Calculus (SMD 001 U 1M)

End-Sem Solutions
Department of Mathematics, IIT Jammu, India

Instructors: Manmohan Vashisth and Rahul Kitture

Marks: 45

Time: 3 : 00 PM to 5 : 00 PM

• Attempt any 9 questions.

• Justify each step clearly.

• You can refer to the Tutorial problems, class notes or book (write
name with page number), if you are using it. Otherwise, it will not
be considered.

1
1. Let { an } be a sequence of real numbers such that
7
| a n +1 − a n | < | a n − a n −1 | .
8
Prove that { an } is convergent (give details). (5 Marks)

Sol.

7
| a3 − a2 | < | a2 − a1 |
8
7  7 2
| a4 − a3 | < | a3 − a2 | < | a2 − a1 |
8 8
 7  n −1
and in general | an+1 − an | < | a2 − a1 |.
8

Therefore

| a n + m − a n | ≤ | a n + m − a n + m −1 | + · · · + | a n +1 − a n |
n 7 n+m−2  7  n −1 o
< +···+ | a n − a n −1 |
8 8
 7  n −1 n 7 m−1 o
< | a2 − a1 | +···+1
8 8
 7  n −1 1
< | a2 − a1 | .
8 1 − 78

Now

n→∞ ⇒ (7/8)n−1 → ∞ ⇒ 8(7/8)n−1 | a2 − a1 | → 0.

Hence given ε > 0, there is N ∈ N such that

 7  n −1
8 | a2 − a1 | < ε for all n ≥ N.
8

Hence, for n, m ≥ N, we get

| an+m − an | < ε.

This shows that { an } is Cauchy, hence convergent.

2
2 Discuss the convergence of the following series.
∞  1 
1. ∑ cos n100
. (2.5 Marks)
n =1
∞
n!
2. ∑ n n 2n
. (2.5 Marks)
n =1

Sol. (1) If a series ∑∞

n=1 an of real numbers converges, then we must
have limn→∞ an = 0.
 
If an = cos n100 , then limn→∞ an = 1, hence ∑∞
1
n=1 an does not
converge.

(2) Let an = n!
n n 2n . Then an > 0 for all n ∈ N, and

a n +1 ( n + 1) ! n n 2n  n n 1
= = .
an (n + 1)n+1 2n+1 n n! n+1 2
1
Therefore limn→∞ ( an+1 /an ) = 2e < 1.
By ratio test, ∑∞
n=1 an converges.

Alternate way: an > 0 for all n and

(n!)1/n (n · n · · · n)1/n 1
( an )1/n = < = .
2n 2n 2

Therefore, by root test, the series ∑∞

n=1 an converges.

Alternate way: Since n! < nn , we have

n! 1
0< n n
< n.
n 2 2

Since the series ∑∞

n =1
1
2n is convergent, by comparison test, the series
∑∞
n =1
n!
n n 2n converges.

3
3 For any integer n > 2, show that f ( x ) = x n − ax − b can have at most
three distinct roots in R. (5 Marks)

Sol. Suppose, if possible, x1 < x2 < x3 < x4 are four roots of f ( x ).

Since f ( x ) is polynomial, it is differentiable on R.

By Rolle’s theorem, there are

y1 ∈ ( x1 , x2 ), y2 ∈ ( x2 , x3 ), y3 ∈ ( x3 , x4 )

such that f 0 (yi ) = 0 for i = 1, 2, 3.

Further application of Rolle’s theorem to f 0 ( x ) gives: there exists

z1 ∈ (y1 , y2 ) and z2 ∈ (y2 , y3 ) such that f 00 (z1 ) = f 00 (z2 ) = 0.

But, for n > 2, f 00 ( x ) = n(n − 1) x n−2 , which doesn’t have distinct

roots z1 , z2 .

We arroved at a contradiction.

4
4. Determine the points a ∈ R at which the functions f ( x ) = | cos( x )|
and g( x ) = cos(| x |) are (write details). (5 Marks)

Sol. Since cos( x ) is differentiable at all points of R and | x | is differ-

entiable at R \ {0}, thus the composition

x 7→ cos( x ) 7→ | cos( x )|

is differentiable at a ∈ R where cos( a) 6= 0, i.e. at a 6= nπ + π

2 for
n ∈ Z. Consider remaining points: a = nπ + π
2 for n ∈ Z.

f ( a + h) − f ( a) | cos( a + h)| − 0
lim = lim
h →0 h h →0 h
| cos(nπ + π2 + h)|
= lim
h →0 h
n
|(−1) cos( π2 + h)|
= lim
h →0 h
n
|(−1) (−1) sin(h)
= lim .
h →0 h

For fixed n, the limit on the right side does not exist. Hence | cos( x )|
is not differentiable at a = nπ + π
2 for n ∈ Z.

The map g( x ) = cos(| x |), being composition

x 7→ | x | 7→ cos(| x |)

is differentiable at all a ∈ R \ {0}. At a = 0,

g (0 + h ) − g (0) cos(|h|) − 1
lim = lim
h →0 h h →0
 h
cos h−1
lim if h < 0

h →0− −h
=
limh→0+ cos h−1

if h > 0
h

and clearly, the last two limits are unequal, so cos(| x |) is not differ-
entiable at 0.

5
5. (a) Let Let f : [−1, 1] → R be a continuous function and let
Z 1
an = tn f (t)dt.
−1

Check the convergence of the sequence { an }. (3 Marks)

(b) Let 
1 if x ∈ Q

f (x) =
 −1 if x ∈ R \ Q.


Then show that f is not integrable on any interval in R (2 Marks)

Sol. (a) As f is continuous on [−1, 1], it is integrable on [−1, 1] and

Z 1 Z 0 Z 1
an = tn f (t)dt = tn f (t)dt + tn f (t)dt := bn + cn (say).
−1 −1 0

Consider bn .

Since f is continuous on [−1, 0], it is bounded.

So | f ( x )| ≤ M for all x ∈ [−1, 0] and

Z 0 Z 0 Z 1
| bn | = tn f (t)dt ≤ |t|n Mdt = tn Mdt
−1 −1 0

where, last equality follows from change of variable t → −t.

Therefore Z 1
M
| bn | ≤ tn Mdt = .
0 n+1
Thus, bn → 0 as n → ∞.

The last inequality also applies to cn with bn replaced by cn .

Thus bn as well as cn converge to 0 as n → ∞, and so an converges

to 0.

6
(b) Let [ a, b] be any interval in R.

For any n ∈ N, consider the partion of [ a, b] into n subintervals of

b− a
equal length ∆x := n :

[ a, a + ∆x ], [ a + ∆x, a + 2∆x ], ... , [ a + (n − 1)∆x, b].

For arbitrary choice of points xi (i = 1, 2, . . . , n), one from each of

these subintervals respectively, consider the Riemann sum

f ( x1 )∆x + f ( x2 )∆x + · · · + f ( xn )∆x.

(i) Since each interval contains rationals as well as irrationals, if all

xi ’s are taken as rationals, then the Riemann sum is

1∆x + 1∆x + · · · + 1∆x = n∆x = (b − a).

(ii) If all xi ’s are taken as irrationals, then the Riemann sum is

(−1)1∆x + (−1)∆x + · · · + (−1)∆x = −n∆x = −(b − a).

Thus, the limit of Riemann sum as n → ∞ does not exist, i.e. f is

not integrable on [ a, b].

7
6. Let f : [0, 1] → [0, ∞) be a continuous function. Then show that
Z 1
f ( x ) dx > 0 if and only if there exists at least one point x0 ∈ [0, 1]
0
such that f ( x0 ) > 0. (5 Marks)

So. (⇒) Consider the partion of [0, 1] into n subintervals of equal

length: [0, n1 ], . . ., [ n− 1
n , 1]. Consider the following Riemann sum:

n−1
    
1 1
A n = f (0) + f +···+ f .
n n n
Z 1
Now f ( x ) dx > 0, which implies that limn→∞ An > 0. From the
0  
expression of An , f ni > 0 for some i ∈ {0, 1, . . . , n − 1}.

(Alternate way: Apply Mean Value Theorem for integration

Z 1
0< f ( x )dx = f ( x0 )(1 − 0) for some x0 ∈ (0, 1).
0

(⇐) Suppose x0 ∈ [0, 1] is such that f ( x0 ) > 0.

Case 1. x0 = 0.
Since f is continuous with f ( x0 ) > 0, ∃ ε such that 0 < ε < 1 and

f ( x0 )
f (x) > for all x ∈ [0, ε). ( Prob.3, Tut.4)
2
Z 1 Z 1 Z ε Z 1
⇒ f ( x )dx = f ( x )dx = f ( x )dx + f ( x )dx
x0 0 0 ε
f ( x0 )
> ε+0 > 0
2

Case 2. x0 = 1. This is similar to the Case 1.

Case 3. 0 < x0 < 1. Then
Z 1 Z x0 Z 1
f ( x )dx = f ( x )dx + f ( x )dx.
0 0 x0

The first integral is positive by application of Case 2 to [0, x0 ].

The second integral is positive by application of Case 1 to [ x0 , 1].

8
7. Define f : [1, ∞) → R by
 h i
1, if x ∈ n, n + 1
for n ∈ N

2n
f (x) =
0,

otherwise
Z ∞
Then show that the improper integral f ( x ) dx converges to 1 but the
1
series ∑∞
n=1 f ( n ) is divergent. (5 Marks)

Sol. Since f is bounded on [1, ∞), to check the convergence of the

given improper integral, we need to consider the limit
Z t
lim f ( x )dx.
t→∞+ 1

Fix t ∈ [1, ∞). Then there is n ∈ N such that

1 1
n+ n
≤ t ≤ ( n + 1 ) + n +1 .
2 2
Since f is non-negative function, so
Z n+ 1n Z t Z (n+1)+ 1
2 2n +1
f ( x )dx ≤ f ( x )dx ≤ f ( x )dx
1  1
Z t  1

1 1 1 1 1
⇒ +···+ n ≤ f ( x )dx ≤ + · · · + n + n +1 .
2 2 1 2 2 2
Now t → ∞ if and only if n → ∞ and the two sequences in the last
inequality converge to 1 as n → ∞. Therefore
Z t
lim f ( x )dx = 1.
t→∞+ 1

Since f (n) = 1 for n = 1, 2, 3, . . . ,, so limn→∞ f (n) 6= 0, and so the

series ∑∞
n=1 f ( n ) diverges.

9
8. Determine if the following function is continuous at (0, 0).

x sin( x ) sin(y)


 if ( x, y) 6= (0, 0)
f ( x, y) = x 2 + y2

0 otherwise.

(5 Marks)

Sol. Since | sin( x ) ≤ | x | for all x ∈ R, so for ( x, y) 6= (0, 0),

x sin( x ) sin(y)
| f ( x, y)| =
x 2 + y2
| x2 | · |y|
≤ 2
| x + y2 |
≤ |y| (since | x2 |/(| x2 | + |y2 |) ≤ 1).

Therefore, if ( x, y) → (0, 0), then | f ( x, y)| → 0, hence f ( x, y) → 0.

So f is continuous at (0, 0).

10
 | xy|
9. Let f ( x, y) = p .
x 2 + y2 + 1
∂f ∂f
1. Does (0, 0) and (0, 0) exist? (2.5 Marks)
∂x ∂y
2. Is f differentiable at (0, 0)? (2.5 Marks)

Sol. (1)

∂f f (h, 0) − f (0, 0)
(0, 0) = lim
∂x h →0 h
0−0
= lim = 0.
h →0 h
∂f
Since f is symmetric in x and y, so ∂y (0, 0) =0

(2) To check differentiability of f at (0, 0), we need to check if the

following limit is 0:
∂f ∂f
f (h, k) − f (0, 0) − h ∂x (0, 0) − k ∂y (0, 0)
lim
(h,k)→(0,0) |(h, k)|
∂f ∂f √
Here f (0, 0) = ∂x (0, 0) = ∂y (0, 0) = 0 and |(h, k)| = h2 + k2 , so
the above limit becomes

|hk|
lim √ √ ≤ lim |k|
(h,k)→(0,0) h2 + k 2 + 1 h2 + k 2 (h,k)→(0,0)
√ √
since |h|/ h2 + k2 ≤ 1 and 1/( h2 + k2 + 1) ≤ 1.
It follows that the above limit is 0, so f is differentiable at (0, 0).

11
10. Let f , g : R → R be two times-differentiable functions, and let u :
R2 → R be given by

u( x, t) := f ( x + t) + g( x − t).

Then show that

∂2 u ∂2 u
( x, t ) − ( x, t) = 0 for ( x, t) ∈ R2
∂t2 ∂x2

(5 Marks)

Sol. We have
u( x, t) = f ( x + t) + g( x − t).

By Chain Rule,

∂u ∂( x + t) ∂( x − t)
( x, t) = f 0 ( x + t) + g0 ( x − t)
∂x ∂x ∂x
= f 0 ( x + t) + g0 ( x − t)
∂2 u ∂( x + t) ∂( x − t)
so 2
( x, t) = f 00 ( x + t) + g00 ( x − t)
∂x ∂x ∂x
= f 00 ( x + t) + g00 ( x − t).

Similarly,

∂u ∂( x + t) ∂( x − t)
( x, t) = f 0 ( x + t) + g0 ( x − t)
∂t ∂t ∂t
= f 0 ( x + t) − g0 ( x − t)
∂2 u ∂( x + t) ∂( x − t)
and 2
( x, t) = f 00 ( x + t) − g00 ( x − t)
∂t ∂t ∂t
= f 00 ( x + t) + g00 ( x − t).

It follows that

∂2 u ∂2 u
( x, t) − 2 ( x, t) = 0 for ( x, t) ∈ R2
∂t2 ∂x

12
11. Find the point on the line passing through (1, 0, 0) and (0, 1, 0) that is
closest to the line through (0, 0, 0) and (1, 1, 1). (5 Marks)

Sol. Given two vectors a, b ∈ R3 , an arbitrary point on the line

joinig them is a convex combination of them: tb + (1 − t)a for t ∈ R.

An arbitrary point on line passing through (1, 0, 0) and (0, 1, 0) is

t(0, 1, 0) + (1 − t)(1, 0, 0) = (1 − t, t, 0) ( t ∈ R).

An arbitrary point on line passing through (0, 0, 0) and (1, 1, 1) is

s(1, 1, 1) + (1 − s)(0, 0, 0) = (s, s, s) ( s ∈ R).

The distance between arbitrary points of two lines will be

q
d = (1 − t − s )2 + ( t − s )2 + s2 .

To get closest point of first line, we look for minimum value of d,

i.e. minimum value of d2 .

d2 = (1 − t − s )2 + ( t − s )2 + s2
= (1 − (t + s))2 + (t − s)2 + s2
= 1 − 2(t + s) + (t2 + 2ts + s2 ) + (t2 − 2ts + s2 ) + s2
= 2t2 + 3s2 − 2t − 2s + 1.

If d2 has minimum value at (t0 , s0 ), then ∂d

∂t ( t0 , s0 ) = ∂d
∂s ( t0 , s0 ) = 0.
1
Solving it, we get t0 = 2 and s0 = 13 . So the point of first line closest
to second line is (1 − 12 , 12 , 0) (and one can check: d = √1 ).
6

Correct solution without calculus techniques: 2 marks.

13
12. Find the extreme values of the function f ( x, y) = x3 − x + y2 − 2y on
the closed triangular region with vertices at (−1, 0), (1, 0) and (0, 2).
(5 Marks)

Sol. Critical points of f ( x, y) are points ( a, b) with ∇ f ( a, b) = (0, 0),

i.e. (3a2 − 1, 2b − 2) = (0, 0), so they are ( √1 , 1) and (− √1 , 1).
3 3
We check whether critical points lie inside the triangle. These points
have y-coordinate 1, and the horizontal line y = 1 cuts triangle at
points ( −21 , 1) and ( 21 , 1).

• (0, 2)
(− 12 , 1) ( 1 , 1)
• •2

(−1, 0) • • (1, 0)

√
Since 22 > 3, so 2 > 3, i.e. √1 > 21 . Hence the point ( √13 , 1) is
3
outside the triangle. By symmetry around (0, 0) of the triangle, the
point (− √1 , 1) is also outside the triangle.
3
Thus, f has no critical points in the interior of triangle, so the maxi-
mum and minimum values of f will be on the boundary of triangle.
y
The line joining (1, 0) and (0, 2) is x + 2 = 1 i.e. y = 2 − 2x.
y
The line joining (−1, 0) and (0, 2) is − x + 2 = 1 i.e. −2x + y = 2.
Case 1. The line y = 2 − 2x. On this line,

f ( x, y) = x3 − x + (2 − 2x )2 − 2(2 − 2x ) = x3 − x + 4x2 − 4x =: g( x )

where x ∈ [0, 1]. If g has an extremum at a ∈ (0, 1), then g0 ( a) = 0,

√
i.e. 3a2 + 8a − 5 = 0. Solving it, we get a = −4±3 31 . The only choice
√ √
of a in (0, 1) is −4+3 31 ≈ 0.522 (since 5 < 31 < 6). Now,

g( a) ≈ (0.522)3 + 4(0.522)2 − 5(0.522) ≈ −1.377

14
Case 2. The line y = 2 + 2x. On this line,

f ( x, y) = x3 − x + (2 + 2x )2 − 2(2 + 2x ) = x3 − x + 4x2 + 4x =: h( x )

where x ∈ [−1, 0]. If h has an extremum at b ∈ (0, 1), then h0 (b) = 0,

√
−4± 7
i.e. 3b2 + 8b + 3 = 0. Solving it, we get b = 3 . The only choice
√ √
−4+ 7
of b in (−1, 0) is 3 ≈ −0.451 (since 2 < 7 < 3). Then

h(−0.451) ≈ (−0.451)3 + 4(−0.451)2 + 3(−0.451) ≈ −0.631

Case 3. The line y = 0 (with −1 ≤ x ≤ 1).

On this line, f ( x, y) = x3 − x =: k ( x ). If k ( x ) has an extremum at
√
c ∈ (−1, 1), then k0 (c) = 0, i.e. 3c2 − 1 = 0, i.e. c = ±1/ 3. Then
√ √ √
k(1/ 3) = (1/ 3)3 − (1/ 3) ≈ −0.384
√ √
k (−1/ 3) = −k (1/ 3) ≈ 0.384 (k is odd function)

Case 4. Vertices of Triangle: f ( x, y) = x3 − x + y2 − 2y, so

f (1, 0) = 0, f (−1, 0) = 0, f (0, 2) = 0.

From the cases 1 to 4, we have

√
(i) Maximum value of f is ≈ 0.384 (at point (−1/ 3, 0))
(ii) Minimum value of f is ≈ −0.631 (on the line y = 2 + 2x for
√
−4+ 7
x= 3 )

15