BTEC Assignment Brief

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Engi-

Qualification
neering
Unit number and title Unit 7: Calculus to solve engineering problems

A: Examine how differential calculus can be used to solve

Learning aim(s) (For NQF
engineering problems
only)

Solving engineering problems that involve differentiation

Assignment title

Learner’s name
Issue date
Hand in deadline

You are working as an apprentice engineer at a company in-

volved in the research, design production and maintenance
of bespoke engineering solutions for larger customers.

Part of your apprenticeship is to spend time working in all

departments, however a certain level of understanding
Vocational Scenario or needs to be shown before the managing director allows ap-
Context prentices into the design team and so she has developed a
series of questions on differentiation to determine if you are
suitable.

Task 1 Produce a report that contains written descriptions, analysis

and mathematics that shows how calculus can be used to
solve engineering problems as set out below.

1 The equation for a distance, s(m), travelled in time t(s) by

an object starting with an initial velocity u(ms -1) and uni-
form acceleration a(ms-2) is:

1
s=ut + a t 2
2
The tasks are to:

a) Plot a graph of distance (s) vs time (t) for the first

10s of motion if u=10 m s−1 and a=5 m s−2 .
b) Determine the gradient of the graph at t=2 s and
t=6 s .
c) Differentiate the equation to find the functions for

i) Velocity ( v= dsdt )
2
dv d s
ii) Acceleration
( a= =
dt dt 2 )
 d) Use your result from part c to calculate the velocity
at t=2 s and t=6 s .
e) Compare your results for part b and part d.

2 The displacement of a mass is given by the function

y=sin 3 t .

The tasks are to:

a) Draw a graph of the displacement y(m) against time

t(s) for the time t=0 s to t=2. s .
b) Identify the position of any turning points and
whether they are maxima, minima or points of in-
flexion.
c) Calculate the turning points of the function using
differential calculus and show which are maxima,
minima or points of inflexion by using the second
derivative.
Compare your results from parts b and c.

3 The equation for the instantaneous voltage across a dis-

−t
charging capacitor is given by v =V O e τ , where VO
is the initial voltage and τ is the time constant of the
circuit.

The tasks are to:

a) Draw a graph of voltage against time for

V O=12 V and τ =2 s , between t=0 s and
t=10 s .
b) Calculate the gradient at t=2 s and t=4 s .
−t
c) Differentiate 2 and calculate the value of
v =12e
dv
at t=2 s and t=4 s .
dt
d) Compare your answers for part b and part c.
e) Calculate the second derivative of the instantaneous volt-
d2 v
age
( )
dt 2
.

4 The same capacitor circuit is now charged up to 12V and

−t
the instantaneous voltage is
v =12 (1−e ) 2 .

The tasks are to:

a) Differentiate v with respect to t to give an

dv
equation for .
dt

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 dv
b) Calculate the value of at t=2 s and
dt
t=4 s .
2
d v
c) Find the second derivative
( )
dt
2
.

5 The gain of an amplifier is found to be

G=20 log ( 10 V out ) ,:

The tasks are to find equations for:

dG
a)
d V Out
2
d G
b) 2
d V Out
6 The displacement, y (m), of a body in damped oscilla-
tion is y=2 e−t sin 3 t .

The task is to:

a) Use the Product Rule to find an equation for the ve-

dy
locity of the object if v= .
dt
7 The velocity of a moving vehicle is given by the equation
4
v =( 2t +3 )

The task is to:

a) Use the Chain Rule to determine an equation for the

dv
acceleration when a= .
dt
8 A communication signal is given by the function
sin t
y=
t
The task is to:

dy
a) Derive and equation for using the Quotient
dt
Rule.

9 A company is required to fence off the area around a ro-

bot arm to comply with health and safety law. They have
750m of fencing available

The task is to:

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 a) Find the maximum area they can fence off?

10 You plan to make a simple, open topped box from a

piece of sheet metal by cutting a square – of equal size –
from each corner and folding up the sides as shown in the
diagram:

If l=200 mm and w=150 mm calculate:

a) The value of x which will give the maximum volume

b) The maximum volume of the box

c) Comment of the value obtained in part b.

Checklist of evidence Your informal report should contain:

required
● analysis
● worked solutions to the problems

Each worked solution should be laid out clearly and contain

brief explanations of the stages of the calculation to indicate
your understanding of how calculus can be used to solve an
engineering problem. You explanation should be detailed in
response to questions 9 and 10 to show how the variables
are optimised in each case. Graphs should be well pre-
sented and clearly labelled and comparisons between meth-
ods should be accurate and well presented.

Criteria covered by this task:

Unit/Criteria
To achieve the criteria you must show that you are able to:
reference
Evaluate, using technically correct language and a logical structure, the
correct graphical and analytical differential calculus solutions for each
7/A.D1
type of given routine and non-routine function, explaining how the vari-
ables could be optimised in at least two functions.
Find accurately the graphical and analytical differential calculus solu-
tions and, where
7/A.M1
appropriate, turning points for each type of given routine and non-rou-
tine function and compare the results.
Find the first and second derivatives for each type of given routine
7/A.P1
function.
Find, graphically and analytically, at least two gradients for each type
7/A.P2
of given routine function.

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 Find the turning points for given routine polynomial and trigonometric
7/A.P3
functions.

Sources of information http://www.mathsisfun.com/index.htm

to support you with
this Assignment
http://www.mathcentre.ac.uk/students/topics

Other assessment ma-

terials attached to this
Assignment Brief

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BTEC Assignment Brief v1.0
BTEC Internal Assessment QDAM January 2015
ASSESSMENT RECORD SHEET
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended
Programme Learner name
Diploma in Engineering

Assignment title Assessor name Dr. Mustafa E. Amiryar

Engineering processes and human factors
Unit 7: Calculus to solve engineering Targeted learning aims/as-
Unit no. & title
problems sessment criteria P4, P5, P6, M2, D1
First Submission
11-11-2020
Deadline Date submitted

Has an extension to the dead-

line been approved by the Asses-
sor due to extenuating circum-
stances?
Targeted Criteria
Assessment comments
criteria achieved

P1

P2

P3

M1
D1
General comments
 I certify that the evidence submitted for this assignment is my own. I have clearly referenced any sources used in the work. I under-
Learner Declaration
stand that false declaration is a form of malpractice.

Learner signature Date

I certify that the evidence submitted for this assignment is the learner’s own. The learner has clearly referenced any sources used in
Assessor declaration
the work. I understand that false declaration is a form of malpractice.

Assessor signature Date

Date of feedback to learner

Resubmission authorisa-
tion Date
by Lead Internal Verifier*
* All resubmissions must be authorised by the Lead Internal Verifier. Only one resubmission is possible per assignment, providing:
● The learner has met initial deadlines set in the assignment, or has met an agreed deadline extension.
● The tutor considers that the learner will be able to provide improved evidence without further guidance.
● Evidence submitted for assessment has been authenticated and accompanied by a signed and dated declaration of authenticity by the learner.
**Any resubmission evidence must be submitted within 15 working days of learners receiving assessment feedback

Resubmission
Deadline Date submitted
Targeted Criteria Assessment comments

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BTEC Assignment Brief v1.0
BTEC Internal Assessment QDAM January 2015
 criteria achieved

General comments

I certify that the evidence submitted for this assignment is my own. I have clearly referenced any sources used in the work. I under-
Learner Declaration
stand that false declaration is a form of malpractice.

Learner signature Date

I certify that the evidence submitted for this assignment is the learner’s own. The learner has clearly referenced any sources used in
Assessor declaration
the work. I understand that false declaration is a form of malpractice.

Assessor signature Date

Date of feedback to
learner

ASSESSMENT RECORD SHEET

Programme Learner name
Assignment title Assessor name

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BTEC Assignment Brief v1.0
BTEC Internal Assessment QDAM January 2015
 Targeted learning
Unit no. & title
aims/assessment criteria

Retake
Deadline Date submitted

Targeted Criteria
Pass crite- achieved Assessment comments
ria

General comments

I certify that the evidence submitted for this assignment is my own. I have clearly referenced any sources used in the work. I under-
Learner Declaration
stand that false declaration is a form of malpractice.

Learner signature Date

I certify that the evidence submitted for this assignment is the learner’s own. The learner has clearly referenced any sources used in
Assessor declaration
the work. I understand that false declaration is a form of malpractice.

Assessor signature Date

4
BTEC Assignment Brief v1.0
BTEC Internal Assessment QDAM January 2015
 Date of feedback to
learner

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BTEC Assignment Brief v1.0
BTEC Internal Assessment QDAM January 2015