1/3
βγQ αγQ αβQ
α + β + γ = 3(αβγQ)1/3
α2 β2 γ2
is the minimum amount that the company can spend.

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MT105b Mathematics 2

Question 4

Find the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the matrix

 
1 9
A=
a2 1

where a is a constant.

Hence, for each value of a, find an invertible matrix P and a diagonal matrix D such
that P −1 AP = D or explain why this is not possible.

Reading for this question

Chapter 4 of the subject guide.

Approaching the question

To find the eigenvalues of this matrix, we solve the equation

 
1 − λ 9 
|A − λI| = 0 =⇒  2  = 0 =⇒ (1 − λ)2 − 9a2 = 0
a 1 − λ

which, in turn, gives us

(1 − λ)2 = 9a2 =⇒ 1 − λ = ±3a
and so the eigenvalues are 1 + 3a and 1 − 3a. To find the corresponding eigenvectors we seek a
non-zero vector, x, which is a solution to the equation (A − λI)x = 0, i.e. we have

• for λ = 1 + 3a, we solve

      
−3a 9 x ax x 3
=0 =⇒ −3ax + 9y = 0 =⇒ y= =⇒ =
a2 −3a y 3 y a

(or any non-zero multiple of this) is an eigenvector.

• for λ = 1 − 3a, we solve
      
3a 9 x ax x 3
=0 =⇒ 3ax + 9y = 0 =⇒ y=− =⇒ =
a2 3a y 3 y −a

(or any non-zero multiple of this) is an eigenvector.

Consequently, if a 6= 0, we see that

   
3 3 3 3 
P = is an invertible matrix as |P | =   = −6a 6= 0
a −a a −a

and so, together with the diagonal matrix

 
1 + 3a 0
D=
0 1 − 3a

we have P −1 AP = D.

However, if a = 0, we see that λ = 1 is the only eigenvalue and all of the eigenvectors are
non-zero multiples of the vector (1, 0)T . As such, we find that any matrix P we construct will
have the form
   
r s r s 
P = and this is not an invertible matrix as |P | =   = 0.
0 0 0 0

That is, if a = 0, there is no invertible matrix P and diagonal matrix D such that P −1 AP = D.

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 Examiners’ commentaries 2021

Question 5

Find the function f that satisfies the differential equation

df 2 1
− f (x) =
dx x2 −1 x+1

and the initial condition f (0) = 0.

Reading for this question

Section 5.3 of the subject guide.

Approaching the question

The differential equation

df 2 1
− 2 f (x) =
dx x − 1 x+1
is linear and we solve it by comparing it to the standard form

df
+ p(x) f (x) = q(x)
dx
to get p(x) = −2(x2 − 1)−1 and q(x) = (x + 1)−1 . So, following the standard method, as partial
fractions gives us
Z    
−2
Z Z
1 1 x + 1
p(x) dx = dx = − dx = ln |x + 1| − ln |x − 1| + c = ln 
 +c
x2 − 1 x+1 x−1 x − 1

the integrating factor is

x+1 x+1
= eln( x−1 ) =
R
p(x) dx
e
x−1
and multiplying both sides of our linear differential equation by this gives us
 
x + 1 df 2 1 d x+1 1
− 2
f (x) = =⇒ f (x) =
x − 1 dx (x − 1) x−1 dx x − 1 x−1

if we use the product rule to simplify the left-hand side. We then integrate both sides with
respect to x to get Z
x+1 dx
f (x) = = ln |x − 1| + c
x−1 x−1
so that, multiplying both sides of this expression by (x + 1)(x − 1)−1 , this gives us

x−1
f (x) = (ln |x − 1| + c)
x+1

as the general solution. However, we are told that f (0) = 0 and so we have

−1
0= ln | − 1| + c =⇒ c = ln(1) = 0
1
which means that
x−1
f (x) = ln |x − 1|
x+1
is the particular solution we seek.

Note that
 
x+1 (x − 1) + 2 2 d x+1 2
= =1+ =⇒ =− .
x−1 x−1 x+1 dx x−1 (x − 1)2

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MT105b Mathematics 2

Question 6

Find the function, f , that satisfies the differential equation

f 00 (t) − f 0 (t) − 2f (t) = 10 sin(t)

and the initial conditions f (0) = 2 and f 0 (0) = −1.

Reading for this question

Section 5.4 of the subject guide.

Approaching the question

To solve the second-order differential equation

f 00 (t) − f 0 (t) − 2f (t) = 10 sin(t)

we start by solving the auxiliary equation which is

m2 − m − 2 = 0 =⇒ (m + 1)(m − 2) = 0, m = −1, 2.

Thus, as we have two distinct solutions to the auxiliary equation, the complementary function is

f (t) = Ae−t + Be2t

for some arbitrary constants A and B. To find a particular integral, as the right-hand side is
10 sin(t), we try something of the form

f (t) = α sin(t) + β cos(t)

where α and β are constants to be determined. So, as

f 0 (t) = α cos(t) − β sin(t) and f 00 (t) = −α sin(t) − β cos(t)

we can substitute these in to the given differential equation, to get

[−α sin(t) − β cos(t)] − [α cos(t) − β sin(t)] − 2[α sin(t) + β cos(t)] = 10 sin(t).

So, equating the coefficients of sin(t) and cos(t) on both sides we get

−3α + β = 10 and α = −3β

respectively. These equations are easily solved to see that α = −3 and β = 1 which means that
the particular integral is
f (t) = −3 sin(t) + cos(t).
Thus, adding this to the complementary function, we get

f (t) = Ae−t + Be2t − 3 sin(t) + cos(t)

as the general solution of our differential equation. Indeed, since f (0) = 2, we have

2=A+B+1 =⇒ A+B =1

and, since f 0 (0) = −1, we find that

f 0 (t) = −Ae−t + 2Be2t − 3 cos(t) − sin(t) =⇒ −1 = −A + 2B − 3 =⇒ A − 2B = −2.

These equations are easily solved to see that A = 0 and B = 1 which means that

f (t) = e2t − 3 sin(t) + cos(t)

is the sought-after particular solution.

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 Examiners’ commentaries 2021

Section B

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

Question 7

(a) For all values of the constants a and b, use a matrix method to determine the
number of solutions to the system of equations

x + y + 2z = a,

2x + 2y + 4z = b,

3x + 3y + 6z = 3.

For any values of a and b that give at least one solution, find the solution(s) to
this system of equations and express your answer in vector form.

Reading for this question

Section 4.8 of the subject guide.
Approaching the question
The augmented matrix is  
1 1 2 a
2 2 4 b
3 3 6 3
where a and b are constants and, in particular, it is easy to reduce this to its row-echelon
form by performing the following row operations.
   
1 1 2 a 1 1 2 a
R2 →R2 −2R1
2 2 4 b  − −−−−−−−→ 0 0 0 b − 2a  .
R3 →R3 −3R1
3 3 6 3 0 0 0 3 − 3a

From this, we can see that when

• a 6= 1 or b 6= 2a, there are no solutions
• a = 1 and b = 2, there are an infinite number of solutions.
Indeed, when a = 1 and b = 2, we can set y = s ∈ R and z = t ∈ R so that

x + y + 2z = 1 gives us x = 1 − s − 2t

which gives us          
x 1 − s − 2t 1 −1 −2
y  =  s  = 0 + s  1  + t  0 
z t 0 0 1
in vector form.

(b) A town can accommodate a population of K people and its initial population is
2K.
If the population of the town at time t ≥ 0, N (t), satisfies the differential
equation
dN K−N
= N,
dt K
find N (t). Hence describe how the population of the town is changing with time.

Reading for this question

Section 5.2 of the subject guide.

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MT105b Mathematics 2

Approaching the question

The given differential equation is separable and so, using the standard method, we have
K −N
Z Z
dN K
= N =⇒ dN = dt.
dt K (K − N )N

So, using partial fractions on the left-hand side, we have

Z Z  
K 1 1
dN = + dN
(K − N )N K −N N

and so we get
 
N  N
= Aet .

− ln |K − N | + ln |N | = t + c =⇒ ln  =t+c =⇒
K −N K −N

Now, using the initial condition N (0) = 2K, we see that

2K
= Ae0 =⇒ A = −2
−K
and so we have
N 2Ket
= −2et =⇒ N = −2Ket + 2N et =⇒ N (t) =
K −N 2et − 1
as the solution we seek.
To describe how the population of the town is changing with time, we note that K > 0 and

2Ket K
N (t) = =K+ t
2et − 1 2e − 1
which means that, as t increases, we see that N (t) will be decreasing to K.

Question 8

A market has supply and demand functions given by

q S (p) = p − 1 and q D (p) = 3 − p,

respectively.

(a) Find the equilibrium price and quantity for this market.

The government wants to impose an excise tax of T per unit on the market. That is,
if the price including the tax is pT , then the equilibrium price is now determined by
the equation
q S (pT − T ) = q D (pT ).

(b) Find the equilibrium price and quantity for this market in the presence of this
tax.
How much of the tax would be passed onto the consumer?
For what values of T will this equilibrium be economically meaningful?

(c) Write down an expression for the government’s tax revenue.

Find the value of T that will maximise this revenue.

A firm supplies an equilibrium quantity of goods to this market at the equilibrium

price and has a cost function given by C(q) = 4q 2 .

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 Examiners’ commentaries 2021

(d) Find the firm’s gross (i.e. pre-tax) profit as a function of T .

Sketch this profit function.
What value of T would the firm like the government to choose?

Reading for this question

Sections 2.6 of the subject guide.

Approaching the question

(a) The equilibrium price occurs when q S (p) = q D (p) and so

p−1=3−p =⇒ p=2

and this gives us an equilibrium quantity of q = q D (2) = 3 − 2 = 1.

(b) In the presence of the excise tax, the equilibrium price occurs when q S (p − T ) = q D (p) and
so
T
p − T − 1 = 3 − p =⇒ p = 2 +
2
and this gives us an equilibrium quantity of
 
D T T
q=q 2+ =1− .
2 2

From the equilibrium price, we can see that half the tax has been passed onto the consumer
and, from the equilibrium quantity (which must be non-negative) we can see that the
economically meaningful values of T are 0 ≤ T ≤ 2.

(c) The government’s tax revenue is

T2
 
T
RT = qT = 1− T =T − .
2 2

As RT0 = 1 − T = 0 when T = 1 and RT00 = −1 < 0 for all T , we can see that the tax revenue
is maximised when T = 1.

(d) Working at the equilibrium with C(q) = 4q 2 , the firm’s profit is given by
    2
T T T 5 7
π(T ) = 2+ 1− −4 1− = − T2 + T − 2
2 2 2 4 2

and this is only economically meaningful if 0 ≤ T ≤ 2.

To sketch the profit function, we note that
• the π-intercept is π = −2

• the T -intercepts occur when

4
5T 2 − 14T + 8 = 0 =⇒ (5T − 4)(T − 2) = 0 =⇒ T = ,2
5
• as
5 7
π 0 (T ) = − T + = 0
2 2
when T = 7/5 and π 00 (T ) = −5/2 < 0 for all T , we can see that the curve has a
maximum at T = 7/5 and π(7/5) = 9/20.

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MT105b Mathematics 2

With this information, we get the sketch in Figure 1. Based on this, the firm would like the
government to choose T = 7/5 as that would maximise their profit.

Figure 1: The sketch of π(T ) against T .

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