Differential Calculus
Mathematics · FE Reference Handbook section
Core formulas for this FE topic
Definitions, applicability, units, assumptions and worked examples for each relation.
Worked exam-style examples
The four ways this section is written on the real exam — thoughts first, then equations, then substitution.
A mathematics problem uses Exponential decay. Given initial value (y0) = 23.5000; decay constant (k) = 1.9000 1/s; time (t) = 0.1500 s, determine the value at t (y).
Given
Find
value at t (y)
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Exponential decay.
- Everything except y is given, so isolate y symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Mathematics items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that y stands alone on the left-hand side.
Step 3 — List the givens: initial value (y0) = 23.5000, decay constant (k) = 1.9000 1/s, time (t) = 0.1500 s.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning y = 17.6723 to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 35.3447 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 8.8362 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 19.4396 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Mathematics → Differential Calculus
A mathematics problem uses Exponential decay. Given decay constant (k) = 1.0000 1/s; time (t) = 2.2000 s; value at t (y) = 27.2800, determine the initial value (y0).
Given
Find
initial value (y0)
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Exponential decay.
- Everything except y0 is given, so isolate y0 symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Mathematics items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that y0 stands alone on the left-hand side.
Step 3
Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning y0 = 246.2 to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 492.4 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 123.1 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 270.8 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Mathematics → Differential Calculus
A mathematics problem uses Exponential decay. Given initial value (y0) = 28.0000; time (t) = 0.3000 s; value at t (y) = 31.5100, determine the decay constant (k) in 1/s.
Given
Find
decay constant (k), in 1/s
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Exponential decay.
- Everything except k is given, so isolate k symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Mathematics items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that k stands alone on the left-hand side.
Step 3
Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning k = -0.3937 1/s to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- -0.7873 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- -0.1968 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- -0.4330 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Mathematics → Differential Calculus
A mathematics problem uses Exponential decay. Given initial value (y0) = 48.0000; decay constant (k) = 1.9000 1/s; value at t (y) = 9.6100, determine the time (t) in s.
Given
Find
time (t), in s
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Exponential decay.
- Everything except t is given, so isolate t symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Mathematics items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that t stands alone on the left-hand side.
Step 3 — List the givens: initial value (y0) = 48.0000, decay constant (k) = 1.9000 1/s, value at t (y) = 9.6100.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning t = 0.8465 s to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 1.6930 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 0.4233 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 0.9312 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Mathematics → Differential Calculus
A mathematics problem uses Exponential decay. Given initial value (y0) = 25.5000; decay constant (k) = 0.7500 1/s; time (t) = 0.9500 s, determine the value at t (y).
Given
Find
value at t (y)
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Exponential decay.
- Everything except y is given, so isolate y symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Mathematics items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that y stands alone on the left-hand side.
Step 3 — List the givens: initial value (y0) = 25.5000, decay constant (k) = 0.7500 1/s, time (t) = 0.9500 s.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning y = 12.5056 to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 25.0112 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 6.2528 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 13.7562 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Mathematics → Differential Calculus
A mathematics problem uses Exponential decay. Given decay constant (k) = 0.6000 1/s; time (t) = 1.9000 s; value at t (y) = 35.3400, determine the initial value (y0).
Given
Find
initial value (y0)
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Exponential decay.
- Everything except y0 is given, so isolate y0 symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Mathematics items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that y0 stands alone on the left-hand side.
Step 3
Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning y0 = 110.5 to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 221.0 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 55.2500 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 121.5 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Mathematics → Differential Calculus
A mathematics problem uses Exponential decay. Given initial value (y0) = 40.5000; time (t) = 1.9000 s; value at t (y) = 47.6700, determine the decay constant (k) in 1/s.
Given
Find
decay constant (k), in 1/s
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Exponential decay.
- Everything except k is given, so isolate k symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Mathematics items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that k stands alone on the left-hand side.
Step 3
Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning k = -0.0858 1/s to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- -0.1716 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- -0.0429 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- -0.0944 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Mathematics → Differential Calculus
A mathematics problem uses Exponential decay. Given initial value (y0) = 9.0000; decay constant (k) = 1.6000 1/s; value at t (y) = 31.4500, determine the time (t) in s.
Given
Find
time (t), in s
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Exponential decay.
- Everything except t is given, so isolate t symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Mathematics items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that t stands alone on the left-hand side.
Step 3 — List the givens: initial value (y0) = 9.0000, decay constant (k) = 1.6000 1/s, value at t (y) = 31.4500.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning t = -0.7820 s to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- -1.5640 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- -0.3910 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- -0.8602 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Mathematics → Differential Calculus
A mathematics problem uses Exponential decay. Given initial value (y0) = 12.5000; decay constant (k) = 1.7500 1/s; time (t) = 2.5500 s, determine the value at t (y).
Given
Find
value at t (y)
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Exponential decay.
- Everything except y is given, so isolate y symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Mathematics items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that y stands alone on the left-hand side.
Step 3 — List the givens: initial value (y0) = 12.5000, decay constant (k) = 1.7500 1/s, time (t) = 2.5500 s.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning y = 0.1442 to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 0.2883 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 0.0721 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 0.1586 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Mathematics → Differential Calculus
A mathematics problem uses Exponential decay. Given decay constant (k) = 1.8500 1/s; time (t) = 0.2500 s; value at t (y) = 37.7400, determine the initial value (y0).
Given
Find
initial value (y0)
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Exponential decay.
- Everything except y0 is given, so isolate y0 symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- Mathematics items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that y0 stands alone on the left-hand side.
Step 3
Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning y0 = 59.9326 to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 119.9 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 29.9663 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 65.9259 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Mathematics → Differential Calculus