Mathematics for Chemistry/Tests and Exams
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[edit] A possible final test with explanatory notes
This test was once used to monitor the broad learning of university chemists at the end of the 1st year and is intended to check, somewhat lightly, a range of skills in only 50 minutes. It contains a mixture of what are perceived to be both easy and difficult questions so as to give the marker a good idea of the student's algebra skills and even whether they can do the infamous integration by parts.
(1) Solve the following equation for x
x2 + 2x − 15 = 0
It factorises with 3 and 5 so : (x + 5)(x − 3) = 0 therefore the roots are -5 and +3, not 5 and -3!
(2) Solve the following equation for x
2x2 − 6x − 20 = 0
Divide by 2 and get x2 − 3x − 10 = 0.
This factorises with 2 and 5 so : (x − 5)(x + 2) = 0 therefore the roots are 5 and -2.
(3) Simplify
lnw6 − 4lnw
Firstly 6lnw − 4lnw so it becomes 2lnw.
(4) What is

64 = 8 x 8 so it also equals 23x23 i.e.
is 2 − 6, therefore the answer is -6.
(5) Multiply the two complex numbers

These are complex conjugates so they are 32 minus i2x52 i.e. plus 25 so the total is 34.
(6) Multiply the two complex numbers

The real part is -25 plus the 4i2. The cross terms make − 10i and + 10i so the imaginary part disappears.
(7) Differentiate with respect to x:

Answer: 
(8) 
Answer: 
(9) 
Answer: 
(10) x3(x − (2x + 3)(2x − 3))
Expand out the difference of 2 squares first.....collect and multiply....then just differentiate term by term giving: 
(11) 3x3cos3x
This needs the product rule.... Factor out the 9x2 .... 9x2(cos3x − xsin3x)
(12) ln(1 − x)2
This could be a chain rule problem....... 
or you could take the power 2 out of the log and go straight to the same answer with a shorter version of the chain rule to:
.
(13) Perform the following integrations:

cos2 must be converted to a double angle form as shown many times.... then all 3 bits are integrated giving .......
cosθsinθ + θ + θ2
(14) 
Apart from
, which goes to ln, this is straightforward polynomial integration. Also there is a nasty trap in that two terms can be telescoped to
.

(15) What is the equation corresponding to the determinant:

The first term is b(b2 − 1) the second
and the 3rd term zero. This adds up to b3 − 3 / 2b.
(16) What is the general solution of the following differential equation:

where A is a constant..
θ = Alnr + k.
(17) Integrate by parts: 
Make x the factor to be differentiated and apply the formula, taking care with the signs... sinx − xcosx.
(18)The Maclaurin series for which function begins with these terms?

It is ex....
(19)Express
as partial fractions.
It is ..... 
(20) What is 2ei4φ − cos4φ in terms of sin and cos
This is just Euler's equation..... 2ei4φ = 2cos4φ − 2isin4φ
so one cos4φ disappears to give ... cos4φ − 2isin4φ.
[edit] 50 Minute Test II
(1) Simplify 2ln(1 / x3) + 5lnx
(2)What is 
(3) Solve the following equation for t
t2 − 3t − 4 = 0
(4) Solve the following equation for w
w2 + 4w − 12 = 0
(5) Multiply the two complex numbers 
(6) Multiply the two complex numbers 
(7) The Maclaurin series for which function begins with these terms?

(8) Differentiate with respect to x:
x3(2 − 3x)2
(9) 
(10)x4 − 3x2 + k
where k is a constant.
(11) 
where A is a constant.
(12) 3x3e3x
(13) ln(2 − x)3
(14) Perform the following integrations:

(15) 
(16) What is the equation belonging to the determinant \begin{vmatrix} x & 0 & 0\\ 0 & x & i \\ 0 & i & x \\ \end{vmatrix} = 0</math>
(17) What is the general solution of the following differential equation:

(18) Integrate by any appropriate method:

(19) Express 
as partial fractions.
(20) What is 2ei2φ + 2isin2φ in terms of sin and cos.
[edit] 50 Minute Test III
(1) Solve the following equation for t
t2 − 4t − 12 = 0
(2) What is 
(3) The Maclaurin series for which function begins with these terms?
---- (4) Differentiate with respect to x:

(5) 
(6) 
(7) 
(8) x2(2x2 − (5 + 2x)(5 − 2x))
(9) 2x2sinx
(10) Multiply the two complex numbers 
(11) Multiply the two complex numbers 
(12) Perform the following integrations:

(13)

(14) 
(15) 
(16) Integrate by parts: 
(17) What is the equation corresponding to the determinant:

(18) Express
as partial fractions.
(19)What is the general solution of the following differential equation:

(20) What is ei2φ − 2isin2φ in terms of sin and cos.