TCX2101 | Finals Helpsheet (A4 Double-Sided)

A4 double-sided helpsheet for TCX2101 Final Exam (Apr 28). Scope: Ch 1 to 8 full syllabus. Ch 8 (orthogonality) weighted heaviest per Apr 17 post-CT3 recording.

Ch 1: Functions

Domain Rules

TypeRestriction
Polynomialℝ (all real)
RationalDenom ≠ 0
√ (numerator)Inside ≥ 0
√ (denominator)Inside > 0 (strict!)
LogarithmInside > 0

Multi-restriction: find each, intersect. Ex: √(x²−9) ⟹ |x| ≥ 3 ⟹ (−∞,−3] ∪ [3,∞) (two regions).

Transformations (inside = horizontal OPPOSITE, outside = vertical SAME)

TransformFormulaEffect
Shift verticalf(x) ± kSame direction as sign
Shift horizontalf(x ∓ h)Opposite of sign: f(x−3) shifts RIGHT
Vert stretch / compressa·f(x)a>1 stretch · 0<a<1 compress
Horiz stretch / compressf(bx)b>1 COMPRESS · 0<b<1 stretch (opposite!)
Reflect x-axis−f(x)Flip vertical
Reflect y-axisf(−x)Flip horizontal
|f(x)|Flip negatives up (reflect below x-axis)
f(|x|)Mirror y-axis (copy right → left)

Composition & Inverse

ConceptFormula
Composition(f∘g)(x) = f(g(x))
Domain of f∘g{x ∈ D_g : g(x) ∈ D_f}
Order mattersf∘g ≠ g∘f
Inverse propertyf⁻¹(f(x)) = x, f(f⁻¹(x)) = x

Exponent Rules

RuleFormula
Productaˣ · aʸ = aˣ⁺ʸ
Quotientaˣ / aʸ = aˣ⁻ʸ
Power of power(aˣ)ʸ = aˣʸ
Product to poweraˣ · bˣ = (ab)ˣ
Quotient to poweraˣ / bˣ = (a/b)ˣ
Masteraˣ = e^(x ln a)

Log Rules

RuleFormula
Productlog_a(xy) = log_a x + log_a y
Quotientlog_a(x/y) = log_a x − log_a y
Powerlog_a(xᶜ) = c log_a x
Change of baselog_a x = ln x / ln a
Speciallog_a a = 1 · log_a 1 = 0

Ch 2: Limits & Continuity

One-Sided Limits

NotationMeaning
lim_{x→a⁻} fApproaches from left
lim_{x→a⁺} fApproaches from right
lim_{x→a} f = L⟺ both one-sided = L
Left ≠ RightJump discontinuity
L = R ≠ f(a)Removable (hole)

Limit Laws (if lim f = L, lim g = M)

LawFormulaCondition
Sum / DiffL ± M
ProductLMBoth finite
QuotientL/MM ≠ 0
PowerLⁿ
Rootⁿ√LL ≥ 0 if n even
ScalarkL

Division Forms (Traps)

FormResult
5/0±∞ (blows up)
0/50 (fine)
0/0Indeterminate
∞/∞Indeterminate
0 · ∞Indeterminate
∞ − ∞Indeterminate
0⁰ / 1^∞ / ∞⁰Indeterminate

Solving 0/0

MethodTrigger
Factor + cancelPolynomial over polynomial
ConjugateRadicals (√) in num or denom
L’HôpitalSee Ch 3 (fast fallback)

Key Limits

tan⁻¹(∞)=π/2tan⁻¹(0)=0tan⁻¹(−∞)=−π/2e⁻∞=0e∞=∞
ln(0⁺)=−∞1/∞=01/0⁺=∞1/0⁻=−∞e⁰=1
ln(1)=0ln(∞)=∞x→0⁺: x ln x→0x→∞: ln x/x→0x→0: sin x/x→1
x→0: (1−cos x)/x→0x→∞: xe⁻ˣ→0arctan(∞)=π/2arctan(−∞)=−π/2arctan(0)=0

Limits at Infinity — Rational (aₙxⁿ+…) / (bₘxᵐ+…)

DegreesLimit
n < m (top smaller)0
n = m (same)aₙ / bₘ (leading coef ratio)
n > m (top bigger)±∞

Squeeze Theorem

g ≤ f ≤ h near c, lim g = lim h = L ⟹ lim f = L. Classic: |h sin(1/h)| ≤ |h| → 0 ⟹ h sin(1/h) → 0.

Asymptotes

TypeConditionHow to find
Horizontal y = blim_{x→±∞} f = bDegree comparison
Vertical x = aDenom = 0, num ≠ 0Factor denom
Oblique y = mx+cdeg(top) = deg(bot) + 1Long division, drop remainder

Continuity 3-step (at x = a)

CheckMust hold
1f(a) defined
2lim_{x→a} f(x) exists
3lim = f(a)

Piecewise: left = right = f(a).

4 Discontinuity Types

TypeConditionFixable?
Removable (hole)L = R ≠ f(a)Yes — redefine f(a)
JumpL ≠ RNo
Infinitelim = ±∞No
Oscillatorylim DNE (e.g. sin(1/x) at 0)No

IVT (Intermediate Value)

f continuous on [a,b], N between f(a), f(b) ⟹ ∃c ∈ (a,b) with f(c) = N.

Intersection proof (CT1 trap): Show f, h intersect ⟹ define g = f − h. Show g(a), g(b) opposite signs, apply IVT ⟹ ∃c with g(c) = 0 ⟹ f(c) = h(c).


Ch 3: Differentiation

Derivative Definition (both forms)

$$f’(a) = \lim_{h\to 0}\frac{f(a+h)-f(a)}{h} = \lim_{x\to a}\frac{f(x)-f(a)}{x-a}$$

InterpretationMeaning
GeometricTangent slope
PhysicalInstantaneous rate of change
Tangent line at P(a, f(a))y = f(a) + f’(a)(x − a)

Differentiability (CT1 trap — lost 4 marks)

StepCheck
1Continuous at a? (values match)
2Slopes match? Compute left & right limits of [f(a+h)−f(a)]/h; equal ⟹ differentiable
ImplicationDifferentiable ⟹ continuous. Continuous ⇏ differentiable (e.g. |x| at 0)

Piecewise / |x| at non-smooth point: standard rules FAIL, must use LIMIT DEFINITION.

Core Rules

RuleFormula
Power(xⁿ)’ = n x^(n−1) (all real n)
Constantc’ = 0, (cf)’ = cf'
Sum/Diff(u ± v)’ = u’ ± v'
Product(uv)’ = u’v + uv'
Quotient(u/v)’ = (u’v − uv’) / v²
Chain[f(g(x))]’ = f’(g(x)) · g’(x)
Triple product(uvw)’ = u’vw + uv’w + uvw'
Reciprocal(1/f)’ = −f’/f²

Trig Derivatives (CO = negative)

ff'ff'
sin xcos xcsc x−csc x cot x
cos x−sin xsec xsec x tan x
tan xsec²xcot x−csc²x

Exp / Log / Inverse Trig

ff'
eᵘeᵘ · u'
ln uu’ / u
aᵘaᵘ ln(a) · u'
log_a uu’ / (u ln a)
sin⁻¹ uu’ / √(1 − u²)
cos⁻¹ u−u’ / √(1 − u²)
tan⁻¹ uu’ / (1 + u²)
cot⁻¹ u−u’ / (1 + u²)
sec⁻¹ uu’ / (|u| √(u² − 1))
csc⁻¹ u−u’ / (|u| √(u² − 1))

Implicit Differentiation

StepAction
1Differentiate both sides w.r.t. x
2On y-terms: chain rule, (f(y))’ = f’(y) · dy/dx
3Collect dy/dx terms, solve

Ex: x² + y² = 25 ⟹ 2x + 2y·y’ = 0 ⟹ y’ = −x/y.

Higher-Order

NotationMeaning
f’’(x)d²f/dx²
f’’’(x)d³f/dx³
f^(k)(x)d^k f/dx^k

FDT / SDT / Concavity / Extrema

TestConditionResult
FDTf’ changes + → − at cLocal max
FDTf’ changes − → + at cLocal min
FDTSame signNo extremum
SDTf’(c) = 0 and f’’(c) > 0Local min (∪ cup)
SDTf’(c) = 0 and f’’(c) < 0Local max (∩ cap)
SDTf’’(c) = 0Inconclusive, fall back to FDT
Concavityf’’ > 0Concave up ∪
Concavityf’’ < 0Concave down ∩
Inflectionf’’ CHANGES signVerified inflection point
Criticalf’ = 0 OR f’ undefinedCandidate for extrema
Absolute on [a,b]Compare f at crit pts AND endpoints

MVT / Rolle’s / L’Hôpital / “∃c” Detector

TheoremHypothesesConclusion
Rolle’sf cts [a,b], diff (a,b), f(a)=f(b)∃c with f’(c) = 0
MVTf cts [a,b], diff (a,b)∃c with f’(c) = (f(b)−f(a))/(b−a)
IVTf cts [a,b], N between f(a), f(b)∃c with f(c) = N
L’Hôpitallim f/g = 0/0 or ∞/∞lim f/g = lim f’/g'
“∃c such that…”Use
f(c) = kIVT (no derivative)
f’(c) = 0Rolle’s
f’(c) = ratioMVT

⚠ L’Hôpital: check indeterminate form FIRST. Stop when no longer indet. Diff top & bottom SEPARATELY (not quotient rule).

FTC I (Leibniz — 4 Cases)

Limitsd/dx ∫ f(t) dt =
[a, x]f(x)
[a, g(x)]f(g(x)) · g’(x) (CHAIN!)
[x, b]−f(x)
[a(x), b(x)]f(b(x))·b’(x) − f(a(x))·a’(x)

Linear Approximation

L(x) = f(a) + f’(a)(x − a) near x = a.


Ch 4: Integration

Definite Integral Properties

PropertyFormula
Zero width∫_a^a f = 0
Reverse∫_a^b = −∫_b^a
Additivity∫_a^c = ∫_a^b + ∫_b^c
Comparisonf ≤ g ⟹ ∫f ≤ ∫g
Non-negativef ≥ 0 ⟹ ∫f ≥ 0
Max-minm(b−a) ≤ ∫_a^b f ≤ M(b−a)

FTC II (Evaluation)

FormulaNote
∫_a^b f(x) dx = F(b) − F(a)F any antiderivative. Don’t forget F(a)!

Antiderivatives (+C)

f∫ff∫ff∫f
xⁿ (n ≠ −1)x^(n+1)/(n+1)1/xln|x|
e⁻ˣ−e⁻ˣsin x−cos xcos xsin x
sec²xtan xcsc²x−cot xsec x tan xsec x
csc x cot x−csc xtan xln|sec x|cot xln|sin x|
1/(1+x²)tan⁻¹x1/√(1−x²)sin⁻¹xln tt ln t − t
1/(a²+x²)(1/a)tan⁻¹(x/a)1/√(a²−x²)sin⁻¹(x/a)

⚠ ∫cos x = +sin x (−sin is derivative). xⁿ: divide by NEW exponent (n+1).

Power-Reduction

Identity
sin²u = (1 − cos 2u) / 2
cos²u = (1 + cos 2u) / 2

Integration Techniques

TechFormula / TriggerNote
IBP∫u dv = uv − ∫v duLIATE: Log > InvTrig > Alg > Trig > Exp
IBP cyclingI = stuff − I ⟹ 2I = stuffSolve algebraically
u-subu = g(x), du = g’(x) dxInner-deriv pattern. Convert bounds IMMEDIATELY
PF linearA/(x−a) → A ln|x−a|Single linear
PF repeatedA₁/(x−a) + A₂/(x−a)² + …Each power gets a term
PF irred. quad(Ax+B)/(x²+bx+c)Split into ln + arctan parts
Trig sub √(a²−x²)x = a sinθ→ a cosθ
Trig sub √(a²+x²)x = a tanθ→ a secθ
Trig sub √(x²−a²)x = a secθ→ a tanθ
Abs-valueSplit at zero of inside, ADD piecesSign analysis first
Long divisiondeg(P) ≥ deg(Q)Do long div first, then PF

Trig Identities

FamilyIdentity
Pythagoreansin² + cos² = 1
Pythagorean1 + tan² = sec²
Pythagorean1 + cot² = csc²
Addition (sin)sin(A ± B) = sin A cos B ± cos A sin B
Addition (cos)cos(A ± B) = cos A cos B ∓ sin A sin B (flip!)
Double (sin)sin 2x = 2 sin x cos x
Double (cos)cos 2x = cos²x − sin²x = 2cos²x − 1 = 1 − 2sin²x
Reciprocalsec = 1/cos · csc = 1/sin · cot = cos/sin

Improper Integrals (4.8)

TypeFormRule
I (infinite)∫_a^∞= lim_{b→∞} ∫_a^b
II (disc bound)∫_a^b with bad a= lim_{c→a⁺} ∫_c^b
Interior disc at dMust split∫_a^d + ∫_d^b. One diverges ⟹ WHOLE diverges
∫_{−∞}^∞Split at any cBoth halves must converge

p-Test

IntegralConverges
∫₁^∞ 1/xᵖp > 1
∫₀^1 1/xᵖp < 1

Direction flips: ∞ needs fast decay (p>1), 0 needs mild blow-up (p<1).

Odd / Even on [−a, a]

SymmetryIntegral
Odd f (f(−x) = −f(x))0
Even f (f(−x) = f(x))2 ∫₀ᵃ f

⚠ Improper: verify BOTH halves converge before using symmetry. ⚠ ∫₋₁^1 1/x² diverges (interior blow-up). Write “DIVERGES” not “= ∞”.

Area

TargetFormula
Under curve∫_a^b |f(x)| dx (find zeros, split, negate where f < 0)
Between curves∫_a^b (top − bottom) dx (sketch, find intersections)

⚠ ∫_a^b f is SIGNED area (negatives cancel). Use |f| for actual area.

Volume (4.9-4.10)

MethodFormulaWhen
Diskπ ∫_a^b [f(x)]² dxSolid, ⊥ axis, no hole
Washerπ ∫_a^b [R² − r²] dxTwo curves, hole in middle
Shell2π ∫_a^b (radius)(height) dxParallel to axis
Cross-section∫_a^b A(x) dxNon-revolution

Cross-Section Areas (s = side / diameter)

ShapeArea
Square
Equilateral △(√3/4) s²
Isosc. right △ (leg s)s²/2
Semicircle (dia s)π s²/8
Circle (dia s)π s²/4

Shifted Axis

AxisMethodShift toRadius
x-axisDisk/Washery = kf(x) − k (or k − f(x) if axis above curve)
y-axisShellx = k|x − k|

Disk vs Shell Decision

Slicing directionMethod
⊥ to axis of revolutionDisk / Washer
∥ to axis of revolutionShell
y = f(x) revolved around y-axisShell (easier, no x = g(y))

Ch 5: Linear Systems (RREF)

Terminology

ConceptDetails
REFZeros BELOW pivots (forward elimination)
RREFZeros ABOVE + below pivots (+leading 1s)
Pivot colHas leading 1 (forced)
Free colNo leading 1 (parameter: s, t, …)
Count#free = n − #pivots

⚠ RREF ≠ identity when free vars exist. Solve for PIVOT vars, not free.

Vector Form Solution

StepAction
1. xₚ (particular)Set free vars = 0, read RHS at pivot rows (0 at free positions)
2. Direction vectorsPer free var: pivot-row entries flipped sign → pivot slots; that free = 1, others = 0
3. Combinex = xₚ + s v₁ + t v₂ + …

Solution Shapes

#free vars / patternShape
0 freeUnique
1 freeLine
2 freePlane
Row [0 … 0 | nonzero]No solution (contradiction)

Elementary Row Ops

OpEffect on det
Swap 2 rowsFlip sign
Scale row by k ≠ 0Multiply det by k
Add multiple of one row to anotherUnchanged

Homogeneous vs Non-homogeneous

SystemProperty
Ax = 0 (homogeneous)Always has x = 0. Non-trivial iff free vars exist
Ax = b (non-hom)0, 1, or ∞ solutions

Ch 6: Matrix Algebra

Operations

OpFormula / Note
Sum(A+B)ᵢⱼ = Aᵢⱼ + Bᵢⱼ (same dim)
Scalar(kA)ᵢⱼ = k · Aᵢⱼ
Product(AB)ᵢⱼ = Σₖ Aᵢₖ Bₖⱼ. A is m×n, B is n×p ⟹ AB is m×p
Associative(AB)C = A(BC)
DistributiveA(B + C) = AB + AC
⚠ NOT commutativeAB ≠ BA in general
Transpose of product(AB)ᵀ = Bᵀ Aᵀ
Inverse of product(AB)⁻¹ = B⁻¹ A⁻¹ (REVERSE order)
Double transpose(Aᵀ)ᵀ = A
Double inverse(A⁻¹)⁻¹ = A
Transpose / inverse mix(A⁻¹)ᵀ = (Aᵀ)⁻¹

Determinant Compute

SizeMethod
2×2det = ad − bc
3×3Cofactor expansion, row/col with MOST zeros. Sign: +−+−
4×4Row reduce to triangular; track sign flips & scalar pulls
Triangulardet = ∏ diagonal

Determinant Properties

FormulaResult
det(kA)kⁿ det(A) — NOT k det(A); each of n rows scaled
det(AB)det(A) det(B)
det(A⁻¹)1 / det(A)
det(Aⁿ)det(A)ⁿ
det(Aᵀ)det(A)
det(−M)(−1)ⁿ det(M). 4×4: sign STAYS
det(Aᵀ A⁻¹)1 (invertible A)

Determinant Traps

TrapDetail
NOT lineardet(A+B) ≠ det(A) + det(B). Try A=B=I: det(2I)=4 ≠ 2
Zero + Zerodet(A)=0, det(B)=0 ⇏ det(A+B)=0. Try A=[[1,0],[0,0]], B=[[0,0],[0,1]] ⟹ A+B=I
Simplify firstM²M⁻¹ = M ⟹ det = det(M)

2×2 Inverse

$A = \begin{bmatrix}a & b \ c & d\end{bmatrix} \Rightarrow A^{-1} = \frac{1}{ad - bc}\begin{bmatrix}d & -b \ -c & a\end{bmatrix}$ (swap diag, negate off-diag)

Inverse via Row Reduction (any size)

StepAction
1Form augmented [A | I]
2Row reduce until left side = I
3Right side is A⁻¹
FailLeft can’t reach I (zero row) ⟹ A not invertible

Package Deal (Invertibility)

✓ Invertible✗ Not invertible
det(A) ≠ 0det(A) = 0
RREF = IₙRREF has zero row
All n cols pivotCol without pivot
No free varsFree vars exist
Ax = 0 only x = 0Ax = 0 has other solutions
Cols lin indepCols dependent
Cols span ℝⁿ / Ax = b solvable ∀bDon’t span

Linear Independence

TestDetail
SetupPut vectors as COLUMNS, row reduce, count pivots
IndepEvery col has pivot
DepAny col without pivot (= combo of pivot cols)
Always depContains 0 vector
Pairwise non-scalar ≠ indep. Always use pivot-count

Ch 7: Euclidean Vector Spaces

Definitions

TermMeaning
SubspaceNon-empty subset closed under + and scalar × (auto contains 0)
SpanAll combos c₁v₁ + … + c_kv_k
BasisIndependent set that spans V (no redundancy)
Dimension# vectors in any basis (invariant)

Subspace Proof Rhythm (V = {x : equation(s)})

StepAction
(i) ZeroShow 0 ∈ V (plug in, gives 0 = 0 ✓)
(ii) Closed under +Let u, v ∈ V. Then [eq for u]…(1), [eq for v]…(2). Consider u+v: [expand] = [regroup by (1),(2)] = 0. ∴ u+v ∈ V
(iii) Closed under ×Let u ∈ V, c ∈ ℝ. Then [eq]…(3). Consider cu: [factor c] = c·0 = 0. ∴ cu ∈ V

Homogeneous (= 0): always subspace. Non-homogeneous (≠ 0): NEVER (0 fails). Multi-eqs: check ALL in each step.

Basis from Equation

StepAction
1Variables NOT in equation = automatically FREE
2dim(V) = n − #indep equations
3Solve for pivot var, parameterise frees, collect direction vectors

Ex: V = {(x,y,z,w) ∈ ℝ⁴ : x − 2y + z = 0}. Solve x = 2y − z. y = s, z = t, w = r (3 free ⟹ dim = 3). (x,y,z,w) = s(2,1,0,0) + t(−1,0,1,0) + r(0,0,0,1). Basis = those three vectors.

Span Test (is w ∈ span{v₁, v₂}?)

StepAction
SetupAugment [v₁ | v₂ | w], row reduce
ResultRow [0 … 0 | nonzero] ⟹ w ∉ span
ResultNo contradiction ⟹ w ∈ span
vs Independence[v₁ | v₂] alone (no augment), count pivots

Rank-Nullity

FormulaMeaning
rank(A) + nullity(A) = nn = # cols of A
rank# pivot cols
nullity# free cols
Null basisSame as Ch 5 vector form with RHS = 0

⚠ Verify: plug each null basis vector into Ax = 0. Every row must = 0.

Dimension Constraints

Fact
dim(V) = k ⟹ cannot have k+1 independent vectors in V
2 vectors in ℝ³ ≠ basis (dim ℝ³ = 3)
If # vectors = dim(V), then indep ⟺ spans V

Column Space / Null Space

SpaceDefinitionBasis
Col(A)Span of columns (image of x ↦ Ax)PIVOT columns of A (from ORIGINAL, not RREF)
Null(A){x : Ax = 0}Vector form with RHS = 0

Ch 8: Orthogonality, Projection, Least Squares ⭐ HIGHEST EMPHASIS

Foundation

FormulaNote
u · u = ‖u‖²Always SQUARE. ‖u‖ = 3 ⟹ u · u = 9
‖u + v‖²= ‖u‖² + 2(u · v) + ‖v‖²
If u ⊥ v‖u + v‖² = ‖u‖² + ‖v‖²

Orthogonal vs Orthonormal

Set typeCondition
OrthogonalEvery pair u · v = 0. Lengths free.
OrthonormalOrthogonal AND every ‖u‖ = 1
0 vectorOrthogonal to everything (ok in orthogonal set). NOT orthonormal (length 0)

§8.2 Orthogonal Complement W⊥

RuleStatement
Efficiencyv ⊥ W ⟺ v ⊥ every basis vector of W
Core theoremNon-zero orthogonal set ⟹ linearly independent (proof: pairwise dot products = 0)

Find basis of W⊥:

StepAction
1Let v = (x₁, …, xₙ) be unknown in W⊥
2Set v · bᵢ = 0 for each basis vector bᵢ of W
3Get homogeneous linear system
4Solve (Ch 5 vector form) ⟹ basis of W⊥

§8.3 Coefficients in Basis Expansion

For v = c₁u₁ + … + cₙuₙ with {uᵢ} orthogonal basis of V:

Basis typeCoefficient
Orthogonalcᵢ = (v · uᵢ) / (uᵢ · uᵢ)
Orthonormalcᵢ = v · uᵢ (denom = 1)
Observationv · u_k = 0 ⟹ c_k = 0

§8.3 Projection & Decomposition

ConceptFormula
proj_W(v)Σ (v · uᵢ) / (uᵢ · uᵢ) · uᵢ over orthogonal basis of W
Decompositionv = proj_W(v) + v_perp
v_perpv − proj_W(v), lives in W⊥

§8.4 Gram-Schmidt (concept only, procedure NOT tested)

StepFormula
v₁= a₁
v₂= a₂ − proj_{v₁}(a₂)
Generalvᵢ subtracts projection onto previous v’s
Normalise (if orthonormal wanted)Divide each vᵢ by ‖vᵢ‖

§8.5 Least Squares ⭐

ItemFormula / Note
SetupAx = b inconsistent (no exact solution)
GoalFind u minimising ‖Ax − b‖
Normal equationAᵀA u = Aᵀ b
MethodForm augmented [AᵀA | Aᵀb], row reduce, solve
Size checkA is m × n ⟹ AᵀA is n × n

§8.5 Best Fit Line

ItemFormula
Data(x₁, y₁), …, (x_k, y_k)
Modely = mx + c
A matrixCol 1 = 1s, Col 2 = x values
b vectory values
SolveAᵀA [c; m]ᵀ = Aᵀ b ⟹ intercept c, slope m
⚠ Qualitative fit judgmentNOT tested, only calculation

Errors to Avoid (CT1, CT2, CT3, Mocks, HW)

ErrorFix
Used standard rule at non-smooth pointUse LIMIT DEFINITION; check left & right
Evaluated across interior discontinuityScan denom for zeros, split integral
√(negative) / wrong sign across |x − a|Left of a: use (a − x), chain rule (−1)
∫cos x = −sin xNo, +sin x (−sin is derivative)
u-sub forgot to convert boundsx = a → u = g(a); convert IMMEDIATELY
Forgot shifted-axis radiusRadius = f(x) − k, not f(x)
5/0 thought “undefined”±∞ (blows up)
0/0 thought = 0Indeterminate — simplify!
0 · ∞ thought = 0Indeterminate!
L’Hôpital without checking indet formCheck FIRST, else wrong
FTC I Case 2 chain rule forgotten∫_a^{g(x)} needs f(g(x)) · g’(x)
Quotient rule with + not −Lo·d-Hi MINUS Hi·d-Lo
det(kA) = k det(A)Wrong: kⁿ det(A)
Solved for free vars instead of pivotFree = parameter; solve PIVOT vars
Pairwise non-scalar = “independent”Use pivot-count
Used ‖u‖ for u · uu · u = ‖u‖² (square it)
Forgot denom in cᵢ formulaOrthogonal: / uᵢ · uᵢ. Drop only if orthonormal
2 vectors in ℝ³ = “basis”dim(ℝ³) = 3; need 3
Projection vs decomposition confusedProjection = one vector. Decomposition = proj + perp
Horizontal shift wrong directionf(x − 3) shifts RIGHT (opposite of sign)
Inflection from f’’ = 0 aloneMust verify sign CHANGE
Read tan(x³) as tan³(x)Read notation twice
u-sub: du doesn’t matchWrong u, try another
Forgot F(a) in FTC IIAnswer = F(b) − F(a), not F(b)

Reasoning Templates (HW2 anchor: Prof “weak explanation = #1 mark killer”)

TopicTemplate
Subspace“Since u, v ∈ V: [eq(1)], [eq(2)]. Consider u+v: [expand] = [regroup] = [by (1),(2)] 0. ∴ u+v ∈ V.”
IVT“f is continuous on [a,b] and f(a)·f(b) < 0, so by IVT, ∃c ∈ (a,b) with f(c) = 0.”
MVT“f continuous on [a,b], differentiable on (a,b), so by MVT, ∃c with f’(c) = (f(b)−f(a))/(b−a).”
Differentiability“f’(a) = lim_{h→0} (f(a+h)−f(a))/h. Left: L⁻. Right: L⁺. Since L⁻ = L⁺ = L, f is differentiable with f’(a) = L.”
L’Hôpital“lim f/g gives 0/0 (indeterminate). By L’Hôpital, lim f/g = lim f’/g’ = …”
FTC I Case 2“By FTC I with chain rule, d/dx ∫_a^{g(x)} f(t) dt = f(g(x)) · g’(x).”
u-sub (definite)“Let u = g(x), du = g’(x) dx. x = a ⟹ u = g(a); x = b ⟹ u = g(b). Then ∫a^b … = ∫{g(a)}^{g(b)} f(u) du = …”
Least Squares“Ax = b is inconsistent. Least-squares solution u satisfies AᵀAu = Aᵀb. Forming [AᵀA | Aᵀb], row reduce: u = …”
Orthogonal complement“v ∈ W⊥ ⟺ v · bᵢ = 0 for each basis vector bᵢ of W. This gives the homogeneous system [system], whose solution set is W⊥.”
Rank-Nullity“A has rank r (# pivot cols), so nullity = n − r. Null space has dim n − r, basis {v₁, …, v_{n−r}} from free-var parameterisation.”
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