MA-101 : Engineering Mathematics – I

H.P. Technical University, Hamirpur

Important Questions Bank | Sections A • B • C • E | Topic-wise with Difficulty Rating

Previous Year Questions (2015 – 2022)

★■■■ Easy / Definition level ★★■■ Moderate / Standard proof

★★★■ Important / Frequently asked ★★★★ Most Important / Always in exam

SECTION A — LINEAR ALGEBRA (Unit-I)

■ 1. System of Linear Equations & Consistency

★★★★ Q1.
For what value of k do the equations x+y+z=1, 2x+y+4z=k, 4x+y+10z=k² have a solution? Solve them
completely in each case.

★★★★ Q2.
Investigate for what values of α and β the simultaneous equations x+y+z=6, x+2y+3z=10, x+2y+αz=β have:
(i) no solution (ii) a unique solution (iii) infinitely many solutions.

★★★■ Q3.
Find the values of a and b for which x+ay+z=3, x+2y+2z=b, x+5y+3z=9 are consistent. When will these
equations have a unique solution?

★★★★ Q4.
For what values of λ and µ does x+y+z=6, x+2y+3z=10, x+2y+λz=µ have: (i) unique solution (ii) more than
one solution (iii) no solution?

★★★■ Q5.
Show that –2x+y+z=a, x–2y+z=b, x+y–2z=c have no solution unless a+b+c=0.

■ 2. Rank of a Matrix
★★★■ Q6.
Find the rank of the matrix A = [[0,1,–3,–1],[1,0,1,1],[3,1,0,2],[1,1,–2,0]] by reducing to normal (canonical)
form.

★★■■ Q7.
Find the rank of A = [[1,2,3],[2,4,7],[3,6,10]] using row reduction.

★★★■ Q8.
Find non-singular matrices P and Q such that PAQ is in normal form, where A =
[[1,2,3,–2],[2,–2,1,3],[3,0,4,1]].

★■■■ Q9.
Define rank of a matrix with an example.

■ 3. Eigen Values, Eigen Vectors & Diagonalisation

★★★★ Q10.
Find the eigen values and eigen vectors of A = [[6,–2,2],[–2,3,–1],[2,–1,3]]. (Appears in 2018, 2019, 2022
exams)

★★★★ Q11.
Find the eigen values and eigen vectors of A = [[–2,2,–3],[2,1,–6],[–1,–2,0]].

★★★★ Q12.
Prove that the matrix A = [[3,1,–1],[–2,1,2],[0,1,2]] is diagonalizable. Find P such that P■¹AP is diagonal and
also find the diagonal matrix.

★★★★ Q13.
Find the value of λ for which the equations (λ–1)x+(3λ+1)y+2λz=0, (λ–1)x+(4λ–2)y+(λ+3)z=0,
2x+(3λ+1)y+3(λ–1)z=0 have non-trivial solution. Find ratio x:y:z.

★★★■ Q14.
If λ is an eigen value of a non-singular matrix A, show that |A|/λ is an eigen value of adj(A).

★★★■ Q15.
If λ is an eigen value of a non-singular matrix A, then show that λ■¹ is an eigen value of A■¹.

★★■■ Q16.
Sum of eigen values of a matrix is equal to its _______ and product equals _______.
★★★■ Q17.
Show that eigen values of a unitary matrix have absolute value 1.

★★★■ Q18.
Prove that eigen values of a Hermitian matrix are real.

■ 4. Cayley-Hamilton Theorem & Matrix Inverse

★★★★ Q19.
State and prove Cayley-Hamilton Theorem. Verify this theorem for A = [[2,–1,1],[–1,2,–1],[1,–1,2]] and
hence find A■¹.

★★★★ Q20.
Verify Cayley-Hamilton theorem for A = [[1,0,2],[0,2,1],[2,0,3]] and hence find A■¹.

★★★■ Q21.
Using Gauss-Jordan method, find the inverse of A = [[2,1,–1],[0,2,1],[5,2,–3]].

★★★★ Q22.
Find the characteristic equation of A = [[2,1,1],[0,1,0],[1,1,2]] and hence find the matrix represented by
A■–5A■+7A■–3A■+A■–5A³+8A²–2A+1.

■ 5. Quadratic Forms & Canonical Forms

★★★★ Q23.
Reduce 3x²–2y²–z²–4xy+8xz+12yz to canonical form by orthogonal transformation. Write rank, index and
signature.

★★★★ Q24.
Reduce 3x■²+3x■²+4x■x■+8x■x■+8x■x■ into canonical form.

★★★■ Q25.
Reduce 3x²+3z²+4xy+8xz+8yz into canonical form.

★★■■ Q26.
Find the quadratic form corresponding to the symmetric matrix A = [[6,–2,2],[–2,3,–1],[2,–1,3]].
■ 6. Special Matrices (Hermitian, Orthogonal, Unitary)
★★■■ Q27.
Define Hermitian and Skew-Hermitian matrices. Give examples.

★★★■ Q28.
If A is a Hermitian matrix, show that iA is a skew-Hermitian matrix.

★★★■ Q29.
If A is an orthogonal matrix, prove that |A| = ±1.

★★★■ Q30.
Prove that the inverse of an orthogonal matrix is orthogonal.

★★■■ Q31.
Find the inverse of the orthogonal matrix [[2/3, –2/3, 1/3],[2/3, 1/3, –2/3],[1/3, 2/3, 2/3]].

★★■■ Q32.
Show that the inverse of a unitary matrix is unitary.

★■■■ Q33.
Define normal form of a matrix. Give an example.

SECTION B — COMPLEX VARIABLES (Unit-IV)

■ 7. Complex Powers, Roots & De Moivre's Theorem

★★★★ Q34.
Find all possible values of (1+i)^(1/3) and obtain their product. (Appears in 2019, 2020, 2022)

★★★★ Q35.
Find all possible values of (1/2 + i√3/2)^(3/4). Also show that the continued product of these values is 1.

★★★★ Q36.
Prove that the nth roots of unity form a geometric progression. Also show that sum of these n roots is zero
and their product is (–1)^(n–1).

★★★■ Q37.
Solve x■+x■+x³+1=0 by complex root method.

★★★■ Q38.
Solve x■+x■+x■+x³+x²+x+1=0 by complex root method.

★★■■ Q39.
Find all values of (cisθ)^(6/15).

■ 8. Separation into Real & Imaginary Parts

★★★★ Q40.
Separate real and imaginary parts of tan■¹(x+iy). (Appears in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022)

★★★★ Q41.
Separate real and imaginary parts of sin■¹(cosθ + i sinθ), where 0 < θ < π/2.

★★★★ Q42.
If tan(θ+iφ) = cosα + i sinα = e^(iα), prove that θ = nπ/2 + π/4 and φ = (1/2) log tan(π/4 + α/2).

★★★■ Q43.
Separate real and imaginary parts of cos(x+iy).

★★★■ Q44.
 Separate real and imaginary parts of sin(x+iy).

★★★■ Q45.
Separate real and imaginary parts of sinh(x+iy).

★★★■ Q46.
Separate real and imaginary parts of cosh(x+iy).

★★★★ Q47.
If (a+ib)^p = m^(x+iy), then prove that y/x = 2tan■¹(b/a) / log(a²+b²) when only principal values are
considered.

★★★★ Q48.
If sin(A+iB) = x+iy, prove that x²/cosh²B + y²/sinh²B = 1 and x²/cos²A – y²/sin²A = 1.

★★★■ Q49.
Find the general value of log(1+i), where i = √(–1).

★★■■ Q50.
Find the general value of log(√3+i).

★★★■ Q51.
Prove that log i^i = –(2n + 1/2)π, where i = √(–1) and n = 0,1,2,3,...

■ 9. Summation of Trigonometric Series (C+iS Method)

★★★★ Q52.
Sum the series: 1 + x cosα + x² cos2α + x³ cos3α + ... to n terms (x < 1). Also find sum to infinity. (Very
frequently asked)

★★★★ Q53.
Sum the series: cosθ – (1/2)cos2θ + (1/3)cos3θ – (1/4)cos4θ + ... to infinity.

★★★★ Q54.
Sum the series: sinα + x sin(α+β) + (x²/2!) sin(α+2β) + ... to infinity.

★★★■ Q55.
Sum the series: sin²θ – (1/2)sin2θ sin²θ + (1/3)sin3θ sin³θ – ... to infinity.

★★★■ Q56.
Sum the series: sinθ – (1/2)sin2θ + (1/3)sin3θ – (1/4)sin4θ + ... to infinity.

★★★■ Q57.
Sum to n terms: x cosα + x² cos2α + x³ cos3α + ..., and hence to infinity when |x|<1.

■ 10. Analytic Functions & Cauchy-Riemann Equations

★★★★ Q58.
Show that the function u(x,y) = e■ cos y is harmonic. Find its harmonic conjugate and construct the analytic
function.

★★★■ Q59.
Show that u = xy³ – x³y is harmonic. Find the harmonic conjugate and construct the analytic function.

★★★■ Q60.
If u+v = (x–y)(x²+4xy+y²), find the analytic function f(z) = u+iv.

★★★■ Q61.
Find the analytic function f(z) = u+iv, where v = (r – 1/r) sinθ, r ≠ 0.

★★★★ Q62.
If f(z) = u+iv is an analytic function, show that (∂²/∂x² + ∂²/∂y²)|f(z)|² = 4|f'(z)|².
★★★■ Q63.
Prove that e^z is a periodic function, where z = x+iy is a complex function.

★★★■ Q64.
Prove that sin z is a periodic function, where z is a complex function.

★★■■ Q65.
Find whether the function f(z) = conjugate(z) is analytical at z = 0. Give reason.

★★★■ Q66.
Define harmonic function and compute the region where log(x²+y²)^(1/2) is harmonic.

★★★★ Q67.
If u+v = 2sinx/(e^(2y) + e^(–2y) – 2cos2x) and f(z)=u+iv is analytic, find f(z) using Milne's method.

SECTION C — CALCULUS & MULTIPLE INTEGRALS (Unit-II & III)

■ 11. Partial Derivatives & Euler's Theorem

★★★★ Q68.
If u = sin■¹[(x+y)/(√x+√y)], prove that x ∂u/∂x + y ∂u/∂y = (1/2) tan u.

★★★★ Q69.
If u = sin■¹[(x+2y+3z)/√(x■+y■+z■)], show that x ∂u/∂x + y ∂u/∂y + z ∂u/∂z + 3 tan u = 0.

★★★★ Q70.
If u = f(r) where r² = x²+y²+z², prove that ∂²u/∂x² + ∂²u/∂y² + ∂²u/∂z² = f''(r) + (2/r)f'(r).

★★★★ Q71.
If u is a homogeneous function of degree n in x and y, prove that x² ∂²u/∂x² + 2xy ∂²u/∂x∂y + y² ∂²u/∂y² =
n(n–1)u.

★★★■ Q72.
If u = sin■¹[(x²+y²)/(x+y)], then show that x ∂u/∂x + y ∂u/∂y = tan u.

★★★■ Q73.
If u = tan■¹[(x³+y³)/(x–y)], prove that x ∂u/∂x + y ∂u/∂y = sin 2u.

★★★■ Q74.
State Euler's theorem on homogeneous functions. Verify for z = x■ log(y/x).

★★★■ Q75.
If y = 1/√t · e^(–x²/4a²t), prove that ∂y/∂t = a² ∂²y/∂x².

★★■■ Q76.
If u = f(y/x), then show that x ∂u/∂x + y ∂u/∂y = 0.

★★■■ Q77.
Find ∂u/∂x and ∂u/∂y if u = cos■¹(x/y).

■ 12. Maxima, Minima & Lagrange's Method of Multipliers

★★★★ Q78.
Examine for maximum and minimum values of sin x + sin y + sin(x+y). (Appears in 2018, 2022)

★★★★ Q79.
Examine the function x³+y³–3axy for maxima and minima.

★★★■ Q80.
Find the maximum and minimum values of u = x³y²(1–x–y).
★★★★ Q81.
A rectangular box open at the top is to have volume of 32 cubic ft. Find dimensions requiring least material
using Lagrange's method.

★★★★ Q82.
Find minimum value of x²+y²+z² subject to ax+by+cz=p.

★★★■ Q83.
Find the highest temperature on the surface x²+y²+z²=1 given T=400xyz².

★★★■ Q84.
Prove that if the perimeter of a triangle is constant, its area is maximum when the triangle is equilateral.

★★★■ Q85.
Find dimensions of a rectangular box of maximum capacity whose surface area is 432 [Link].

★★■■ Q86.
Write the necessary and sufficient conditions for extrema of a function of two variables.

■ 13. Taylor's & Maclaurin's Series

★★★■ Q87.
Compute cos 32° correct to four decimal places using Taylor's series.

★★■■ Q88.
Expand sinh x in terms of Maclaurin's series.

★★★■ Q89.
Expand tan x in powers of (x – π/4).

★★★★ Q90.
If y = sin(m sin■¹x), prove that (1–x²)y_(n+2) = (2n+1)xy_(n+1) + (n²–m²)y_n.

★★★■ Q91.
If x = t^n · e^(–t²/4t), find n so that (1/r²) ∂/∂r(r² ∂x/∂r) = ∂x/∂t.

■ 14. Beta & Gamma Functions

★★★★ Q92.
Prove that β(m,n) = Γ(m)Γ(n)/Γ(m+n), where m>0, n>0.

★★★■ Q93.
Prove that β(m,n) = β(m+1,n) + β(m,n+1); m>0, n>0.

★★★■ Q94.
Define Gamma function. Also find the value of Γ(1/2).

★★★■ Q95.
Evaluate ∫■¹ x³(1–x)^(4/3) dx. [Answer: 243/7280]

★★★■ Q96.
Prove that Γ(n+1) = n!; n>0.

★★★■ Q97.
Prove that ∫■^∞ x■(1–x■)/(1+x)²■ dx = 0.

★★■■ Q98.
Define Beta function and write the relation between Beta and Gamma functions.

★★★■ Q99.
Evaluate ∫■■ x^(1/2)(4–x)^(3/2) dx.
■ 15. Double & Triple Integrals
★★★★ Q100.
Evaluate ■ y dxdy, where R is the region bounded by parabolas y²=4x and x²=4y.

★★★★ Q101.
Change the order of integration in I = ∫■¹ ∫_(x²)^(2–x) xy dy dx, and hence evaluate.

★★★■ Q102.
Evaluate ∫■¹ ∫■^√(1–x²) y² dy dx by changing to polar coordinates.

★★★■ Q103.
Evaluate ■ e^(2x+3y) dxdy over the triangle bounded by x=0, y=0, x+y=1.

★★★■ Q104.
Evaluate ∫■¹ ∫_(y²)^y (x+y) dx dy by changing order of integration.

★★★★ Q105.
Find the volume bounded by the cylinder x²+y²=4 and the planes y+z=4 and z=0 using double integration.

★★★★ Q106.
Evaluate ■(x+y+z) dx dy dz over the tetrahedron bounded by x=0, y=0, z=0, x+y+z=1.

★★★■ Q107.
Evaluate ∫■^e ∫■^(log y) ∫■^(e^x) log z dz dx dy.

★★★■ Q108.
Evaluate ∫■■ ∫■^(x²) x(x²+y²) dy dx.

★★★■ Q109.
Find the volume of the tetrahedron bounded by x=0, y=0, z=0 and x/a+y/b+z/c=1.

★★★★ Q110.
Evaluate ∫■¹ ∫■^(√(1–x²)) ∫■^(√(1–x²–y²)) dz dy dx / √(1–x²–y²–z²) by converting to spherical coordinates.

★★★■ Q111.
Find the volume of the ellipsoid x²/a² + y²/b² + z²/c² = 1.

SECTION E — COMPULSORY SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS (1 mark

each)

■ Unit-I: Linear Algebra (Short Questions)

★★■■ Q112.
Define Hermitian and Skew-Hermitian matrices. Give examples.

★★■■ Q113.
Define orthogonal matrix and unitary matrix.

★★■■ Q114.
Define characteristic matrix and characteristic equation of a matrix.

★■■■ Q115.
Define rank of a matrix with one example.

★★■■ Q116.
State Cayley-Hamilton theorem.

★★★■ Q117.
If A is an orthogonal matrix, prove that |A| = ±1.

★★★■ Q118.
 If λ is an eigen value of a non-singular matrix A, show that λ■¹ is an eigen value of A■¹.

★■■■ Q119.
Sum of eigen values of a matrix is _______ (trace). Product of eigen values = _______.

★★■■ Q120.
Show that every diagonal element of a Hermitian matrix must be real.

★★■■ Q121.
Find the rank of A = [[1,2,3,4],[–2,0,5,7]].

★★■■ Q122.
Find the product of eigen values of [[1,2,–2],[1,0,3],[–2,–1,3]] without finding the eigen values.

★★■■ Q123.
Write the characteristic equation of [[5,3],[3,2]].

■ Unit-II: Complex Variables (Short Questions)

★★★■ Q124.
Prove that e^z is a periodic function, where z = x+iy is a complex function.

★★★■ Q125.
Prove that sin z is a periodic function, where z is a complex function.

★★★■ Q126.
Find the value of i^i, where i = √(–1).

★★★■ Q127.
Find the general value of log(1+i), where i = √(–1).

★★■■ Q128.
Separate real and imaginary parts of cos(x+iy).

★★■■ Q129.
Separate real and imaginary parts of sin(x+iy).

★★■■ Q130.
Separate real and imaginary parts of sinh(x+iy).

★★■■ Q131.
Prove that logarithm of a complex number is a many-valued function.

★★■■ Q132.
Write down the polar form of Cauchy-Riemann equations.

★★■■ Q133.
How many distinct values of (cisθ)^(6/15)?

★★★■ Q134.
Show that Lim_(z→0) (Re z – Im z)² / |z|² does not exist.

★★■■ Q135.
Split e^(5+iπ/2) into real and imaginary parts.

★■■■ Q136.
Define limit of a complex function f(z).

■ Unit-III & IV: Calculus & Integrals (Short Questions)

★★■■ Q137.
State Euler's theorem on homogeneous functions.

★■■■ Q138.
 State Euler's theorem for first order homogeneous functions.

★★■■ Q139.
Define homogeneous function. Write the statement of Euler's theorem for first order.

★■■■ Q140.
Define solenoidal vector point function.

★★■■ Q141.
If u = f(y/x), show that x ∂u/∂x + y ∂u/∂y = 0.

★★■■ Q142.
Find first order partial derivatives of u = cos■¹(x/y).

★★■■ Q143.
Find first order partial derivatives of u = x² sin(y/x).

★★■■ Q144.
Write the necessary and sufficient conditions for extrema of a function of two variables.

★★■■ Q145.
Define Beta function and write its relation with Gamma function.

★★★■ Q146.
Define Gamma function and prove Γ(n+1) = nΓ(n).

★★■■ Q147.
Prove that B(m,n) = B(n,m).

★★■■ Q148.
Evaluate ∫■¹ ∫■¹ e^(x+y) dy dx.

★★■■ Q149.
If r = xi+yj+zk, prove that curl r = 0.

★★■■ Q150.
If r = xi+yj+zk, show that div r = 3.

★★■■ Q151.
State Green's theorem in the plane.

★★■■ Q152.
State Stoke's theorem.

★★■■ Q153.
State Gauss's Divergence theorem.

★★■■ Q154.
Expand sinh x in Maclaurin's series.

★★■■ Q155.
Write the expansion of tan h■¹ z.

★★★■ Q156.
In what direction is the directional derivative of φ=x²y²z■ maximum at (3,1,–2)? What is its magnitude?

★★■■ Q157.
If r = xi+yj+zk, show that grad r = r/r.

★★■■ Q158.
If F(t) has constant magnitude, then prove F · dF/dt = 0.

★■■■ Q159.
Any motion in which curl of velocity vector is zero is said to be ________.

★★■■ Q160.
 Prove that curl(grad φ) = 0.

★★■■ Q161.
Prove that div(curl A) = 0.

★★★■ Q162.
Using divergence theorem, prove that ■_S ∇r² · dS = 6V.

Exam Strategy Note: Section E (compulsory) carries 12×1 = 12 marks (older pattern) or 10×2 = 20 marks (newer
CBCS pattern). Master all ★★★★ and ★★★ questions first — they cover ~75% of the end-semester paper.
Questions marked ★★★★ have appeared in 3 or more consecutive years.