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Differential Calculus

Mathematics · FE Reference Handbook section

Mathematics
4 formulas
10 exam-style examples
~53 min
All Mathematics lectures

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.

Example 1
Exponential decay — solve for value at t — Differential Calculus

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

  • initialvalue(y0)=23.5000initial value (y_{0}) = 23.5000
  • decayconstant(k)=1.90001/sdecay constant (k) = 1.9000 1/s
  • time(t)=0.1500stime (t) = 0.1500 s

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

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    y=y0e−kty = y_0 e^{-k t}
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that y stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: initial value (y0) = 23.5000, decay constant (k) = 1.9000 1/s, time (t) = 0.1500 s.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    y=17.6723y = 17.6723
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning y = 17.6723 to

    y=y0e−kty = y_0 e^{-k t}

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
y=17.6723y = 17.6723

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

Example 2
Exponential decay — solve for initial value — Differential Calculus (2)

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

  • decayconstant(k)=1.00001/sdecay constant (k) = 1.0000 1/s
  • time(t)=2.2000stime (t) = 2.2000 s
  • valueatt(y)=27.2800value at t (y) = 27.2800

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

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    y=y0e−kty = y_0 e^{-k t}
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that y0 stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:decayconstant(k)=1.00001/s,time(t)=2.2000s,valueatt(y)=27.2800List the givens: decay constant (k) = 1.0000 1/s, time (t) = 2.2000 s, value at t (y) = 27.2800
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    y0=246.2y_{0} = 246.2
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning y0 = 246.2 to

    y=y0e−kty = y_0 e^{-k t}

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
y0=246.2y_{0} = 246.2

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

Example 3
Exponential decay — solve for decay constant — Differential Calculus (3)

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

  • initialvalue(y0)=28.0000initial value (y_{0}) = 28.0000
  • time(t)=0.3000stime (t) = 0.3000 s
  • valueatt(y)=31.5100value at t (y) = 31.5100

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

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    y=y0e−kty = y_0 e^{-k t}
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that k stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:initialvalue(y0)=28.0000,time(t)=0.3000s,valueatt(y)=31.5100List the givens: initial value (y_{0}) = 28.0000, time (t) = 0.3000 s, value at t (y) = 31.5100
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    k=−0.3937 1/sk = -0.3937\ \text{1/s}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning k = -0.3937 1/s to

    y=y0e−kty = y_0 e^{-k t}

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
k=−0.3937 1/sk = -0.3937\ \text{1/s}

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

Example 4
Exponential decay — solve for time — Differential Calculus (4)

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

  • initialvalue(y0)=48.0000initial value (y_{0}) = 48.0000
  • decayconstant(k)=1.90001/sdecay constant (k) = 1.9000 1/s
  • valueatt(y)=9.6100value at t (y) = 9.6100

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

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    y=y0e−kty = y_0 e^{-k t}
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that t stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: initial value (y0) = 48.0000, decay constant (k) = 1.9000 1/s, value at t (y) = 9.6100.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    t=0.8465 st = 0.8465\ \text{s}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning t = 0.8465 s to

    y=y0e−kty = y_0 e^{-k t}

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
t=0.8465 st = 0.8465\ \text{s}

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

Example 5
Exponential decay — solve for value at t (case 2) — Differential Calculus (5)

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

  • initialvalue(y0)=25.5000initial value (y_{0}) = 25.5000
  • decayconstant(k)=0.75001/sdecay constant (k) = 0.7500 1/s
  • time(t)=0.9500stime (t) = 0.9500 s

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

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    y=y0e−kty = y_0 e^{-k t}
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that y stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: initial value (y0) = 25.5000, decay constant (k) = 0.7500 1/s, time (t) = 0.9500 s.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    y=12.5056y = 12.5056
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning y = 12.5056 to

    y=y0e−kty = y_0 e^{-k t}

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
y=12.5056y = 12.5056

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

Example 6
Exponential decay — solve for initial value (case 2) — Differential Calculus (6)

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

  • decayconstant(k)=0.60001/sdecay constant (k) = 0.6000 1/s
  • time(t)=1.9000stime (t) = 1.9000 s
  • valueatt(y)=35.3400value at t (y) = 35.3400

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

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    y=y0e−kty = y_0 e^{-k t}
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that y0 stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:decayconstant(k)=0.60001/s,time(t)=1.9000s,valueatt(y)=35.3400List the givens: decay constant (k) = 0.6000 1/s, time (t) = 1.9000 s, value at t (y) = 35.3400
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    y0=110.5y_{0} = 110.5
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning y0 = 110.5 to

    y=y0e−kty = y_0 e^{-k t}

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
y0=110.5y_{0} = 110.5

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

Example 7
Exponential decay — solve for decay constant (case 2) — Differential Calculus (7)

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

  • initialvalue(y0)=40.5000initial value (y_{0}) = 40.5000
  • time(t)=1.9000stime (t) = 1.9000 s
  • valueatt(y)=47.6700value at t (y) = 47.6700

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

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    y=y0e−kty = y_0 e^{-k t}
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that k stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:initialvalue(y0)=40.5000,time(t)=1.9000s,valueatt(y)=47.6700List the givens: initial value (y_{0}) = 40.5000, time (t) = 1.9000 s, value at t (y) = 47.6700
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    k=−0.0858 1/sk = -0.0858\ \text{1/s}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning k = -0.0858 1/s to

    y=y0e−kty = y_0 e^{-k t}

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
k=−0.0858 1/sk = -0.0858\ \text{1/s}

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

Example 8
Exponential decay — solve for time (case 2) — Differential Calculus (8)

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

  • initialvalue(y0)=9.0000initial value (y_{0}) = 9.0000
  • decayconstant(k)=1.60001/sdecay constant (k) = 1.6000 1/s
  • valueatt(y)=31.4500value at t (y) = 31.4500

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

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    y=y0e−kty = y_0 e^{-k t}
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that t stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: initial value (y0) = 9.0000, decay constant (k) = 1.6000 1/s, value at t (y) = 31.4500.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    t=−0.7820 st = -0.7820\ \text{s}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning t = -0.7820 s to

    y=y0e−kty = y_0 e^{-k t}

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
t=−0.7820 st = -0.7820\ \text{s}

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

Example 9
Exponential decay — solve for value at t (case 3) — Differential Calculus (9)

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

  • initialvalue(y0)=12.5000initial value (y_{0}) = 12.5000
  • decayconstant(k)=1.75001/sdecay constant (k) = 1.7500 1/s
  • time(t)=2.5500stime (t) = 2.5500 s

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

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    y=y0e−kty = y_0 e^{-k t}
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that y stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: initial value (y0) = 12.5000, decay constant (k) = 1.7500 1/s, time (t) = 2.5500 s.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    y=0.1442y = 0.1442
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning y = 0.1442 to

    y=y0e−kty = y_0 e^{-k t}

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
y=0.1442y = 0.1442

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

Example 10
Exponential decay — solve for initial value (case 3) — Differential Calculus (10)

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

  • decayconstant(k)=1.85001/sdecay constant (k) = 1.8500 1/s
  • time(t)=0.2500stime (t) = 0.2500 s
  • valueatt(y)=37.7400value at t (y) = 37.7400

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

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    y=y0e−kty = y_0 e^{-k t}
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that y0 stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:decayconstant(k)=1.85001/s,time(t)=0.2500s,valueatt(y)=37.7400List the givens: decay constant (k) = 1.8500 1/s, time (t) = 0.2500 s, value at t (y) = 37.7400
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    y0=59.9326y_{0} = 59.9326
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning y0 = 59.9326 to

    y=y0e−kty = y_0 e^{-k t}

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
y0=59.9326y_{0} = 59.9326

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

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