M1 Most Repeated Questions
Engineering Mathematics-I (M1) is one of the foundational subjects in the first
semester of engineering programs. This comprehensive guide covers the most
frequently asked questions, exam patterns, and preparation strategies for M1
examinations across various universities, including VTU, JNTU, and Anna University.
UNIT 1: MATRICES
Part A Questions (2-3 marks) - High Frequency
1. Find the characteristic equation of the given matrices
2. Find eigenvalues of A², A⁻¹, or kA if eigenvalues of A are given
3. If eigenvalues are 2, 3, 4, find the determinant and trace
4. Define the modal matrix and its properties
5. State Cayley-Hamilton theorem
6. Write applications of the Cayley-Hamilton theorem
7. Find the matrix corresponding to the quadratic forms
8. Types of matrices: symmetric, skew-symmetric, Hermitian, orthogonal
9. Sum and product properties of eigenvalues
10.Define index, signature, and rank of quadratic forms
Part B Questions (10-16 marks) - Star Priority System
Three Star Questions (Must Solve - 80% probability)
1. Test consistency and solve the system of equations:
● 3x + y + z = 8, -x + y - 2z = -5, x + y + z = 6, -2x + 2y - 3z = -7
2. Find eigenvalues and eigenvectors of standard matrices:
● A = [[1, 0, -1], , ]
● A = [, [0, -2, 0], ]
● A = [[3, -1, 0], [-1, 2, -1], [0, -1, 3]]
3. Verify Cayley-Hamilton theorem and find A⁻¹:
● A = [, [2, 1, -1], [1, -1, 1]]
● A = [, [1, 3, -3], [-2, -4, -4]]
Two Star Questions (Important - 15% probability)
4. Reduce quadratic forms to canonical form:
● 8x² + 7y² + 3z² - 12xy + 4xz - 8yz
● 6x₁² + 3x₂² + 3x₃² - 4x₁x₂ - 2x₂x₃ + 4x₃x₁
UNIT 2: DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS
Part A Questions (2-3 marks)
1. State Rolle's theorem
2. State Lagrange's Mean Value Theorem
3. State Cauchy's Mean Value Theorem
4. Geometrical interpretation of MVT
5. Find critical points of polynomial functions
6. Verify continuity at specific points
7. Basic differentiation of composite functions
Part B Questions (10-16 marks)
Three Star Questions (Highest Priority)
1. Verify Mean Value Theorems:
● Rolle's theorem: f(x) = sin x/eˣ on [0, π]
● Lagrange's MVT: f(x) = log x in [1, e]
● Lagrange's MVT: f(x) = cos x in [0, π/2]
2. Taylor Series Expansions:
● sin x about x = π/4
● log_e x in powers of (x-1)
● tan⁻¹x up to x³ terms
● Find the coefficient of x² in eˣ sin x expansion
3. Curvature Problems:
● Radius of curvature of xy² = a³ - x³ at (a, 0) is 3a/2
Two Star Questions
4. Maxima and Minima problems
5. Implicit differentiation
6. Parametric differentiation
UNIT 3: FUNCTIONS OF SEVERAL VARIABLES
Part A Questions (2-3 marks)
1. Chain rule applications: du/dt problems
2. Basic Jacobian calculations
3. Find stationary points
4. Partial derivatives at specific points
5. State sufficient conditions for extrema
Part B Questions (10-16 marks)
Three Star Questions
1. Jacobian Problems:
● ∂(x,y,z)/∂(r,θ,φ) for spherical coordinates
● Various transformation Jacobians
2. Maxima and Minima:
● f(x,y) = x³ + y³ - 3xy
● Examine f(x,y) = x⁴ + 2x²y - x² + 3y² for extrema
3. Lagrange Multipliers:
● Minimum value of xy + 27/x + 27/y
● Shortest distance from point to sphere
UNIT 4: INTEGRAL CALCULUS
Part A Questions (2-3 marks)
1. State Fundamental Theorem of Calculus
2. Basic integration techniques
3. Improper integral convergence tests
4. Trigonometric substitutions
Part B Questions (10-16 marks)
Three Star Questions
1. Integration by parts:
● ∫ eᵃˣ cos bx dx
● ∫ x tan⁻¹x dx
2. Reduction Formulas:
● ∫ sinⁿx dx reduction formula
● ∫ cosⁿx dx reduction formula
3. Improper Integrals:
● Convergence analysis
UNIT 5: MULTIPLE INTEGRALS
Part A Questions (2-3 marks)
1. Basic double integral evaluations
2. Change the order of integration
3. Convert to polar coordinates
4. Triple integral setups
Part B Questions (10-16 marks)
Three-Star Questions
1. Double Integrals:
● ∫∫ xy² dx dy over the first quadrant of x² + 8y² = 4
● Change order and evaluate specific integrals.
2. Volume Applications:
● Volume of a tetrahedron bounded by coordinate planes
● Volume of an ellipsoid
3. Polar Coordinate Problems:
● ∫∫ e^(-(x²+y²)) dx dy evaluation
Unit-wise Most Important Questions
Unit 1: Matrices and Infinite Series
Matrices - Star Rating System Questions
Three-Star Questions (Highest Priority)
● Find eigenvalues and eigenvectors of given matrices
● Diagonalize matrices using the modal matrix
● Solve a system of linear equations using matrix methods
● Reduce matrices to echelon and normal forms
● Verify the Cayley-Hamilton theorem and find the inverse using it
Two-Star Questions (Moderate Priority)
● Define and find the rank of a matrix
● Types of matrices: symmetric, skew-symmetric, Hermitian, orthogonal
● Properties of eigenvalues: sum and product relationships
● Quadratic forms and their canonical forms
One-Star Questions (Basic Level)
● Define the modal matrix and its properties
● Basic matrix operations and determinants
● Conditions for diagonalizability
Infinite Series - Convergence Tests
Most Repeated Series Questions
● p-Series test and auxiliary series test
● Ratio test, root test, and Raabe's test applications
● Absolute and conditional convergence problems
● Alternating series and Leibnitz's test
● Power series convergence and radius of convergence
Unit 2: Differential Calculus and Mean Value Theorems
Mean Value Theorems - Core Questions
Essential Theorem Questions
● State and prove Rolle's theorem
● Lagrange's mean value theorem verification
● Cauchy's mean value theorem applications
● Geometrical interpretation of the mean value theorems
Standard Verification Problems
● Verify Lagrange's MVT for f(x) = log x in [1, e]
● Verify Rolle's theorem for f(x) = sin x / e^x on [0, π]
● Find 'c' in Lagrange's theorem for polynomial functions
Taylor and Maclaurin Series Expansions
High-Frequency Expansion Problems
● Taylor series of sin x about x = π/4
● Expand log_e x in powers of (x-1)
● Expand tan⁻¹x up to x³ terms
● Find the coefficient of x² in the e^x sin x expansion
● Curvature problems and radius of curvature
Unit 3: Functions of Several Variables
Partial Differentiation Questions
Most Expected Problems
● Find partial derivatives at specific points
● Jacobians and functional dependence problems
● Total differential calculations
● Chain rule applications in partial differentiation
Maxima and Minima Problems
● Find extreme values of f(x,y) = x³ + y³ - 3xy
● Lagrange's method of multipliers applications
● Constrained optimization problems
● Examine functions for maximum and minimum values
Unit 4: Multiple Integrals
Double and Triple Integral Problems
Standard Integration Questions
● Change of order of integration problems
● Double integrals in polar coordinates
● Evaluation of triple integrals
● Area and volume calculations using multiple integrals
Common Integral Types
● ∫∫ xy² dx dy with specified limits
● Integrals over circular regions using polar coordinates
● Triple integrals in Cartesian and spherical coordinates
Unit 5: Vector Calculus and Differential Equations
Vector Calculus Essentials
Important Vector Problems
● Gradient, divergence, and curl calculations
● Unit normal vectors to surfaces
● Line and surface integrals
● Applications of Green's, Gauss, and Stokes theorems
Differential Equations
Frequently Asked DE Types
● First-order exact and reducible to exact form
● Bernoulli's differential equations
● Linear differential equations with constant coefficients
● Applications: Newton's law of cooling, natural growth and decay
